Top 12 Nikon Mirrorless Problems & Solutions: Troubleshooting Z-Series Cameras

[@utuber314]

Steve is a treasure for Nikon photographers!

[@grantking4681]

The BEST.

[@nrocha2466]

Who Cares?? I sold off my Sony kit and moved to Nikon recently, because Nikon is better for me

[@victorlim5077]

You are a great resource for Nikon cameras, Steve. Thanks.

[@JohnCederdahl]

I don't think so, this scares ppl away from Nikon. But he is a great resource for those who already has a Nikon...

[@SantoshBhat-h4w]

Steve - Many thanks for covering Nikon cameras and some of the wonderful tips you give you on your videos. I bought your Z9 book and it was invaluable when i bought Z9 about a year back. If I have improved as a wildlife photographer, then a lot of credit goes to you! Thanks once again.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@selectiveimagery]

Great Job as always Steve, many folks who go from a camera phone or old point and shoot and buy a high end camera (of any brand) don't often read guide books that you make or the detailed Manufacturers Users Manual and just get lost in the complexity of the menu's and don't understand the choices they can make. Some people need to start out with a lower end camera that is simpler to use and migrate towards the higher end as there skills progress but they don't want to do that and then bash the brand they bought because they don't spend the time to figure it out, I see this all the time when helping folks out in the field who ask for help.

[@cyclegravel]

This is brilliant, I had that black out viewer issue, called Nikon - they couldn't come up with a solution and you nailed it! Thanks

[@jonreed1905]

You are the most helpful guy ever! I set up my Z8 and Z7 II using your guides, please don't stop making great quality videos! Oh yea, I also really appreciate your wildlife photo tips too.

[@harrybloomberg3079]

Steve: Great video! I did run into one Z9 feature that drove me nuts. I was unable to fire strobes, either through a remote mounted to the hot shoe or on-camera flash. One time I even had to drive home to pick up an old DSLR to salvage a large portrait shoot. Turns out that if you have the Z9 set to "silent mode", Nikon decided that you don't want to be firing off strobes, so flash is disabled. I consider this a bug and not a feature. You might want to add this to the next iteration of this video.

[@backcountrygallery]

I think I mention that somewhere in the book, but not under troubleshooting - I'll have to add it (and if I get enough additional ideas, I'll do a part 2 of this video and turn it into a playlist). Thanks!

[@tonyhayes9827]

Same on ZF I think its the same on any mirrorless camera?

[@harrybloomberg3079]

@@tonyhayes9827 Don't know as I don't have a ZF but it would be consistent with Nikon's software design.

[@seantomlinson3320]

I love it Steve! Thanks. Great tips for even experience Z-shooters who haven't run into any of these issues before.

[@ambrosechiu2338]

Steve's videos are the best, thank you Steve, really appreciate your videos.

[@judyboyd9530]

Thank you Steve. I do have your setup guide book and happy to say I have not had any problems today that I could not solve.

[@dougcoxon5596]

Great video Steve! I just ran into the JPEG issue last week. I did a factory reset for a minor issue, and the camera came back up in program mode and Single shot for release. I typically shoot 15 fps RAW and so readjusted the release settings for 15 fps, but accidentally in C15. Didn’t realize at first and it took about an hour in the field to figure it out. Thanks again!

[@mikebartow9415]

Thank you Steve! I found about some of the wacky settings by trial and error. The Z9 manual has answers but to find them you need to know what you are looking for.

[@davetv13]

GREAT Video Steve. One other things I find myself doing is accidentally turning the vertical shutter from the white dot to L (meaning lock model) and then I miss shots or can't get it to fire at all. If this happens make sure you shutter is not in lock position.

[@thunderpup1327]

Very useful, even to those of us who shoot with the good ol' Z6. Thank you very much.

[@jamesgranberry8801]

omg, my shutter has been driving me nuts with it's incremental changes that take forever to dial in. I had no idea what was causing this! Thank you so much for this video.

