Set Yourself Up For Success! | Nikon Z8 & Z9 The Settings You NEED To KNOW!

Got a new Nikon Z8 and not quite sure how to set it up, especially the difficult to master Autofocus? Look no further. In this video I share my best tricks for the Z8. These will also apply to the Z9.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 The Challenges
1:37 Photo Shooting Menu
6:42 Video Recording Menu
9:48 Custom Settings Menu
17:34 Set Up Menu

[@EugeneMaynard]

👍🏾🙏🏾 Having used Canon since 1983, the hardest part of adding a Z9 to my kit has been gaining a new muscle memory for operating and also navigating a new menu system which although being good has taken me a fair while to come to terms with! I do love the onscreen info that Nikon provide for every setting which has been a huge help! Thanks Jan for the extra little tips that I might have overlooked! 🙏🏾

[@martinhild]

Thanks for going the extra mile of figuring the AF out. It took me a long time to get it right and I understand it might be frustrating coming from different system. Thumbs up!

[@leoayala131]

Thank you Jan. I just received my z8 and the 800mm PF Lens, thanks to your suggestions and videos and just set up the camera. Thanks so much for your hard work!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad I could help!

[@heidiwegener7614]

I'm not the camera freak actually, but find your mastery absolutely fascinating. What I do freak out, though, are the bird picture examples. They are always stunning.

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always Jan, keep up with the awesome content 👍

[@rbob4931]

Another excellent informative video. One minor note. Transferring saved settings from one camera to another only works between two identical camera models. Like Z9 to another Z9, Z8 to Z8. The customized “File naming” will also carry over from one to another. One needs to go into “PHOTO SHOOTING MENU” to rename the file name if one does not wish to have two cameras with the same file name. Keep up the good work! G’day mate.

[@Stewz66]

went from a D750 to the z8 and this tutorial was exceptionally helpful. I feel like I'm dialed in as I've unboxed the camera. Ready to go for a long walk and let nature present itself! Peace!

[@christophernutley3246]

Hi guys, great video and very timely for me, as I am currently struggling for motivation to take photos. No trips planned for various reasons and rubbish weather this summer in the UK. So, I have also been looking back at my images from past trips and re-editing some of the better ones, which I find incredibly satisfying. By the way, amazing shot of the flying toucan Glenn! Love it.

[@edgarthart]

thanks for the tips, especially the 3D tracking button assignment

[@scottandersen7990]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@SouthFloridaFrames]

Super helpful to hear another opinion and hear your explanation!

[@ChristopherOfEarth]

Awesome information! This was exactly what I needed. You moved through it all at the perfect speed I thought. Great video. Thank you very much!!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HoeyLuc]

This was the best settings explanation I have watched yet!! Thank you!!

[@jan_wegener]

You are so welcome!

[@tomdearie5165]

Thanks, Jan Saved me a couple of hours of pawing around the video menu. 👍

[@duncanwallace7760]

Great tips, I'm going to have to try the smaller wider customer area for moving birds.

[@amiroa99]

Thanks for the tip for assigning 3D to the AF button, very helpful...

[@chocloditelensman]

Love this camera. Thanks for the useful tutorial !!! Very good !

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mituldesai666]

Jen , I am Mitul Desai,India and have sat all for Z8 as par tutorial and am happy to enjoy Birding with.... Thanks Dear ..

[@santais]

This has been the most helpful in giving me a starting point with my new Z8, coming from a D780. Thank You, Jan

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear!

[@kenken8859]

thank you for your sharing. what a great video.

[@jan_wegener]

You are so welcome!

[@victorlim5077]

Great info! Thanks, Jan.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ivorgottschalk6432]

Your video uploaded at 6:30am on a dark and cloudy Sunday morning in Toronto. What better way to spend time when wildlife shooting is less than ideal? Thanks for the great set up guide and especially the PDF. Really awesome of you! 👍🦅🐾

[@jacquesvandenberghe5518]

a very good explanation, thanks for this !

