Hey everyone ! I hope you found these 10 settings useful. Especially those of you receiving your new Z8 over the next few days What are the settings you always change did I miss any ? 😃
Additional SETUP steps As I shoot RAW, I have White Balance (WB) to "Cloudy" at all times. In raw, WB is just a number in the metadata and does not change the raw image data at all. It dictates how my raw processing software renders my files. I may shoot a ColourChecker Passport with critical series or when it will be hard in post to precisely set the colour palette of an image to neutral (Neutral is my preferred starting point for artistic decisions based deviations.) Then I verify ISO to be a fixed value of my choice. And look into noise and image control parameter settings. Store (focus) points by orientation. I set metering to "highlight-weighted" (where the firmware identifies the brightest photosite in the sensor and sets that to pure white - ignoring the sun. In 14 bits raw, this means that this single brightest point now becomes 11,111,111,111,111 and everything darker gets a lower number along the camera's AD conversion function lines - may be linear, may be 2-base log, etc. don't know. Well, if the image has a single bright photosite, now everything else becomes seemingly underexposed and I lose contrast envelope (the dynamic range available to a single shot, not to be confused with the camera's dynamic range as operating range of light levels). I really do not need gradation resolution between a couple single bright photosites, so an option to allow me a few choices in this respect helps get perfect exposure in one go. Nothing is fool-proof because fools are so ingenious, but with the powerful computer in the camera more is possible. File number sequence and file name and folder name - personalised. Colour space set to "Adobe RGB" rather than sRGB. Modelling flash. Assign settings to U1, U2, etc. Apply settings to live view (that's not Viewfinder brightness!) set to "On" in general but "Off" for flash sessions in the studio. Copyright information Pair with Bluetooth hosts If when JPEG is needed right away, JPEG to second card slot and start managing WB. Potentially framing grid and plumb levels
Regarding the shutter volume, I believe there's a setting for visual cues when the shutter is pressed. So you can use this instead of using a headphone in very loud locations.
Probably the most critical setting when you take it out of the box (applies to all cameras) is the "Slot empty release lock" setting. In past cameras, it was set to unlock, presumingly so the camera could click when on a showroom floor. You NEVER want to be clicking away for a client (or yourself) only to find your card slots are empty. Put it on "lock" so the camera will NOT click till you have a camera card in the slot.
@@jeremyhendersonphotography If you tether (most people never do) then unlock it or put it in your "My menu" (Another good question, if you plug in a tether, will your camera recognize it and let you shoot?)
Set the viewfinder diopter for your own vision. It gently pulls out and rotates until the information in the viewfinder is clear and crisp to see, then just press it gently back in.
Thanks Ricci -- my Z8 will be set up as closely to my Z9 bodies as possible. I always start in the Network (and pair with snapbridge for time and location data); then Setup Menu and then work through Shooting, Video, Custom Settings, and finally Review. I check the Timecode pairs with my UltraSync Blue source. AND finally I create a snapshot in Reikan FoCal so that I have a backup of my settings. It would be great if Nikon gave us a small bit of software to save, edit and transfer settings between Z8 and Z9 bodies. My plan is to keep all my camera bodies (Z8/Z9) configured as close as possible - and use a series of saved settings configured for different type of shoot.
Thank you! I love the familiarity of Nikon menus…helps when you change to a different camera. Just switched from z6ii to z9. Huge leap forward but tons of fun!
I've had my z8 for less than 2 weeks. I turned the wrap around focus points on and the high speed focus points. The issue I have is that it's great with a single focus point but if you use a large area box you better just bump it. The boxes are so large that it goes crazy if you hold it down the slightest length of time. I would like Nikon to give us one more step into this menu you to select what type focus area is effected by the wrap around and the speed. Negate you don't need it for larger focus boxes.
I got the call yesterday I became one of the lucky fews that won the lottery to buy the first batch from Nikon official store in my city at launch day today. Could bearly fell asleep last night 😂
Thanks Ricci I pick my Z8 on Saturday, you are straight to the point with no waffle and that’s what we need. Do enjoy Grays of Westminster as well for their light banter as well as their knowledge of all things Nikon. Would recommend Thomas Rask a Swedish landscape photographer who uses a Nikon Z7.
For me the most important customization is the control ring. It is set to aperture by default and that causes the aperture to change whenever you touch the ring on some lenses.
Hi Ricci, I picked up my Z8 yesterday and I'm so grateful to find this video, as I'm aware what a learning curve I'm going to be on in moving up from the Z6. This has been tremendously useful to find not only the standard settings but some of the new ones. I hope you're going to do a 'Mastering the Z8' Zoom course on Nikon School soon!
Great reminder tips, especially as my Z8 is supposed to arrive within the next hour, as it is already 25 May here in Sydney. I also turn on Airplane mode to save battery.