[@jameshogg7842]

Thanks, Steve for some really useful tips. I think I’ve come across a couple of ideas that we’re not in your book (maybe I Missed them) I lock the focus point position and then use 3-D to put the subject in the right part of the composition. If I then press the button allocated to an area mode. The area mode is activated around the subject, not the point where focus was locked. For me, this can be a better way to get my area mode square where I want it. If I allocate vertical multi selector centre to a function it works fine but if I lock the vertical shutter button, it is incapacitated until I unlock it If you like using banks (not your favourite ) It’s good to know the Z9 reads and saves to slot one only unless slot one is empty when it reads and saves to slot two. As long as you turn the camera off when ejecting slot one it’s a fairly simple matter to record eight banks or you may prefer to use slot two as a backup to the banks on slot one in case they get corrupted I got caught out experimenting with N-RAW video I downloaded all my files through Lightroom. I was about to reformat the cards when I discovered that Lightroom does not download the NEV files. It’s important to download. N-RAW files to your hard disk and import into Lightroom from there I hope someone finds this helpful. Many thanks, James Hogg.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@mylucksmiles]

Once again full of explanations we all need to make sure we are on top of the cameras capability . I recently got in to a mess because of the mode button on the z8. I was more pleased that it happened when I had no reason to take photos but for pleasure . Once I had worked out what was happening I felt great. But I did then opt for the Nikon z 8 best feature for crazy bad moments when the camera plays up. The ABCD settings set A as animal and my setting accordingly . This feature is for us dumies who have memory loss just when something good in front of us.when I watch your program I find it all makes sense . When panic sets in my brain goes to bed and refuses to work . I set the camera to A setting and it’s returned to some kind of basic settings. From there I can normally find a shooting again more in my normal mode . This I think is the advantage of the camera. Knowing where I went wrong is the real answer. So thanks again . I use the z8 and z7.2 both have their sweet spots. The set program to ABC setting cans be a life saver . So I wonder if I am fully using it to my full advantage. I thought that some of the setting I use for birds wildlife may be accessed more quickly by simply changing from bird to other wild life using this technique, how do you feel about it ?

[@backcountrygallery]

For the most part, I just set as I go - I dislike the banks. I find it's just as quick - if not quicker - to set as I go :)

[@mylucksmiles]

@@backcountrygallery your smarter than me lol

[@judgesteve6798]

GREAT Video Steve - THANK YOU!!!

[@ranjankmsphotography]

Very nice recap of some silly mistakes often done 👍

[@TheGalah-z3k]

Thanks Steve, very helpful information. Have just bought a Z8 having been a D500 user and I must admit the transition is taking me a bit more effort than I anticipated. Your videos really help and I think I am going to buy your books to help me along the Z journey.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@iam_nobody_just_a_Nikon_nerd]

Good one Steve. I can just put in a problem solver more on the screen. If you are in the right mode but still dont get any picture on the screen when you look at it, you might have something on the evf activator, some rain drop, a small hair or something, had both issues that almost gave me gray hair before i saw the problem :)

[@tlwe6840]

Thanks Steve. These tips are so useful, especially to help to use the correct settings and avoid the problems covered. Your focus is on the full-frame cameras. do you have a guide for the Z30?

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks! Nothing for the Z30 at the moment. I have a lot of my plate, so I have to put my energy where the majority of my followers go - which is with full frame cameras at the moment. Although, a lot of the advice I have out there applies to the Z30 as well.

[@anurajjpillai5896]

Your videos helped me in my transition from d7500 to Z8..I’ve gone through your videos and manuals multiple times ..and in this one month,I’m today pretty confident about the settings,.though I almost forgot about spot focusing is on AF-S only..thanks again ❤

[@franksamet]

A very useful tutorial, many thanks.

