Nikon Z6 III - BIF Autofocus Pass or Fail? Field Tested vs Z9 Animal and Bird Modes

We test out the Nikon Z6 III Animal Subject Detect Autofocus mode in Alaska on Birds and Birds in Flight. Is the animal mode up to the task of capturing birds and did any of the z9 bird mode make it into the Z6 III animal mode.
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USE THE CHAPTERS AS THIS IS A LONG VIDEO
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00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Tree Swallows
01:36 - BIF Yellowlegs
05:00 - 1.4 TC and Autofocus performance
07:54 - About the testing gear
11:08 - AF tests on Bonaparte’s Gulls
13:59 - Z6III Animal vs Z9 Animal ans Bord Modes
18:00 - Results of Z9 Bird detect V Z6 III Animal
19:30 - Autofocus Tips for the Z6 III
23:00 - The Verdict & Hit Rate
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WHO I AM.
My name is Scott West and I am a nature and wildlife photographer located in Alaska. I am very lucky to live in a place surrounded by amazing landscapes and even more amazing wildlife.
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[@dennishitchmough2819]

I have the same system as you are testing (Z6iii + 180-600mm) and I've found your tips to be well thought out and carefully tested which makes it perfect for me to attempt on my own equipment. Thanks!!

[@WILDALASKA]

Cool, thanks!

[@g00nther]

Really great real-world tests. Thanks. Been enjoying your content as I'm considering a Z6III. I've subbed 👍

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Ottertuber]

Those are some amazing bird shots. Thank you for going into detail on what settings you used and why. I hope to one day save enough money to get a camera as good as the z6III.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for watching!

[@tedshillitto6062]

Great vid Scott. Even greater to see you out there getting back too good health. Best Wishes Ted. UK

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@brucegraner5901]

Great review. Nikon has really upped its game. Now if only they'd recapture some of the D500 magic. Maybe a repurposed Z7 crop sensor with the 30+ megapixels you mentioned.

[@WILDALASKA]

Im curious about why no crop camera yet myself.

[@Jviotr]

I’m not sure Nikon sold as many D500s as some may think. It was an amazing camera, and people who owned it seem to love it, but it’s worth noting Nikon discontinued it a while ago, even though both the D7500 and D850 (cameras that use the same sensor / AF system) are still being manufactured. If I had the money, I would just buy a Z8 and use it in DX mode..

[@KungPowEnterFist]

I am not really sure what you mean by "D500 magic." Nikon stated on several occasions that the D500 was a flop. I had never seen a camera flood eBay so quickly and so much after its launch as the D500. It got mega hyped on YT, a small number of people bought it, and most of those people dumped it on eBay inside a year. By contrast, the Z6, a similar priced camera, with almost no native lenses available at that time, outsold the D500 three to one in the first 18 months after their respective launches. And a lot of people had a low opinion of the Z6. That just goes to show you what a disappointment the D500 actually was. In any case, the Z8 renders a Z500 redundant, just like the D850 instantly made the D500 redundant. I would rather see a D7500 level camera. i.e., a Z50 Mark II with IBIS and the Z6III AF.

[@prokremelskidezolati1426]

@@KungPowEnterFist of course, it was a flop, because those idiots in Nikon tried to push everybody to FX, but what happened? - they kicked every DX user first of all to other camera manufacturers. Then the D850 came and after that the ML and because of the crappy AF in Nikon ML cameras, Nikon kicked a lot of people to another companies again. That is Nikon, lol PS: if Nikon had woken up and released the D500 when it mattered, it would have been a hit. And when was it supposed to be? Well, sometimes 3-5 years after the D300, i.e. 2010-2012. Instead, Nikon slept soundly (as always) and the D500 arrived in 2016!!! That would be a "magic" of the D500 (D400)...

[@prokremelskidezolati1426]

@@Jviotr why would anyone buy a 46 MPx FF camera and use it in DX mode???

[@cablecarpify]

Good Video! Nice to watch and follow you. I.m also very happy with my Z6iii and 180-600 😊 Greatings from the Netherlands.

[@WILDALASKA]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Euphabone]

Just got my z6iii on Friday and I've been quite pleasantly surprised with the high ISO performance and image stabilization. Would love to hear your thoughts on these two topics. Great videos BTW - really enjoy watching them.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks. Im plan on a low light video but here in Alaska there's almost 20 hours of daylight. Going to be a challenge lol. And yes the stabiliization in video with a Nikon Z lens is fantastic. All the video in this review was handheld. Even the swans with the 1.4TC attached.