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markspringate3772]

Great video and really informative thanks.....just about the right length as well!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fotoholly9203]

Vielen Dank! Ein zwei Sachen werde ich wohl bei mir nochmal umstellen :)

[@nicola081183]

great video. very much appreciated.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@drmuzk]

Great Video, I just got my Z8 and this will help a lot!!!

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear!

[@six66red14]

Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo .

[@lisak6472]

Thanks for the settings AND explanations for each one. I have struggled with best focus modes and like the set up for the function buttons. Seems like a great and logical way to move between focus modes!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnpayne973]

Incredible images I've got to try that for Drag Racing

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@erichsnijder7376]

Thanks a lot for sharing this infomation. I'm going to try this on my camera :)

[@jan_wegener]

Have fun!

[@WernerBirdNature]

Hi Jan, even when not at all considering switching to Nikon, your stunning birds make it worthwhile watching all your video's ! And I did pick up you so far never had a failure on a CFxB card. On the R6 I used dual writing for backup reasons, and now on the R5 I still did so, but I had to reduce the backup jpgs to about the smallest size in order to not to slow down the CFxB cRaw stream and to avoid shrinking the buffer. And that's actually damn close to ridiculous, as I also had no CFxB failure on my 80k images in nearly 9 months .. I guess better stop writing backup jpgs which I just delete after reading the CFxB ;-)

[@GlennBartley]

Great tips!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you think so!

[@NikonDave]

My experience is a smaller box on at least one of the custom area works better with birds in flight. 9x3 is appropriate. Good stuff. Cheers.

[@vijayadarshmaageri8162]

It is really helpful to me thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@jan_wegener]

Glad to hear that

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

Thank you for this video. I'll go through my settings in the morning when I'm more awake. Used my Z8 for the first time today. Was a bit frustrated with the viewfinder and backscreen not working for a little while even though I switched the camera off and on. Also, when I look through the viewfinder, the colours are over saturated. Will look up how to change that.

[@adinew8920]

Thanks....

[@user-rm8wc1mv3u]

Superb video.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you liked it

[@cy9nvs]

My 180-600 arrived last Saturday, and while I'm more than happy with the AF-Performance of the Z8, I'm kind of stunned at just how bad the subject recognition is. My old Fuji would spot a bird even if it's really tiny in the Frame, the Z8 often doesn't even spot it, if it's pretty big in the frame, especially if there are branches and leaves nearby. But at least whatever I focus on really is in focus. With my old Fuji X-H2 setup at least 50% of shots were out of focus, despite the box being right on it, with the Z8 pretty much everything is perfect, IF it acquires focus.

[@randyschwager84]

I'm picking up my Z8 tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice here. Tomorrow night I'll be going through this again tomorrow at this time with my new camera in hand. I can't wait!!! I'm scared that I won't be able to make everything work right...but, time will tell. Your video will sure help!

[@jan_wegener]

Enjoy!

[@soumakbinduwildlife]

very informative

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vladislavkuba5837]

TIP, I using : of course you can set your autofocus on the Z8 the same way you do on the Z6. For example, you can set the FN 1 button so that you can trak without face or other automatic detection. Go to FN1 and then select Recall shooting function (hold). Then right arrow, deselect everything except AF-area mode to 3D (right arrow) and Af subject detection options OFF (right arrow). Important: to activate the " stupid " trecking FN1 button only tap, do not hold! Then press the trigger oded Back buttom.

[@wildlifeyogi5303]

Thank you so much for this beautiful video. I'm new to Nikon; I bought Nikon Z9 I need to learn how to unlock the focus-point selection lock.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ioannistziamalis]

Coming from a Z6ii, I will probably get my Z8 next month. I hope that I can get to grips with it quickly as I have a trip to Crete planned just a few days after I receive the camera. How do you think it would perform with the Sigma 150-600 contemporary?

