Very nice demonstration Hudson. I shoot a Sony a7III and was totally unaware of the capacity to view depth of field live. Of all the RUclips videos I have seen, not one has ever described this! Kudos to a Nikon shooter for doing this. I set up an experiment similar to yours and yep, it works. There is one quirk about the Sony, however. If you magnify focus and attempt to change aperture (using the back wheel) then the centre of focus moves horizontally instead of changing aperture. If you move the front wheel then the centre of focus moves vertically. This happens if you are in manual, aperture, or shutter priority modes. Nevertheless, you can change focus in any mode if magnify focus is allowed. Thanks for the tip.
Annoyingly that is not just because you can't use the dials. On my A1 focus magnification is also cancelled when you change the aperture using a lens dial. Highly annoying. Even changing the focal length of a zoom will cancel the magnification, which admittedly would be less frequently useful.
Had no idea I could’ve done DOF preview in live view on my old DSLR. Now have a Z72 and can see this would be an amazing feature. Can’t imagine it’s omission is an oversight on Nikon’s part. Be interested to see an update video - once there is an update of course. 👍👍
Hey Hudson, I fully agree that this „defect“ is a real bummer. I usually work around it by taking sample images, then zooming in and checking focus. As I am frequently using both DSLR and mirrorless at the same time, I often get confused about the function of depth of field button. In DSLR in live view it will open the aperture to the max whereas in the mirrorless it will stop down to the actual aperture that was dialed in. How confusing… Maybe this whole issue is a good argument to keep my D850 and D750 🥰…at least depth of field seems much more intuitive there
Sadly, I'd really consider getting some value out of the F system while you can. The Z is the future and in every other respect it's eclipsed the F mount. You feel it acutely handling the Z9, and that tech will trickle down soon. Nikon is clearly putting the DSLR in the rear view moving forward. Values for used DSLR gear will drop precipitously soon I predict.
This is also my pet pieve with the z7. I am not sure many people are aware of this as I asked a number of z9 reviewers if this was the case. Most were not aware of this and could not answer my question. Nikon Canada said Nikon stop at 5.6 to help af, but could not explain why it's not available in zoom. More photographers need to be aware of this and ask Nikon to fix this. Thank you for promoting this issue
Have had a Z6 for 3 years, and didn't know about the Depth of Field Preview function. Mapped it, and will definitely use it. The limitation of not being able to punch in sucks, but this is going to help me do a little less trial and error. Thanks for the Video.
@Hudson After your video I tried some settings and found a workaround which works for me (since I usually don't take any videos). I would like to have a zoomed in 100% DOF-view for Landscape photography. On my Z6 I just switch to video (AF-S, small field), and there I can inspect my composition in 100% at the desired aperture. If I turn back to photomode the fokus stays the same (I use backbutton AF). Regards from germany. Ralph
Ralph, it's a huge pain in the ass to do that for those of us who do shoot video. Especially those of us who do it well with the 50% shutter rule in video. It means constantly changing our video focus and exposure settings and then changing them back instead of flipping a switch and having our last used settings ready to go in either mode. I just don't think we should need this sort of annoying workaround 5 years into the Z product line.
My two big firmware requests are this DOF preview update and dual/relay recording in video mode. This DOF is important for architecture shooting as well. I’ve asked Nikon for both but have little hope as it will a whole lot of us requesting en mass. I’ve posted your video on the largest Z9 FB group to try to grab more attention as well.
that was an interesting presentation. I hope Nikon addresses this as it is , to me, extremely important. DOF preview and accurate, reliable auto focus are the roots of the tree. I will follow this topic with great interest. I can't imagine Nikon not solving this in an update.
I've been talking about this and waiting on an update since 2018 when I got my first Z6 and Z7 bodies. More people need to tell them it's an issue. :-) I still have hope.
Well explained. Pressing the shutter button and pressing the playback takes almost no time, but it would be nice to see before capture, you are correct.
It's not just that. That shoot / play work around requires blind trial and error. Magnified live view of depth of field preview is a dead accurate precision tool that lets you adjust your manual focus precisely on the live magnified view and that's missing.
