Nikon Z9 4.10 Firmware Testing - Game Changer for Bird Photography?

[@OkwyUgonweze]

This is the best review on Nikon Z9 firmware 4.10 in the internet right now. Thanks for all you do .

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks and glad it was helpful

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Scott, this was so informative and answered the key questions that most of us have about the 4.1 firmware update. I’ve watched several videos about 4.1 and your comparisons and contrasts were unique and best addressed the differences between animal, bird, and auto subject detection modes. Clearly, the bird subject detection mode is far superior to the other modes for bird photography, especially when using the full auto AF focusing mode. This is a major improvement and brings the Z9 squarely into the same level of functionality as the top Canon and Sony AF systems.

[@WILDALASKA]

Agree

[@tonyh4266]

At last! Thanks, please keep testing

[@WILDALASKA]

Will do

[@tedshillitto6886]

Very informative vid Scott. 4.10 works great with the 180 - 600 in Bird. Thanks for your time .

[@WILDALASKA]

Nice

[@michelebelotti2022]

I am glad that Nikon is catching up with autofocus performance. I shoot with Canon R5 and R6 mk2. I am happy with the R6 mk2 autofocus and I kept those cameras (Canon) because the autofocus, but personally I like more the Nikon image quality (compared to the Canon) but that is personal preference. I also like the fact that Nikon offers wider option of lenses and also cheaper than Canon ones. Maybe soon will be time for me to change completely my set

[@WILDALASKA]

IM dipping my toes into Nikon...well the whole leg anyway lol. We'll see if Canon can deliver on 2024 with the r5mlkII and R1. Then I have t make a decision on glass investments 🤪

[@michelebelotti2022]

@@WILDALASKA yeah, that's the expensive part that keeps photographers "stuck" most of the time to a particular brand

[@arturwalczak8830]

hi there, I was testing last Saturday new birds mode. I got by the lake where there was a lot of birds. I was surprised how much better it was than before but I had one moment that made me wow. I was shooting with 400mm 4.5 and I got swan very close to me. He was almost covering whole frame and was surrounded by smaller birds. I got eye lock on when suddenly the swan dive his head under water and z9 was still tracking his eye , underwater!!! if it was clear water I might have got a great shot. That lasted a second and tracking went back to his body when head was still in the water. Pretty cool. Very happy with new 4.10

[@WILDALASKA]

Very cool. thanks for sharing

[@Walkinginthewoods]

Very good explanation of the new firmware. I have had it for two days now and been having great fun with my bird photography. This firmware is going to make average photographers look good.

[@WILDALASKA]

Great to hear!

[@cy9nvs]

Thank you for this in depth test. Hope they update the z8 quickly too. Subject detection is pretty poor for birds, this update really does look like a game-changer.

[@WILDALASKA]

First half of 2024 Nikon is saying

[@keithmacdonald4805]

The best review that I have seen, I updated my Z9 and found all the same improvements that you have especially with my 800mm f6.3. Thanks for your efforts your videos are all excellent!!

[@WILDALASKA]

Great to hear!

[@inakilezameta5924]

Muchas gracias.tus videos son excelentes creo que compraré la z9.con objetivos z.

[@ryantang8146]

I have used the new firmware with my Z9 and yes it has improved to the point that the autofocus for birds is similar to the experience I had with my previous Canon R5, it sticks to the bird’s eyes like glue and the tracking now is more on par with Sony and Canon now.

[@WILDALASKA]

Agree

[@seemyworld1]

Lots of great tips. I can't wait until my Z8 gets that update. Last I heard it is coming in January or February.

[@WILDALASKA]

Fingers crossed!

[@danbrown8979]

Thank you for doing this test to see what "auto" detection would give! 4.1 is truly a game changer for Nikon bird shooters, IMO also. No Nikon needs to give us a better "auto" version that will recognize birds and deliver!

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@Sami_Alblehe]

This is the best z9 review on KZbin

[@WILDALASKA]

Thx

[@inakilezameta5924]

La mejor con diferencia creo yo.gr

[@AlistairOwensgooglePlus]

Thanks for all the time you put into these videos, really great job on all of them.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thank you very much!