[@csc-photo]

Great & helpful video, thanks! So for my Z8 I think I've got a good setup (it took me a while haha): * Shutter AF = ON * AF-ON = 3D Tracking + AF-ON * Sub-Selector Center = Recall Shooting Functions (hold) (AF Area Mode Single, AF Subject Detection Off) So this (for me) is kind of the best of both worlds, being able to use shutter AF but also hand off the subject to the AF-ON button with 3D tracking when needed. My default AF Area is generally the largest Custom AF box like you suggest. I need to figure out Fn1 and Fn2, they might become my variables based on shooting bank / situation. For now it's Focus / AF Area Mode (can't quite get used to that left side AF mode button yet...), and FX/DX Switch. I might experiment with trying to ditch Shutter AF activation... not sure. So many options! 🙂

[@R.Hogarth]

Right now, I shoot a Sony A7R3, and have been trying to develop the muscle memory to use Back Button AF but I was so unsuccessful that I gave up. Your suggested set-up MIGHT be the ideal compromise that I have been looking for. Thank you.

[@KissingTrails1]

danke für die Tipps, werde ich bals ausprobieren hoffe ich. Genau ein Tag vor die Z8 kam hab ich mir das rechte Schlüsselbein gebrochen, daher erst mal nur im Menü spielen, da kam das Video genau richtig ;)

[@hostestevens-qd1il]

Thx , good video.. i just order the instruction guide! Thx

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it helped

[@peterding4958]

How do you use the shooting banks? I guess you have a setting for the ospreys BIF scenarios

[@mrz1342]

Hi, I owned Sony a1 and then tested Fuji xh2s, and then after weeks watching reviews and testing just came to buy z8 because of truly hybrid and all in one camera, but surprisingly I watched some complaints from professional photographers about: Not accurate AF all the time and missing lock on subject, heated card after 15 minutes videography or photography in events, not solid back dial and low quality of grip for slipping hand after long time shooting, and other issues you mentioned here. I can accept and handle everything but of course not about failure on AF tracking system and overheating cards or body! I need to make sure about theses matters upon your field experience to make the right decision. Please advise. Thank you

[@tc6912]

Great video. Love your AF settings. I use the same approach, but with a little different button arrangement. Have you come across a quick way to go from animal detection to people or vise versa?

[@jan_wegener]

The quick menu would be the fastest way I think

[@user-ly8km3fw5k]

The auto Capture faeature comes in new firmware update 4.00 in Z9. It might be possible to come in Z8 firmware update also ?

[@jjmedia5632]

if you're shooting in the n-raw 8k 60fps mode can you also shoot in log?

[@user-ek8mg7fl1n]

Wednesday 13 5:05. Can’t find pdf at end of description. Thoroughly Enjoyed and very helpful. Thank you chris

[@jan_wegener]

You can find it here www.thebirdphotographyshow.com

[@rachelhusband9890]

Sorry to ask another question. Slightly confused. You've set up back button focusing (which i do) via af-on button, then what happens when you assign 3D tracking to the same af-on button. Won't it focus on anything moving on 3d at that point, before you've focused the right bird for instance or how would it manage with landscape at that point. Or does it not matter because you can always go to fn1 to single focus area, and then back to 3d with af-on. If that makes sense.

[@johnpeterka8355]

Thank you for your Z8 tutorial! Which one of your cameras do you think gives you the most accurate eye-AF? My Z9 shows that I captured focus. However, in post processing I found that focus was not that accurate after all. Actually, I had much more success in manual focus. I am pondering whether to trade our Nikon gear for Sony. If we retain our Nikon gear, we will likely trade in our Z7II for a Z8. I loved my Canon R 3 and R5's, but my wife complained about the heavy RF lenses. Her back and shoulders hurt for four days after the last wedding she shot. Frankly, I do not know which Sony has the best eye-AF. Any recommendations? Thank you. JP

[@R.Hogarth]

Great Video! Thank you. I am ordered a Z8 & hope to pic it up soon. One feature that I have really found useful (primarily in Landscape Photography) that you touch on briefly in the part about your video set-up is the use of "Zebras". Is there a way to use "Zebra Stripes" when doing still photography with this camera?

[@jan_wegener]

Only in Sony cameras at this stage unfortunately

[@hans6304]

​@@jan_wegenerwould it be possible for nikon to implement zebras in photography mode since they already have it in video mode?

