I found the best Nikon Z focus mode.

In this video, I share the focus settings that have worked the best for my event and portrait work.
Nikon Z8: bhpho.to/3nMyniS
Nikon Z6II: bhpho.to/3En3Smn
First time here? Hi, I'm Omar Gonzalez, a professional portrait and event photographer in the NYC/NJ area. On this channel, we talk about cameras, lenses, and techniques to improve our photography.
My business:
www.omargonzalezphotography.com
Social Follow/Contact me
Instagram: ogonzilla
ogonzilla
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[@antonio8404]

Came to this channel for the Fujifilm, stayed for the Omar.

[@dontipton4570]

Absolutely!

[@suatst]

Ditto

[@jaygreer7430]

Exactly!

[@JackieDElia]

This is so true. I enjoy watching anything he does.

[@hartwigdilling9883]

Yes. So did I. Great channel.

[@frank1crayon]

I wanted to take a minute to thank you. First of all, your videos are always as entertaining as they are informative. Second, the discovery of this "Wide-L with Eye Detect" on my Z6ii was an epiphany for me; I guess I never noticed it before. This past Saturday I shot a band's stage performance, taking 454 images, and I didn't miss focus on a single one! If it couldn't find an eye -- no more random jiggling, blinking boxes -- as long as the Wide-L box was on the performer, I nailed focus! Who knew?!?!

Wow amazing

[@annarakannan6620]

Your channel is therapeutic for me. Takes my worries away. Rock on 🤘

[@brucekraft744]

Now that is a brilliant suggestion, Omar! I appreciate your posting. Keep Z content going.

[@pgricar]

Amazing. You found this out and I could hardly repeat your settings step by step. Works perfect. Thanks a lot. I am subscribing.

[@ilyasmohdyusof4877]

As someone who is getting into the world of photography and ordered a Nikon Zf, your videos have been incredibly insightful and helpful!! Thank you so much!!

[@abysal311]

This is an excellent channel. I shoot mainly panasonic m43 and canon, but recently ordered a Nikon zf to add to the collection. Your Z focus system experience and overview was very insightful. Thank you.

[@charleslsmith2012]

Thanks, Omar. I'm just getting comfortable with my z6II. Your videos are awesome and a great help to your viewers.👍🏾

[@olethembones]

I do sort of the opposite. I stay in 3D most of the time and have a back button programmed to turn off subject detect when I want it to ignore people etc. I then have one of the front custom buttons set to use a custom size focus box (1x1 for me) for those moments I want more control with a single point but still have subject detection enabled. The Z8 has me nailing so many more shots than I could with my Z6II. I’m gonna try that 1x3 custom box if I ever shoot an event. Great tips Omar!

[@rickkremer0525]

great videos... I just got the Z8 and am blown away on the focus tracking. Keep them coming! you rock

[@mehmetyalhi]

Great tips as usual... love the way you explain things... thanks so much

[@MarkoTomic]

Thank you for the tips as always Omar! I set up the 3D tracking on the C3 button. I switch it on/off with my pinky and I find it much faster than going through a menu and I also only use back button focus so I can easily switch between modes. And I set up C2 as my playback button so when I'm looking through the viewfinder, I can immediately see the picture with histogram levels and continues shooting.

[@jakesdewet3567]

Hi Omar, so glad you made this video, I see on so many forums how people bash Nikon focus, they become lazy, and expect the focus needs to work like shooting in auto mode. You going to get auto mode results. I have great results with the Z6 doing action and wildlife. I do not shoor small birds flying all day long, I like mood, story, place, context. Camera Brands have chase pixels now they chase speed. I agree, you have to control your focus like you control your exposure. Thanks

[@williamchan8866]

This is great Omar… I have Nikon and Fuji so your Channel works for me.

[@MJSylvesterNJ]

Such a helpful video. Thanks for sharing these tips

[@user-jl4gx3xd4f]

Thanks so much for this AF tip. I use Z7 for static and landscape subjects, so quick AF switching has never even been a thought. But with ZF camera I wanted to do exactly what you are describing here, be able to stay in one AF mode and painlessly switch between objects and people focusing. I love using the custom 1x3 px box, but I've also assigned the FN button to switch to a single px box when more precision is needed. Great content Omar!