Oh man...I switched from DSLR to mirrorless last year with z7II ..still using all my F lenses with adapter. Just now, as in yesterday, getting this cam into studio for small object shooting. I was using LV on Ipad (with SnapBridge) and was going insane trying to figure out what the problem was! As you illustrate here.. stopping down ok to one point.. then..nothing! I was doing some quick testing but wound up giving up thinking I actually needed a specific lens for this task ... Was it using a mirrorless body.. was in the adapter? Thanks for saving me some cash to fix a problem that only seemed like a problem On the new lens note however.. What are your thoughts for a superb macro lens? the 105mm? The Z S seems rad but I dont know if I like that ...hmm.. whatever it is.. some sorta fine focus where you need to rotate focus a million times? I seriously dont mind adapter but if Im going to invest I want best option possible for macro (and hopefully prime use for other things like portraits etc)
Yes. As someone who shoots purely landscapes this is the single biggest pain about the z cameras. This is stopping me from investing in more Nikon lenses as I wait to see what happens with other makes.
Totally agree! Love the content, keep it coming. Waiting on my Z9 to ship....using a Z7 and Z6 in the meantime. Super excited for the autofocus you keep braggin about!😆
That's interesting. In the old days of film and up until the early AF Nikkor lenses, which ended after the type D lenses), Nikon would include hyperfocal distance markers for most f/stops on the lenses. If you were at f/11, you would place the infinity on the rightmost f/11 hyperfocal distance marker on the lens and you would get everything from the feet/meter measurement at the leftmost f/11 marker to infinity in focus. That's the maximum depth of field for that given aperture... hyperfocal distance.
Yep, exactly. I used that on my Mamiyas, Nikons and Linhoff in the film days. I still use it on my manual focus Voigtlanders and Leica Q3. I actually use it all the time with the Q3. :) However, it is even more accurate now to zoom in to 100% using live view, stop down and watch infinity go out of focus, pull it just back in and scroll down to check the foreground for adequate depth of field. Like cheating really. All the other brands still allow this with modern AF lenses, all my Nikon dslrs allowed it, but no Z camera will stop down past F5.6 while zoomed in to live view. Try it. It's dumb. I can do it in video mode, but not still. Only with old school all manual lenses (old AIS Nikkors and my new Voigtlanders with mechanical aperture rings) is this possible. Ironically, those lenses also have dof marks on the barrel. Lmao.
No and this is an ancient video. The Z9, Z8, Zf, and Z6iii all have the same DOF behavior sadly. You just have to shoot, check zoomed in on playback, adjust and repeat.
Ralph pretty much hit on what I was thinking. After watching you do the adjustments in video mode, just switch back to stills and you should have your focus. Bit of a PITA workaround but would guess it would work. Still waiting on my Z so unable to test it out myself
I thought of that back in 2018 when I first encountered this. Sadly, it's not practical though. Nearly every setting in Z cameras is sticky when switching from Video to Still mode, which is great for hybrid shooting. It remembers different exposure, menu and focus settings for each system so you're back where you were last in video mode or still mode when you flip the switch. Bad for trying to synchronize focus and exposure between the two, which seriously... we shouldn't have to ever do anyway. That said, it does work with an old mechanical focus F lens on the FTZ framing in a 16x9 mode and taking notes on what exposure settings you decide on in order to synchronize them back in still mode... That's really not what I expect from these cameras though.
In photo mode you can assign a button (e.g. L-Fn) with “preview” depth of field. Z6II Reference Manual page 415 and 419. It works fine on my Z6II. (Like the PV-Button on DSLRs.)
I mention right up front that this is not the problem of viewing Depth of Field in "fit view" and that people (including Nikon so don't feel bad) respond exactly this way. If you watch the video, you'll see that the problem I'm describing is the inability to zoom into the live view and adjust depth of field in a magnified live view of the scene. That is an incrediblely powerful tool to adjust depth of field and accurate hyperfocal distance used by landscape, macro, architecture and still life photographers. The instant you try to do that above f5.6 with the DoF preview assigned button you accurately describe; the camera immediately throws you out to a fit view (unmagnified). The button you assigned to DoF preview is disabled in split view and split view does not render smaller apertures than F5.6 either (rendering it useless for me at least). There is no way possible to preview a magnified view of the live view in either the viewfinder or monitor to adjust the depth of field to include close and distant subjects at any aperture smaller than F5.6. Every Nikon DSLR with live view enabled this and all of Nikon's mirrorless competition allows it. Rewatch what I'm describing (as well as demonstrating with a DSLR) and try it yourself. It's an immensely powerful tool that is needlessly unavailable on every single Nikon Z camera to date. :-(
There iis something similar or related, on my D850 when using live view it maintains the correct ambient light preview when I add a flashgun or TTL trigger but the Z9 immediately goes into its assisted viewing mode and there is no way to stop that - sony mirrorless works just like my D850
Hey Hudson, have you tried Apply setting to live view? I had a thought and tried it out. I'm not sure how it looks for you but there definitely seems to be a difference in DOF when hitting the preview button. Just a thought.
