I think your issue is one of the issues that most people (and critics) have had with Nikon's system. Instead of learning what works best for the camera. They instead want it to work like this other brand or that other brand. Subject tracking has been on the Nikon's from day one because it was supposed to replace the 3-D focus tracking that existed on the DSLRs. But in the early days, it didn't work nearly as good as it does now. The firmware updates and new tech have made it much more reliable than it used to be. And you don't even have to focus and recompose. You can use the joystick to move the focus point around like all of the other cameras. I just wish the focus box was a little bit smaller. And I wish you could change the size of the Wide are Area AF box like you can on Fuji and Panasonic. Great job Omar!
I agree. I think most naysayers just do not try to get to know the camera. I like the Idea of a smaller box and an adjustable wide-area AF. Both would be nice.
@@youknowwho9247 I’m convinced you still shoot with a Canon Rebel T3i. Cause there is no way you have used any of modern mirrorless cameras and can say confidence that “neither of those things is necessary if you are a Canon or Sony shooter”. I just shot with a Sony A7RIV a few weeks ago and had to use the single focus point while shooting a model to make sure it grabbed focus on the face and not the body. The words I speak come from my own personal experience, not repeating what I see on these 10 min YT videos from YT’ers who don’t know who to read the instruction manual..
Very informative, love that you point out strengths in the different systems, so many influencers seem to just trash something rather than learn how it works.
Right on Steve. If camera manufacturers would listen to those "influencers" then all camera brands would make the very same camera. Instead of bashing systems, people should read the manual and try to understand the way a particular tool works. This is what I love about Omar, he embraces a tool, no matter what brand, and tries to find how it works for him. And I love his humor too :-)
Great video. Many RUclipsrs are influencers who talk about camera specs. This is an actual photographer talking about how to get the best out of his camera.
Totally agree, I feel Nikon is that brand that you can't see what's so great until you actually use the camera, because it doesn't dominate with specs, although Nikon did really step up their game the last few years. So this guy actually didn't just look at the specs and went, ehh, nahhhh Sony shoots 500fps and Canon something something, and actually tested it and looked at the files and then realized it's a great tool for him to get his desired results. I feel Nikon is on top when it comes to image quality and overall file output like he said the files are super nice to work with, also ergonomics, durability (that's why most wildlife and hard core nature photographers shoot Nikon) and then ironically practicality. This one I'm not sure about but I've heard many people say that Nikons are just really easy to set up and then use generally. I don't really know how to explain it but yes. As I said I don't have personal experience to back this one up. Oh and Nikon glass is the reason many people chose Nikon, very very good glass and glass with slight character to it unlike some of the other lenses that is just so "perfect".
Hey Omar - This is exactly what I have been doing from day one with Z6ii. Couple of points. When you have the center subject tracking box (white), you can actually move this all over the screen by using that little joystick. Also, when it is in tracking mode (Yellow), you can get back to center subject tracking (white) box by just pressing the Ok button. This is how I am handling the autofocus with my Z6ii.
I literally have my Z6 set up the exact same way. When I found out about it, I had a hard time switching back to any other focus modes. Glad you mad a video about this to Nikon shooters who don’t know about it.
In 2019, when I had the Z6, it was not like that. This came with a firmware update. One of the reasons why mirrorless Nikon AF have bad reputation. Because reviewers tried the old version and all they had was the slow operation of switching between all AF points to a single one every time.
Exactly! I just had this argument with someone him claiming the AF tracking on the Z5 is worthless, mainly from what he heard on YT from Sony shooting Nikon bashers. Obviously this person never used a Z camera because my Z5 works wonderfully like Omar demonstrated. Not only are Popular YT Nikon haters hurting possible Nikon sales but so are those that believe them, the mis-information is out of control.
@@artsilva Mine too. Z5 is highly regarded camera. People are often superficial (hope this is good word), the rest is mean or biased to other brand. I have to get used to my cell phone whenever get new one, or same when change my car. It is the same with camera.
@@youknowwho9247 You're lying, What NPS photographer would risk their membership by going online and bashing the gear he is privileged to access as well as bragging of preferring Sony and Canon? Your whole argument is very suspect sounding so you know.
Been really great seeing your transition to shooting more of the Nikon over time. The multitude of videos over a longer period of time paints a much more detailed picture of your decision process as opposed to a simple “I left X for Y” video can/would.
I shoot sports and this is exactly how I have the z6ii set up. I configure the FN2 button for Subject tracking while I'm in wide area eye detect and I can toggle back and forth. It works great. It took me a while to get used to it though. Especially because I still use a D5 with a 400 2.8 on single focus while the z6ii with a 70-200 is on Subject tracking AF. So I'm mixing both worlds. 😀
Thank you for making this video and telling to people that they have to find out the perfect way when working with different systems, not just doing nothing but complain about it!
Re: focus confirmation: there is negative confirmation in AF-C where the box will blink when the camera cannot find something to lock on. But yeah I still think it's better to show positive confirmation, and as a bonus point also show which AF point is active in dynamic/wide modes.
You are so refreshing , you make videos by including what is perceived by other "influencers" as a knock on a produck such as Nikon Z cameras without finding solutions before condemning it , Thank you for your great insights and knowledge
A couple things here, maybe I missed it. You can exit the tracking mode by just pressing the function button you have set to activate it on the front again, and it'll put you in your previous AF mode. Also, if you go into Custom Settings Menu -> Auto Focus -> a7 Limit AF-area mode selection, you can remove what AF modes you can scroll through with your custom record button. I only use single point or AF with tracking for humans or animals, so instead of like 7 or 8 different modes, there is only 3 but in your i menu you still have access to all of them.
@@ogonzilla Well yes you can turn off animal if you want, but what I'm saying is you can set the dial to only have 2 or 3 options so it's not scrolling through so many. And pressing the fnc1 button again will go cancel the box and go back to whatever your AF was.
@@RiposteThis incorrect. Pressing the function button will bring you back to WIDE only (with face). But I get what you are saying. I covered limiting AF in another video. Thanks!!
I've done this. I have it limited to three: single point and wide small and wide large, so it's basically like Fuji with different sized boxes. But I'm not using eye or tracking. I need to experiment more with those.
