The ACTUAL BEST Nikon AF Mode.

Hey! This is a clarification/followup to my previous Nikon Z autofocus video.
*CORRECTION- IN GEN 1, A TRACKING BOX IS AN OPTION IN WIDE ZONE.
That video: • I found the best Nikon...
The Z6II • How the Nikon Z6 II Ma...
My favorite Nikon camera right now: bhpho.to/3nMyniS
My 2nd favorite: bhpho.to/46v14Cf
First time here? Hi, I'm Omar Gonzalez, a professional portrait and event photographer in the NYC/NJ area. On this channel, we talk cameras, lenses, and techniques to improve our photography.
My business:
www.omargonzalezphotography.com
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Instagram: ogonzilla
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#nikonz #nikonzf #nikonz8

[@JohanAppelqvistMalmgren]

Great update Omar! Have been using your slim rectangle on my Z8 & Zf a lot ever since you released that video. Great for catching the kids playing 😁

[@sirwillemgaming9686]

Bought the ZF last week and I'm happy with the different AF that's available. Thanks for the videos Omar. Used my ZF without a problem.

[@Sebastian-lw1ei]

The tracking box from what you describe in Gen2 is also available in Gen1 Z6/7 with firmware update

[@callline7183]

Yes I use this mode in my Z7 if eye detect isn't working

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

I have a Z6 II, and I rarely leave the "wide AF point with AF-S" for weddings. Especially gives me a lot of surface area to grab focus in a dark room, and in particular, on the dance floor.

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

Which af mode do you use? I kinda got disappointed when I first went into the dark venues with Z6II. No af grid help from flash was such a bummer... Also I find Z6II useless in AF-C in lowlight conditions. I use it mainly on that Wide small box in AF-S. Af is really hit and miss on this camera and I really don't like it because of that....

[@williambuford6136]

@@ArsenijeRadenovic What lens were you using in low light? I have shot events with my Godox 860ii and Nikkor 28-75mm. I did not find the camera struggling in low light on the dark dances floors even.

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

@@williambuford6136 mainly 24-120 f4 and 24-70 G 2.8. It works better with 1.8s primes, but I only had one chance of shooting with that lens (borrowed it). How good is that 28-75? EDIT: Even in excellent lightning it sometimes misses af. Comparing it to my old D4 it is not even close.

[@4rroby]

I agree!

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

@@ArsenijeRadenovic - I don’t use AF-C on the dark. I actually don’t use AF-C at all. I’m in AF-S with the wide AF point. That’s it.

[@MinisterErikMcGregor]

That custom focus set rocks! Thank you!

[@jonl71]

With the new firmware 2.1 for my Z8 besides setting up the custom 1x3 box, I assigned the AF-ON button to AR-area mode + AF-ON (menu f2 > AF-ON icon > assign AF-area mode + AF-ON > 3D tracking).

[@AndreShepperd]

I like the video but...I still don't understand 'where' you're going in the menu to change this to a vertical strip on the zf, at the size you're showing 😕

[@chiftele08]

Please read the manual. Go to the I menu, than choose in the AF-Area Mode button, the Wide-area AF (C1) or C2. It takes me 2 minutes of Google searching for this answer...

[@lsh-zi2lc]

Don't have Nikon but watching anyway because...Omar!

[@ernestohernandez8962]

Hi Omar always I'm learn something from your videos thank you

[@offthetrailphotography5915]

For the 2nd gen AF, specifically for sports, dynamic AF and single point all the way... Dynamic AF works very similar to the 'Group' AF of the D500. My Z8 is out for delivery today so excited to see what the 3rd gen AF delivers

[@JasonLorette]

Thanks for the info/update! Now if they would just come out with the Z6III!!

[@margot6041]

This Monday June 17 it will be here!