[@Hrishi1970]

Brilliant Omar...just too good

[@theyetiinoz1478]

It’s all great, but that’s the sweet spot right there, Omar and Nikon content 😁.

[@jamiegray3245]

I'v been a small box shutter release focuser since 2006. This video....has made me reconsider this!

[@yoelrey]

Since I have the Z8 i use CF with Backbutton focus. Because it shows green light when in focus! Absolute gamechanger for me!

[@waynerm002]

Good info Omar! I'm pretty much the same when it came to the AF on my old Z6 ii, single point AF and recompose. To be honest, the other modes I only used for videos and it failed me enough doing talking head videos that I went over to Sony. The thing a lot of younger folks and video shooters like is that you really don't need to select a mode and the camera works fairly well. I will say though, I tried shooting fast moving jets and my old A7R V had some trouble tracking in the standard mode which made me try out others. I will admit that even today, on my Z8, I will fall back to single point for photos and if I am filming in less than ideal light, I activate the box to help the camera do it's thing. I had issues doing a vlog with the Z8 (yep, I vlogged on the street with my Z8) while using adapted Sony lens. I purchased the Nikon 24-120 f4 S and haven't experienced any issues since. I recently updated the firmware on my adapter, I guess a new test is warranted now.

[@RobberZhi]

This was extraordinarily smart and helpful advice.

[@stefannantz]

Hi Omar, you can combine your strip with 3d tracking by assisting 3d tracking to the AF button, you you can use your strip to aquire the subject and then hand it over to 3d tracking

[@nmd1211]

I really think this is a great idea - but have no idea where to begin when customizing the focal area. A walk through video would be much appreciated!

[@jasfoto]

Yes, me too. I can't seem to find this control on my Z6ii. Omar, Please send us more details.

[@kotyjohnson5841]

@@jasfoto same. Does this work on z6ii or only z8 + z9?

[@elektriksheep]

Same. I've been using Nikon SLRs for 10 years and knew my old cameras inside out but cannot find this setting on my z6ii to change the shape of the red focus box.

[@kotyjohnson5841]

@@elektriksheep Doesn't work on z6ii - only on zf, z8 and z9

[@rominavacsman]

I did not find it either

[@derekbisbing1138]

These ideas speak to me! Thanks you sir!

[@kaminobatto]

Nikon should pay Omar for this video! Nikon's focus system requires a manual on its own, at least for Gen II bodies and older, but it seems here that even the new and improved AF has a steep learning curve. Hopefully with the Expeed8, the AF will be smarter and less complex to work with. I tried every mode on my Z7II and I agree that wide area AF seems to work best, still it misses focus at times. And subject tracking also works, but when the subject is moving fairly slowly and within 80% radius from the center focus point. The moment your subject edges beyond that radius the subject focusing box starts going all over the place erratically. On my R10, I just pick up the camera and shoot...

[@allskoolguru]

thanks for the tip, changed my custom af on the z9 and it helped a lot

[@manelus]

I'm still rocking your old setup autofocus system on my Z7ii. I can't justify pulling the trigger on a z8 but your tips are always top tier 🖤

[@ogonzilla]

Thank you

[@barrakelmahmoud]

You always crack me up man, love your sense of humour and great info as well! Absolutely love that shirt, I just tried looking for it on Amazon and couldn't find it, please share a link to purchase! TIA!

[@luissalazar2021]

Hey brother I just noticed that you look very happy with your new Nikon, thanks for sharing

[@mrfurmston]

Thank you. Liked and subscribed. I find the shooting banks really help too. I switch between portrait, sports, and landscape modes.

[@grain_eyed_photography]

Hi Omar! I hope you do a “best F z camera settings” because you’re always very thorough. Thank you.

[@williambuford6136]

Omar loved your video. Nikon Focusing modes are complicated. Z8 focusing is great. 3D tracking on the Z8 works well for me Shooting people and events. LOL. I have both the Z8 and a Z6ii. I have noticed that the more recent lens seemed to acquire focus better on the Z6ii than earlier lens. I do not have to do the focusing mode dance on the Z6ii with the Nikkor 28-75mm f2.8, compared to the 1.8 primes.