I find that returning and re-watching your videos is very useful for maintaining and adjusting the my mind-set and my camera settings. My needs seem to evolve a bit.
Got my Z8 today! The little photo store had 3!!!! Considering I live on an island in southeast alaska with only 14 miles of road that’s amazing. They have 2 unspoken for left. Upgrading from the D850. Sitting down now to do the first 10 things. Thank you for posting!
I’ve enjoyed your pieces for a year or so now but you really got me on this one… you covered several very important observations that I’m grateful to you for sharing (like sensor cover) which I may have missed for quite some time. Great informative piece! Thanks again!!
It's been a year I see from when you recorded this particular video I just got my Z8 moving from the Z6ii (which I still love) and this has been so encouraging to have you explain what's important right off from the start. I hope to find more of your "Talks" . Thank you so very much for your style of teaching, it's the best. I would love to know a recommendation for a good "L bracket" probably from "RRS" If you can recommend one to me I would love to know...
Excellent video. Just got my Z9 and as a total beginner I found this video very useful. I had no idea there was a sensor guard for example! Mine is now on. Makes me wonder why it’s not on by default though. Cheers, Steve
Thank you. This is an excellent video. I would love to see a similar video that covers many of the other settings that you have learned to customize and why- especially those that dive deeper into the autofocus system.
Wish the Sensor Shield had an option to close when lens is removed. I always turn the camera off for lens swap but don't always want the shield closing when I simply shut off the camera. The shield is a point of failure that will wear out. A massive reason I got the Z8 was the shutterless design...
Hello Ricci, First I would like to thank you and Matt for making us aware of the overheating solution ie bye the right cards and set the menu. You know there are alway thing I pickup from your video just the smape things that can help if nothing I can explain things better to others. What a supper little video thank you. Keep safe, keep well and enjoy all the great kit.
Thank you for great info. I like BBF but there are times when it would be useful to be able to switch quickly to shutter focus instead of going into the menu - for example when holding the camera with one hand for animal action photography, my second hand being used to attract attention etc! My hand aren’t big enough to grip the camera, and press the back button and the shutter button simultaneously…
Hi Ricci, Love your top 10. I recall being on a Nikon speedlight training course several years ago now and Neil grabbed my camera, went straight in to e1 Flash sync speed and changed it to (Auto FP) - OK there might be a couple of those now - and then said "don't go there again" ever since then that is the first thing that I've done for each of my Nikons - D300, D850, Z 8 Regards, Hayden
Thank you for these tips!! I appreciate it! I followed this video and adjusted multiple settings including changing focus point to green in the AF-C mode. I'm not used to focus using AF-ON button, instead I half press the shutter button, so I didn't switch to AF-ON only. I'll play with it and see if I can use it more often. PS: the fact camera doesn't offer to change time is indeed weird. I accidentally noticed it too few weeks ago. I think they should change it like it was before.
Thanks Ricci, really appreciate this as a starter. You've probably been asked this many times but can you do a video on shooting banks for video and photos please. ideally on the Z8 or how to best switch between the two.
Received my Z8 today. Thanks for the start up setting information. Just moved up from D500 also purchased better lens. Looking forward to the adventure
Thank you Ricci. I just picked up the Z8 to compliment my D850. Very similar only different ;-) Every setting you worked with I agree however I still use the shutter to focus - Old School.
Thanks - another useful video. I am about to order my Z8 and will most certainly look at this video many times! Your explanations are really worth listening to.
Thanks for sharing this information, Ricci. I shoot with two Z9s with no immediate plans for a Z8, but such refreshers are always useful. Now for a little confession. I was hoping for a hint about any upcoming FW updates for the Z9.
Just got a Z8 today, I've been using a D850 for quite a few years so this is putting me a little more at ease. Thanks for the very informative videos, subscribing for sure.
Hi Ricci, you are no doubt aware of the service advisory for the Z8 regarding the lens mount problem. Could you please do a video describing the problem, how likely it is to occur on the affected batches and whether we need to rush to send our cameras in for repair when we have no symptoms? People are getting upset and a calm voice like yours would be re-assuring since we've all spent a lot of money on our cameras and don't really want to have them ripped apart if it's not necessary right now. I sold my Z6 and Z7 to buy the Z8, I have no camera to use when it's away for repair either so a turnaround estimate would be nice. Cheers, Peter
Thank you. Received my Z8 today. So far, so good. Local store didn't have the recommended CF express. I will be using XQD for a week. I thought I saw a buffer video from you, but I can't find it.
These videos are very useful and make appetite to go buy the camera as it leads to actually go out and use the high tech unit rather than contemplate about specs.
Great video, definitely need to keep ut in mind for the time i will change my D850 to a Z8! Some of those settings make me ask the question: why!? Why does a sensor shield not close by default? It's one of THE selling points of the Z8/Z9... Why does it not just prompt you to set time and date on the first start up? It's an easy thing to just put a shutter count since reset: if=0 --> set time and date. This way if one resets the camera to sell second hand, the new owner gets the prompt to reset time and date aswell...
