Getting my Z9 "Out for Delivery" today. Just in time to checkout FW 3.0 before I do any settings updates from the factory default. Glad I hung onto my Z7 and Z6 and waited for the Z9.
Don’t forget to mention that you can map hi-res zoom to the lens control ring on Z lenses, which makes for more fluid starts and stops. This doesn’t work with legacy lenses obviously, but still a configuration option worth consideration.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I heard you mention the d-pad but missed the control ring for some reason. For me it’s the first ring assignment that has more or less made sense. And hats off the Nikon engineers for pulling this off. And if they can ever pull off a 4x zoom for HD, then they would really have something amazing.
I will agree with you 100% on the 3D tracking improvement post FW3.0. I have taken in excess of 7,500 images in the past week since the upgrade. Mainly birds in flight ... osprey, kites, kingfisher, egrets, herons and australasian darter. I, like you, have always used wide area focus and passing over to 3D on FN1 since I first got my Z9 in December, 21. I have only used the 100-400mm S lens + TC1.4 since the upgrade and I am so impressed with my experience. Even when the camera loses focus momentarily when in 3D it instantly jumps back to the subject and subjects eye. I love it. This has given me a little more confidence to continue persisting with slow shutter panning of birds in flight (which is so much hit'n'miss). Gotta love the Z9. Thanks for your video content Hudson. Great work.
What's your opinion on updating firmware on the Z lenses? I don't hear it mentioned unless one is experiencing issues, but another Z series YT channel said the updates are important and well worth the time.
Always appreciate your great explanations and tips. BTW, the Recall Shootings Function (Hold) tip for quickly switching for fast action capture has been so very helpful. I chose to assign it to the Video Record Button. So handy for a quick switch. Look forward to your Firmware 3.0 tweaks. Cheers!
Hudson a new updated firmware is coming to fix 3D Tracking issue (Controversy with FW 3.0 and 3D tracking). That at least what support is saying. Thanks.
If they change it to take the location of the wide area box into account when no subject is detected at handoff to 3d via hybrid focus, that would be awesome. I'll be surprised if they do that, but pleasantly so. :)
So many choices. That power zoom effect would be interesting to synchronise with a slider for some interesting video effects. The folks at foolography have their work cut out to keep up with the z9. Sadly no 1/2 sec shutter delay yet. Maybe in 3.1. looking forward to your review of the 600 f4. Thanks
Love you videos, brother. You offer excellent tips and recommendations, and I truly learn a lot from watching your stuff. Keep up the great work! - Jon
Thank you for the great videos on the Z9. I've had several Nikon bodies over the years but never really went too deep into programming them. With this Z9 I think it's almost impossible to get anywhere near the most out of this body without programming it. Know I only wish I could swing some new glass to take advantage of this mirrorless monster. I do a little portrait work but mainly bird and wildlife photography. I currently only have the 200-500mm f/5.6 ED and although it " works " it's not a good combination at all, even worse than I was expecting. Hopefully soon I can swing the Z 70-200 2.8 and 2x teleconverter but being on disability it takes a bit to save up that kinda coin. Anyway I'm looking forward to the updated Z9 3.0 firmware programming video !!
Question 1: Yes, best low light autofocus and viewing through the EVF yet on the planet. I can see the foreground in starlight view with no moon and focus on stars with pinpoint low light AF. Not planets, stars. My good friend and workshop assistant sold his A1 and GM lenses and switched to the Z9 after 2 night shoots side by side. It's not as good at high ISO as say a Sony A7S variant of the Z6ii, but that's because it's nearly 50MP. That said, I've gotten great images down to 12,000 ISO with some help from DXO pure RAW. Search my channel for Costa Rica to see examples in deep forest with the 800 6.3 in lower light with moving subjects. Question 2... HELL YES I do. It's incredible.
Your superbly insightful videos are incredibly helpful. I just spent this entire weekend setting up my new Nikon Z9, and getting familiar with it. Just wondering... given the improvements with the new firmware 3.0 update, do you still favor the hybrid focus setup for action? It seems to me that that the straight back-button in 3D does an excelletn job of following moving subjects. Thanks so much!
I advocate that 90 percent of the time. That's why it's the "standard' A bank mode. The wide area to 3D is only for erratic subjects that are tough to aquire with a small point. It's working better than ever in FW3.0 if you are patient and wait for a square before handing off to 3d. To not do so is a misuse in any firmware. Like fighter pilot firing a missile before getting the lock tone. Thanks for the kind words!
@@HudsonHenryPhoto That is off. I did find out that if I lowered from 60p to 30 p that worked. I have my settings to yours exactly. Is that what you have yours on?
Still nada. I use focus stacking so much now though, that I don't miss it much anymore. It's so easy and the results are so stellar. It's probably the best tool in like situations.
Low light autofocusing is the best in the world right now. Sensitivity goes down to -8.5 EV no other brand has it that low. Nikon Z9 beats the competition hands down.