[@richardbrewer329]

Thanks, Steve! Very useful hints and tips. I've made many of these mistakes and now have a much better understanding of the complex menus!👍

[@stevenj2380]

The best. Thank you. I had control settings issues and still to work some out (Zf and Z7ii). The naming of some controls and that generic lens view are confounding. Especially on Zf and to work out use of EC dial and ISO changes (on dials, in i-Menu, or in menu) in Manual - whether MF or in AF, not be locked out of it! Must have all auto settings OFF, and adjusting control carefully as you showed! Yesterday saw an others' video regarding how bad another's menu was, and was worse then Nikon!

[@mikebrownhill4662]

What a great video - very useful. I've used Canon for decades and am considering a move to Nikon, so if I make the switch I will probably make many or all of these mistakes! I have to say that some of these potential pitfalls aren't helped by the Nikon menus. Even though the menu system seems generally good, there are a few areas they could be improved for a newcomer to Nikon or someone whose first camera is a Nikon. Thanks for the video.

[@Nick-13]

Invaluable advice, Steve. Always great to add to my knowledge, thanks

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

I’ve had several of these problems and never seem to remember what I did to fix them. I’ll save this for future reference.

[@borisgalos6967]

Great video. I can't say how many times I've had to answer most of these. It'll be nice to have a link to send people.

[@StudioBerg1]

Outstanding...you have the best training videos!!! Love your work!

[@nathanfrisby3133]

Thanks Steve for great advice and tips! Still learning my Z6iii and all advice is helpful.

[@ten29victor56]

Steve, thanks for all of your great videos. I noticed you pressed the Release Mode button once (2:32 position of the video) and changed the frame rate. I have to keep the button pressed and turn the dial to change the frame rate. How did you do that? Thanks.

[@backcountrygallery]

In the Custom Settings menu, there's an option under the Controls section called Release Button To Use Dial. If you turn it on, it allows you to press a button and release it and then still make you changes. Once you're done, a half press of the shutter release (or pressing the original button again) gets you back to shooting.

[@ten29victor56]

Awesome. Thank you so much.

[@MarkRafaelSandoval]

Very useful... I have encountered (and mysteriously solved) a couple of these occurrences on my Z8. But it is always helpful to establish cause and effect relationships. Quick responses to these odd occurrences are vital for smooth, enjoyable shoots. For me it's Bird Photography where things happen rather quickly. Thanks for your videos....

[@pattymattes7124]

Steve, you are awesome! Thanks for this video! Yes, I did save it. Yes, I have your set up book. It's funny you mentioned the switch to the right on the viewfinder to switch from stills to video. I accidentally flipped that switch apparently when I put my camera in my camera bag. When I took it out and turned on the camera I thought what is wrong with this camera, the display is not right. Then I saw the switch was flipped to video, LOL. I'll mention another that threw me when I first got my camera. I was playing around with bracketing but forgot to set to zero (apparently there's no on off for bracketing. I wish there was) and was wondering why my camera was taking extra shots. Then I realized it was still trying to do bracketing. I went back and set to zero and everything was okay after that. I have come to the conclusion that we really don't have cameras. We have mini computers and we definitely need to learn the operating system/menu. If anyone is reading this comment and you are thinking about getting a Z camera, you need to buy Steve's set up guide. It will save you headaches. It really will. Thanks again Steve!!!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@castironwood]

Great info. Thank you Steve

[@thedailyartisan2336]

Perfect timing, Steve! Within the next few hours, Fed Ex will be delivering my new Z9 (going from a D850). Previously I purchased your BIF E-Book (which is great), and I watch and read everything you do! Thanks so much for all you bring to the world of photography. It is greatly appreciated by your many fans! Susan

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@thedailyartisan2336]

@@backcountrygallery Just downloaded your Z8/9 shooting and setup guide for wildlife. Thanks again!

[@BruceChapman-j3p]

Hey Susan great move. I use both. If you use flash pay special attention as the two camera behave very differently. Also setting the custom preset white balance takes a bit to get used to. Enjoy!!! Oh yeah I found BCG Secrets to The Nikon Autofocus System (Mirrorless Edition), The Utlimate Nikon Z9 Setup & Shooting Guide indispensable. Also Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon Z9. Lots of reading but I constantly refer to them all on my phone!