Great stuff as always, Ricci. Hope to have my Z8 in hand for the coming weekend. One comment regarding the sensor shield - I also have mine set to engage on my Z9s, but I also know that mechanical parts wear out with use - and I switch my cameras on and off frequently to save battery and also to prevent me messing up control ring settings when carrying the cameras with large lenses, etc. It would be wonderful if there were a way to engage the shield when the lens release button is depressed, instead of the power button... perhaps that is where the comments come from. The camera takes a bit longer to get to "ready" when the shield has to disengage, and also makes a "kerthunk" sound that is not too welcome if I'm in a hide...
Great video, thanks! I wonder if the sensor shield setting is off to preserve mechanical actuations. Maybe just turn it on when you are going to change lenses?
2:18 Hope to get my Z8 tomorrow. I saw some comparisons on RUclips for the lossless compressed and the high efficiency* (on the Z9) and the conclusion the person came to was after editing and pushing shadows, etc, there was no visible difference between lossless compressed and high efficiency*. I would tend to lean towards lossless compressed anyway, but I'm definitely going to use HE* for awhile and see how it looks to ME with my normal editing. If I can't see any difference in highlight recovery and so on, I'll keep using HE*. I'm glad they give us the option :)
Thanks for the tips, 100% aligned with what I normally do! One idea of video would be to describe how to make sure that a Z9 and Z8 share the same settings for still and video during a shoot.
Thanks for the refresher on the setup. You mentioned last year you would do a video discussing your viewfinder settings, can’t find it and wondering if you could go over your EVF recommendations. I’m using the Z9.
01:45 - Ricci, I actually would love to see a video on the differences between the RAW file types: Lossless, HE*, and HE. Matt Granger and Matt Irwin (and the fellow from ZP Productions) have made videos, but 1) there are not many videos about this; and 2) the videos that do exist are all geared towards the Z9. I would love to see a video on this subject with the Z8.
Switching the camera off before changing lenses is easier on Z8/9 than other Z's as the user settings (banks here) do not get set back to a default but continue as you were. Nice!
I don't remember where I heard this but I believe this to be true. When a digital camera is powered up the sensor is "charged" and will attract dust to its surface. Like you said, always turn the camera off before changing lenses.
Great information! Some of these settings were new to me so I really appreciate you providing these tips. Coming from the Z6, there are a lot of new features & technologies in the Z8 that I'm looking forward to learning.
Thanks for the video you always make them interesting. I use Nikon D850 and Z6II. When I use Z6II for studio photography I find I have to turn the live view off in settings. Do you have to do the same for the Z8 when using studio strobes?
Hello, this is the first video I see on your channel and it made me subscribe. As you said you should make the video on all the best settings according to you. Good explanations without too much talk.
I got my shipping notice. No real expectation I'll have it in my hand before Tuesday with the holiday but will use your tips. Can or does Nikon allow you to save Banks settings to a card? That would make life so easy for most of us. Nothing is perfect but not having to dive through the menu to reset all your customized banks would be awesome.
I guess my question about the sensor shield is if anyone has had it malfunction? I could see why people might be hesitant to turn it on (ie. if it were to get stuck or jammed either because something bumped it or whatever; obviously it will help protect the sensor and I would think repalcing the sensor shield from damage is cheaper than replacing a sensor, but that's the only thing I could think of why someone might NOT turn this on). Personally, for me, I haven't damaged a sensor on any Z camera and would probably be indifferent to this. I also wonder if the shield has a finite life like a regular sensor (then again, even if it does, it likely has a long enough life that unless you're turning the camera on and off repeatedly, it should last at least 5-6 years before possibly needing replacement, if ever). I think your last part about proper lens swapping is very important and something that people tend to forget (I do). And this does make sense, because I do see some pepole talk about rattling in lenses like the 70-200 S, only to find out that they did not / do not power off the camera when changing lenses, which I think for the VR lenses (like you said) it's very important. I mean you should in general regardless, but I think with non-VR lenses it doesn't really cause issues, but still, I have been trying to get in the habit of turning the camera off first (part of the reason people maybe didn't do this was related to slow startup times on the original Z and the DSLR days).
Thanks, just got the Z8, amazing camera. I have the Dji Mic 2, but when recording on Z8 via 3.5mm the audio is not great, have 32bit float enabled on the radio mics. Any settings you recommend to get good radio mic audio on the Z8 ?