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Congrats!!🎉

[@OriginOutfittersMaine]

Awesome video. I must ask though-what body was this video filmed on? The talking head portions. It hunted for focus randomly a few times. Hopefully not the new Z6! 😂

[@WILDALASKA]

Different cameras, Insta360 go 3s, dii pocket 3, iPhone, sony ZV-E1. I noticed in that sever wind portion a pieces of cottonwood fly by my face and I saw the focus blipped. The Z6 III only filmed the birds not me.

[@robari2410]

Just found your channel. What a beautiful settings and great presenter's style. Thank you for all the info and tips. New subscriber here! Peace

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@randyschwager84]

Excellent review! Good advice on getting focus! Thanks for taking me along!

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for watching!

[@ianslingsby3415]

Thanks for this real-world review. Looks amazing capability for the cost.

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TravelNatureEU]

Fantastic review! I'm eyeing this camera and animal detect autofocus is one of my priorities. Thanks a lot!

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TravelNatureEU]

@@WILDALASKA It was. I'm still using my old Z6 but I've missed so many great shots due to its outdated autofocus system that I can't wait to get this one asap. I'm sure this one is the one ;-)

[@LorenzoFrausto]

@@TravelNatureEUit is, I’m loving it.

[@flyingmonkey334]

This is the kind of content I've been waiting for before considering a z6iii! Love that you and others are using the 180-600 since that's my long lens, hoping to make the jump up from the zfc to the 6iii soon.

[@WILDALASKA]

Awesome, thank you!

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Really informative video! Great to see you out in the field!

[@WILDALASKA]

Hey, thanks!

[@patrickmolloy6994]

great review and very good comparison. I still love my Z8 with that lens, so no advantage as far as my use case.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@plusplus940]

great tip to bring the focal plane close to you as you swing the camera up, thank you

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad to help!

[@destinyangel5]

Great review , a noticeable better capable focus on this upgraded z6III, but wondering if the reported Z6III has worse dynamic range compared to older Z6II due to Z6III's partially stacked sensor and is it noticeable ? It's been reported is worse at all ISO settings below 800 or nothing to worry about ? It seems like some feedback so far is that, Nikon had to compromised Dynamic range for better video and reducing rolling shutter effects for stills, like reduced dynamic ranges for Z9 Z8 , over the better superior dynamic range for stills of the BSI non stacked D850 but D850 suffers form a rolling shutter when electronic shutter selected instead of it's mechanical shutter .It's like Nikon needed to find a Dynamic Range sweet spot now with Z6III Z8-Z9?

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks. The dynamic range is fine on the Z6 III. If we are needing more than it currently has, then need to get it better in camera first. I think that's where I fall with most of the dynamic range discussions anymore. The cameras all do more than we need already in that regard especially if we get it right in the field.

[@jtes1442]

The reported dynamic range issues have been greatly exaggerated. Unless you always underexpose or overexpose your images by five stops or more, it's a nothing burger. If that's the case, then it's not the camera-it's you.

[@thephotoyak]

Great video, practical demonstrations, seems quite non-biased. My only questions: how is the AF when shooting video? Also, any chance you tried a F mount lens with FTZ? I have an old 300mm 2.8 I'm holding on to.

[@WILDALASKA]

Video AF is great. Yes I tested the 200-500 and it worked well as per the Z8/z9 does.

[@ptvfr800]

Thanks for another great video Scott, good photography tips..

[@WILDALASKA]

thanks

[@forced_perspective]

I really enjoy your informative videos. Having shot the r6 ii and z6 iii what would your opinion be as far as the betterbcamera for bif ? At a crossroads and ready to pull the trigger but have to dissove my nikon gear to switch systems

[@WILDALASKA]

Both a re great at BIF. But the new Nikon has better video and I prefer the colors off the Z6III and the sensor readout s faster so less rolling shutter, but the r6MKii has very low rolling shutter also.

[@forced_perspective]

@@WILDALASKA cool thanks so much!!!

[@a97b18b]

I’m about to switch my r6 and 100-500 for z6iii. I don’t have tons of money but Nikon has more lens options for telephoto and they’re more “affordable “. Nikon has the 600 for around 5k, canon would be like 10k!