I am happy that I was one of the very first subscribers to your channel and see it grow over time. Keep up what you do!! You are doing a great job talking about photography and not just about specs. Specs are important, but the photographer is more important.
Thank you. Really good to see how different photographers adapt and use features to make things easier to remember. You've got me rethinking how I use the various focus modes. I plan to put your idea into practice and also remap my FN1, FN2 buttons as well.
Youre a fantastic photographer, you are able to capture what most others cannot: spirit. Your photos have an energy about them that feels timeless and elegant. You are definitely a photographer artist!
Great video, Omar! I couldn’t agree more with your strategy and the results that follow! While I’ve been using these settings for about 2 years now, this teaching presents it better than anyone I’ve heard, and certainly better than I ever could. With compassion, humor and sense of discovery. That’s why I’ve linked to this video 13 times so far on FB! Only on Z6ii message forums where the original poster is struggling/frustrated. I’ll probably link to it twice as many times in 2022 since the issue appears to be the top concern of Z camera users (pre-Z9). Hopefully, people will come here become regular subscribers to your quality channel.
With lenses like the 24-70 and 70-2002.8z you can set the Lens L-Fn buttons to do this very thing. Have camera in auto area then press the button on the lens barrel and instantly have the subject tracking box. Use this method on my z50. Set it up through the assign button menu in camera.
Love all your stuff! My favorite is that you show your work! Lots of people are gear heads and not artists, so they are good for making reviews and even good photographers, but I'm about images and yours are dope!
Personally 95% of the time I just shoot in wide-L with either human/animal eye AF activated on my Z6II. This gives me pretty good control over which face it will pick on and also works decently on objects. For the other 5% where the camera isn't picking up the eye or I need to focus on something smaller I switch over to dynamic or single point. This has served me quite well so far. I just hope Nikon in the future firmware will decouple AF area size from eye AF and subject tracking. For me the best system would be allowing me to select any sizes like the Fujifilm (or at least give me a wide-XL which is like double or triple the size of wide-L which is very useful for tracking erratic moving subjects). Then I should be able to choose if I want human/animal eye AF inside that or engage subject tracking from any mode independently from the size of the area.
Thanks. Really, really excellent video. I’m thinking about jumping back to Nikon from Sony for colour quality and was concerned about all the bad press on the autofocus. I expect it’ll be fine once I could quickly take control back if I didn’t like what the “intelligent” autofocus was doing (which is required no matter how smart the autofocus is). I now have confidence that it would work.
A very cool setup tip. I do have tracking setup to my F2 button but hadn’t used much as I have a habit of the center point and recompose. A habit from previous systems. One thing I have been loving about my Z6 II is the configurability is so very flexible.
I’m using custom modes for this issue. Both M1 and M2 have the exact same settings but with M1 I have eye detection on with wide area focus, on M2 I have eye detection off and center point AF. So I just have to switch between these modes, for me it’s much simpler but it takes a little bit of practice to do it fast.
Great job of explaining the differences in af systems. Nikon Z af system is a bit quirky but is extremely capable once you get familiarity. I use the Fn1 for subject tracking like you. Record button to zoom 100% when I want to check focus and Fn2 to change af modes.
Hey bro! I just wanted to comment real quick on this video. I also use a Nikon z62, and I love it as well. I've used a lot of other cameras as well. Whatever tool works best for each person, that's the tool they should use. Anyway, I just really appreciate how you communicate. Informative, straight to the point, not dull or boring, it just works.. and since we're talking about things that work, I will say this, I appreciate people who take the initiative to grow and learn, trial and error, ebb and flow, and then share that. To me, that's the mark of a true instructor. So thank you my friend! 🙏
This way of thinking is what sold me on the Z system. For whatever reason, it just worked for my brain. For your consideration: I set my Z6II up to have Fn1 be "Subject Tracking" (same as you,) Fn2 set up to be "Focus mode / AF-Area mode" and the Video Record button to "Live View Info Display Off" giving you a clear view of the composition, which I personally find to be really helpful. I also turn the lens control ring to OFF. I've found that while hand holding some lenes I would accidentally pull the focus out by inadvertently turning the ring.
I think it's interesting that all the major manufacturers have made a way to bounce between eye/face AF and conventional. But they all make it difficult to find or set up rather than an integrated behavior. FWIW, on Canon R5/6, the best solution I've found is one button set to BBF and one to EYE-AF. Pick the one you want when you want.
Have shot with Z6ii for 10 months and am primarily a concert photographer. Thanks for explaining this. Have used this on and off without primarily know what I'm doing. I have plenty of keepers but this certainly will increase the number of keepers. Rock on.
To each their own, but I prefer to have my back button set to lock and my "ok" button set to switch between eye and single point. This way I can quickly hit "ok" to engage the single point and then move the box with my thumb using the direction pad. Otherwise if your box doesn't hit where you want you're constantly doing the focus/recompose. Especially frustrating with couples coming down the aisle at a wedding and wanting to quickly move the focus while simultaneously shooting.
Interesting. Love the way you explain it and make comparison between the different camera systems. Whatever the focus system, same thing. Love the color renditon of Nikon. And thats the reason for sticking to it for decades.
Very good video, and I am glad someone else is appreciating this. Having said that, one problem subject tracking has is that I cannot set the size of the box. If I had the option, I would reduce it to a quarter the area, for shallow depth of field photos. So, ONE MORE thing I do is use 200% magnification on another custom button (Fn1 is focus mode select; Fn2 is subject track; REC button is 200% magnification). And now, when everything has failed, I press the 200% magnification (usually magnifies to center frame) and hit AF-ON. The camera will focus on whatever I have now in my viewfinder and being 200% magnification, I am able to be really precise with that particular point of focus.
As I do a lot of people photography I am going to set my Z6II up the same way, I have had it for just a day and was wondering what would work best, seen a load of videos but this looks really good. Can't wait to get this camera set up and all my AF-S lenses dialed in.
Subject tracking has been spectacular for me. That is what I thought about the rest of the youtube videos. Why didn't they change to subject tracking? They kept saying they lost focus. Didn't they move their thumb to get focus? Anyways, always love your videos.