Thanks for that Ricci, great stuff as usual... I will sort this out the moment my Z8 arrives tomorrow! Does the 3Dtracking white box get the options to change colour? Also something else I think Nikon should consider, and this is where we could jump the red auto focusing box (in use) from one side to the other by the press of only one button... think where subjects are looking left then look right and you need to recompose very quickly. I personally make a box large enough and use wrapping to the left or right and of course this jumps immediately to the opposite side. It works but it does mean a manual factor. This is also becoming a little redundant these days with the brilliance of eye/subject-recognition AF. Perhaps a better way forward would be where the 3D tracking system senses sudden re-composition/movement and therefore auto does all of this for you... now that I would use! Good video and thank you for all you do.
General consensus seems to be that HE* and lossless are the same in terms of image quality. In blind tests people can't tell the difference and in my limited testing the last few days I can't tell one from the other.
I personally shoot in lossless raw, but have heard many claim they notice no difference between lossless and HE. Have you seen a difference yourself or just use lossless to get best quality possible (same reason i chose it).
Thank you Ricci ! My Z8 is all okay except that I am unable to get the live histogram in my viewfinder no matter what I did. There was no problem in my Z7_2 for the live histogram. Can you shed some light in that aspect please ? Thank you.
Camera defaults can cause problems to the unaware. A friend used a Nikon D60 years ago not for jpegs unaware that the camera default was for a basic jpeg not the highest thus losing megapixels on every shot taken for about two years. Since they were only interested in enprint sized pictures it was not the issue that it might have been.
Love any cam video that promotes back button shooting! :) I note the menu item numbers (in "d" at least) are different in Z9 -- surely to be remedied when my Z9 gets its firmware update (soon!!?) so it as senior camera can equal it's new baby brother the 8? :) Also, I'm really hoping a frivolous firmware update is still coming -- an option to have the option to have the shutter release sound to match that when there is an actual shutter in the camera (e.g. D6 et al back to the first...). So it really doesn't matter I know, and I do with wildlife appreciate the silent option -- tho a shutter noise HAS produced great looks direct down the lens from wildlife for me in the past -- but the 10 cent toy sound the Z9 (and I'm presuming the 8) produces is feeble and embarrassing frankly :) Thanks as always for your videos -- changed a setting to give your way a try, actually. Cheers!
hey great video. just converting from canon, then i am not a friend with the shooting banks and photo banks. They keep storing new settings when I chamge them. on Canon I could take autosaving off making me able to have the exact same settings when I turn camera on and off. are you able to answer or do you have a video on the x banks?
Hey everyone !
I hope you found these 10 settings useful. Especially those of you receiving your new Z8 over the next few days
What are the settings you always change did I miss any ? 😃
Very useful only I have to wait at least 1,5 years before buying the Z8 due to Kiddo still at University luckily last yr starts July August !
Great info, thank you. I received my shipping notification today and it will arrive Friday.
Thank you, some of these I have done already on my Z6ii but most are new to me because of the Z8 can’t wait for mine to get here too.
Additional SETUP steps
As I shoot RAW, I have White Balance (WB) to "Cloudy" at all times. In raw, WB is just a number in the metadata and does not change the raw image data at all. It dictates how my raw processing software renders my files. I may shoot a ColourChecker Passport with critical series or when it will be hard in post to precisely set the colour palette of an image to neutral (Neutral is my preferred starting point for artistic decisions based deviations.)
Then I verify ISO to be a fixed value of my choice.
And look into noise and image control parameter settings.
Store (focus) points by orientation.
I set metering to "highlight-weighted" (where the firmware identifies the brightest photosite in the sensor and sets that to pure white - ignoring the sun. In 14 bits raw, this means that this single brightest point now becomes 11,111,111,111,111 and everything darker gets a lower number along the camera's AD conversion function lines - may be linear, may be 2-base log, etc. don't know. Well, if the image has a single bright photosite, now everything else becomes seemingly underexposed and I lose contrast envelope (the dynamic range available to a single shot, not to be confused with the camera's dynamic range as operating range of light levels). I really do not need gradation resolution between a couple single bright photosites, so an option to allow me a few choices in this respect helps get perfect exposure in one go. Nothing is fool-proof because fools are so ingenious, but with the powerful computer in the camera more is possible.
File number sequence and file name and folder name - personalised.
Colour space set to "Adobe RGB" rather than sRGB.
Modelling flash.
Assign settings to U1, U2, etc.
Apply settings to live view (that's not Viewfinder brightness!) set to "On" in general but "Off" for flash sessions in the studio.
Copyright information
Pair with Bluetooth hosts
If when JPEG is needed right away, JPEG to second card slot and start managing WB.
Potentially framing grid and plumb levels
Regarding the shutter volume, I believe there's a setting for visual cues when the shutter is pressed. So you can use this instead of using a headphone in very loud locations.
Probably the most critical setting when you take it out of the box (applies to all cameras) is the "Slot empty release lock" setting. In past cameras, it was set to unlock, presumingly so the camera could click when on a showroom floor. You NEVER want to be clicking away for a client (or yourself) only to find your card slots are empty. Put it on "lock" so the camera will NOT click till you have a camera card in the slot.