[@xdemiurge]

for background vs object focus issue, I use focus position memory and just call back this focus position using fn button on my 180-600z lens. Usually use about 5-6 meters position. It is much faster than focusing to someting near you and you don't have to rotate focus ring or lose subject from your viewfinder.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@NevadaScrubJay]

Great description.... Birds are what I like to shoot. Thank you... I don't want to spend the $ that the Z8 and Z9 cost. Plus, a little less weight makes handling easier. But, I am uber curious what the tracking/AF will be on the upcoming Z7 III. Because of weight; I am thinking my wife would prefer the upcoming Z90. These releases could be in the next month or two. I am am looking forward to your review on that camera with a comparison. Again, fabulous review...

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@marcel9568]

Great review. It may detect birds well, but I’m not too sure if it’s gonna jump to other animals if they are around.

[@WILDALASKA]

You can see in the EVF footage other arctic terns that fly by the one tracked and it sticks pretty good. You can also set the amount of stickiness for switching to another subject more or less in the settings.

[@PhilKilroy-w8x]

Thank you for great videos on Z6iii, have you tried the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6 lens on Z6iii, as I have this and looking to upgrade my D5100 to Z6iii,

[@WILDALASKA]

Yes. the 200-500 works fine one the Z6III

[@davidsherman3462]

Great eagle shots

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks

[@lesladbrook4508]

An excellent review and great tips, thank you 🙂

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vinaymisra7489]

Awesome video. I am finalizing Z6 Mark iii . However, I have been a prime user when I was using D7000 . So, I need to decide and I am confused. though 180-600 mm is a good option. But I want to know how would a 300 F 2.8 VR2 perform with FTZ adaptor on Z6 iii? may be you can make a video for guys on low budget like me? :) Also, SOmeone said to me that Z6 has inbuilt stabilization, so VR is not that necessary and I can save a lot by going to non VR version of 300 F2.8! Any take on this? Thank you very much!

[@WILDALASKA]

It should work fine

[@steventhomas231]

Looks fantastic. Only thing i dont like is the tracking box looks like it could be hard to see in some conditions. I hope nikon update it so you can customise the colour and width of the box.

[@WILDALASKA]

you can. I can see it fine in the EVF, it may be a little hard to see in the footage though at times.

[@زهيرسلمان]

Thank you, great I take sports photography and wedding photography Do you recommend z6iii

[@WILDALASKA]

Should be great for it

[@زهيرسلمان]

@@WILDALASKA Thank you

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Thank you for the information!!

[@WILDALASKA]

Our pleasure!

[@bladerealm124]

Do all of these comments on Z6III animal AF vs Z8/Z9 bird AF translate directly to video AF? Is the Z6III just slightly behind the Z8 in video AF? Can both of them track BIF at 4k120fps?

[@WILDALASKA]

I am working on a video centric video about the Z6 III now. But yes the tracking in both is very good on BIF. It will include just that question. All the video in the review for AF of the birds was recorded on the Z6 III

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

Thank you. Just what we wanted to know. Does the Z6iii allow you to make the focus box lines thicker like the Z9 now does? Matt Granger suggested moving the focal plane in front of the bird by setting the focus recall button on the lens to close focus. I have the Fn2 button on the Z9 set for spot focus so I do it like you do. Always after a double shutter button tap.

[@WILDALASKA]

I haven't checked for the the thicker lines. That's an interesting tip for focus but I find it just as easy to tap the single point as I raise the lens as my finger is already there vs finding the button on the lens.

[@kjltube]

@@WILDALASKA Sorry, but what do you mean by "tap the single point"? I assume you have a front button programmed to this on your Z6III? Thanks for making this video with your findings btw. I'm more inclined to invest in a birding lens for my Z6III now.

[@WILDALASKA]

@@kjltube Here'd the setup video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZCZkquXeKiHi7c So the concept is we have one button for single point focus the photographers designates and another button for subject detect. You use the single point to get close or on your subject and then hit the af-on for subject detect to lock in cases where the lock doesn't just jump to the subject

[@todddrew1192]

Enjoyed the video.. Great job.. Till next time.. Be safe..

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks, you too!

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

As all-in-one family/travel lenses go if you could test with the 24-200/28-400 that would be great. I'd also love to see performance with adapted Canon glass since I know you have the same Fringer adapter and manty lenses that I do.

[@WILDALASKA]

Good advice. I am going to be testing the 28-400 this week and I will be doing a video with the EF 500 F4 mKII and the EF 70-200 MKIII for sure with the camera.

[@RobertVovkPhotography]

This camera looks great.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@vojtechbarta8442]

Now I am not sure if I should buy Z6III or Z8 mainly for wedding and very fast moving objects shoots.