Excellent discussion. I have been flummoxed by not being able to activate subject tracking even though I have it mapped to function button 1. Then finally realized it won't work if the underlying focus mode is "WIDE-L" which is really a large red rectangle. Subject tracking is disabled in that mode. Finally got it working again.
We I accidentally found it - The tracking mode was such a pleasant surprise. Strange how all those youtube Nikon AF bashers never seem to mention it...
This is exactly the way I use my Z6 and it works like a charm. In fact this reconfiguration of the function button to activate subject tracking was added later on in a firmware update and it changed the way I was using my Z6!! Great video as usual!!
The appearance of red boxes *is* confirmation of focus! Whatever the red boxes appear on will be in focus. It took me a while to just trust it but it has sped up how I shoot, alongside using eye AF and subject tracking as you described when I need more precision.
Not true. Box is always red even if the subject is out of the focal plane Translate to "confirmation of locked on". That might help you understand the difference to the other systems.
Shot a Christening ceremony a couple of weeks ago, in Greece. In its greek orthodox "version" the ceremony involves a lot of action and movement, AND I was there as a guest and an "unofficial" second shooter, so I had to shoot in between people sometimes. Shot 680 pictures, using basically subject tracking and, on some close portraits of the baby, eye autofocus, on the Z6 (not ii) and 50mm f1.8 S lens. I now have a huge problem selecting which pictures I want to send to the couple, as the VAST freakin' majority is ultra sharp, so apart from maybe 15-20 that were out of focus, the rest is technically right. No need to say anything about picture quality, colour etc. Mind you, I'm talking about the Z6, which is of course inferior to the Z6 ii. Thanx Omar for the video! Χαίρε!
Hi Omar, it is very similar to the 3D tracking on the Nikon DSLR. I use it a lot in portraits. I stay in AF-C with 3D tracking. I lock the eye and recompose and the camera will continue to focus on the eye.
Super useful info. Thanks! Coming from a D800, wrapping my head around shooting in continuous and eye-focus took a while. Employing your strategy here has been liberating.
Finally Omar, thnx a lot, I was having some troublefiguring Nikon's autofocus as I´m coming from Fuji which I by the way still have but now this is just genius, thnx a lot.
Thanks Omar, this was a life saving tip.I just switched from D850 to Z6II and Z7II and I'm so happy to find this way of using the autofocus. Just brilliant! Cheers, Thor from Norway 🙂
Hi As usual good and precise video. Got 3 Questions. Q1) Does the Autofocus works in 120 frames Slow motion? Q2) Does the Eye Autofocus works in 120 Frames Slow motion? Q3) Does Audio Recording works in 120 frames Slow motion? Thanks Regards NM
Great Video Omar, One question How did you set the video record button and the back wheel to change focus modes in custom controls? Could you do a short video on that please?
Hello. Thanks for your video. I bought my Nikon z6ii a few days ago and I'm trying to figure out the settings. Could you please record a video with step-by-step instructions for this setup.
I love the wide L box. It’s small enough to pick the person I want (especially at the alter where my Sony ALWAYS focuses on the the officiant). But big enough to where I’m not moving around a single point as much and still get the eye af. My only beef with subject tracking is that box is too big most of the time at any further distance. Wish you can change the size of it like a s,m,l, option or like Fuji AF points. If they firmware that then will be golden.
Hey, dunno if you’re still shooting the Z system however I remember you once said something that annoyed you about the Z6 was that you couldn’t remove all the information overlay on the live view. I just found how to do this, you can bind a custom key to toggle on and off the info. I use the joystick button press and it works great! Anyway, I learned that and thought of you, hope it might be useful! Love your channel and that you’ve been giving Nikon some love! Best regards, DC
I vote for ingenious on your part and frustratingly convoluted on the part of Nikon. I’m glad it works for you in your fast moving scenarios. I would find it difficult to ascertain whether a narrow field of focus was precisely where I wanted it to be. Then again, I still think the good old interchangeable focus screens on Nikon F bodies and the rangefinder patch in Leica M cameras were/are pretty slick, not to mention easy and fast in use.
Great review, thank you so much. I am on the way to get a second body to my D800E and with that I will use video of course. Thanks to your and other Informations on the net, I think the better way is to go to the Z6II version directly. The Z6II is generally better for video as its bigger sister, because of no line skipping. The Image quality in 24 MP, ist extraordinary and proves, that for a lot of purposes you do not need 45 MP. Greetings from DUS, Dusseldorf, Germany
Thanks, this indeed the right way to use the AF on the Z6II/Z7II. Just one point, eye AF is not limited anymore to the full frame since firmware 1.1 or 1.2, you can also select a smaller box in which the camera is going to look for eyes.
You absolute legend. I was considering changing back to Sony, because I found the AF in the Nikon frustrating to say the least. But this works so so well.
unwanted focus modes can be switched off with custom menu a7 (a8 on Z6), that way you can have just single point or auto with eye detect with a single turn of the dial.
That was a great review. You cracked the code!!! That means you can pass to the next level. I do not know why they keep it a secret. I use the ok button to bring up the target for tracking. I also keep the AF-C wide area. I never did anything like this before. I always used single-point focus. I have actually gotten really comfortable with this method... Don't tell Tony and Chelsie
I just bought the Z6 ii three weeks ago and have been trying to figure out the best autofocus settings to use and this is very helpful. Thank you. Do you happen to have a video on how to set up that function button with the back button focus?
That's how I've been using my Z5 from the start. But you don't have to be holding the Fn button. You can programme it to press it only once, and it will change the focus mode. And it also automatically goes to subject tracking if it doesn't detect an eye or a face
I literally use my Nikon Z cameras the exact same way. Not as intuitive as Sony but it does the job. And yes, the files out of these cameras are absolutely the best, especially when paired with the 24-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8.
This is exactly how I use this on my Z50 as well! The tracking isn't that sticky on the Z50, but it gets the job done since I don't shoot in extremely challenging situations. Great video Omar!