Yes, this really belongs with the first things to do in the initial set up! In all Nikons.
But if you forget your card and so need to shoot tehtrered into your phone, I guess you need to set this to unlock?
@@jeremyhendersonphotography If you tether (most people never do) then unlock it or put it in your "My menu" (Another good question, if you plug in a tether, will your camera recognize it and let you shoot?)
@@stevengeorges9046 works on my Z7. TBH it’s the only reason I ever tether !!
with no blackout and a hideous fake shutter sound you still might not notice. Anybody else hate those flashing white lines?
Hey great job! 1. I can clearly understand you! 2. No flapping of hands or silly banter. 3. Segmented. 4. Why and how!
I’ve never watched your instructions before, you are amazing. Thank you.
Set the viewfinder diopter for your own vision. It gently pulls out and rotates until the information in the viewfinder is clear and crisp to see, then just press it gently back in.
Thanks Ricci -- my Z8 will be set up as closely to my Z9 bodies as possible.
I always start in the Network (and pair with snapbridge for time and location data); then Setup Menu and then work through Shooting, Video, Custom Settings, and finally Review. I check the Timecode pairs with my UltraSync Blue source. AND finally I create a snapshot in Reikan FoCal so that I have a backup of my settings. It would be great if Nikon gave us a small bit of software to save, edit and transfer settings between Z8 and Z9 bodies. My plan is to keep all my camera bodies (Z8/Z9) configured as close as possible - and use a series of saved settings configured for different type of shoot.
Thank you! I love the familiarity of Nikon menus…helps when you change to a different camera. Just switched from z6ii to z9. Huge leap forward but tons of fun!
I've had my z8 for less than 2 weeks. I turned the wrap around focus points on and the high speed focus points. The issue I have is that it's great with a single focus point but if you use a large area box you better just bump it. The boxes are so large that it goes crazy if you hold it down the slightest length of time. I would like Nikon to give us one more step into this menu you to select what type focus area is effected by the wrap around and the speed. Negate you don't need it for larger focus boxes.
I got the call yesterday I became one of the lucky fews that won the lottery to buy the first batch from Nikon official store in my city at launch day today. Could bearly fell asleep last night 😂
Thanks Ricci I pick my Z8 on Saturday, you are straight to the point with no waffle and that’s what we need. Do enjoy Grays of Westminster as well for their light banter as well as their knowledge of all things Nikon. Would recommend Thomas Rask a Swedish landscape photographer who uses a Nikon Z7.
Hi.. Could plz tell me about the pre release capture feature in z8 and How to use it..
For me the most important customization is the control ring.
It is set to aperture by default and that causes the aperture to change whenever you touch the ring on some lenses.
Hi Ricci, I picked up my Z8 yesterday and I'm so grateful to find this video, as I'm aware what a learning curve I'm going to be on in moving up from the Z6. This has been tremendously useful to find not only the standard settings but some of the new ones. I hope you're going to do a 'Mastering the Z8' Zoom course on Nikon School soon!
Picked up the Z8 today and followed most of your suggestions, thanks!
Great reminder tips, especially as my Z8 is supposed to arrive within the next hour, as it is already 25 May here in Sydney. I also turn on Airplane mode to save battery.
I find that returning and re-watching your videos is very useful for maintaining and adjusting the my mind-set and my camera settings. My needs seem to evolve a bit.
Got my Z8 today! The little photo store had 3!!!! Considering I live on an island in southeast alaska with only 14 miles of road that’s amazing. They have 2 unspoken for left. Upgrading from the D850. Sitting down now to do the first 10 things. Thank you for posting!
I’ve enjoyed your pieces for a year or so now but you really got me on this one… you covered several very important observations that I’m grateful to you for sharing (like sensor cover) which I may have missed for quite some time.
Great informative piece!
Thanks again!!
You do an excellent job Ricci. You always do. You deserve the 50K subscribers.
Keep it up and no telling how high you might go. Thanks. Robert
Thanks Ricci. Really useful. If you have time, i would love to see an overview of the menu system inc auto focus settings!
It's been a year I see from when you recorded this particular video I just got my Z8 moving from the Z6ii (which I still love) and this has been so encouraging to have you explain what's important right off from the start. I hope to find more of your "Talks" . Thank you so very much for your style of teaching, it's the best. I would love to know a recommendation for a good "L bracket" probably from "RRS" If you can recommend one to me I would love to know...
Thank you so much! Z8 just came in!! OMG green light in C-focus mode is awesome!!!!
Excellent video. Just got my Z9 and as a total beginner I found this video very useful. I had no idea there was a sensor guard for example! Mine is now on. Makes me wonder why it’s not on by default though.
Cheers,
Steve
How are you a beginner and buying a top of the line camera?