[@thedailyartisan2336]

@@BruceChapman-j3p Thanks so much for all this helpful information, Bruce! I really appreciate it. The 850 has been my favorite-ever camera and mainly why I’ve waited to jump into the Z9 pool, but I’m excited about it! Thanks again for your generous assistance! Susan

[@derrickm9808]

Thank you , some of those were very helpful to me , my Z8 is a great camera but sometimes I don't understand what is going on .

[@pitmanra]

Thanks!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@janetzinn8674]

I ran into this Framing Grid issue a few weeks ago. An easier way to turn it on and off is simply to map it to a button! On the Z8 and Z9 I've set Framing Grid on/off to the BKT button but you can use your button of choice. (I have my DISP button set to something else so I can't cycle through displays--and I never really need to.)

[@phototac9287]

I still shoot with a DLR . I bought a Z6 when it came out it was a crap camera . So i switched to a D780 . The best camera Nikon has ever made has to be the d700 the d780 reminds me of this camera a little bit ahh those mirrorless cameras takes all the fun out of photography I think maybe I just haven't moved on yet I may now purchase a Z8 or Z6111 I think the technology has been prefected more it's amazing how far photography has advanced in only about 15 years. Great channel for sure what a talented photographer.

[@billbarraclough9653]

Amazing - there doesn't seem to be anything you don't know about Nikon kit!

[@secretmanong]

Oh! I have a contribution. A friend of mine said his Z6iii does not have the option to shoot Slow Motion video. Slo-mo is available in certain frame rates and resolutions only. (Can't remember which from top of my head)

[@PASquared]

Most of these options don't seem like problems to me, just a matter of setting things how you want. When you talked about the viewfinder switch I thought you would mention how a dirty eye sensor can affect the display switching. Fortunate to have chosen this company that doesn't release a new camera to do things that could be done through firmware upgrades. Nice to know that when there ARE problems or missing options Nikon seems to address them better than most.

[@Euphabone]

5:00 I have a bit of an issue with my Z6iii where the rubber eyecup must be getting picked up by the viewfinder sensor and it won't switch between viewfinder and LCD (in auto switching mode) unless you push the rubber eyecup up away from the sensor. I wondered what the prioritize viewfinder options were for - now I know - thanks!

[@barbaramuhlethaler6621]

Great video. To the point. No nonsense. Thank you Thank you. I've bought the Z6iii set up guide. Fantastic and comes highly recommended !

[@danielcox5849]

Great video. Thanks for all the tips. Love your book on the Z6III.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@richcower]

Thanks Steve. I need to grab the latest setup guide, mine is an old one.

[@OzDoc-sp1lk]

Hi Steve, thank you for your awesome videos!! While we are on the subject of "trouble shooting" I am wondering, since you probably have the best access to Nikon than anyone else in world, if you are able to reach out to Nikon for many of us who are hoping to have the following changes made in the next firmware update, please? (Or, if you have a solution / work around, please let us know!) Really appreciate it! 1) the ability to set release mode in shooting banks. The release mode (along with few other settings) is not saved in custom shooting banks (extended). Every time I switch banks I have to manually change the release mode. The release mode is one of the key reasons for me to switch banks (normal 10fps, sports pre-release 30fps, landscape 3fps, etc). I wish Z8/9 have retained U1, U2, U3 features! 2) the ability to save all the files in one single folder doesn't matter which shooting banks you are in. At the moment, I have to manual set the shooting banks "save folder" to the same one at the beginning of the day, which is quite a hassle. Also, once that folder is filled up, each shooting banks reverted back to random folder numbers again. 3) the ability to set pre-release with recall shooting function. Right now it's limited to only 20fps. 4) the ability to have pre-lease with 6, 8, 10, 15, 20FPS, sometimes we want to have pre-lease but we don't need very high FPS. Plus it might allow RAW with those low fps preleases! (One can only hope!!) 5) the ability to customize (including disable) subject recognition when customizing AF-On button. After all, subject recognition is such an integral part of focusing. Right now, the only way to quickly disable or change subject recognition with one click is to customize your recall shooting function. 6) make all the options available on ALL the buttons. Right now few buttons have very limited options available to them. It's quite a waste. Thank you once again for your videos! Happy shooting Oz.