It has zero effect on this. I have that turned on all the time. All that does is apply settings to give you a representation of whether you are over or under exposed vs a clear bright well exposed view whether your settings are right or not. It still doesn't stop down past F5.6.
So I’m not crazy. I was surfing around trying to find answers to why I couldn’t do this on my Z7ii. I use to do this all the time on my D800 and D850. It’s also annoying that I can’t know my focal length so I can calculate my depth of field. Half way between flowers and mountains isn’t close enough. Nikon has absolutely killed it with the 24-120 except for these focusing limitations. I shouldn’t half to buy 2.8 glass to get the digital window that gives this information.
I just got a Z9, but I'm keeping my D500 as a backup/second camera. I love it, and now that they are discontinuing the model, it's even more valuable to me. Wouldn't the focus stacking feature on the Z series cameras solve the problem you're addressing?
It's a way to increase depth of field with a lot of extra post production work in situations where you need it. The lack of ability to see and judge critical focus at final aperture zoomed in makes it harder to decide whether one needs to employ that time consumptive option.
So far people report that they respond... "There's a depth of field preview button." That sadly misses the point. :( make sure you reach out to them if you have time. Strength in numbers.
First name is Hudson, but no big deal. You'll just need to program any of the function buttons to do it in the controls section of custom settings. Dof preview is the line item. Little aperture symbol. You can see it in that section of my complete Z9 setup guide (Bank A) video on this channel. I personally map it on the video record button right next to the shutter which is otherwise inactive in still mode.
Help please‼️ When I had my D850 if I chose to have my subject only in focus but foreground & background not. Resulting in the focused subject sharp and some 50 feet away (and with a Very shallow depth of field on my subject). Since switching to the Z7 II I'm only managing this if my subject is only a few feet away! I shoot in Manual. Where might I be going wrong???
That's all dependant on your lens focal length, aperture and distance to your subject. Longer focal length lenses, closer subjects and wider apertures get that no matter what body you use.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I'm surprised at the speed of your reply; wow. Ok; I choose my lowest aperture pos on my z mounted 24-200 mm which is f6.3 With a focal length 200mm. I was hoping to snap an old fishing boat in Loch Broom, Ullapool as near to it as possible with only the bow in focus but unable to.
I own a Nikon D7200 DSLR and a Nikon Z5 and no matter what lens i use for portraits ,my nikon D7200 has an amazing depht of field! I don`t understand why photos always has a 3D finish looking with the D7200 and the newest Z 5 don`t ...Can someone tell me why?
Nice demo of what seems to be a significant problem. Has Nikon not responded to you? Boo on them. If this has been around since the Z6/Z7 intro and still hasn’t been fixed, then I assume it won’t be.
It's been a solid miss since the Z debut in every single camera. I've spoken with Nikon USA reps about it and I was told it was passed on to the engineering team in Japan a couple of years ago. A friend in Germany got Nikon Europe to do the same. Nothing back that I know of. I don't think it changes until either 1) enough people complain or 2) they rework the live-view, depth of field preview and/or zoom software for another reason and accidentally fix it in the process. I had hopes that would happen with the Z9, but alas...
It shows exposure just not dof. You can stop down in fit view and see the entire images final dof, but not zoomed in to check critical focus. That robs many of us of a powerful precision tool. A quick watch of this video will make it very clear.
Hudson, I am so glad you harp on this issue! Now I shoot wildlife, sports, action. That said, I do shoot landscape occasionally and always had to guestimate my hyperfocal distance. Now that I'm getting use to the Z9, I'm ready to hear this issue again. So, first "THANK YOU". I'll also be checking out via your link of the power brick as that seems an excellent idea. QUESTION FOR LATER: (off topic). I programmed the banks using your set up initially, and have found for the way I shoot, something more intuitive for me. I know that's what you intended and thank you for "breaking the bank" mystery for me. Two quick questions off this topic: Any issues with constantly deleting images off the cards instead of reformatting them entirely? (i.e. corrupted file structure?). I've seen some people just leave bank A open and copy B,C,D to A and use it there and format the cards. 2. Inside the shooting menu there is a category of ISO sensitivity that now has a "Minimum shutter speed" attached to it (i.e. you set your shutter speed minimum to 1/3200 sec and Auto-ISO kicks in below that speed). My question is I assume above that speed you set the ISO. I've seen this in some Wildlife photographers bank set up but I am trying to figure out when you would use something like that. This was in Aperture priority mode, bright light bank, with Auto-ISO and this parameter. Can you clarify why someone might set this up this way (it was a pro photographer) and set 1/1600 for the low light? Since I photograph fast moving birds I'm usually not using Aperture priority, but I understand in some respects why people would. Anyway, long response, but thanks again for your dedication to the photography community.