Yes, I've been shooting the same way with my Z6ii for 95% of what I shoot for about a year now. I even use the same function button. Differently worth spending time to get to know. I have no idea why Subject Tracking is not one of the main focus options, or why it is not available as a secondary option for all focus options. Kind of weird, but it works! - {profetional photographer for over 40 years}
Wow...those images are so pleasing to the eye you're making me regret taking the time to push through the frustration I was having moving out of the Olympus world with Nikon Z6II. It was driving me nuts trying to understand it. I ended up investing heavily into Sony A7R 3 and 4. Love the cameras and have a handle on them, but honestly the colors and images you're showing is more pleasing to my eye. Geez, now what do I do? LOL
2018 I got myself a Fuji xt20 and was watching Omar Videos to learn about it 2022 I got myself a nikon z6ii and I'm still watching Omar Videos to learn about it
Oohhhm thank you man! That was the most frustrating thing about my Nikon Z5 camera I've had and I was intending of selling it soon because of that.... I will try this new way now :D
I recently bought a Nikon Z6ii and updated the firmware. Some You Tubers suggested programming the Function 1 button to activate the subject tracking mode. Trying to change this, as demonstrated, in the control menu f2, the subject tracking mode isn't a choice. What am I overlooking, or did that option change with the firmware update?
YES. I love the tracking mode. It’s the closest mode to the 3D tracking in their DSLRs. It can all be made to work best for you by customizing the fn buttons.
dude great video! You know you get to deselect the focus options in the menu so you don't have to toggle through all of them all (saving you time). I just use single point, eye auto focus (only in Continue mode)and Wide area eye auto focus, then I have allocated the 2nd function bottom for the object tracking. to them go back to eye AF I just tap the 1st function button. Let's zoom and I'll show you.
Great video (as always)! Still the weak point for the Z system, BUT, the other killer points is what had me purchase the Z6ii. That being said, I've still missed quite a few shots even knowing the afc modes. Have subject tracking slaved to one Cust Button and switch b/w Wide/Eye AF and Subject tracking quite a bit. Also have Single-point setup on U2, but even the single point at times does not stick to what I'm pointing at. I'm truly hoping the next FW fixes the issues. I bought the Z6ii as a test and stop-gap till the A7IV dropped, but I've shot primarily with Nikons and love their colors and lenses. Great to have choices!
Since I rarely shoot bursts, I stick with AF-S setting. In that mode, I have the top function button set for tracking. No need to press the okay button to deactivate, just push the top function button again and it goes back to auto-area setting. It seemed weird at first, though I quickly got use to it.
"Genius" is definitely not the word that comes to mind. With Sony you just keep it in eye AF continuous tracking all the time--no buttons to push or wheels to turn. Switching between people and objects is never a problem with every camera they released since the A7Riv--just do a half press and it tracks whatever you point the camera at. And Sony makes Nikon's sensors.
Long time event shooter here... Nikon does not separate face & eye detection from the basic AF modes. Rather, face & eye is linked to only two AF modes, and when the camera can't find a face or eyes it defaults to one of these two choices: Wide-area AF (a large-ish rectangle) which is too large to be precise, or Auto-area AF which means the camera just chooses what it wants to focus on (which is usually the wrong thing). Yes, you have the option of Tracking AF in Auto-area AF, but my vote is for "convoluted" and "terrible". Olympus does the opposite and separates face & eye detection from whatever AF mode you choose. You can activate or turn off face & eye regardless of what AF point pattern you would otherwise use. This makes a LOT more sense to me, and seems to be similar to Fuji and Sony. All Nikon has to do is separate fece & eye detection from the AF modes like literally every other camera maker. Again, I have to wonder if Nikon engineers actually use the products they make.
I think your issue is one of the issues that most people (and critics) have had with Nikon's system. Instead of learning what works best for the camera. They instead want it to work like this other brand or that other brand. Subject tracking has been on the Nikon's from day one because it was supposed to replace the 3-D focus tracking that existed on the DSLRs. But in the early days, it didn't work nearly as good as it does now. The firmware updates and new tech have made it much more reliable than it used to be. And you don't even have to focus and recompose. You can use the joystick to move the focus point around like all of the other cameras. I just wish the focus box was a little bit smaller. And I wish you could change the size of the Wide are Area AF box like you can on Fuji and Panasonic. Great job Omar!
Nikon should of had one of their ambassadors do this video a long, long, long time ago! Great job Omar!
Totally. I used a tiny single focus point on continuous at my son's track meet and even that did great. One tiny firmware boost would be killer.
A smaller subject tracking box would be perfect.
I agree. I think most naysayers just do not try to get to know the camera. I like the Idea of a smaller box and an adjustable wide-area AF. Both would be nice.
@@youknowwho9247 I’m convinced you still shoot with a Canon Rebel T3i. Cause there is no way you have used any of modern mirrorless cameras and can say confidence that “neither of those things is necessary if you are a Canon or Sony shooter”. I just shot with a Sony A7RIV a few weeks ago and had to use the single focus point while shooting a model to make sure it grabbed focus on the face and not the body. The words I speak come from my own personal experience, not repeating what I see on these 10 min YT videos from YT’ers who don’t know who to read the instruction manual..
Very informative, love that you point out strengths in the different systems, so many influencers seem to just trash something rather than learn how it works.
Right on Steve. If camera manufacturers would listen to those "influencers" then all camera brands would make the very same camera. Instead of bashing systems, people should read the manual and try to understand the way a particular tool works. This is what I love about Omar, he embraces a tool, no matter what brand, and tries to find how it works for him. And I love his humor too :-)
Tony Southrup trashed the Nikon D6 (a camera that’s made for olympic shooters) all because he can’t vlog with it.
Great video. Many RUclipsrs are influencers who talk about camera specs. This is an actual photographer talking about how to get the best out of his camera.