[@JasonLorette]

@@margot6041 I know!! I can’t freaking wait!! 😎📸

[@AshBashSneakers]

Gen one Z6 could also do that tracking thing FYI.. that was a mode I used most of the time.. I set one of my function buttons to that and it would track whatever you back button focused on.. it doesn’t work nearly as good as the z8 3r tracking but it was a nice way to use eye auto and a box seamlessly

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

yup, that's also how I use it in events. I use face / eye detect and at the press of a button I can focus on something else entirely without any subject detection done by the camera. Very effective !

[@ogonzilla]

Yep...messed that up, thanks

[@jpdj2715]

You added a Z 8 to the toolkit? Do you use 3D tracking? I use it with face recognition and it works perfect. Even at much lower light when the Z 7ii became insecure (starts at about LV 10 and below - the 8 does much better).

[@johnyoung1606]

Thanks Omar :) ,,, The vid about AF in Z6II changed My life (Luved It)!! You are the only one that I have found that talks about this important subject (or maybe I am missing something) !!!!! And this Vid helps Me with the Z8 :) :) THANKS GOOD BUDDY :) :) :)

[@charleslsmith2012]

Thanks for the clarification, Omar.

[@juliette-mansour]

Hi Omar, I have been using the Zf mostly for street but want to start bringing it to events. I brought m X-H2S to one event at night with flash and my Zf as a back up. When my Godox TT350F crapped out on me on my Fuji (need a recco by the way for Fuji flash!) I pulled out the Zf with the 24-70 f-mount and OMG... it was SO good!! But I did see your video prior and couldn't figure out how to set up the rectangle. I'll revisit. I plan to keep using it for events in the future, so I'll stay tuned to more tips.... and when the Z6III or whatever it is comes out, I may sell it and stick to Fuji for the more casual stuff. Appreciate your videos, as always. p.s. LOVED that biking video on IG!

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

Hi Omar, just so you know, the tracking box thing is also available in the first gen AF. I have a Z6 and I use that all the time !

[@ogonzilla]

Ah! That's right! Thanks!

[@chromaticvisuelle]

Where do you find it?

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@chromaticvisuelle in the wide setting mode, press the OK button, that should give you a box. Press AF-ON to initiate tracking. I set one of my front buttons to enable the box, it's more practical

[@HR-wd6cw]

I've found that either AF-S Wide (Small or Large) or 3D tracking probably 90% of the time. AF-S Wide works great for many things, and 3D tracking works better for subjects with a bit less of a predictable pattern like animals. Of course, not all Z cameras have 3D tracking so this may not work for some of them, but then I just use a larger AF-C or AF-S area.

[@vickosis]

Got a quesiton about the small vertical custom Af area you discussed. I set this up on my Z f with subject detection and it seems to be working in that I helped me acquire focus on the right person in a crowd, but to my surprise I didn't get any more keepers than shooting with my APS-C Z fc which doesn't have all the latest subject detection tracking tech. I also configured the 3D tracking override on my BBF but I hardly ended up using this as the camera was telling me that the customisable AF area was supposedly working. I love the Z f and will keep it no matter what due to the retro astetic, the ability to have subject eye tracking on manual focus vintage lenses etc but seriously the keeper rate of my recent event was not as high as I expected, even underperforming my Z fc. I notice you mention shooting with the Z fc as well, so wondering how you faired compared to the APS-C and if you had any similar experiences?

[@luispacheco9683]

Thank you Omar!👍

[@etmrdaj78]

Late to the comment party on this one, Omar, but hopeful nonetheless - might you ever consider creating a Nikon Zf setup video that would walk us through how you have the camera -wait for it- *set up* so as to help the rest of us shoot with greater ease / the way you do on that body, in particular? (Please and thank you! I'll keep happily watching everything regardless!)

[@Daniel_Zalman]

Omar, do you use subject detection at all? I find it distracting for street photography, because it creates a white (if I remember correctly from yesterday) box around every single person in the frame and, also, if you are focusing on someone and someone walks pasted that person, the focus automatically switches to that person.