Not a biggie... Just assign one of the Function buttons to Depth Of Field Preview and hold down that Function button while changing f stop... Problem solved 🙂
No, sadly not Zappy. The problem does not involve viewing depth of field in fit view. That's always been easy to do. If you watch the video, you'll see the problem is that you can't zoom in while previewing depth of field to check critical focus close up (like using a loupe on a view camera's ground glass). It is literally imposible on any nikon mirrorless, yet was possible and very powerful on all live view nikon dslrs. It remains possible on all Nikon's competitors' mirrorless bodies. It's a major oversight and completely needless.
At the risk of incurring your wrath 🤟😃, can't you just flip the switch to video, make your adjustments, then switch back into still mode and take the shot?
No wrath of course. I considered that too back in 2018 when I first started trying to work around this. Sadly, no. All settings from video and photo modes are sticky except exposure mode (PASM) , so everything changes when you flip that lever (focus mode, ISO, and aperture) plus it changes between 2x3 and 16x19 composition. It's really not workable as a solution. Even though it might work with an older f mount mechanical focus lens, should Nikon really expect us to do that?
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Hudson, you've thoroughly investigated this issue, in past videos as well, so I totally defer to your expertise. I hope Nikon fixes this, and thanks for having the backs of all Nikon Z users. 📷😎👍
Case #: 05870605 Subject: Stopping down DoF only goes to 5.6 in photo mode but goes further in video mode why Dear Paul, Thank you for your inquiry and using Nikon products. Depth of field is automatically previewed in the EVF and on the monitor of your Z cameras - but down to the aperture setting of f/5.6 only! Please note that the autofocus system's limitations prevent the camera from focusing well with apertures set to values below f/5.6 (too dark). Therefore, the camera limits depth of field in automatic image preview to f/5.6 and larger number apertures. Even if you are using f/16 or f/22, the previewed DOF is displayed from an f/5.6 aperture setting. Let me know if I could be of any further assistance. Kind regards, Bruno O.
I think you may have misunderstood the limitation I'm highlighting. The cameras do stop down with Depth Of Field preview to view apertures smaller than F5.6 in the "Fit View" of the entire sensor at once on the little screen. Bruno is right. You just hit DoF preview for that. What they don't allow us to do is to stop down while zoomed in to check and adjust critical focus precisely via manual focus using our final aperture on the magnified view. That's a powerful precision tool that was available on all the DSLRs and is available on all of Nikon's mirrorless competitors, but is not possible at all in stills mode on any Nikon Z camera including the new Z9. I try to illustrate that very specifically and even state exactly what Bruno responded in this particular video several times. "People will say that... (insert Brono's response), but that is not the problem I'm showcasing..." I even state that I'm sure they limited live view of smaller apertures to protect autofocus, but that they should release them to us in manual focus mode. I would be happy for you to respond to case number 05870605 with a pasted copy of my response here if you would like to.
I have the Zf and your video has explained so much. It’s crazy that Sony can do this and Nikon can’t.
Very nice demonstration Hudson. I shoot a Sony a7III and was totally unaware of the capacity to view depth of field live. Of all the RUclips videos I have seen, not one has ever described this! Kudos to a Nikon shooter for doing this. I set up an experiment similar to yours and yep, it works. There is one quirk about the Sony, however. If you magnify focus and attempt to change aperture (using the back wheel) then the centre of focus moves horizontally instead of changing aperture. If you move the front wheel then the centre of focus moves vertically. This happens if you are in manual, aperture, or shutter priority modes. Nevertheless, you can change focus in any mode if magnify focus is allowed. Thanks for the tip.
Annoyingly that is not just because you can't use the dials. On my A1 focus magnification is also cancelled when you change the aperture using a lens dial. Highly annoying. Even changing the focal length of a zoom will cancel the magnification, which admittedly would be less frequently useful.
I adore your channel. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I truly mean it.