I know, it was a very expensive purchase but trust me I really am a novice 👍
Thank you. This is an excellent video. I would love to see a similar video that covers many of the other settings that you have learned to customize and why- especially those that dive deeper into the autofocus system.
Wish the Sensor Shield had an option to close when lens is removed. I always turn the camera off for lens swap but don't always want the shield closing when I simply shut off the camera. The shield is a point of failure that will wear out. A massive reason I got the Z8 was the shutterless design...
Very good point. I was thinking about that because i turn it off often and can be weak point to damage the shield and create a problem
Getting mine tomorrow. Can’t wait to open it and change those settings and start shooting
Hello Ricci, First I would like to thank you and Matt for making us aware of the overheating solution ie bye the right cards and set the menu. You know there are alway thing I pickup from your video just the smape things that can help if nothing I can explain things better to others. What a supper little video thank you. Keep safe, keep well and enjoy all the great kit.
Love your videos! Hope the other videos are about a "Z90" (D500 equivalent) and the long pending 200-600.
This was perfect! I just got my new Z8 and these setting changes were ideal to start up.
Thank you for great info. I like BBF but there are times when it would be useful to be able to switch quickly to shutter focus instead of going into the menu - for example when holding the camera with one hand for animal action photography, my second hand being used to attract attention etc! My hand aren’t big enough to grip the camera, and press the back button and the shutter button simultaneously…
Hi Ricci,
Love your top 10. I recall being on a Nikon speedlight training course several years ago now and Neil grabbed my camera, went straight in to e1 Flash sync speed and changed it to (Auto FP) - OK there might be a couple of those now - and then said "don't go there again" ever since then that is the first thing that I've done for each of my Nikons - D300, D850, Z 8
Regards,
Hayden
Thank you for these tips!! I appreciate it! I followed this video and adjusted multiple settings including changing focus point to green in the AF-C mode. I'm not used to focus using AF-ON button, instead I half press the shutter button, so I didn't switch to AF-ON only. I'll play with it and see if I can use it more often. PS: the fact camera doesn't offer to change time is indeed weird. I accidentally noticed it too few weeks ago. I think they should change it like it was before.
Thanks for doing this video Ricci 👍🏻
Thanks Ricci, really appreciate this as a starter. You've probably been asked this many times but can you do a video on shooting banks for video and photos please. ideally on the Z8 or how to best switch between the two.
Received my Z8 today. Thanks for the start up setting information. Just moved up from D500 also purchased better lens. Looking forward to the adventure
Hi Ricci, thanks for the heads up on, AFC in-focus display, missed that one on the Z9, picked up Z8 today as a backup/travel camera.
Thank you very much Ricci. I followed your very valuable advise for settings as of today that I received my Z8.Many thanks again
You channel is so great , always offers best information !
Hey ! Thanks a lot 😊
Great video, very helpful. I would love to see what you would cover in a deep dive of the Z* settings you use.
Excellent thanks
Thank you Ricci. I just picked up the Z8 to compliment my D850. Very similar only different ;-) Every setting you worked with I agree however I still use the shutter to focus - Old School.
Very lucid and I have set my Z8 by playing and pausing your video. Kindly share some mire insights about Z8 autoficus settings as well. Regards ,
Thanks - another useful video. I am about to order my Z8 and will most certainly look at this video many times! Your explanations are really worth listening to.
Most helpful down to earth video I have watched for a long time . Thank you Ricci 🙏🙏👍👍
Thanks for sharing this information, Ricci. I shoot with two Z9s with no immediate plans for a Z8, but such refreshers are always useful. Now for a little confession. I was hoping for a hint about any upcoming FW updates for the Z9.
always great to change these valuable settings from default, thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Just got a Z8 today, I've been using a D850 for quite a few years so this is putting me a little more at ease. Thanks for the very informative videos, subscribing for sure.
Hi Ricci, you are no doubt aware of the service advisory for the Z8 regarding the lens mount problem. Could you please do a video describing the problem, how likely it is to occur on the affected batches and whether we need to rush to send our cameras in for repair when we have no symptoms? People are getting upset and a calm voice like yours would be re-assuring since we've all spent a lot of money on our cameras and don't really want to have them ripped apart if it's not necessary right now. I sold my Z6 and Z7 to buy the Z8, I have no camera to use when it's away for repair either so a turnaround estimate would be nice. Cheers, Peter
thanks Ricci as always. Just leaping to the z8 from z7.
Thank you. Received my Z8 today. So far, so good. Local store didn't have the recommended CF express. I will be using XQD for a week. I thought I saw a buffer video from you, but I can't find it.
None of the cards I use are on the recommended list
Got my 8 yesterday, those settings are very helpful! Thx Ricci.
Thank you!! Just for the Z8 - I learned so much from this Video!