[@wilvangorp5995]

Love this video Steve !

[@BruceChapman-j3p]

Dude this is great stuff! But even better is the advice to watch and bookmark this on the phone!!! Cuz when the stuff hits the fan In the field we're not thinking calmly or rationally. At least me.😀

[@photobycain4154]

Great video I have your Z8 Z9 book I love it. I watch all your videos I think this one was one of your best. Thanks 😊

[@dennisjones5579]

Great video... FYI, the Type A restore delay option doesn't exist inthe Zf menu

[@CB-ue1qf]

Re my LCD screen doesn't turn on. Yes of course what you say about the button the side of the viewfinder is correct BUT also check that the rubber eye piece that fits over the viewfinder hasn't become damaged and is activating the 'proximity' sensor there. This has happened on 2 occasions to me and has only been fixed by installing a replacement eye piece. Good ones (non genuine Nikon) are available on Amazon for a lot less money that the genuine ones and work perfectly!

[@SpudUna]

Had that problem on my Z5 last night. Eyecup fine. Sensor looked clean. But I cleaned the viewfinder sensor anyway and lo and behold everything worked perfectly. If in doubt clean it

[@Lorgoth117]

The proximity sensor is very sensitive. I had this same issue on my z8 recently and it was a stray strand of hair in front of the sensor.

[@retoschutz]

Danke!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@Atrangi_chhap]

Hi, when is your z50ii review coming up.. 😊 eagerly waiting for it.

[@bcBiz]

Thank you. This one of the best YT camera guides!!(Subscribed)

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@andyvan5692]

at 4:10 there is another reason for the display lcd to go off, that is for app shooting, aka using the NX teather software, or the "smart bridge" app as control interface is via the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, simply go into the spanner menu, connect to PC/ connect to smart Device menu and turn it all OFF.

[@Hendrik_Berns]

I would really love to see a video about the new t 50 ii especially how it compares to the trusty D500 as the z50 was, at least for me, not a viable option

[@glendor2]

I have one for you. I do a little real estate photography (on the side for about 3 a year), and about half way through, my white balance changes so that all of my whites look orange, it is much worse when I use the flash. I go to the K setting and change it, so it looks good without flash, but when I add flash, the whites turn blue. If I go to the flash mode, the colors are not correct. However, (sometimes) if I go back to auto, and do not use the flash, the colors look normal. It is very frustrating trying to figure it out when people are wanting you to finish as quickly as possible!! I live in Bellefontaine if you would want to check out the camera for yourself.

[@BHFWaterloo]

Thanks, my friend. You sure helped me a lot.

[@GaryKFroehlich-jh5mm]

Besides the displaced rubber ring around the eyepiece blocking the eye sensor-I’ve encountered that one a couple of times, but fixed the ring in the field-I also sometimes find the rear LCD won’t turn on for playback because I’m inadvertently touching some other control-for example, the focusing ring on my lens-and since shooting always takes priority over reviewing images, the playback button is ignored. Moving my hand/finger so it’s not touching anything involved with shooting solves the problem.

[@cesarm8811]

Hi Steve, I am a hobbyist photographer and don’t photograph wildlife. I own the Z50 with both kit lenses (great travel camera), so this video has some good information for me, but not the problems apply to me. You may wonder why I subscriber to your channel. Besides being an awesome wildlife photographer, your videos are always great source of photography tips. Curious are you going to review the new Z50II with the improved AF. I know I know you are a professional and the Z50II is entry level camera. I was considering trading in my Z50 for the Z50II, but like to see a full review of the Z50II, before upgrading. I am sure like me and lots of Nikon D500 owner there waiting for Nikon to introduce a mirrorless replacement. I am not holding my breath, since it seems Nikon has decided to give up on the APSC camera market. Looking forward to your next video.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much! At the moment, I'm not really planning a Z50ii review - I haven't had many people ask. I'm kind of waiting for the proper D500 Z series camera myself - that one WILL have a review if they ever do it.

