Bird to Animal Autofocus with One Button Nikon Z8/Z9

In the field, you might encounter birds and animals on a given day. Being able to switch between animal and bird subject detection with just one button tap is essential sometimes for nailing the shot. Today I share how I have configured my Nikon Z8 to switch AF subject detection modes by just pressing the joystick. Hope it is helpful!

[@ozzy10881]

Thank you Matthew that just what I have been looking for

[@ogonzilla]

That’s a great tip!😊

[@MatthewRaifman]

Thanks my dude. Big fan of your channel. 👊

[@ConorCoen]

Super helpful, thank you, just set it up, even though I'm shooting birds mostly I often come across other wildlife, this is great

[@MatthewRaifman]

Awesome. Thanks for the comment!

[@roberthigaki2282]

This is one of the best tips I have found on RUclips. I reprogrammed my z8 and z9. Not only can you change subject detection; you can also change shutter speed, exposure compensation, release mode, etc on the fly.
Thank you!

[@MatthewRaifman]

Thanks for commenting. So glad it was helpful.

[@NatureLenzPhoto]

Hi Matthew. Another very informative and useful video. Thank you. I have set my Z8 up like yours and it works well. However, I noticed there is no option to do this in video mode. Or am I missing something?

[@geraldgill2416]

Thanks, Matthew that works brilliantly.

[@MatthewRaifman]

Right on! Happy to help

[@edhickl205]

Great idea. I too have programmed some other custom functions. I might suggest how to save these custom setting to the memory cards ( i save mine custom settings to both cards on my Z9) so if at some later point I loose my custom function settings I can reload them from my memory cards. Note that reformatting a card will wipe away the file. One reason to have these custom settings on both camera memory card. And as a total backup I keep a copy of my latest setting on my laptop.

[@susovon87]

Thanks mate.. this is very useful...❤

[@BigFoot-w4d]

Would you recommend the 180-600 as a one lens do it all for birds and animal photography?

[@MatthewRaifman]

I haven’t shot the 180-600 yet, but I think that’s the lens to consider if you are looking for a single wildlife lens. For a birding lens, you might consider the 600 or 800 pf (much more expensive) but for larger animals the 300-500mm range will be useful. Just be aware, it’s a bit heavy for hiking. Doable for sure though.

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

On the Nikon Z9, I use my Custom Function 1 button to switch between bird and animal AF settings. Works very well!

[@MatthewRaifman]

I bet that works great. Coming from canon, I am still getting used to buttons on the front of the camera as part of work flow. I have my fn 1 set to cycle through focus modes (new z8 update that is awesome and I’ll do a video on that ) and fn2 to dx crop. I love how customizable the Nikons are.

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

I already have recall configured for birds in flight, so it increases the shutter speed, adds +1 exposure conpensation for shooting into the sky and makes sure the lowest f stop is selected and auto-ISO. I don't want to lose that. I set the subject detection to the first item in My Menu because it is a stand alone option there. In the i menu you have to of course find AF and then toggle down to subject detection and then use the command wheel. I put spot focus on Fn2 so as long as I hold it I am in spot focus. Sometimes I set recall shooting for blurs, like for barrel racers at the rodeo. Fast shutter speed for rounding the barrel and I hit my recall button (DISP) to put it into slow shutter speed for panning blur as they race for the finish. Steve Perry says animal detection detects birds way better than bird detection detects animals. So better to be caught in animal detection if you don't have time to switch.

[@littlerapidsphotography2554]

Same here. I like this set up.

[@RobertMcLachlan-d2o]

Thankyou. Very useful

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

I also use the F2 button to switch between FX and DX crop.

[@MatthewRaifman]

I do exactly the same thing. I know it’s just cropping, but I appreciate seeing the product in the viewfinder.

[@korkutdemirbas]

A new camera and lens with every new video. Next time I am expecting a Sony a9 III with 300mm 2.8. :)

[@MatthewRaifman]

Haha, I wish! Well, maybe Sony can send one my way. ;-)

[@bidconapa]

Suggestin please: how about showing which buttons and how "I programmed to switch" but how please

[@MatthewRaifman]

Happy to help. Can you be more specific about what you are looking for?

[@jasontaylor1920]

I changed the settings as you show but it doesn’t work.

[@MatthewRaifman]

Happy to help, but I need more information on what’s happening. What happens now after you’ve changed the settings?

[@jasontaylor1920]

Its set up the same exact way as you but when I press the joystick in nothing happens. I will play with it a bit more and report back.