[@WILDALASKA]

If you need to recoup or crop, Z8, if not so much the Z6 III

[@araskoca8172]

finally a video that isnt totally made inside of their house

[@WILDALASKA]

If I am in the house doing a video is due to having no other choice usually.

[@toxotis70]

did you had any of those AF problems with older DSLRs ?

[@WILDALASKA]

Completely different focusing systems. But yes you still needed to have the focus closer to your subject for success. Just a different approach after you got it close.

[@MWTH73]

Thanks for sharing are you using auto ISO

[@WILDALASKA]

Never. Full manual

[@barryinny]

Hi. Love your channel. I'm a beginner and needed an all around camera (stills/video) for an arctic trip to Svalbard next July. I decided on the Z8. I bought the Z8 with the 24-120 F4. I'm also planning on getting the 180-600 very soon. The Z8 combo deal cost $4396. The Z6iii is $2496 + $1096 for the 24-120 (no bundle offered yet) = $3592. Do you believe for the $800 - the Z8 is the better buy? I'm looking for a one and done hybrid body that will serve me well over the long haul. PS: I have big hands and the Z6ii I held seemed small and the Sony A6700 seemed like a kid's toy...while the Z8 feels solid. TY.

[@WILDALASKA]

Ok for the big hand thing, whichever camera you buy get a battery grip which makes it feel better in the hand and doubles the battery life. Next, if you are shooting very few smalls ( finches, sparrows, etc) then the Z6 III is great, but if you are shooting smalls the Z8 will be better.

[@keesgewoon]

another tip is: save focus position - load saved focus position??

[@WILDALASKA]

You can. But over the years I never use it. I just use the as I lift the lens (if I was focused a farther or shorter distance from the subject Tim about to shoot) I just hit the single point which pops to the ground to bring the focus point back to me.

[@mailtoswarup1]

How much 24mp affects cropping small birds?

[@WILDALASKA]

A bit. That is the one drawback of any 24mp camera for wildlife. You just have to rethink things when you can get close enough

[@jazzisteve]

Better to use DX mode than a 1.4 TC.

[@WILDALASKA]

Disagree. Less pixels on subject makes for poorer quality of the image by cropping in camera. Also you now have no ability to re-comp your shot if needed. Always crop in post if needed There is no degradation on the image with the 1.4 TC to enlarge. The point of TC is to get more pixels on your subject.

[@jazzisteve]

@@WILDALASKA Depends how small or large the subject is in the frame and available light as well. If you're forever shooting small subjects, that are small in the frame, the extra pixels might make a difference.

[@KungPowEnterFist]

Ok, so, basically, the Z6III has the same ability to bird/BIF AF as the Z9 in animal AF mode. That means the Z9 is easily superior at bird/BIF AF vs the Z6III, because the Z9 is far better in bird AF mode than in animal AF mode when working with birds. In any case, this is a huge step up from the Z6II.

[@WILDALASKA]

🤷‍♂️

[@mlai2546]

​@WILDALASKA z6iii probably has an improved bird autofocus. Also remember this is a 24mp camera so you'll have to compare it to the Z9 cropped AF. From what I heard, it is amazing.

[@KungPowEnterFist]

@@mlai2546 IMHO, the Z8/Z9, which I own both, AF's better in crop mode for wildlife/sports action. The more you can fill the frame with the subject, the better. Those camera's don't seem to care about having less AF points like back in the DSLR days.

[@mlai2546]

@free-qe6wx hi that's exactly what I mean. Having fewer autofocus points to go through eases the processor load and hence all processor power can be used on AF tracking.

[@tabishshaikh6402]

Can you let me know what camera, lens, and LUT did you use at kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2WtipmvZ7CEd9U

[@WILDALASKA]

Its on the inforgraphics on this images and I didn't shoot in log, so its just a slight hand grade from auto color from the Nikon

[@tabishshaikh6402]

@@WILDALASKA I meant for the self video that you recorded. I really like the feel of it.

[@WILDALASKA]

@@tabishshaikh6402 Oh Sony ZV-e1 using the PP10 color profile

[@tabishshaikh6402]

@@WILDALASKA may I know the lens that was attached to the ZV-e1

[@WILDALASKA]

@@tabishshaikh6402 Sony 20 1.8 GM

[@Ed-lz4jv]

Good test, seen other tests for z6iii.... selling my z6 will get the iii despite crappy articulating screen. Other than more pixels why spend 6K for Z9 brick!

[@WILDALASKA]

🫤