[@samgabor100]

Great illustrations

[@davidcrighton3431]

Just a suggestion and probably stating the obvious but if there are settings that you are often switching then it is easier to add them to your I-menu.

[@lesladbrook4508]

Nice details thank you Steve 🙂

[@tomfranz25]

Hello Steve! a great great thanks for that high level mastering of all the problems some small photographs have every day! You are really the only one on the net, who first give fantastic advices for the mastering of our cameras and second who is so clever enough to dominate our errors and give us again in a total clear way, solutions that fix all our errors . Only one person can do it Steve Perry !!! 🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍👍🤩🤩🤩🤩💗

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks so much!

[@debashisroy4367]

Dear Steve, thanks for this topic but it didn't cover one problem of focusing. While shooting small Bird in single point focus using my Z6III with nikon 200-500, the autofocus keep hunting or shift on its own even when focusing button,(back button)is released after acquiring focus. This is happening when the z6iii is firmly on tripod. The Kolkata Nikon service centre is not able to help. Can you please see this?

[@kapurar]

Thank you! Great tips.

[@praveenkanniah]

Great video Steve ! I might have a silly question, I use back button af , set my default auto focus to wide with 1x1, then once I get a focus if I want to switch to 3d tracking assigned to fn1, do you have to keep on holding fn1, Is that right ? Since pressing it press and release doesn’t toggle

[@backcountrygallery]

Yes, keep pressing. I wish Nikon would give us a dedicated way just to press a button and switch to a specified AF area until we press again or something, but they don't.

[@praveenkanniah]

@ got it ! Thank you so much Steve 🙏

[@gunny2044]

Good stuff, Steve.

[@JasonNewholm]

Just an addition to the "Nikon LCD screen not working" topic, I had an issue while in Morocco 2 months ago. I have my old Z7 set to prioritize the view finder when covered and then switch to LCD when I pull away. At one point, the LCD was not turning on when I moved my eye. I could not access anything including settings. I tried troubleshooting like power off\on and switching batteries but nothing worked. I seriously thought my camera was toast. I began to wipe my camera down thinking it might somehow be water damage as I was taking a photo of a river at the time. When wiping the viewfinder, some debris popped out and magically, the function started operating normally. It appears a tiny object had been blocking the sensor which tricked the camera into thinking my eye was still on the viewfinder.

[@Patricio.Photography]

Hi Steve, I just recently picked up a z9 and im finding that when i import into lightroom the pictures dont look great, or sharp at all. does format make a difference (lossless/high efficiency) or picture profiles ?

[@backcountrygallery]

Format should't matter - are you generating 1:1 previews? If you're just doing minimal previews (or whatever it's called), the images often won't look so good, at least in the library module.

[@Patricio.Photography]

@backcountrygallery I use embedded in library and smart previews in develop but even in the develop module (when it grabs the original) they don't look great

[@michaelbierbaum-z5x]

Thank you Steve, your vid is a great help very useful.👍

[@andyvan5692]

at 28:16 there is a third reason the custom buttons don't work; that is the lens, if your lens doesn't have the assignable ring, or Fn1/2 buttons they ARE assigned, just don't show, as that particular feature isn't compatible. There is another 'classic' problem to, that of the aperture ring, you NEED to select spanner menu; NON-CPU lens data, ADD the lens focal length, and MAX aperture, THEN go to A or M mode on the mode dial (no data, so cant use P mode, or Shutter priority, as the camera can't select iris value itself, sometimes the lens needs to be in f22 and LOCKED for the 'fly by wire' aperture control to work (or the wheel on the front). the "use aperture ring" is for the Dslr's need to set this to 'on', which is an additional step for them.