Totally agree, I feel Nikon is that brand that you can't see what's so great until you actually use the camera, because it doesn't dominate with specs, although Nikon did really step up their game the last few years. So this guy actually didn't just look at the specs and went, ehh, nahhhh Sony shoots 500fps and Canon something something, and actually tested it and looked at the files and then realized it's a great tool for him to get his desired results. I feel Nikon is on top when it comes to image quality and overall file output like he said the files are super nice to work with, also ergonomics, durability (that's why most wildlife and hard core nature photographers shoot Nikon) and then ironically practicality. This one I'm not sure about but I've heard many people say that Nikons are just really easy to set up and then use generally. I don't really know how to explain it but yes. As I said I don't have personal experience to back this one up. Oh and Nikon glass is the reason many people chose Nikon, very very good glass and glass with slight character to it unlike some of the other lenses that is just so "perfect".
@@johansmitphotography I have a Sony a74 and a z8 and the Nikon is easier to start using
Hey Omar - This is exactly what I have been doing from day one with Z6ii. Couple of points. When you have the center subject tracking box (white), you can actually move this all over the screen by using that little joystick. Also, when it is in tracking mode (Yellow), you can get back to center subject tracking (white) box by just pressing the Ok button. This is how I am handling the autofocus with my Z6ii.
That'll work too!
I understand that one can move the box with the joystick, but why would you? Instantly adjust the camera to put the box on the target and lock it in.
@@ChrisMosner - Yes, I totally agree.
Thanks for this. But how do you quickly go back to the yellow box /face detection?
@@MarisaElisa Simply press the button again which you assigned for the Subject tracking. It will get you back to face/eye detection.
I literally have my Z6 set up the exact same way. When I found out about it, I had a hard time switching back to any other focus modes. Glad you mad a video about this to Nikon shooters who don’t know about it.
Thanks!
In 2019, when I had the Z6, it was not like that. This came with a firmware update. One of the reasons why mirrorless Nikon AF have bad reputation. Because reviewers tried the old version and all they had was the slow operation of switching between all AF points to a single one every time.
Do you have to set it up in the menu - is there a video showing how to set this up.
@@markshirley01did you find a video on how to set this up?
@@lovemom5723 sorry, I moved to Sony
"...i was shooting the nikon like a sony" you just summed up 90% of nikon bashes on yt :D
Nice to hear that your are willing to learn the nikon!
Exactly! I just had this argument with someone him claiming the AF tracking on the Z5 is worthless, mainly from what he heard on YT from Sony shooting Nikon bashers.
Obviously this person never used a Z camera because my Z5 works wonderfully like Omar demonstrated.
Not only are Popular YT Nikon haters hurting possible Nikon sales but so are those that believe them, the mis-information is out of control.
@@artsilva Mine too. Z5 is highly regarded camera.
People are often superficial (hope this is good word), the rest is mean or biased to other brand. I have to get used to my cell phone whenever get new one, or same when change my car. It is the same with camera.
@@youknowwho9247 do you or have you owned any Nikons? SLR/DSLR/Mirrorless?
@@youknowwho9247 You're lying, What NPS photographer would risk their membership by going online and bashing the gear he is privileged to access as well as bragging of preferring Sony and Canon?
Your whole argument is very suspect sounding so you know.
Been really great seeing your transition to shooting more of the Nikon over time. The multitude of videos over a longer period of time paints a much more detailed picture of your decision process as opposed to a simple “I left X for Y” video can/would.
Thanks 👍😊
I LOVE using subject tracking on my Z6ii. Comes in handy big time for my wedding and event gigs.
I shoot sports and this is exactly how I have the z6ii set up. I configure the FN2 button for Subject tracking while I'm in wide area eye detect and I can toggle back and forth. It works great. It took me a while to get used to it though. Especially because I still use a D5 with a 400 2.8 on single focus while the z6ii with a 70-200 is on Subject tracking AF. So I'm mixing both worlds. 😀
Thank you for making this video and telling to people that they have to find out the perfect way when working with different systems, not just doing nothing but complain about it!
Re: focus confirmation: there is negative confirmation in AF-C where the box will blink when the camera cannot find something to lock on. But yeah I still think it's better to show positive confirmation, and as a bonus point also show which AF point is active in dynamic/wide modes.
You are so refreshing , you make videos by including what is perceived by other "influencers" as a knock on a produck such as Nikon Z cameras without finding solutions before condemning it , Thank you for your great insights and knowledge
Omar really great video. It's nice and refreshing to hear someone talk about what you need to do to adapt rather than just give out about Nikon
A couple things here, maybe I missed it. You can exit the tracking mode by just pressing the function button you have set to activate it on the front again, and it'll put you in your previous AF mode. Also, if you go into Custom Settings Menu -> Auto Focus -> a7 Limit AF-area mode selection, you can remove what AF modes you can scroll through with your custom record button. I only use single point or AF with tracking for humans or animals, so instead of like 7 or 8 different modes, there is only 3 but in your i menu you still have access to all of them.
Nope. Turned off animal. 😊
@@ogonzilla Well yes you can turn off animal if you want, but what I'm saying is you can set the dial to only have 2 or 3 options so it's not scrolling through so many. And pressing the fnc1 button again will go cancel the box and go back to whatever your AF was.
@@RiposteThis incorrect. Pressing the function button will bring you back to WIDE only (with face). But I get what you are saying. I covered limiting AF in another video. Thanks!!
I've done this. I have it limited to three: single point and wide small and wide large, so it's basically like Fuji with different sized boxes. But I'm not using eye or tracking. I need to experiment more with those.
I am happy that I was one of the very first subscribers to your channel and see it grow over time. Keep up what you do!! You are doing a great job talking about photography and not just about specs. Specs are important, but the photographer is more important.
Thank you. Really good to see how different photographers adapt and use features to make things easier to remember. You've got me rethinking how I use the various focus modes. I plan to put your idea into practice and also remap my FN1, FN2 buttons as well.
this is, so far, the best logical explanation and opinion i've heard. "pastilan omar ikaw na!!!" (approx.translation: holycow omar your the man!)
Ricci has a video on AF that explains why the focus point doesn’t go green in AF-C. Worth a look.
Youre a fantastic photographer, you are able to capture what most others cannot: spirit. Your photos have an energy about them that feels timeless and elegant. You are definitely a photographer artist!