[@Carloscarmo]

In this video, almost in the end, what AF mode are you using to catch the jumping guy? Looks like the Wide-Area AF (C1 or C2). Right?

[@MTBD80]

I've been using dynamic, and single point for birds and stuff on Z6 and Zfc. I also use the tracking box for other stuff as well.

[@beeryye]

I use a Z50 so gen1 AF I guess and I get best results with the area modes in some situations but the mode that has surprised me is using auto AF where I can press OK and select the subject to track and focus. From here if my light is getting worse and continuous AF isnt working as well and I want single focus intermittently I can merely hit the zoom in button, hit focus and it will hit 99% of the time even in pretty low light. This works well with all of my lenses except for the 16-50 baby kit lens. Mine might be a bad copy but it just struggles with focus quite a bit more than the rest.

[@global.gentleman]

Great clarifications Omar….top shelf stuff, as always! Thank you. Do you, or anyone here, know if it’s possible to increase the size of the focus square in 3D tracking mode?

[@DownstreamV]

Hey man! Thanks for the videos. I have had 2 of these cameras now and whenever recording after 1-2 seconds it says recording interrupted and stops recording. I’ve changed sd cards and batteries etc but still keeps doing it. Once again I’ve sent one back already and the new one is doing the same thing. Have you heard of this issue or run into it. I use really nice cards so don’t see that being an issue. Z8 works perfectly fine with the same cards.

[@ecs2sy501]

I’m on this, as I’m trying to find the best AF for the Nikon camera.

[@bngr_bngr]

I’m still using a Nikon D3 and D700.

[@humanfirst11]

I have been trying to find a good deal and a good body D700 for quite some time now!

[@ExequielVarela]

Hi Omar, how did you resolved the focus, in the dark events without red light of help of the radios? Reciently I buy a nikon z6ii. Thanks!

[@saucelove]

TY, how does the 3gen, etc compare to Fujis latest AF system? I bought the Z7II & pleana lens, which is incredible. Not sure if I wanna sell my XT3 & 50-140mm Fuji gear….

[@bsc001]

Thank you at The Godzilla for another good video, enjoyable, as always ;)

[@aleksandrtkachuk9286]

1st gen z6 and z7 and z5 too)) everyone forgot about z5) i dont understand why?!

[@pedrowatte]

yeah :/

[@MoeMorales]

Moe Adds ZF to cart now that the focus is...clear.... Not really... Wallet is not clear to proceed. :) love when you go into Teach Mode,

[@3xtraspicy]

I'm planning to buy the z3 iii but no clue what the best lens for it would be. I was considering the 35 mm

[@RaphaelMatto]

A firmware update for my Z6 gave it the abilities of "gen 2," I believe-it has the "tracking square Johnson square momma."

[@joelong2153]

Omar, the legend.

[@gthm777]

Thanks for the clarification. Could you also pls make a video on the best AF setting for video ? Especially for human eye detection. I am getting some poor results on my Z8 with 35mm f1.8 lens using human detection mode on AF-C. Not sure which focus area works best not s sure some using AF-F for video instead of AF-C. Thank you.

[@Lensman64]

AF-F works like a charm on our Z6IIIs with the ability to "touch" and lock onto another subject.

[@instantesnet]

Hey Omar, What's your main camera now? Thanks.

[@Lakefilms]

I cannot seem to replicate the same thin area that you did on my Z8. Mine is either very thin or wider than the one you did.

[@syrenejoyquinonesrenacia5978]

Hi, I'm using Nikon af-s dx zoom-nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6g ed. My lens just keep zooming in and out when I use AF mode. What could probably be the problem on this? Thanks in advance! :)

[@bryk701]

For over 3 years I've been shooting weddings with Z6II using single af-c point 90% of the time. Now when I replaced one of my Z6II's with Z8 I have much bigger field of choice. Different modes of AF in Z6II aren't reliable enough for weddings. BTW, Z8 is a little too much for weddings. I mean it's fantastic camera and I love but if Z6II had af from Z8 and better ergonomics (bigger body) it would have been absolutely enough for any wedding photographer.