[@olavhofman1181]

Hi Steve,do you also have a solution to let de GPS work on the Z8 ,or is that only possible on the Z9. Your channel is very helpful thanks a lot .

[@backcountrygallery]

Not offhand - I don't tend to use GPS very often so I haven't spent any time messing with a solution for the Z8. I understand you can do ti with snap bridge though.

[@mikep9199]

Hey Steve! Nice video. I have a Nikon Z7ii and I'm having problems with a delay. I have my exposure delay mode set to "OFF" (as you recommend in the video) but there is still a lag between when I press the shutter button and what I get as a picture. I have been told that there is an inherent lag on the Z7ii with the eyepiece and monitor. I was told that you are not seeing the subject in "real-time". I cannot re-find the article that referred to this. I miss bald eagles and osprey taking off from perch because the eyepiece is telling me that they are still on perch (or just off) and the pictures I get are after liftoff. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'm not sure on that on - the viewfinder may be a touch behind, but like 1/90th of a second - it shouldn't be noticeable. I used the Z6iii extensively (and nearly exclusively) for over two months this summer on an extended trip and never had this issue. I'd do a quick test - save your settings (you can do so under the Setup menu > save/load settings) and then reset the camera (again, setup menu). See if in the default state the camera still does it. If it does, I'd talk to Nikon about it (and remember to reload your settings in the Save/Load settings menu when you're done). On the other hand, if it solves the problem, at least you'll know it's a setting causing it. Offhand, I'm not sure what it would be though, if I think of something I'll report back.

[@mikep9199]

@@backcountrygallery I just had my camera at Nikon for other reasons and they supposedly did a thorough check and said everything was in order.

[@MrsMerrett27]

Thanks Steve you are the best.. fixed 2 of my problems with this video ;)

[@retoschutz]

What a cool and informativ video! Thank you so much ;-)

[@JOSHL50]

Thank you! That is Great.

[@anthonyfnorcio9267]

Thanks. A great vide,

[@marleenvandam6931]

Thanks Steve!

[@billsenior213]

Addition to #2. If you are/were shooting in the rain/snow and some water droplets get in your eyepiece…the camera will think the droplet is your eye and turns off the LCD. Use a microfiber cloth and dry the eyepiece.

[@fbaqueda]

Thanks learned a lot. But my program buttons are not working. My issue is I press say fn 1 but the camera reverts to what is set in the (i) menu. I have to keep my finger on fn 1 for 3D tracking to stay active for example. Any advice? And how do I download your guides?

[@backcountrygallery]

Nikon doesn't have a dedicated option that allows you to press the button and switch to a dedicated AF area. You have to keep pressing. Some people use Recall Shooting Functions to do it, but you only get one Recall Shooting Function to program (Z8/9 only - and technically you get one per custom setting bank, but mucking around in menus defeats the purpose IMO). Still, it can work. Oh, the book is at bcgwebstore.com and does cover this in detail.

[@markcoleman4635]

In regards to the lcd not showing, a problem i had with it was the eye sensor was dirty. Cleaned it and my rear lcd came back

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

Thank you. Nothing irks me more than to throw my camera up to my eye and see the playback image and have to half press the shutter button to make it go away. And it drove me crazy that my area focus mode changed with I went vertical.

[@ryantang8146]

I’m just wondering with multiple updates already to the Nikon Z9, is it now possible to map the pre capture function to one single button? It will greatly improve its usage not having to change on the left top end of the camera.

[@backcountrygallery]

I just leave it on all the time and use frame rate to switch. It won't work if you're in a normal frame rate set to RAW, but when you go to C15, C30, etc., it'll work then. Once I'm done, I just go back to normal frame rates. Hacky, but it works.