[@jaredthatcher3383]

game changer!!! Thank you so much

[@wynstunsuk]

Thanks for the tips. I have a Zf and I’ll check to see if this helps with my hit rate. Currently I stay on 3d tracking but there are small occasions when the focusing drifts

[@Getoffmycloud53]

Thanks for the tip. It took me a while to understand what you are doing until I finally heard “…and actually make another strip”. This is something I had actually done already but without the store by orientation part - so I was manually switching between the my wide c1 and c2 zones. Regardless of the shape, your solution is effective. IMO Nikon could have been even more effective if there was direct option to change the orientation of the custom zones, but they probably did not do it because the zone would not always fit after changing the orientation - imo there are ways around this, but maybe that is too much to ask, is it? Now I’ll fine tune the box to my taste / need. On the Zf this option takes away my eye control - because now the pad controls the AF box not the eye/face box, but as long as it picks out the correct eye this should not be an issue at all. Also I never thought of using a separate button for 3D AF mode, that works quite nice as well. ❤🎉

[@PsycoVega]

Seriously thank you for this!!!

[@AngeloRyanMaalat]

I don't NEED a ZF but Omar is giving out Nikon tips....

[@photographydiscourse1185]

Nice video Omar - educational and as always you are very entertaining as well. Thank you for this idea - I will have to try it! -PD

[@Frippin-MTBD80]

Awesome vid, Glad to see you can set the Display mode as secondary focus button! Doesn't seem like I can do that on my Z6 I but I don't think I actually need to though lol.

[@Mr09260]

Great Video Omar >> my Brand new Z8 is so different to my ex Z7 ..and videos like this are a great help

[@CatholicforGod]

Awesome…this was a great tip. Thanks very much.

[@jph364]

Thanks for still considering those with the older models

[@hobbytake2845]

I use a combo of of the Z8 and my new back up camera is the ZF, which replaces my Z6ii. What a fun combo.

[@nancyk9475]

Thank you for the tips!

[@ZhaVioRxGFX]

Love z8, please do a video what features you'd like to see on z8!

[@tc6912]

Thanks for the info. It can be even simpler on the Z8. I use a custom box similar to what you are doing with eye tracking and set the back button AF to 3D tracking. Let the camera find the eye, then press the AF button, and 3D picks it up and tracks it. F2 is single point in case I get in trouble, but this is rare. PS, love your channel and humor.

[@bladerealm124]

What shape/size custom box do you find works best?

[@tc6912]

@bladerealm124 I use the biggest box that the camera allows. Keep in mind that I am usually chasing active birds or animals or grandchildren. The camera might grab the eye quicker with a smaller box, but you still have to get the box over the subject. Wide area large and small are there also, but I rarely go to them. I also have my record button and rear dial set to focus mode in case I want to try something different in a hurry.

[@dulcemoralesmino7702]

Do you mind sharing how do you make a custom box? How do you change the size of the box?

[@tc6912]

@dulcemoralesmino7702 Select AF-area mode. I do this in the ' i ' menu. Select W-C1 or W-C2. Select the center option at the bottom. OK with a + and pencil. Use the buttons at the bottom to adjust the height or width. Select OK and you should be good.

[@bigboi36]

Awesome stuff Omar. I still only have the Z 50 and I still shoot it like a dslr for most images. However the firmware has improved dramatically with eye af for humans. Been nailing event photography of running and marathon 5k racing.

[@lamaludwig1470]

Great tips, now I only need one of the newer Nikons. Really waiting for a Z6III.

[@Eudawg101]

Extremely helpful.

[@Eudawg101]

Definitely useful material.

[@solariumstudiostx]

I haven' ttry the tiny strip box mode, gotta try it on my next shoot. I found out the large box on AF S and face detect "off" will lock focus much faster during night dancing without any light. The green beam doing a wonderful job here regardless of my 16-35 blocks parts of the beam off .