Extremely useful Ricci, thank you. Some new features to me, beyond the Z6ii, which will be very useful
These videos are very useful and make appetite to go buy the camera as it leads to actually go out and use the high tech unit rather than contemplate about specs.
Great video, definitely need to keep ut in mind for the time i will change my D850 to a Z8!
Some of those settings make me ask the question: why!?
Why does a sensor shield not close by default? It's one of THE selling points of the Z8/Z9...
Why does it not just prompt you to set time and date on the first start up? It's an easy thing to just put a shutter count since reset: if=0 --> set time and date. This way if one resets the camera to sell second hand, the new owner gets the prompt to reset time and date aswell...
Looking forward to what those others things could be.
Incredibly useful and clearly communicated video. Many thanks
Great video, my Z8 arrives today and this video is a great place to start. Thank You
Great stuff as always, Ricci. Hope to have my Z8 in hand for the coming weekend. One comment regarding the sensor shield - I also have mine set to engage on my Z9s, but I also know that mechanical parts wear out with use - and I switch my cameras on and off frequently to save battery and also to prevent me messing up control ring settings when carrying the cameras with large lenses, etc. It would be wonderful if there were a way to engage the shield when the lens release button is depressed, instead of the power button... perhaps that is where the comments come from. The camera takes a bit longer to get to "ready" when the shield has to disengage, and also makes a "kerthunk" sound that is not too welcome if I'm in a hide...
I know so many South Korean photographers love you and your channel and I am one of them!!!
GoGoGo~ 50,000 subscribers
Got my Z8 today, so this video was very helpful. Thanks Ricci!
Thanks, this will be very useful when I pick up my Z8 tomorrow. There's a least two or three I wouldn't have found on the first pass.
Great to hear 😊
Great video, thanks! I wonder if the sensor shield setting is off to preserve mechanical actuations. Maybe just turn it on when you are going to change lenses?
Thank you Ricci, perfect timing to watch this video. I am going tp puck up my Z8 tomorrow 😊.
2:18 Hope to get my Z8 tomorrow. I saw some comparisons on RUclips for the lossless compressed and the high efficiency* (on the Z9) and the conclusion the person came to was after editing and pushing shadows, etc, there was no visible difference between lossless compressed and high efficiency*. I would tend to lean towards lossless compressed anyway, but I'm definitely going to use HE* for awhile and see how it looks to ME with my normal editing. If I can't see any difference in highlight recovery and so on, I'll keep using HE*. I'm glad they give us the option :)
Thanks for the tips, 100% aligned with what I normally do! One idea of video would be to describe how to make sure that a Z9 and Z8 share the same settings for still and video during a shoot.
Thanks for the refresher on the setup. You mentioned last year you would do a video discussing your viewfinder settings, can’t find it and wondering if you could go over your EVF recommendations. I’m using the Z9.
Yeh got a bit side tracked with everything
Can finally work on that
Did all of them, thank you very much good sir
Ricci can you please do a video about metering modes, especially spot and highlight weighted? Thanks!
01:45 - Ricci, I actually would love to see a video on the differences between the RAW file types: Lossless, HE*, and HE. Matt Granger and Matt Irwin (and the fellow from ZP Productions) have made videos, but 1) there are not many videos about this; and 2) the videos that do exist are all geared towards the Z9. I would love to see a video on this subject with the Z8.
Thank you Ricci, just collected my new Z8, coming from the Z6ii. Found these starter tips very useful 😊. Keep up the good work. All the best. Tom
Switching the camera off before changing lenses is easier on Z8/9 than other Z's as the user settings (banks here) do not get set back to a default but continue as you were. Nice!
Very useful. A fuller view of the settings you use for the Z8 would be great :-)
SUPER helpful!!!❤ thank you
Thanks. My Z8 is shipping tomorrow.
Most crucial for me was sensor shield behavior on power off. Why it isn't set to 'sensor shield closes' by default is beyond me
I don't remember where I heard this but I believe this to be true. When a digital camera is powered up the sensor is "charged" and will attract dust to its surface. Like you said, always turn the camera off before changing lenses.
Great information! Some of these settings were new to me so I really appreciate you providing these tips. Coming from the Z6, there are a lot of new features & technologies in the Z8 that I'm looking forward to learning.
Thanks for the video you always make them interesting. I use Nikon D850 and Z6II. When I use Z6II for studio photography I find I have to turn the live view off in settings. Do you have to do the same for the Z8 when using studio strobes?
Hello, this is the first video I see on your channel and it made me subscribe.
As you said you should make the video on all the best settings according to you.
Good explanations without too much talk.
Thank you Ricci. Very useful information. I received my shipping notification today!
I got my shipping notice. No real expectation I'll have it in my hand before Tuesday with the holiday but will use your tips. Can or does Nikon allow you to save Banks settings to a card? That would make life so easy for most of us. Nothing is perfect but not having to dive through the menu to reset all your customized banks would be awesome.