[@williambuford6136]

Is it the 45Mp or all the extra features of the Z8 that is to much? I have had it a year and I feel like I do not know my Z8 as well as my Z6II and previous Nikon cameras.

[@bryk701]

@@williambuford6136 more mpx made me buy 256GB memory cards and extra hard drive. It's nice to have such resolution but for weddings Z6II with its 24mpx is fine too. There is a lot of extra features that I probably don't need. I'm still learning Z8 as I shot only two weddings with it so far. On the first one it was a little hard as Z8 isn't as simple as Z6II. Plus, my muscle memory knows Z6II very well. I spent 2-3 hours setting Z8 and getting to know it before the job and it took me another 2 hours the day after to set it correctly to my liking. I'm quite comfortable to shoot with it now. I bought for 3 things. Namely, fantastic AF, ergonomics and my ego.

[@vedranavidovicphotography]

Thanks Omar !!

[@charleslsmith2012]

How do re-size the boxes?

[@ogonzilla]

C1 C2 area modes

[@chadrasmussen5431]

Z6iii isn’t changing on the vertical mode when doing the custom bar. Not sure what is going on?

[@ogonzilla]

“Store AF point by orientation “ Turn the camera vertical and change the af point to vertical. Then it will be vertical on both.

[@pedrowatte]

Any chances in 2024 have a firmware update for z5?

[@syahfieqzakaria4980]

When will you review your watches Omar?! 😄

[@rauljohns6005]

You left out all the steps making the sliver in the original ZF video. It took me a few replays to get it right. Do it again and slowly so your fans can use this great idea. Thanks for your help with trying to figure out this camera because the instructions you get with the camera are not very helpful.

[@MyDustyman]

I was going to say the exact same thing. I don't think you can have a thin small rectangular box to allow the Zf to use eye focus and 3D tracking, unless I'm blind.

[@allenbuyck7957]

I have a Z6 ii. Is “ generation 3” a firmware thing?

[@jpdj2715]

I don't think so. They will have to be between the Z f and Z 8. CFexpress Type B + SD-UHS-II and faster "motherboard" with chipset, than Z f. Sensor may be comparable to Z f for an imaginary Z 6iii and a Z 7iii should not get too close to the Z 8 in sensor qualities. For many applications the Z 7(ii) is excellent. I pre-ordered the Z 7ii but with the 3.4 firmware update the Mk i Z 7 came very close to that. I have for a long time believed that the Mk ii series could do more in firmware, but folk that have talked with Nikon on their visit to Japan, say, without reference to Nikon, that the firmware for the two EXPEED 6 processors cannot do better. I have owned/shot Z 7, then Z 7ii, now Z 8, and the firmware file for the 8 is about 2 times larger than for the 7 and 7 ii. Which means there can be more logic in there plus reference data from learning AI. The EXPEED 7 is between 10 and 20 times more powerful than the two EXPEED 6 processors. The Z 9 and Z 8 advertise "dual channel" architecture referencing separate I/O data lines for at least two processing pipeline: one pipeline from frame buffer to viewfinder and one from frame buffer to memory cards. But in fact with two EXPEED 6 processors, the Z 6ii/7ii already have that. Part of the limitation relative to 8/9 must be in the throughput of the motherboard, part in cache and buffer sizes, part in processing power, and my guess is that whatever people think/rumour the firmware may be part of the limitation as well. For example, in the case of the Z 7ii, if you run it in DX mode, its performance doesn't change while image sizes are much smaller and hence there is less processing and data shifting to do. Why can't a Z 7ii not run at higher speeds in order to double as the Z successor of the D500 (it is already a few mm smaller and lighter).