[@dinwa276]

Excellent explanation and examples! Thanks!

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lennyvlaminov9480]

Updated yesterday, tested 30 minutes with my 500/5.6 pf and was actually kind of shocked. I was pretty happy before the update but with this update it felt as I had another af system. Bif with large box was smooth, forgot to test all auto. I was also blown away, and as they say: hardware is useless without software.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@davidbarr9475]

Hey Scott you have helped me so much to become a better predator bird and wildlife photographer. You and Jesse La Valle. So much awesome information. How do you not have 100,000 subscribers? Anyway i do not shoot nikon but always tune in anyway. Keep doing what you do brother.

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad to help

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Very informative review!! Best I've seen so far!!.Tested the 4.1 on birds in flight with busy background, very impressive change from 4.01.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@ranjankmsphotography]

Great information! Fortunately I found your video today and I'm more than pleased to subscribe right now ❤ The best review on 4.1 firmware update. I didn't try the Auto Area AF yet, I mostly do 3D , Wide Area C1,C2 and all in dedicated Bird Subject Detection. Would you suggest me to try Auto Area AF and the Animal subject detection for Bird Photography? I'm using Z9 with F mount 200-500 mm lens.

[@WILDALASKA]

YES!

[@MrModerate_kane]

Subbed and belled, love this review.

[@WILDALASKA]

Welcome aboard!

[@philipculbertson55]

On the birds in flight, do you happen to remember what your "Focus Tracking With Lock On-Blocked Shot" setting was set on? That is in menu a3. I have mine set in the middle (3) but always question if I would be more successful changing it. In Auto Area AF, you are limited to 1, 2, or 3 anyway but in wide-l, it can be set on 4 or 5 to delay giving up the bird. I should probably test it myself but never think about it when birds start flying. For what it is worth, I have tested 4.1 firmware also and my results match yours. I'm really pleased with the difference over 4.0. Enjoyed the video.

[@WILDALASKA]

I'll be doing a setup video for the Z8/Z9 next week. But I just leave it at default setting.

[@patwon]

Great comparison video, very sharp! Do you think that, in term of subject recognition, the z9 4.1 is equal to r6 mark 2?

[@WILDALASKA]

as good

[@HotGates]

Great as always, Nikon have really improved the AF with firmware updates and I am waiting for it to be released for the Z8, Would you say Nikon have caught up with Canon with AF or is Canon still better?

[@WILDALASKA]

I need to do head to heads again, but t really seems like they have caught up for birds. Lot more that's needed, like sheep/goats and other animals at distance. the z8 will get it from what Nikon says in the first half of 2024

[@ThatNorma]

it doesnt need to be released for the z8 because the Z8 already has it. Z8 came with Bird and Airplane mode from day one of release

[@HotGates]

@@ThatNorma Nope just airplane mode not bird mode.

[@ThatNorma]

@@HotGates just checked. you are right , my bad :)

[@HotGates]

@@ThatNorma ;)

[@238coolbreeze]

Excellent job presenting the 4.1 firmware upgrade. I installed it today and it is a big improvement shooting birds in flight.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@DrNick8002]

Tested firmware 4.10 on birds at the low light area in tropical forest....much improved than before. 180-600mm Z lens was also slightly better than my 500mm pf

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@durdeshi]

Thank you very much for doing this comprehensive comparison in real-world situation. Great video. Any thoughts on 3D tracking? Has it improved or remained the same?

[@WILDALASKA]

It looked the same for me.

[@DeanJohnson67]

Solid review! Bird mode Not good with long neck birds in my 3 days of testing ! Animal Mode is better especially for the long neck birds! So, I use bird mode when walking as it is much better for birds in flight or non long neck birds ! But yes the bird mode is great for hawks/eagles/other non long neck birds.

[@WILDALASKA]

I saw some others say this also. Unfortunately I don't have any long neck birdsa round here right now. You may have already tried this but put the camera in to something like WIDE L, where the box will be near the head and not the body and see if it locks up the head instead of the body. My guess is that they didnt add long neck birds in the machine learning and the algorithm is seeing the body as a bird and the head as another, but the body pone wins out as the 'best' bird in the frame.