Excellent Stuff, thanks Ricci there were a few i missed or weren't aware of!
I guess my question about the sensor shield is if anyone has had it malfunction? I could see why people might be hesitant to turn it on (ie. if it were to get stuck or jammed either because something bumped it or whatever; obviously it will help protect the sensor and I would think repalcing the sensor shield from damage is cheaper than replacing a sensor, but that's the only thing I could think of why someone might NOT turn this on). Personally, for me, I haven't damaged a sensor on any Z camera and would probably be indifferent to this. I also wonder if the shield has a finite life like a regular sensor (then again, even if it does, it likely has a long enough life that unless you're turning the camera on and off repeatedly, it should last at least 5-6 years before possibly needing replacement, if ever).
I think your last part about proper lens swapping is very important and something that people tend to forget (I do). And this does make sense, because I do see some pepole talk about rattling in lenses like the 70-200 S, only to find out that they did not / do not power off the camera when changing lenses, which I think for the VR lenses (like you said) it's very important. I mean you should in general regardless, but I think with non-VR lenses it doesn't really cause issues, but still, I have been trying to get in the habit of turning the camera off first (part of the reason people maybe didn't do this was related to slow startup times on the original Z and the DSLR days).
This was fantastic! Thank you. I’ve got a Z9 on the way and sounds like I’ll be making all of these changes. And count me in as a new sub.
Legend! This was really useful. As someone that never RTFM this was perfect ;)
Thanks for the video! Hope we have a similar vid for the Z6 III very soon! 😁
Thanks, just got the Z8, amazing camera. I have the Dji Mic 2, but when recording on Z8 via 3.5mm the audio is not great, have 32bit float enabled on the radio mics. Any settings you recommend to get good radio mic audio on the Z8 ?
Always helpful, Ricci. Thank you!
Ricci, do you recommend turning on the Clean Image Sensor setting when camera turns off? Thanks!
Thanks for that Ricci, great stuff as usual... I will sort this out the moment my Z8 arrives tomorrow! Does the 3Dtracking white box get the options to change colour? Also something else I think Nikon should consider, and this is where we could jump the red auto focusing box (in use) from one side to the other by the press of only one button... think where subjects are looking left then look right and you need to recompose very quickly. I personally make a box large enough and use wrapping to the left or right and of course this jumps immediately to the opposite side. It works but it does mean a manual factor. This is also becoming a little redundant these days with the brilliance of eye/subject-recognition AF. Perhaps a better way forward would be where the 3D tracking system senses sudden re-composition/movement and therefore auto does all of this for you... now that I would use!
Good video and thank you for all you do.
General consensus seems to be that HE* and lossless are the same in terms of image quality. In blind tests people can't tell the difference and in my limited testing the last few days I can't tell one from the other.
Thank you so much for these helpful tips!
I personally shoot in lossless raw, but have heard many claim they notice no difference between lossless and HE. Have you seen a difference yourself or just use lossless to get best quality possible (same reason i chose it).
Thank you Ricci ! My Z8 is all okay except that I am unable to get the live histogram in my viewfinder no matter what I did. There was no problem in my Z7_2 for the live histogram. Can you shed some light in that aspect please ? Thank you.
Camera defaults can cause problems to the unaware. A friend used a Nikon D60 years ago not for jpegs unaware that the camera default was for a basic jpeg not the highest thus losing megapixels on every shot taken for about two years. Since they were only interested in enprint sized pictures it was not the issue that it might have been.
Still see this today even with Z9 users
This hit me on the z6 having brought the camera straight from dealer to an airshow without the time to go through settings first.
Love any cam video that promotes back button shooting! :) I note the menu item numbers (in "d" at least) are different in Z9 -- surely to be remedied when my Z9 gets its firmware update (soon!!?) so it as senior camera can equal it's new baby brother the 8? :) Also, I'm really hoping a frivolous firmware update is still coming -- an option to have the option to have the shutter release sound to match that when there is an actual shutter in the camera (e.g. D6 et al back to the first...). So it really doesn't matter I know, and I do with wildlife appreciate the silent option -- tho a shutter noise HAS produced great looks direct down the lens from wildlife for me in the past -- but the 10 cent toy sound the Z9 (and I'm presuming the 8) produces is feeble and embarrassing frankly :) Thanks as always for your videos -- changed a setting to give your way a try, actually. Cheers!
Thanks so much for great video. My Z8 is arriving tomorrow and I shall follow your advice. I also subscribed.
Thanks for your excellent and informative vid Ricci................I'm coming from a Z6ii to the Z8, hopefully today 😁
hey great video. just converting from canon, then i am not a friend with the shooting banks and photo banks. They keep storing new settings when I chamge them. on Canon I could take autosaving off making me able to have the exact same settings when I turn camera on and off. are you able to answer or do you have a video on the x banks?