[@williambuford6136]

As a Z6II owner, Sadly Gen 3 is a Expeed 7 thing. So The Z6 iii will have Gen 3 focus. Or you can get a Z8 to get Gen 3 focus. I have a Z8 but I want to replace my Z6II with a Z6iii

[@allenbuyck7957]

@@williambuford6136 thank you. I have two Z6ii!s and was going to replace one with a Z8. Now considering a Z6iii. Much cheaper 😀

[@ladyethyme]

So Zfc is 1st Gen b/c it's a z50?

[@ogonzilla]

Zfc has 2nd gen...so like the Z6II

[@jaym5938]

I have the first generation and the lack of customization is just one of its many 'gelded' features I can't stand about Nikon. We have the object tracker, but it's pretty sloppy.

[@fernandogamez9650]

Hello . i have a nikon z5 and i do not know how to change the auto focus box . someone can help ?

[@sstokoe2301]

Please come back to Fuji ❤️💔❤️

[@krazyk57]

“Yadda Yadda.”..!!!😂

[@SeanMcGown]

You made a custom landing strip.

[@likedontcostmoney5595]

when you say generation you actually mean. z6 , z6ii , z6iii ? like so?

[@ZeeForce1]

Is z5 2nd gen?

[@ogonzilla]

Yes

[@RemySlo1]

Z5 is 1 gen?

[@RemySlo1]

its 2nd yes ok🙂

[@FamousPixs]

Can you do that on a Pentax Camera?

[@chromaticvisuelle]

Sadly on the first gen with a Z6

[@williambuford6136]

Update your firmware to get about 90% of Gen 2 focus features.

[@stasix2696]

Хз, все есть у меня на z6 2

[@ilanhoward]

My favorite AF mode for Nikon is activated by turning off the camera and grabbing a Sony :-)

[@williamchan8866]

Too bad Nikon doesn’t make a great bird tracking camera that is around $2000. The zf is actually not consistent enough. Canon is far better in small bird tracking with budget cameras which is the gold standard test ….for people even the zf can handle.

[@chuckg4947]

Do you have a Zf?

[@nitni0002]

First two generations were trash. Nikon turned into beast mode with generation 3.

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

No they were not trash at all. Not as good as the Canons and Sonys, but definitely not trash. Been using a Z6 for sports and events for a while and it's the best AF I've had in my hands in years. Firmware updates really brought that thing up !

[@nitni0002]

@@matthieuzglurg6015 Man what are you smoking, Nikon fanboy? I own Z7 I, Z7II, and Z8. First two generations were trash. I'm not speculating. I actually owned them.

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@nitni0002 if anything I'm a Fujifilm fanboy lol, but I also shoot Canon and Sony. And I'm not smoking anything I have been shooting sports and local events for several years profesionally with a Z6. The trick is to not let the camera do all the work for you and you'll get very good results, either in single point, or zone focusing. My A7III gets more accurate face / eye tracking in much lowe light, but in normal light not using subject detection both cameras are pretty much identical and I prefer the Nikon ergos and viewfinder. Hope this helps ! ;)

[@nitni0002]

@@matthieuzglurg6015 If you're OK with AF Z6 first gen, then your opinion is pretty much trash. Fuji cameras have trash AF too. I mix between Z8 and Sony a1 for wildlife, motorsports, and sports. Canons have good AF too but my agencies don't stock them.

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@nitni0002 I stopped reading at "your opinion is trash". I don't value people that don't value other people's opinion. You can disagree with it, but being rude and disrespectful is where I draw the line. My Z6 allows me to do 100% of the things I do, including wildlife. My clients never had any complaints about it, and my hit rate was always more than good enough. I'm not saying it's perfect (I can't rely on subject detection a lot). If you think it's trash, maybe the problem lies behind the camera. Have a great day. If you bother to answer, I won't. Interacting with people as rude as you wasn't really in my plans for today.