[@DeanJohnson67]

Thanks! Ya I am generally in Wide L mode and just have Fn1 as a quick single point when that doesn't work@@WILDALASKA

[@kaawe100]

Maybe you can try C1 and choose the biggest option and then 3d (Af-on) or halfpress ekspobutton ?

[@DeanJohnson67]

I have now taken over a thousand pics. It is what it is. It struggles with long neck birds if the background is not solid. As I mentioned I am fine with it as I just know that if I am shooting those I stay in animal mode when they are on thr ground but leave it in bird mode for all other scenarios which works great @@kaawe100

[@pierangelolanfranchi5895]

HI,I have uploaded the new firmware 4.10 but i can't see the bird or plane subject when in menu

[@WILDALASKA]

It should be there. Check your firmware version and if it says 4.1 then go back to the subject detection under the photo menu. Still not there, then turn off pull the battery, reinsert battery and power up to check again. Fails there, call Nikon ASAP 🤷‍♂️

[@pierangelolanfranchi5895]

Thank you ! I did all that but still isn’t showing any bird or plane

[@chrisstreet1994]

How far away do you think your close, medium and stupid far distances were? Thanks

[@WILDALASKA]

close - around 10 yards, medium 10-40, far +50, stupid far - stupid yards away 😛

[@ericusjtm28]

We need this on the Z8. Please nikon

[@WILDALASKA]

Nikon says first half of 2024 for Z8.

[@ThatNorma]

But the Z8 already came with Bird and Airplane mode since release. You mean they are gonna improve on that as well?@@WILDALASKA

[@WILDALASKA]

Just what Nikon said in their release. Must just be the improved machine learning@@ThatNorma

[@WILDALASKA]

Just what Nikon said in their release. Must just be the improved machine learning@@ThatNorma

[@denisdjordjevic5536]

I've shot today squirrels in birdmode, started to question my perception of reality. It seemed to work even better on them than in animal mode 😂

[@WILDALASKA]

Those pesky "squirrel birds"

[@victoriaemilycathomen2112]

What mode you use for paragliders ? Bird or plane? 😂

[@WILDALASKA]

havernt tested it..probably plane

[@isotechimages.9130]

During the lag period Nikon went through l swapped to Canon but l have to laugh when l remember people saying Nikon won't have enough money to put into research and development, well Nikon sure put that to bed.

[@WILDALASKA]

It's always this way. I remember 2 years ago Nikon guys were about ti loose it an now the semi to pro canon guys are at the same point. Hence why I shoot the z9 over my canons mostly now. Next year will be different, at least we hope for canon cameras.

[@isotechimages.9130]

@@WILDALASKA I must say Scott the Canon ergos & layout are just far superior for me & that is what will keep me there l would think.

[@DAVE_WHITE]

One day nikon might be as good as the canon system one day...

[@WILDALASKA]

*sigh* Right now Nikon is knocking it out of the park with firmware and cameras and for sure in the lens department. Next year we may be different as Canon should be dropping pro level cameras again we hope. Lens wise its iffy on the outlook.

[@DAVE_WHITE]

@@WILDALASKA The only good thing is we as the consumer benefit from all of the competition, Nikon seems to get it right every few years, others then surpass them. Then nikon takes forever to get back in the game even half way. Z6 z7 z6II z7Ii z50 failures, whilst canon and sony came out swinging and taking no prisoners all this time nikon faded to the back of the pack and now they are not even up to the same standard of the sony and canon 3 year old focus systems.. Back in the day the D3 D700 D4s were all ground breaking cameras then they hit a homerun with the D850 then along came mirrorless and they are just now in 2023 trying to be competitive again.. After 22 years all and i mean ALL of my Nikon gear has all been sold even down to the extra batteries and chargers and I have switched systems where things actually work for what I do.. My canon R3, R6, R7 will provide me supreme images and FOCUS systems for years to come. wasting life and lots of $$$ waiting for nikon was just BS..