[@tomingrassiaimages8776]

amazing. I have had the Z8 for less than a week and am shocked at how much more flexible it is than my well loved D850.

[@sirwillemgaming9686]

This technique you shared made my shots on my Nikon Z50 way better.

[@jengocheng1380]

Does this work on z30 as well, do you think?

[@sirwillemgaming9686]

@@jengocheng1380 I don't have the Z30 but I assume it will work similar to mine.

[@johnb8538]

Wonderful tip So helpful Thank you

[@KumarPrashant27]

Came here for zf autofocus, but at 5:01 you got a fan and a subscriber!!

[@kenschallenbergphotography7139]

Great content sir....thanks for sharing.

[@vcmclicksphotography]

I always love watching you content, its great info always. For this particular one could you please walk us through how do you set those focus modes and the custom strip box?

[@Sabbra]

nice!! gonna try it! When I got the Z6 i was disapointed, and went old school single focus point all the way...

[@pr4y]

hey, thanx for that video, i've recently switched from Canon (R6 mark1 dual bodies for work) + Fuji (for personnal/fun) to Nikon (for both), shooting events with old EF adapted primes (24 1.4+50 1.2) and indoor sports (35mm 1.4 +135mm F2). My first Nikon camera was the ZF that I do really enjoy. Using by default the large square + eye tracking, and the back button for single point AF + if needed locking focus with Fn1 to recompose. I'm shooting now with the Tamron 35-150 and don't feel the need to shoot dual primes anymore, but as a backup body in case of I took a 2nd hand Z6ii for half the price of a ZF. The Z6ii on the other hand doesn't allow that level of customization :/ it is possible to go from the full screen AF eye tracking + Fn button for subject target (kind of the 3D mode), but there is no way to swap from large mode + eye tracking into single point focus anymore, so currently using the U1, U2, U3 mode instead, or maybe I missed something :) but beeing able to shoot either eye tracking large area + object is something I want

[@davebecks10]

You and Matt Irwin is my idol... cheers from Indonesia😁

[@davelust1983]

I use 3d tracking with eye af all the time on my z8. With a little help from a local Nikon specialist, I have setup a function button to deactivate the eye af so I only use 3d. Works great for me.

[@henrysara7716]

Thank you Omar.

[@RobertFalconer1967]

Very useful info. Thank you.

[@montoyaturner8065]

Great tips!!!

[@TomRupp]

More Nikon Z8 content please. Thanks!

[@vanlee0831]

I always love your humor !! Always makes me laugh😂😂

[@legaspijohn9548]

hope Nikon would have an update for the Z5

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

Same here, but I actually have zero hope that they'll even give us Z5 owners the option to program a custom AF detection area like that.

[@victorlim5077]

Great info, Omar. Hopefully the Z9/Z8/Zf AF system trickles down to the newer entry level bodies in future.

[@xophaser]

I expect it on the z6iii/7iii next year, (kind of due)

[@Frippin-MTBD80]

It will, it's all about newer CPU that will replace the old.

[@gregallenphoto]

Great vid. Really good to the point with some humour. Thanks for not over producing it. How much better does the z6ii focus than the z6? I struggle with my z6 focusing ( updated frimware of course) with hopes that it will someday match the speed of my faithful D500 focusing speed. Any help would be appreciated.

[@warrenc2306]

This is awesome info. I just got back into Nikon with the Z8 and have been trying to determine the best size of the focus box with eye/face detect for exactly what you stated. Thank you as always Sir!!!

[@ogonzilla]

Glad it was helpful!

[@9Mtikcus]

I hope Fuji allow custom sized focus points (maybe they do on the latest) granted I don't have issues now but I can totally see where it would be useful to create a focus strip

[@gustav_bergman]

Thank you, really interesting information - even if I am still on the Z6ii. (I am still waiting for a Z6iii to come 😊)

[@hingng9772]

thankyou , for teaching setting 👍

[@gennaropreziuso3852]

Amazing .. !!!!!

[@capturemeinpictures]

Omar, I have enjoyed your journey in developing the best method(s) for AF on the Nikon Z cameras. Question: Under the AF-C Priority Selection menu, do you select "Release" or "Focus"? I believe the "Focus" option tells the camera not to take the picture until it finds focus. Thanks, Steve

[@nespressoman]

Great channel, thank you.