Great video, Omar! I couldn’t agree more with your strategy and the results that follow! While I’ve been using these settings for about 2 years now, this teaching presents it better than anyone I’ve heard, and certainly better than I ever could. With compassion, humor and sense of discovery. That’s why I’ve linked to this video 13 times so far on FB! Only on Z6ii message forums where the original poster is struggling/frustrated. I’ll probably link to it twice as many times in 2022 since the issue appears to be the top concern of Z camera users (pre-Z9). Hopefully, people will come here become regular subscribers to your quality channel.
Thanks for this. I have both my z6 and z6ii set up so that my F1 button goes right to subject tracking. Works perfectly!
With lenses like the 24-70 and 70-2002.8z you can set the Lens L-Fn buttons to do this very thing. Have camera in auto area then press the button on the lens barrel and instantly have the subject tracking box. Use this method on my z50. Set it up through the assign button menu in camera.
Over time I figured out basically the same system in my Z50 and LOVE it. Thank you for validating my procedure!
Love all your stuff! My favorite is that you show your work! Lots of people are gear heads and not artists, so they are good for making reviews and even good photographers, but I'm about images and yours are dope!
Dang .. thanks 👍😊
Personally 95% of the time I just shoot in wide-L with either human/animal eye AF activated on my Z6II. This gives me pretty good control over which face it will pick on and also works decently on objects. For the other 5% where the camera isn't picking up the eye or I need to focus on something smaller I switch over to dynamic or single point. This has served me quite well so far.
I just hope Nikon in the future firmware will decouple AF area size from eye AF and subject tracking. For me the best system would be allowing me to select any sizes like the Fujifilm (or at least give me a wide-XL which is like double or triple the size of wide-L which is very useful for tracking erratic moving subjects). Then I should be able to choose if I want human/animal eye AF inside that or engage subject tracking from any mode independently from the size of the area.
Thanks. Really, really excellent video. I’m thinking about jumping back to Nikon from Sony for colour quality and was concerned about all the bad press on the autofocus. I expect it’ll be fine once I could quickly take control back if I didn’t like what the “intelligent” autofocus was doing (which is required no matter how smart the autofocus is). I now have confidence that it would work.
A very cool setup tip. I do have tracking setup to my F2 button but hadn’t used much as I have a habit of the center point and recompose. A habit from previous systems. One thing I have been loving about my Z6 II is the configurability is so very flexible.
That is me for non event work. Street photography is a small zone all day. I do wish the all the buttons were customizable.
I’m using custom modes for this issue. Both M1 and M2 have the exact same settings but with M1 I have eye detection on with wide area focus, on M2 I have eye detection off and center point AF. So I just have to switch between these modes, for me it’s much simpler but it takes a little bit of practice to do it fast.
That's a good idea. Hmmm 🤔
I do the same and it’s awesome!
Looking forward to getting my Z6II I’m upgrading from the D750 for my birthday tomorrow! Thanks for the insight!!!
Same, works flawlessly
I do the same, except they’re called “U1”, “U2”, etc.😉
Timely video. I just spend the last week figuring this out on my own. I'm glad you came to the same solution!
Haha. Awesome. The movie button back wheel thingy was new for me this week.
Great job of explaining the differences in af systems. Nikon Z af system is a bit quirky but is extremely capable once you get familiarity. I use the Fn1 for subject tracking like you. Record button to zoom 100% when I want to check focus and Fn2 to change af modes.
Me too except the record button part. That could be interesting
Hey bro! I just wanted to comment real quick on this video. I also use a Nikon z62, and I love it as well. I've used a lot of other cameras as well. Whatever tool works best for each person, that's the tool they should use. Anyway, I just really appreciate how you communicate. Informative, straight to the point, not dull or boring, it just works.. and since we're talking about things that work, I will say this, I appreciate people who take the initiative to grow and learn, trial and error, ebb and flow, and then share that. To me, that's the mark of a true instructor. So thank you my friend! 🙏
Awws so nice!! I'm always trying to learn and give back so I appreciate that
This way of thinking is what sold me on the Z system. For whatever reason, it just worked for my brain. For your consideration: I set my Z6II up to have Fn1 be "Subject Tracking" (same as you,) Fn2 set up to be "Focus mode / AF-Area mode" and the Video Record button to "Live View Info Display Off" giving you a clear view of the composition, which I personally find to be really helpful. I also turn the lens control ring to OFF. I've found that while hand holding some lenes I would accidentally pull the focus out by inadvertently turning the ring.
I think it's interesting that all the major manufacturers have made a way to bounce between eye/face AF and conventional. But they all make it difficult to find or set up rather than an integrated behavior. FWIW, on Canon R5/6, the best solution I've found is one button set to BBF and one to EYE-AF. Pick the one you want when you want.
ABSOLUTELY GENIUS 😱
Have shot with Z6ii for 10 months and am primarily a concert photographer. Thanks for explaining this. Have used this on and off without primarily know what I'm doing. I have plenty of keepers but this certainly will increase the number of keepers. Rock on.
Great.. Glad to help!
To each their own, but I prefer to have my back button set to lock and my "ok" button set to switch between eye and single point. This way I can quickly hit "ok" to engage the single point and then move the box with my thumb using the direction pad. Otherwise if your box doesn't hit where you want you're constantly doing the focus/recompose. Especially frustrating with couples coming down the aisle at a wedding and wanting to quickly move the focus while simultaneously shooting.
Interesting. Love the way you explain it and make comparison between the different camera systems. Whatever the focus system, same thing. Love the color renditon of Nikon. And thats the reason for sticking to it for decades.
Very good video, and I am glad someone else is appreciating this. Having said that, one problem subject tracking has is that I cannot set the size of the box. If I had the option, I would reduce it to a quarter the area, for shallow depth of field photos. So, ONE MORE thing I do is use 200% magnification on another custom button (Fn1 is focus mode select; Fn2 is subject track; REC button is 200% magnification). And now, when everything has failed, I press the 200% magnification (usually magnifies to center frame) and hit AF-ON. The camera will focus on whatever I have now in my viewfinder and being 200% magnification, I am able to be really precise with that particular point of focus.
Genius, and highly under-appeeciated. In fact, I often forget this feature myself! Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Omar, thank you for the genius advice. How did you switch the focus modes selection to the back dial and the S, C, M selection to the front dial?