Not at all. It's not really noticeably different than the 850 / Z7ii performance at all which is incredible. I haven't once thought, darn I wish it had more DR especially at or below 200ISO. For Low light, it's second ISO channel kicks in at 500. It's insanely clean. That's where I set it for tripod or tracker based night work. I have no issues with well exposed images around 12,000 with DXO Pure Raw and up to about 6400 without. Very similar to the D850 and Z7 sensors. It isn't the insane low light of the Z6 sensors, but it's double the resolution. Smaller photoreceptor sites still equal more noise. That's why Sony's insane A7S series remains at such a low megapixel count. :-) The thing it has that no other camera comes close to is low light autofocus prowess. It can lock stars (not planets) when doing milky way work. And with starlight view on the tripod and a 1.8 lens, you can see your foreground on a moonless night. It's just stupid fun.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto My Z9 just arrived today! I've been a hardcore D850 fan for the DR and colors, so I'm stoked to dig in to these features!! Thanks for your epic videos
Great video as usual Hudson! A technical heads-up: The 'My Video on Z9 FW 3.0 and 3D tracking link' posted is actually redirecting to you star-tracker update instead of this one: ruclips.net/video/0gkcZcxPCCU/видео.html. Thank you for your investment to share your knowledge with the community.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto On the few occaisions I do video, it is handheld (4K, usually 30p), so I have EVR enabled. I have HR Zoom set on my i-menu so I can quickly turn it on. F1/F2 set for it (I wish I could have then set to power aperture, and have them automatically change to HR Zoom when it gets turned on. But this macro-programming ability ias just not available).
Looking forward to the upcoming video for the Z9 settings.
Getting my Z9 "Out for Delivery" today. Just in time to checkout FW 3.0 before I do any settings updates from the factory default. Glad I hung onto my Z7 and Z6 and waited for the Z9.
Fantastic camera....been using it for the last 6 months
Don’t forget to mention that you can map hi-res zoom to the lens control ring on Z lenses, which makes for more fluid starts and stops. This doesn’t work with legacy lenses obviously, but still a configuration option worth consideration.
I did mention that at the end of the high res zoom discussion. Also on the dpad subselector. Thanks. :)
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I heard you mention the d-pad but missed the control ring for some reason. For me it’s the first ring assignment that has more or less made sense. And hats off the Nikon engineers for pulling this off. And if they can ever pull off a 4x zoom for HD, then they would really have something amazing.
I'm quite happy with 3.0! Thank you for helping me understand this amazing camera!
Happy to be onboard the Nikon train with you. Now with firmware 3.0, even more so.
I will agree with you 100% on the 3D tracking improvement post FW3.0. I have taken in excess of 7,500 images in the past week since the upgrade. Mainly birds in flight ... osprey, kites, kingfisher, egrets, herons and australasian darter. I, like you, have always used wide area focus and passing over to 3D on FN1 since I first got my Z9 in December, 21. I have only used the 100-400mm S lens + TC1.4 since the upgrade and I am so impressed with my experience. Even when the camera loses focus momentarily when in 3D it instantly jumps back to the subject and subjects eye. I love it. This has given me a little more confidence to continue persisting with slow shutter panning of birds in flight (which is so much hit'n'miss). Gotta love the Z9. Thanks for your video content Hudson. Great work.
So great to hear John! Thanks for that feedback. Enjoy.
Great review of the 3.0 features. Looking forward to next week’s video!
What's your opinion on updating firmware on the Z lenses?
I don't hear it mentioned unless one is experiencing issues, but another Z series YT channel said the updates are important and well worth the time.
Always appreciate your great explanations and tips. BTW, the Recall Shootings Function (Hold) tip for quickly switching for fast action capture has been so very helpful. I chose to assign it to the Video Record Button. So handy for a quick switch. Look forward to your Firmware 3.0 tweaks. Cheers!
Hudson a new updated firmware is coming to fix 3D Tracking issue (Controversy with FW 3.0 and 3D tracking). That at least what support is saying. Thanks.
If they change it to take the location of the wide area box into account when no subject is detected at handoff to 3d via hybrid focus, that would be awesome. I'll be surprised if they do that, but pleasantly so. :)
So many choices. That power zoom effect would be interesting to synchronise with a slider for some interesting video effects. The folks at foolography have their work cut out to keep up with the z9. Sadly no 1/2 sec shutter delay yet. Maybe in 3.1. looking forward to your review of the 600 f4. Thanks
Just a note over from the Fuji world, Fuji pre-shot does capture RAW files. 😉
Apart from that it's not as flexible in setup though.
Love you videos, brother. You offer excellent tips and recommendations, and I truly learn a lot from watching your stuff. Keep up the great work! - Jon
Great vid and useful calm
Great videos Henry, they help me a lot to install and understand my z9.