[@ryantang8146]

@@backcountrygalleryEven just jpeg, pre release capture is invaluable in wildlife photography. I seriously hope Nikon will find a way to make it easier to access it because at current, there are too many steps involved switching between raw to jpeg because Nikon doesn’t support raw pre capture yet with z9 and z8 and probably won’t be able to with this generation of cameras. Nikon should make it possible to press one button to activate pre release shooting and one press to come out of it. Or maybe allow that to happen in recall shooting function to enable pre release capture as well. Fingers crossed 🤞 if they will allow one more major update for Z9 and Z8.

[@grahamfield1570]

Helps if you mention the letter and number on custom settings menu for those watching your videos on their phone.

[@backcountrygallery]

The menu number can vary between cameras, so it would cause more confusion than it solves

[@mikeyb9819]

Hi Steve, you’ve gone very Nikon-centric over recent months. Will you be trying the Sony A1 mk 2?

[@backcountrygallery]

Already have two of them on order - I'm still deep in the Sony system :)

[@scriptosaurusrex]

For example two, there's another possible solution for the z6/7 series. Occasionally, I need to remove the eyecup and wipe the proximity sensor. It has happened often enough to be 'a thing'. I think it's just a bit of face grease (yum) keeping a bit of dust or whatever on the sensor, meaning the sensor thinks your face is at the evf. It's not something you think to clean when you're doing your regular quick clean. Or I don't anyway...

[@scriptosaurusrex]

To avoid double commenting: Also the irony that the MANUAL FOCUS RING option disappears when you have a lens that has ring that's technically not a dedicated MF ring attached. But the multifunction ring setting is always there, regarding the last point... Oh Nikon...

[@bobfromrockville3265]

Thank you Steve

[@safiq_ur_rahaman]

a1 ii review coming?

[@backcountrygallery]

I have a couple of them on order - I may do a review sometime next year. I have a trip to the Galapagos in Feb and one to Africa in March / April. If I do a review, it'll be after those trips.

[@andrewgaffney4881]

I set up my menu banks for dx mode- continuous, single point, and fx mode- continuous, single point. I realized I had to go through all my settings for each bank, like Image Quality.

[@backcountrygallery]

One workaround for that is to set up Bank A with all the settings the way you want and then use the Copy option to copy those settings to the next bank. Them switch to that banks and make the changes you mention - no need to reset everything that way :)

[@andrewgaffney4881]

@ I’ll have to give that a try. Thanks

[@juergenwittsiepe]

On my Z9 I assigned "framing grid" to the video record button to turn it on and off.

[@gurupmishra8575]

Nothing compares with Nikon. We are not discussing Hasselblad or Leica here. No popular brand has this feel, of holding, feel of legacy, feel of ergonomics for reaching the right button and feel of holding one. It is the undeclared Emperor. All cameras take good photos but the colours, sharpness, contrast and vibrance of Nikon photos is unparalleled.

[@andyvan5692]

one last problem, if the aperture works weird/the lens ring doesn't let you focus, then its that F2 menu again, the 'control ring' is set to Aperture, and you are not in A or M mode, as the camera has control, and this setting only works in A/M modes, and to reset just set this ring to FOCUS.

[@nandkumardeshpande9251]

Thank you for details or z8

[@MrJason8957]

One problem I have shooting a Z6III, that is probably not related to settings, is that when I shoot a bird on the water, the camera wants to lock focus on the bird's reflection as it is closer to the camera I suppose.

[@backcountrygallery]

They do get fooled by reflections :) A smaller AF area can help, but it's not a guarantee.

[@wildlifesnapper1]

Confused me with the Z8 there as some of those menu numbers are not the same on the Z9, one example is d9 on your Z8 shows View Mode (Photo LV) but thats d10 on the Z9, well it is on mine anyway....lol.

[@backcountrygallery]

Go by names, not numbers :) I had thought about listing the different numbers, but that's a lot of cameras to cover and the numbers can change with FW anyway.

[@wildlifesnapper1]

@backcountrygallery yes, I guessed the FW was your reasoning behind using names, as well as the number of different Z models. Took me a few minutes to recognise that fact though. Stay well out there Steve.

[@petersuvara]

Thank you!