As I do a lot of people photography I am going to set my Z6II up the same way, I have had it for just a day and was wondering what would work best, seen a load of videos but this looks really good. Can't wait to get this camera set up and all my AF-S lenses dialed in.
Subject tracking has been spectacular for me. That is what I thought about the rest of the youtube videos. Why didn't they change to subject tracking? They kept saying they lost focus. Didn't they move their thumb to get focus? Anyways, always love your videos.
Excellent discussion. I have been flummoxed by not being able to activate subject tracking even though I have it mapped to function button 1. Then finally realized it won't work if the underlying focus mode is "WIDE-L" which is really a large red rectangle. Subject tracking is disabled in that mode. Finally got it working again.
We I accidentally found it - The tracking mode was such a pleasant surprise.
Strange how all those youtube Nikon AF bashers never seem to mention it...
It looks like you are new to Nikon! All these things are so, so old! But I like seeing you discovering these old Nikon stuff! Great channel!
This is exactly the way I use my Z6 and it works like a charm. In fact this reconfiguration of the function button to activate subject tracking was added later on in a firmware update and it changed the way I was using my Z6!! Great video as usual!!
Me too. Activation of tracking by Fn button was added by FW update almost two years ago (firts months of 2020, I think).
The appearance of red boxes *is* confirmation of focus! Whatever the red boxes appear on will be in focus. It took me a while to just trust it but it has sped up how I shoot, alongside using eye AF and subject tracking as you described when I need more precision.
Not true. Box is always red even if the subject is out of the focal plane Translate to "confirmation of locked on". That might help you understand the difference to the other systems.
Shot a Christening ceremony a couple of weeks ago, in Greece. In its greek orthodox "version" the ceremony involves a lot of action and movement, AND I was there as a guest and an "unofficial" second shooter, so I had to shoot in between people sometimes. Shot 680 pictures, using basically subject tracking and, on some close portraits of the baby, eye autofocus, on the Z6 (not ii) and 50mm f1.8 S lens. I now have a huge problem selecting which pictures I want to send to the couple, as the VAST freakin' majority is ultra sharp, so apart from maybe 15-20 that were out of focus, the rest is technically right. No need to say anything about picture quality, colour etc. Mind you, I'm talking about the Z6, which is of course inferior to the Z6 ii. Thanx Omar for the video! Χαίρε!
Really interesting! I will give a try on my Nikon Z 6II. I like your balanced way of talking about all different brands.
Hi Omar, it is very similar to the 3D tracking on the Nikon DSLR. I use it a lot in portraits. I stay in AF-C with 3D tracking. I lock the eye and recompose and the camera will continue to focus on the eye.
Brilliant video! Cheers for showing us your way of using the Nikon focus system!
This is the sort of info that should be on an official Nikon site. Thanks for highlighting, OG!
Thanks for this great trick. I‘m coming from Fuji and Sony and was really confused about the Nikon eye AF. But your Video is so helpful
Super useful info. Thanks! Coming from a D800, wrapping my head around shooting in continuous and eye-focus took a while. Employing your strategy here has been liberating.
Very educational, stimulates a lot of homework. And as others have said, stimulates a learning curve for the tool you have.
Finally Omar, thnx a lot, I was having some troublefiguring Nikon's autofocus as I´m coming from Fuji which I by the way still have but now this is just genius, thnx a lot.
Thanks Omar, this was a life saving tip.I just switched from D850 to Z6II and Z7II and I'm so happy to find this way of using the autofocus. Just brilliant! Cheers, Thor from Norway 🙂
Ha Omar, great video! One other question... What kind of strap do you have? I see 2 pieces hanging on your camera.
Exactly how I had my focus workflow set up when I was using the Z system. To me it made sense as a portrait shooter.
Hi
As usual good and precise video.
Got 3 Questions.
Q1) Does the Autofocus works in 120 frames Slow motion?
Q2) Does the Eye Autofocus works in 120 Frames Slow motion?
Q3) Does Audio Recording works in 120 frames Slow motion?
Thanks
Regards
NM
Great Video Omar, One question How did you set the video record button and the back wheel to change focus modes in custom controls? Could you do a short video on that please?
Awesome video! Thanks for the info! Do you find the autofocus works the same with the FTZ Adapter and non-native lenses?
Really valuable tip for me as I make the transition from Fujifilm (back) to Nikon. Thank you so much!
Hello. Thanks for your video. I bought my Nikon z6ii a few days ago and I'm trying to figure out the settings. Could you please record a video with step-by-step instructions for this setup.
I love the wide L box. It’s small enough to pick the person I want (especially at the alter where my Sony ALWAYS focuses on the the officiant). But big enough to where I’m not moving around a single point as much and still get the eye af. My only beef with subject tracking is that box is too big most of the time at any further distance. Wish you can change the size of it like a s,m,l, option or like Fuji AF points. If they firmware that then will be golden.
YES!!!! Agreed
Hey, dunno if you’re still shooting the Z system however I remember you once said something that annoyed you about the Z6 was that you couldn’t remove all the information overlay on the live view. I just found how to do this, you can bind a custom key to toggle on and off the info. I use the joystick button press and it works great! Anyway, I learned that and thought of you, hope it might be useful! Love your channel and that you’ve been giving Nikon some love! Best regards, DC
Yeah saw that hack but used up all my custom buttons lol
I vote for ingenious on your part and frustratingly convoluted on the part of Nikon. I’m glad it works for you in your fast moving scenarios. I would find it difficult to ascertain whether a narrow field of focus was precisely where I wanted it to be. Then again, I still think the good old interchangeable focus screens on Nikon F bodies and the rangefinder patch in Leica M cameras were/are pretty slick, not to mention easy and fast in use.
I absolutely loved (love) the split prism focusing screen on my F2.
Great review, thank you so much.
I am on the way to get a second body to my D800E and with that I will use video of course.
Thanks to your and other Informations on the net, I think the better way is to go to the Z6II version directly.
The Z6II is generally better for video as its bigger sister, because of no line skipping.
The Image quality in 24 MP, ist extraordinary and proves, that for a lot of purposes you do not need 45 MP.