Had no idea I could’ve done DOF preview in live view on my old DSLR. Now have a Z72 and can see this would be an amazing feature. Can’t imagine it’s omission is an oversight on Nikon’s part. Be interested to see an update video - once there is an update of course. 👍👍
Hey Hudson, I fully agree that this „defect“ is a real bummer. I usually work around it by taking sample images, then zooming in and checking focus. As I am frequently using both DSLR and mirrorless at the same time, I often get confused about the function of depth of field button. In DSLR in live view it will open the aperture to the max whereas in the mirrorless it will stop down to the actual aperture that was dialed in. How confusing…
Maybe this whole issue is a good argument to keep my D850 and D750 🥰…at least depth of field seems much more intuitive there
Sadly, I'd really consider getting some value out of the F system while you can. The Z is the future and in every other respect it's eclipsed the F mount. You feel it acutely handling the Z9, and that tech will trickle down soon. Nikon is clearly putting the DSLR in the rear view moving forward. Values for used DSLR gear will drop precipitously soon I predict.
This is also my pet pieve with the z7. I am not sure many people are aware of this as I asked a number of z9 reviewers if this was the case. Most were not aware of this and could not answer my question. Nikon Canada said Nikon stop at 5.6 to help af, but could not explain why it's not available in zoom. More photographers need to be aware of this and ask Nikon to fix this. Thank you for promoting this issue
Have had a Z6 for 3 years, and didn't know about the Depth of Field Preview function. Mapped it, and will definitely use it. The limitation of not being able to punch in sucks, but this is going to help me do a little less trial and error. Thanks for the Video.
@Hudson
After your video I tried some settings and found a workaround which works for me (since I usually don't take any videos).
I would like to have a zoomed in 100% DOF-view for Landscape photography.
On my Z6 I just switch to video (AF-S, small field), and there I can inspect my composition in 100% at the desired aperture. If I turn back to photomode the fokus stays the same (I use backbutton AF).
Regards from germany.
Ralph
Ralph, it's a huge pain in the ass to do that for those of us who do shoot video. Especially those of us who do it well with the 50% shutter rule in video. It means constantly changing our video focus and exposure settings and then changing them back instead of flipping a switch and having our last used settings ready to go in either mode. I just don't think we should need this sort of annoying workaround 5 years into the Z product line.
My two big firmware requests are this DOF preview update and dual/relay recording in video mode. This DOF is important for architecture shooting as well. I’ve asked Nikon for both but have little hope as it will a whole lot of us requesting en mass. I’ve posted your video on the largest Z9 FB group to try to grab more attention as well.
Thanks Ian!
that was an interesting presentation. I hope Nikon addresses this as it is , to me, extremely important. DOF preview and accurate, reliable auto focus are the roots of the tree. I will follow this topic with great interest. I can't imagine Nikon not solving this in an update.
I've been talking about this and waiting on an update since 2018 when I got my first Z6 and Z7 bodies. More people need to tell them it's an issue. :-) I still have hope.
Well explained. Pressing the shutter button and pressing the playback takes almost no time, but it would be nice to see before capture, you are correct.
It's not just that. That shoot / play work around requires blind trial and error. Magnified live view of depth of field preview is a dead accurate precision tool that lets you adjust your manual focus precisely on the live magnified view and that's missing.
Good to know. ... I use depth of view often. Now Nikon may address this issue. ...Thanks great demonstration.
I've been highlighting this problem since 2018 when the Z7 launched. It's gong to take more people complaining about it too get a response I fear.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Sure, I will post the issue to Nikon. I agree strengthen numbers.
Subscribed. Just got my Z9 last month and still learning.
Thanks, Hudson. Agreed... Hope Nikon can provide this with a firmware update.
I've been waiting years for it... :( I'm sure they could. Seems simple.
Oh man...I switched from DSLR to mirrorless last year with z7II ..still using all my F lenses with adapter. Just now, as in yesterday, getting this cam into studio for small object shooting. I was using LV on Ipad (with SnapBridge) and was going insane trying to figure out what the problem was! As you illustrate here.. stopping down ok to one point.. then..nothing! I was doing some quick testing but wound up giving up thinking I actually needed a specific lens for this task ... Was it using a mirrorless body.. was in the adapter? Thanks for saving me some cash to fix a problem that only seemed like a problem
On the new lens note however.. What are your thoughts for a superb macro lens? the 105mm? The Z S seems rad but I dont know if I like that ...hmm.. whatever it is.. some sorta fine focus where you need to rotate focus a million times? I seriously dont mind adapter but if Im going to invest I want best option possible for macro (and hopefully prime use for other things like portraits etc)
Yes. As someone who shoots purely landscapes this is the single biggest pain about the z cameras. This is stopping me from investing in more Nikon lenses as I wait to see what happens with other makes.