[@jan_wegener]

I'm sure they could, Sony can @@hans6304

[@edbritelight7683]

Hello Jan, thanx for your input on Z8/Z9 settings! If you use the DISP button for another focus method, where did you map the original function of the DISP button. Or just leave it on one setting without being able to cycle through? Greetings from Heidelberg, Germany

[@dirkengelen4725]

Did locate single point AF to the DISP button and for DISP I use the sub selector center button. Fn1 Wide area AF and the AF-on 3D and AF activation. The AF-on of the shutter release button is deactivated in my case.

[@lorrainecox4638]

Vibration reduction on the z8 do u find it makes an interference type noise when it’s on but like radio suzzing? Just bought z8 n when I put that setting on it makes a noise

[@rachelhusband9890]

Is there a knack to only shooting ONE image at a time whilst in continuous shooting mode. I never switch to AF-single mode as I've always found in the past I can take one image only if I want to in continuous (however old camera only did 6 fps) or 6fps. But this one is so fast that I take minimum of 2 or 3 each time. Even if I switch to 10fps. I dont think I am heavy handed either. So just wondering if there's a knack, or whether its just that fast its impossible to do. (hope that makes sense). If not I'll just have to swtich to AF-S and remember to switch back to AF-C or viceversa, but worried i'll miss a shot if i do that.

[@dhananjaydravid5772]

Very informative Jan. As always!!! Just one doubt.....How do you change the wide area custom mode for bif? Do you have to change the settings each time? Because you might suddenly get a great shot of a bird flying and miss it? Have you found a go around?

[@user-he7nl5ov6u]

You can change the shape of the custom box on the fly if you hit that button towards the bottom of the camera and use the joystick to resize it

[@dhananjaydravid5772]

Thnx

[@throttleblip6544]

I have a question Jan. Why for Fn1 do you set spot focusing instead of making a second custom box that is very small so that you have more control but still have subject detection by pressing Fn1. With spot autofocus you lose subject detection. This way you can spot detect the eye and then, handoff to 3D

[@jan_wegener]

Cause I want one mode that doesn’t try to track anything in case the AF gets stuck somewhere

[@NicolasAlexanderOtto]

Haha, starkes Video da hab ich echt ne Menge cooler Sacheb bei gelernt während ich meine Kamera für Wildlife ausprobiert habe. Allerdings gibt es an meiner Z8 kein a15 bzgl des Manual Focus Ring's in AF Mode.

[@jan_wegener]

Kommt vielleicht aus objektiv an, wobei es eigentlich überall da sein sollte

[@vitoserra5301]

Hi Jan, I'd like to know which between R6II and Z8 has in your opinion the best af/tracking AI? thanks

[@jan_wegener]

R6 II

[@davidmccowen1414]

I'd like to thank you for a very informative and very easy set up video. On the last bit about saving set up menu, does it automatically go to the SD card or type B card? if so, it does not let you assign to one or the other plus it does not confirm that is has been saved. My thinking, as I am a armature, that if I muck my setting up I could just slip the card in and load it back up again. When I go to save it, it does not show if it's been saved. I took the card out of the camera to check on my computer and it has nothing on it. Should there be? I was only going to load it on a spear SD card and keep it safe. Sorry if I'm a bit dump but never done this before.

[@jan_wegener]

If you open the card up on the computer you should see a file. There’s no confirmation when saving the settings

[@rachelhusband9890]

If you assign Wide area focusing to the 'display' button, wont it stop the display button from working to show your different monitor views ??

[@jan_wegener]

It does, you can assign it to something else I believe. I only really use the one screen that I customise anyways so it doesn’t really bother me

[@rachelhusband9890]

Hi Jan, Do you use Auto ISO or do you change it manually (I previously set it maually) but interested to know what you do on the Z8? thanks

[@jan_wegener]

I always shoot full manual

[@tomaswilde5481]

Thank you so much, your video has beem very interesting and useful. I have a questio: I just started to take pictures with a Nikon Z8 in the RAW (NEF) format. Which can be the reason that I get a blue background and no picture at all, while in JPEG format everything works perfect. ?? edit in affinity photo which I have used for many years, specialy with Fuji RAW files. I thank you if you have any idea what is happening. Best regards from Bogota, Colombia.