Greetings from DUS, Dusseldorf, Germany
Thanks, this indeed the right way to use the AF on the Z6II/Z7II. Just one point, eye AF is not limited anymore to the full frame since firmware 1.1 or 1.2, you can also select a smaller box in which the camera is going to look for eyes.
You absolute legend. I was considering changing back to Sony, because I found the AF in the Nikon frustrating to say the least. But this works so so well.
unwanted focus modes can be switched off with custom menu a7 (a8 on Z6), that way you can have just single point or auto with eye detect with a single turn of the dial.
That was a great review. You cracked the code!!! That means you can pass to the next level. I do not know why they keep it a secret. I use the ok button to bring up the target for tracking. I also keep the AF-C wide area. I never did anything like this before. I always used single-point focus. I have actually gotten really comfortable with this method... Don't tell Tony and Chelsie
I just bought the Z6 ii three weeks ago and have been trying to figure out the best autofocus settings to use and this is very helpful. Thank you. Do you happen to have a video on how to set up that function button with the back button focus?
Great info Omar. Gotta learn the detail....with your help
I can't wait to try this. Thanks for the video.
That's how I've been using my Z5 from the start. But you don't have to be holding the Fn button. You can programme it to press it only once, and it will change the focus mode. And it also automatically goes to subject tracking if it doesn't detect an eye or a face
I literally use my Nikon Z cameras the exact same way. Not as intuitive as Sony but it does the job. And yes, the files out of these cameras are absolutely the best, especially when paired with the 24-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8.
This is exactly how I use this on my Z50 as well! The tracking isn't that sticky on the Z50, but it gets the job done since I don't shoot in extremely challenging situations. Great video Omar!
Wow! Great tutorial on the Z6II focus system. I wish I had seen this before buying a Lumix S5...
such a simple change, but so powerful!!
Thank you for sharing this, seems like a great way to work, I will certainly have to try it out 😃
I use it the same way with my Z6II and Z5. Nice video Don Omar.
Yes, I've been shooting the same way with my Z6ii for 95% of what I shoot for about a year now. I even use the same function button. Differently worth spending time to get to know.
I have no idea why Subject Tracking is not one of the main focus options, or why it is not available as a secondary option for all focus options. Kind of weird, but it works! - {profetional photographer for over 40 years}
Dang Omar you are the real hero. Actual user experience here can make the difference.
Wow...those images are so pleasing to the eye you're making me regret taking the time to push through the frustration I was having moving out of the Olympus world with Nikon Z6II. It was driving me nuts trying to understand it. I ended up investing heavily into Sony A7R 3 and 4. Love the cameras and have a handle on them, but honestly the colors and images you're showing is more pleasing to my eye. Geez, now what do I do? LOL
I used that mode too and I love it.
HI omar i like your videos i use a sony a6000 thinking upgrade to a7 iii or nikon i like both , what camera do you like more to shoot?
2018 I got myself a Fuji xt20 and was watching Omar Videos to learn about it
2022 I got myself a nikon z6ii and I'm still watching Omar Videos to learn about it
Great video! Very clear. Look forward to your review of the Nikon Z9 autofocus.
Planning to get this for wedding and event photography
I do it the samen way, but without the backfocus method. It's really handy.
Oohhhm thank you man! That was the most frustrating thing about my Nikon Z5 camera I've had and I was intending of selling it soon because of that.... I will try this new way now :D
I recently bought a Nikon Z6ii and updated the firmware. Some You Tubers suggested programming the Function 1 button to activate the subject tracking mode. Trying to change this, as demonstrated, in the control menu f2, the subject tracking mode isn't a choice. What am I overlooking, or did that option change with the firmware update?
YES. I love the tracking mode. It’s the closest mode to the 3D tracking in their DSLRs. It can all be made to work best for you by customizing the fn buttons.
dude great video! You know you get to deselect the focus options in the menu so you don't have to toggle through all of them all (saving you time). I just use single point, eye auto focus (only in Continue mode)and Wide area eye auto focus, then I have allocated the 2nd function bottom for the object tracking. to them go back to eye AF I just tap the 1st function button. Let's zoom and I'll show you.
Great video (as always)! Still the weak point for the Z system, BUT, the other killer points is what had me purchase the Z6ii. That being said, I've still missed quite a few shots even knowing the afc modes. Have subject tracking slaved to one Cust Button and switch b/w Wide/Eye AF and Subject tracking quite a bit. Also have Single-point setup on U2, but even the single point at times does not stick to what I'm pointing at. I'm truly hoping the next FW fixes the issues. I bought the Z6ii as a test and stop-gap till the A7IV dropped, but I've shot primarily with Nikons and love their colors and lenses. Great to have choices!
Since I rarely shoot bursts, I stick with AF-S setting. In that mode, I have the top function button set for tracking. No need to press the okay button to deactivate, just push the top function button again and it goes back to auto-area setting. It seemed weird at first, though I quickly got use to it.
Thanks man !! works perfectly. Great content.
"Genius" is definitely not the word that comes to mind. With Sony you just keep it in eye AF continuous tracking all the time--no buttons to push or wheels to turn. Switching between people and objects is never a problem with every camera they released since the A7Riv--just do a half press and it tracks whatever you point the camera at. And Sony makes Nikon's sensors.
Long time event shooter here...
Nikon does not separate face & eye detection from the basic AF modes. Rather, face & eye is linked to only two AF modes, and when the camera can't find a face or eyes it defaults to one of these two choices: Wide-area AF (a large-ish rectangle) which is too large to be precise, or Auto-area AF which means the camera just chooses what it wants to focus on (which is usually the wrong thing). Yes, you have the option of Tracking AF in Auto-area AF, but my vote is for "convoluted" and "terrible".
Olympus does the opposite and separates face & eye detection from whatever AF mode you choose. You can activate or turn off face & eye regardless of what AF point pattern you would otherwise use. This makes a LOT more sense to me, and seems to be similar to Fuji and Sony.
All Nikon has to do is separate fece & eye detection from the AF modes like literally every other camera maker.
Again, I have to wonder if Nikon engineers actually use the products they make.