Totally agree! Love the content, keep it coming. Waiting on my Z9 to ship....using a Z7 and Z6 in the meantime. Super excited for the autofocus you keep braggin about!😆
That's interesting. In the old days of film and up until the early AF Nikkor lenses, which ended after the type D lenses), Nikon would include hyperfocal distance markers for most f/stops on the lenses.
If you were at f/11, you would place the infinity on the rightmost f/11 hyperfocal distance marker on the lens and you would get everything from the feet/meter measurement at the leftmost f/11 marker to infinity in focus. That's the maximum depth of field for that given aperture... hyperfocal distance.
Yep, exactly. I used that on my Mamiyas, Nikons and Linhoff in the film days. I still use it on my manual focus Voigtlanders and Leica Q3. I actually use it all the time with the Q3. :)
However, it is even more accurate now to zoom in to 100% using live view, stop down and watch infinity go out of focus, pull it just back in and scroll down to check the foreground for adequate depth of field. Like cheating really. All the other brands still allow this with modern AF lenses, all my Nikon dslrs allowed it, but no Z camera will stop down past F5.6 while zoomed in to live view. Try it. It's dumb. I can do it in video mode, but not still. Only with old school all manual lenses (old AIS Nikkors and my new Voigtlanders with mechanical aperture rings) is this possible. Ironically, those lenses also have dof marks on the barrel. Lmao.
Thanks for sharing, has anything changed in the last firmware updates?
No and this is an ancient video. The Z9, Z8, Zf, and Z6iii all have the same DOF behavior sadly. You just have to shoot, check zoomed in on playback, adjust and repeat.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto thanks for the answer, I knew it was older but it described/showed my issue very clear for me.
Ralph pretty much hit on what I was thinking. After watching you do the adjustments in video mode, just switch back to stills and you should have your focus. Bit of a PITA workaround but would guess it would work. Still waiting on my Z so unable to test it out myself
I thought of that back in 2018 when I first encountered this. Sadly, it's not practical though. Nearly every setting in Z cameras is sticky when switching from Video to Still mode, which is great for hybrid shooting. It remembers different exposure, menu and focus settings for each system so you're back where you were last in video mode or still mode when you flip the switch. Bad for trying to synchronize focus and exposure between the two, which seriously... we shouldn't have to ever do anyway.
That said, it does work with an old mechanical focus F lens on the FTZ framing in a 16x9 mode and taking notes on what exposure settings you decide on in order to synchronize them back in still mode... That's really not what I expect from these cameras though.
In photo mode you can assign a button (e.g. L-Fn) with “preview” depth of field.
Z6II Reference Manual page 415 and 419. It works fine on my Z6II. (Like the PV-Button on DSLRs.)
I mention right up front that this is not the problem of viewing Depth of Field in "fit view" and that people (including Nikon so don't feel bad) respond exactly this way. If you watch the video, you'll see that the problem I'm describing is the inability to zoom into the live view and adjust depth of field in a magnified live view of the scene. That is an incrediblely powerful tool to adjust depth of field and accurate hyperfocal distance used by landscape, macro, architecture and still life photographers. The instant you try to do that above f5.6 with the DoF preview assigned button you accurately describe; the camera immediately throws you out to a fit view (unmagnified). The button you assigned to DoF preview is disabled in split view and split view does not render smaller apertures than F5.6 either (rendering it useless for me at least). There is no way possible to preview a magnified view of the live view in either the viewfinder or monitor to adjust the depth of field to include close and distant subjects at any aperture smaller than F5.6. Every Nikon DSLR with live view enabled this and all of Nikon's mirrorless competition allows it. Rewatch what I'm describing (as well as demonstrating with a DSLR) and try it yourself. It's an immensely powerful tool that is needlessly unavailable on every single Nikon Z camera to date. :-(
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Got it. I did never miss this Zoom function.
@@StephanKempchen Many of us do. It's an incredibly powerful tool.
There iis something similar or related, on my D850 when using live view it maintains the correct ambient light preview when I add a flashgun or TTL trigger but the Z9 immediately goes into its assisted viewing mode and there is no way to stop that - sony mirrorless works just like my D850
I'm saving up for a Z9.. I think I will wait until this issue is fixed..
