The Ultimate Nikon Zf Settings and Setup Guide for Nature and Landscape Photography!

The Ultimate Nikon Zf settings and setup guide for Landscape, Macro, and Wildlife Photoraphy is finally here! Find out how I set my Nikon Zf up and learn from my guide how to set yours up to be an effective tool in creating landscape photography. We'll talk about all the settings menus and how to make them exactly what you need for a smooth and effective landscape photography, macro photography, or wildlife photography trip.

[@ggtelevision]

Thanks Thomas. I shoot similarly between landscape and wildlife/sports on my D500 and soon to arrive ZF. I have 4 old Nikkor primes plus more modern zooms/primes so appreciate your methodology including using the rear focus button for manual focus peaking as needed.

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Thank you! I am glad my layouts are a good starting point for you. You are going to love the Zf!

[@tonyh4266]

Hello, I’m also new to the Z8! Used the Z9 for two years and found my D850, was affecting my ability to to keep my muscle memory sharp. So, very reluctantly I parted with it. (I’ve always used a minimum of 2 bodies), I still use my F lenses, as well as my odd Z lenses. I’ve used Nikon since film days, going back to 1988, after parting with Canon. My first still camera was in 1959, so I guess I have a bit of experience behind me. However, I find I still learn more and more as time goes on. Thank you for giving feedback on the Z8, it is helpful, but please push the camera hard, so that weaknesses are spotted and a work round can be sort. I have just subscribed, and can’t wait for more info. Thanks again……… TonyH UK

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

I will definitely push it. Thanks for watching!

[@junebug1553]

Yay! I've been waiting for this video. Thanks so much. I am so enjoying my Nikon Zf when I use it for birding.

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

I hope my settings help you out with setting yours up. I'm glad you are enjoying the camera. It really is something. I'm trying to break through the snobbery involving landscape and wildlife cameras and hoping to let people know that you don't actually need 45 MP or a Z9 to shoot landscape or wildlife. The camera companies just love to keep people buying expensive stuff. Not that I don't buy my share. I am in the market for a new primary landscape camera so we will see how I land there.

[@junebug1553]

I'm well-pleased with using the Zf with the 500mm prime lens for birds. Has greatly improved my keeper rate, I think. @@ThomasPetzwinkler

[@loufonolleras5544]

I’ve so been hoping you’d do this. Thanks so much!

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

No problem! It was fun really asking myself how I wanted my settings to be improved and streamlined before I assembled this video. Thanks for dropping back in!

[@GeorgeKowalski135]

Great video. I liked your selection arrangement on the I menu. Very useful idea which I shall try. Hint: your first , top selection on your My Menu can be programmed to a function button for quick access. Keep these videos coming. We all can learn from each other because the Nikon menus are deep and not self explanatory .

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

I did forget to mention that. The problem is you only have so many buttons to work with on the Zf. If they had given us one more function button I would be happier with setting things up because I most definitely would put the My Menu on it.

[@GeorgeKowalski135]

@@ThomasPetzwinklerI agree with you. I wish that the plus and minus buttons could have been programmed because they are difficult to use when viewing a scene through the view finder hence the need to use another function button for magnification. This helps even when you use peeking while focusing manually.

[@LynneH-ej6rx]

Thank you for the video, very helpful!

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Thank you and thank you for dropping in!

[@briancarlisle2534]

Love you videos, thanks so much. Very informative

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

You are welcome. Thank you so much for watching and I hope you’ll be a regular visitor!

[@tothetracks]

Great walkthrough. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@tothetracks]

Just rewatched with camera in hand. Like you I was using [OK] to punch in. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to use the dedicated magnification buttons. Now using it to reset the focus point.

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Yes, it's invaluable for that. I only use the ok to punch in with those manual lenses where I need to get it super sharp. Thanks for dropping in!

[@IIIM-or1bq]

Thank you, Thomas. Hi. Which camera and lens were you used to record this video? Thank you.

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Thank you so much! I used the Nikon Z7 with the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 Z for all of the studio footage.

[@JamesChurchilljr]

I am interested in “how to” and art… unboxing not so much. I enjoy your vids

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Yeah, it was a test. Throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. LOL Thanks for watching though!

[@florentdeblecker8565]

Hello ! Thank you for this video. Just a question : what do you think about the Nikon Zf for wildlife photography ? Does it support a 300mm f/2.8 ? Thank you very much for your feedback ;-)

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

The Zf is an excellent wildlife camera. It will do fine on a 300 2.8. It's almost as amazing as the Z8 at half the price. You can't go wrong with it in my opinion. Thanks for watching!

[@amaimani]

The red lamp or light behind you is shining in your hair

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

I know. That’s why it’s there. 😂 I kind of like the red glow. I can make it pretty much any color. I need to change it up for the next video. I dulled all the lights for this one. No green and purple background or anything like usual. Just plain warm white.

[@scottfreckle237]

I find it extremely off putting watching you read from your cue cards or phone or where ever you put your script, all i see is your eyes darting around

[@craig_m_mi]

Sorry, the Zf is not the wildlife camera to choose, and barely a landscape one.

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

I suggest you try one before you make that judgement. I shoot landscape with a Z7 as well and the Zf holds it's own against it. Funny you make that comment about wildlife as the Zf is still light years better at wildlife than even the D850 or D6 which were considered extremely good wildlife cameras just 5 years ago. No, its not 45 MP but as long as you are shooting a subject that doesn't need much in the way of a crop, you are fine. Its an excellent camera. I can only assume you have never shot one judging from your statement. Thanks for watching!

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

In addition, I suggest you watch my video on whether the Zf is a good landscape camera. I think you'll see its the photographer, not the gear. I have produced easily printed at 4x6 foot masterpieces with this camera. 24 MP is just fine for most landscape work.

[@craig_m_mi]

@@ThomasPetzwinkler Who said I didn't watch your video, and like you said "if you say so"

[@craig_m_mi]

@@ThomasPetzwinkler And again, you are wrong. Have owned one, and shot one.

[@ThomasPetzwinkler]

Okay then, maybe you can shed some light on what you thought was insufficient in this camera. I mean, to begin with, any mirrorless camera made will create images far better than anything from 10 years ago so I guess we only just started making "real" landscape work? The great wildlife photography from the past 50 years was created on cameras that are pretty much unusable by todays standards but somehow those photogs managed to make amazing work. I'd love to hear your arguments on the subject. Maybe show me some of your work that proves your point? Or show me some work of yours that proves you did something on another camera you couldn't do on the Zf? I'm definitely down to see you put your money where your mouth is.