Thank you for the great videos on the Z9. I've had several Nikon bodies over the years but never really went too deep into programming them. With this Z9 I think it's almost impossible to get anywhere near the most out of this body without programming it. Know I only wish I could swing some new glass to take advantage of this mirrorless monster. I do a little portrait work but mainly bird and wildlife photography. I currently only have the 200-500mm f/5.6 ED and although it " works " it's not a good combination at all, even worse than I was expecting. Hopefully soon I can swing the Z 70-200 2.8 and 2x teleconverter but being on disability it takes a bit to save up that kinda coin. Anyway I'm looking forward to the updated Z9 3.0 firmware programming video !!
Hudson can you show us how you have the menu now setup for AF?
Will do so next week. Stay tuned. :)
Low light any good on the Z9. Would you recommend the z9 for excellent autofocus and tracking
Question 1: Yes, best low light autofocus and viewing through the EVF yet on the planet. I can see the foreground in starlight view with no moon and focus on stars with pinpoint low light AF. Not planets, stars. My good friend and workshop assistant sold his A1 and GM lenses and switched to the Z9 after 2 night shoots side by side. It's not as good at high ISO as say a Sony A7S variant of the Z6ii, but that's because it's nearly 50MP. That said, I've gotten great images down to 12,000 ISO with some help from DXO pure RAW. Search my channel for Costa Rica to see examples in deep forest with the 800 6.3 in lower light with moving subjects. Question 2... HELL YES I do. It's incredible.
Your superbly insightful videos are incredibly helpful. I just spent this entire weekend setting up my new Nikon Z9, and getting familiar with it. Just wondering... given the improvements with the new firmware 3.0 update, do you still favor the hybrid focus setup for action? It seems to me that that the straight back-button in 3D does an excelletn job of following moving subjects. Thanks so much!
I advocate that 90 percent of the time. That's why it's the "standard' A bank mode. The wide area to 3D is only for erratic subjects that are tough to aquire with a small point. It's working better than ever in FW3.0 if you are patient and wait for a square before handing off to 3d. To not do so is a misuse in any firmware. Like fighter pilot firing a missile before getting the lock tone. Thanks for the kind words!
Thank you
Thanks for another great video, Hudson. On my z9 the Hi-Res zoom on/off button is greyed out so I can not turn it on. Any ideas?
Try turning off electronic image stabilization.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto That is off. I did find out that if I lowered from 60p to 30 p that worked. I have my settings to yours exactly. Is that what you have yours on?
I prefer the cinematic look of 24p.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto hmm I thought you had it at 60. I’m in the Action menu. Anyways- I’m new to video so going to set it to 24 also. Thanks!
dammit Hudson, you almost made me go buy a Z9 !!
🤣🤣🤣
Hudson: still no depth of field preview with 100% zoom and apertures beyond f/5.6?
Still nada. I use focus stacking so much now though, that I don't miss it much anymore. It's so easy and the results are so stellar. It's probably the best tool in like situations.
Low light autofocusing is the best in the world right now. Sensitivity goes down to -8.5 EV no other brand has it that low. Nikon Z9 beats the competition hands down.
Do you feel like you're missing out on low light and dynamic range with the Z9?
Not at all. It's not really noticeably different than the 850 / Z7ii performance at all which is incredible. I haven't once thought, darn I wish it had more DR especially at or below 200ISO. For Low light, it's second ISO channel kicks in at 500. It's insanely clean. That's where I set it for tripod or tracker based night work. I have no issues with well exposed images around 12,000 with DXO Pure Raw and up to about 6400 without. Very similar to the D850 and Z7 sensors. It isn't the insane low light of the Z6 sensors, but it's double the resolution. Smaller photoreceptor sites still equal more noise. That's why Sony's insane A7S series remains at such a low megapixel count. :-) The thing it has that no other camera comes close to is low light autofocus prowess. It can lock stars (not planets) when doing milky way work. And with starlight view on the tripod and a 1.8 lens, you can see your foreground on a moonless night. It's just stupid fun.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto My Z9 just arrived today! I've been a hardcore D850 fan for the DR and colors, so I'm stoked to dig in to these features!! Thanks for your epic videos
Great video as usual Hudson! A technical heads-up: The 'My Video on Z9 FW 3.0 and 3D tracking link' posted is actually redirecting to you star-tracker update instead of this one: ruclips.net/video/0gkcZcxPCCU/видео.html. Thank you for your investment to share your knowledge with the community.
👍🏾🙏🏾
I think I know why HiRes Zoom has an on/off swir=tch - it;s because it disables Electronic VR
That makes sense! Thanks man.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto On the few occaisions I do video, it is handheld (4K, usually 30p), so I have EVR enabled. I have HR Zoom set on my i-menu so I can quickly turn it on. F1/F2 set for it (I wish I could have then set to power aperture, and have them automatically change to HR Zoom when it gets turned on. But this macro-programming ability ias just not available).
19:05 *cries in 24-120 parts hold*
:-(