Hey Hudson, have you tried Apply setting to live view? I had a thought and tried it out. I'm not sure how it looks for you but there definitely seems to be a difference in DOF when hitting the preview button. Just a thought.
It has zero effect on this. I have that turned on all the time. All that does is apply settings to give you a representation of whether you are over or under exposed vs a clear bright well exposed view whether your settings are right or not. It still doesn't stop down past F5.6.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for checking that. I noticed there's a lot Nikon isn't clear about and we end up having to figure it out ourselves.
Nikon, are you listening? Thanks for showing us the issue, Hudson.
Be sure and message them. ;)
So I’m not crazy. I was surfing around trying to find answers to why I couldn’t do this on my Z7ii. I use to do this all the time on my D800 and D850.
It’s also annoying that I can’t know my focal length so I can calculate my depth of field. Half way between flowers and mountains isn’t close enough. Nikon has absolutely killed it with the 24-120 except for these focusing limitations. I shouldn’t half to buy 2.8 glass to get the digital window that gives this information.
I just got a Z9, but I'm keeping my D500 as a backup/second camera. I love it, and now that they are discontinuing the model, it's even more valuable to me. Wouldn't the focus stacking feature on the Z series cameras solve the problem you're addressing?
It's a way to increase depth of field with a lot of extra post production work in situations where you need it. The lack of ability to see and judge critical focus at final aperture zoomed in makes it harder to decide whether one needs to employ that time consumptive option.
You cannot focus stack on a moving subject..
I would love to see Nikons response to this video. This is something they should have mitigated a long time ago.
So far people report that they respond... "There's a depth of field preview button." That sadly misses the point. :( make sure you reach out to them if you have time. Strength in numbers.
Henry? Where is the D.O.F. preview feature found in my Z7II? What tab is it under?
First name is Hudson, but no big deal. You'll just need to program any of the function buttons to do it in the controls section of custom settings. Dof preview is the line item. Little aperture symbol. You can see it in that section of my complete Z9 setup guide (Bank A) video on this channel. I personally map it on the video record button right next to the shutter which is otherwise inactive in still mode.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Sorry about the name thing Hudson!! ...And thanks I need to assign that button for sure!
Help please‼️
When I had my D850 if I chose to have my subject only in focus but foreground & background not. Resulting in the focused subject sharp and some 50 feet away (and with a Very shallow depth of field on my subject). Since switching to the Z7 II I'm only managing this if my subject is only a few feet away!
I shoot in Manual. Where might I be going wrong???
That's all dependant on your lens focal length, aperture and distance to your subject. Longer focal length lenses, closer subjects and wider apertures get that no matter what body you use.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I'm surprised at the speed of your reply; wow. Ok; I choose my lowest aperture pos on my z mounted 24-200 mm which is f6.3
With a focal length 200mm. I was hoping to snap an old fishing boat in Loch Broom, Ullapool as near to it as possible with only the bow in focus but unable to.
200 at 6.3 still requires a relatively close subject for background separation. That's why portrait shooters pay for the 2.8 ;)
@@HudsonHenryPhoto makes sense ~ thanks for this.....
I own a Nikon D7200 DSLR and a Nikon Z5 and no matter what lens i use for portraits ,my nikon D7200 has an amazing depht of field! I don`t understand why photos always has a 3D finish looking with the D7200 and the newest Z 5 don`t ...Can someone tell me why?
Nice demo of what seems to be a significant problem. Has Nikon not responded to you? Boo on them. If this has been around since the Z6/Z7 intro and still hasn’t been fixed, then I assume it won’t be.
It's been a solid miss since the Z debut in every single camera. I've spoken with Nikon USA reps about it and I was told it was passed on to the engineering team in Japan a couple of years ago. A friend in Germany got Nikon Europe to do the same. Nothing back that I know of. I don't think it changes until either 1) enough people complain or 2) they rework the live-view, depth of field preview and/or zoom software for another reason and accidentally fix it in the process. I had hopes that would happen with the Z9, but alas...
Are you saying that exposure changes above f5.6 do not show either?
It shows exposure just not dof. You can stop down in fit view and see the entire images final dof, but not zoomed in to check critical focus. That robs many of us of a powerful precision tool. A quick watch of this video will make it very clear.
How about using DX mode?
NO difference.
I have left feedback on this before. Gonna do it again. Lol.