[@jan_wegener]

Maybe your software cannot open the nef files?

[@tomaswilde5481]

Ok. Thank you.

[@cy9nvs]

I just ordered the Z8 and the new 180-600, and I don't get why the pre-burst is only available in JPEG. Should be possible for Nikon to at least give us the choice of filling the buffer with RAW instead. My current Fujifilm X-H2 does Pre-Burst in RAW, and it's responsible for some of my best shots. Of course, I'm not counting on it and I don't even expect it, but I still hope that maybe Nikon will update this in the future.

[@jan_wegener]

Yes it's odd

[@moshekotigaro5375]

hii how do edit your n-log video files to get the finial results ?

[@jan_wegener]

I use Davinci resolve and either Luts or just the sliders

[@alansunshinemd]

I have a number of F lenses and have recently purchased a Z8 and an FTZ adapter. What am I going to give up by not buying Z lenses at the start?

[@jan_wegener]

Not much. Most likely better AF and VR

[@alihamiad7849]

5:16

[@techsuvara]

Any updates with firmware 4.0?!?

[@jan_wegener]

not really

[@Rev.DavidJTowns]

any way to get rid of the clunking noise with the z8? coming from the z6ii -- in comparison this is a noisy camera

[@jan_wegener]

You mean the shutter sound? Just turn it off

[@Rev.DavidJTowns]

@@jan_wegener no -- i have it in silent mode -- from the forums i understand its a common complaint. The Z8 sensor-VR mechanism has been completely redesigned, mostly because it has to fit into a tighter space. Unfortunately, it makes a somewhat more dramatic clunk than the Z9 one does. This locking/unlocking sound might be significant to some

[@MrBob6939]

Tried to get your Z8 camera guide and keep getting kicked back to the merchant 😢

[@jan_wegener]

Can you email me?

[@alexsufana1740]

can someone help me with fixing my auto iso issue , i went on the iso sensitivity settings and turned it off but it still stays on auto.Not only the iso but shutter speed and aperture i cant change

[@jan_wegener]

Are you in manual mode?

[@alansunshinemd]

Considering AF, do you have any regrets of not getting a Sony A1?

[@jan_wegener]

No

[@alansunshinemd]

I am upgrading from a D800 and have several Fx lenses. Trying to decide on the Z8 as apposed to changing brands. From your standpoint, it seems like get the Z8 and never look back?

[@scuba-people]

hello would love to pick everyone brain i'm super disappointed to realise the electronic vr mode is not available on the z8... it was one of the things that really made me love the z9 that i tried... i just can not find it if i'm missing it can anyone point to me where its located???

[@jan_wegener]

I am sure you can find it in the video menu

[@scuba-people]

@@jan_wegener hi jan on the video menu yes ( only on specific video format ) but on the photo menu i can t access where i could on the z9 with my f mount sigma 150-600 ..

[@leemona38]

Can I slow down your speech on setting? I am Chinese.

[@jan_wegener]

You can slow down the video

[@stevemuzak8526]

If someone bought this camera and still can't make amazing pictures : You failed at photography!

[@ShashankD137]

Haha just ordered mine. No pressure 😂

[@chocloditelensman]

Well you do have to know what you are doing. It’s not made for the novice photographer. It is amazing to say the least.

[@stevemuzak8526]

@@chocloditelensman it is insane camera. That for sure.

[@patrickmorgan7173]

You only fail if you quit...

[@sjoerdbosch9374]

It’s the Indian. Not the arrow

[@slvphotographyrajasekhar8947]

Canon R5 setting

[@jan_wegener]

I have a video for that from a while ago

[@zakiembi]

Good information. The second half of your sentences drop down into a murmur and becomes inaudible. Try speaking in clear even volume, would be great.

[@geertweggen]

Thank you. Very useful!