[@victormatos2516]

How do I access the option to resize the focus box? My menu seems different and the firmware is up to date I believ.

[@vedranavidovic]

Hello Omar , at 3:02 minutes of the video, how can I change the shape and size of the auto focus area? Best regards .I have a z6ii

[@dulcemoralesmino7702]

I wanna know as well 😮

[@edpereiraphoto]

You can't 😂

[@TOCBass31]

go to the “I” menu (I button just above the ok button) once in there scroll over to af-area mode/subj detection (second to last box on the top) open that up and scroll to W-C2 now in the af subject detection options tap the person icon. Now once both of those are selected look to the bottom of the screen. There is an i icon the ok with pencil and ok button. Tap the ok with pencil icon. Then you can change the af wide area box

[@brittneywesley6734]

fantastic info, I wish you would walk us through how to actually find those settings and where in the menu you can change to a 3x3 box.

[@cpplinford]

Thank you! I love your videos! But I think I just need you to fly over here and set up my new camera. Maybe I'll figure it out once I practice more.

[@ADiConsultores]

Great video as allways! have you tried the Megadap MTZ21?? I use it to adapt my sony lenses, response is awsome!, even older sony lenses work better with my Z5!!!

[@JunebuggMedia]

Hey Omar, i just bought the Nikon Z7 II and was wondering my where i by o to change the focus box to a similar one you are using in this video

[@juliettemansour]

Nice, Omar, Someone at Fedex had stolen my Zf and lens out of the box when it was delivered to my home. B&H took care of me and filed a claim but I went to the store in midtown yesterday and no ore in stock so I watched this video through teary eyes 😢. I did pick up the Fujifilm 33mm wonder though so not a bad lens to walk around NJ/NY this weekend!

[@melaniebasaysay]

Thqnk you for this!

[@fabipuello]

Thank you for this hack!

[@ambored]

Amazing

[@templerazrael]

Not a single Nikon camera in my house. Nevertheless I love watching every video of you.

[@lidiasanchez7044]

Love the videos ! Can you do a video on how to set up all this like your camera so we can mirror it I have a z6ll thank you! Love love your videos

[@ecobooster8298]

Awesome! Thank you!.. Has this mode improved with the 2.0 Firmware?

[@nickwilliams7867]

I am a Sony shooter, but I have a Z8 arriving today. Which auto focus speed, shooting weddings and events, do you have it set too, balance, release or focus? I know sports and wildlife photographers often have it set to release, which I believe is how it comes by default. My Sony cameras I always have set to a balance which works best.

[@lucasnave2750]

Hi Omar, thanks for the video, could you answer a few questions about the Z6II / Z7II focus modes? - During events where you need to use Flash, do you use AF-C or AF-S ? - Have you used Dynamic-AF in these low light conditions ? Did you get good results ? or Wide Area - AF (S / L ) are better than Dynamic-AF ? Thank you very much for your attention

[@romankampa6212]

🔥 thank you!!! Love U (even as a dark GMaster😉)

[@ScottJWaldron]

Great info 👍 I haven't used the latest more advanced Nikon cameras so it's cool to see how customizable they are in regard to focus modes.

[@johnnyViDeO]

Thanks. I have the Z7 II. How does one make a focus strip? How about for moving bird shots?

[@jalovecjoffrey9542]

Always very informative and funny. Omar rules

[@szabocsaba1984]

Thanks for the great video Omar! Is it possible to have a continuous focusing without pushing any button?

[@annabrubaker8731]

Thank you for this video i am going to try this with my sports photography. I have a z8 and was wondering how do you get the box to rotate horizontally? I set it to stote orinetation points, but the box size doesn't rotate.

[@RobertHarvey101]

Omar. Thank you for this. Planning on renting one of these and this will help me get going. Is it possible to move the red rectangle focus area around the screen? Maybe slightly off to the left or right. Thanks again and take care. Robert.

[@ze3bar]

I LOVE my Z8