Hudson, I am so glad you harp on this issue! Now I shoot wildlife, sports, action. That said, I do shoot landscape occasionally and always had to guestimate my hyperfocal distance. Now that I'm getting use to the Z9, I'm ready to hear this issue again. So, first "THANK YOU". I'll also be checking out via your link of the power brick as that seems an excellent idea. QUESTION FOR LATER: (off topic). I programmed the banks using your set up initially, and have found for the way I shoot, something more intuitive for me. I know that's what you intended and thank you for "breaking the bank" mystery for me. Two quick questions off this topic: Any issues with constantly deleting images off the cards instead of reformatting them entirely? (i.e. corrupted file structure?). I've seen some people just leave bank A open and copy B,C,D to A and use it there and format the cards. 2. Inside the shooting menu there is a category of ISO sensitivity that now has a "Minimum shutter speed" attached to it (i.e. you set your shutter speed minimum to 1/3200 sec and Auto-ISO kicks in below that speed). My question is I assume above that speed you set the ISO. I've seen this in some Wildlife photographers bank set up but I am trying to figure out when you would use something like that. This was in Aperture priority mode, bright light bank, with Auto-ISO and this parameter. Can you clarify why someone might set this up this way (it was a pro photographer) and set 1/1600 for the low light? Since I photograph fast moving birds I'm usually not using Aperture priority, but I understand in some respects why people would. Anyway, long response, but thanks again for your dedication to the photography community.
Thank you, Hudson, I'm with you on this. Come on, Nikon, please address this.
Write them a note if you have time. ;)
Not a biggie... Just assign one of the Function buttons to Depth Of Field Preview and hold down that Function button while changing f stop... Problem solved 🙂
No, sadly not Zappy. The problem does not involve viewing depth of field in fit view. That's always been easy to do. If you watch the video, you'll see the problem is that you can't zoom in while previewing depth of field to check critical focus close up (like using a loupe on a view camera's ground glass). It is literally imposible on any nikon mirrorless, yet was possible and very powerful on all live view nikon dslrs. It remains possible on all Nikon's competitors' mirrorless bodies. It's a major oversight and completely needless.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Gotcha Hudson! I would hope Nikon would address this with a Firmware update if possible!
At the risk of incurring your wrath 🤟😃, can't you just flip the switch to video, make your adjustments, then switch back into still mode and take the shot?
No wrath of course. I considered that too back in 2018 when I first started trying to work around this. Sadly, no. All settings from video and photo modes are sticky except exposure mode (PASM) , so everything changes when you flip that lever (focus mode, ISO, and aperture) plus it changes between 2x3 and 16x19 composition. It's really not workable as a solution. Even though it might work with an older f mount mechanical focus lens, should Nikon really expect us to do that?
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Hudson, you've thoroughly investigated this issue, in past videos as well, so I totally defer to your expertise. I hope Nikon fixes this, and thanks for having the backs of all Nikon Z users. 📷😎👍
Case #: 05870605
Subject: Stopping down DoF only goes to 5.6 in photo mode but goes further in video mode why
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your inquiry and using Nikon products.
Depth of field is automatically previewed in the EVF and on the monitor of your Z cameras - but down to the aperture setting of f/5.6 only!
Please note that the autofocus system's limitations prevent the camera from focusing well with apertures set to values below f/5.6 (too dark). Therefore, the camera limits depth of field in automatic image preview to f/5.6 and larger number apertures. Even if you are using f/16 or f/22, the previewed DOF is displayed from an f/5.6 aperture setting.
Let me know if I could be of any further assistance.
Kind regards,
Bruno O.
I think you may have misunderstood the limitation I'm highlighting. The cameras do stop down with Depth Of Field preview to view apertures smaller than F5.6 in the "Fit View" of the entire sensor at once on the little screen. Bruno is right. You just hit DoF preview for that. What they don't allow us to do is to stop down while zoomed in to check and adjust critical focus precisely via manual focus using our final aperture on the magnified view. That's a powerful precision tool that was available on all the DSLRs and is available on all of Nikon's mirrorless competitors, but is not possible at all in stills mode on any Nikon Z camera including the new Z9. I try to illustrate that very specifically and even state exactly what Bruno responded in this particular video several times. "People will say that... (insert Brono's response), but that is not the problem I'm showcasing..." I even state that I'm sure they limited live view of smaller apertures to protect autofocus, but that they should release them to us in manual focus mode. I would be happy for you to respond to case number 05870605 with a pasted copy of my response here if you would like to.