Official Nikon Z9 Launch, Info, and Discussion Thread

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Just getting the feel for the Z9 using the 70-200 fl hand held.

I must say that the 3D in Wide tracking works brilliantly, a flock of birds would scream by, i would with my thumb move the focus ring a fraction and the auto focus snapped in and locked on to the birds in flight, even when i deliberately moved the frame around the green dots just stuck like faeces to a blanket.
So far very impressed with step one.

Please do not judge the JPEG shot image samples as money shots, believe it or not they were taken by accident in P mode LOL, but at 20 fps, I forgot to change the setting back after my girlfriend nailed some nice shots and she is not a photographer period.
The focus ring being where it is on the 70-200 FL has been criticized, for me i find its actually an advantage as i can hold the lens, and with the slightest movement of my thumb draw in quick easy focus enough to let the auto focus snap in, this is in particular circumstances of course.
Time is showing how good the Z9 is in different ways, i am not interested if its worse or better than Canon or Sony, its only a tool and 90% of the results come from me, once i master it, but i cant take away anything from the D850 image files...........

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Firmware update for the Z9:


Changes from “C” Firmware Version 1.00 to 1.10
  • • Increased the burst length for dual-format (NEF/RAW + JPEG or JPEG + JPEG) pictures taken at 20 fps in continuous high-speed release mode.
    • “C” firmware version 1.00:
      • - NEF/RAW (high-efficiency★) + JPEG basic (large): Approx. 3 seconds *
      • - JPEG Slot 1 - JPEG Slot 2 (Slot 1: JPEG fine (large); Slot 2: JPEG basic (small)): Approx. 3 seconds *
    • “C” firmware version 1.10:
      • - NEF/RAW (high-efficiency★) + JPEG basic (large): Approx. 8 seconds *
      • - JPEG Slot 1 - JPEG Slot 2 (Slot 1: JPEG fine (large); Slot 2: JPEG basic (small)): Approx. 8 seconds *
  • * The length of the burst that can be taken before the frame advance rate drops. Figures are reference values obtained via in-house measurements performed using a NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens and a ProGrade Digital COBALT 1700R 325GB CFexpress memory card. Burst length will drop in some circumstances, including if:
    • - Backup is selected for Role played by card in Slot 2 or
    • - ON is selected for Auto distortion control.
  • • Options highlighted in the Filtered playback criteria list in the PLAYBACK MENU can now also be selected and deselected by pressing the multi selector right.
  • • Fixed an issue that prevented optional SB-5000 flash units synchronizing with the shutter when all the following conditions were met:
    • - A shutter speed faster than the flash sync speed was selected with 1/200 s (Auto FP) or 1/250 s (Auto FP) chosen for Custom Setting e1 Flash sync speed in the CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU.
    • - The SB-5000 was controlled via radio AWL using an optional WR-R10 or WR-R11a wireless remote controller mounted on the camera.
    • - The flash unit was not mounted on the camera accessory shoe.
 
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arbitrage said:
Two people on DPR forum reporting that their NPS orders via Nikon direct changed to Preparing to Ship this morning and credit cards were charged. Looks like a 2nd Z9 batch has arrived at least to NikonUS.
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So for those buying through B&H or similar, B&H has said that there would be a two day delay from when a shipment leaves Nikon USA until the Z9s are ready to assign to customers. Friday might be a good day to check your order status after work.
 
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I just received this from NPS (not sure why, I already have my Z9), but it looks like they are coming in at a good clip.

Happy New Year!
In our continued effort to keep you informed as it relates to the Z 9 shipments, we are happy to report that all NPS priority orders received by 12/19/21 are in process and should be on their way to retailers later this week.
Anyone that submitted a priority request between 12/20/2021 and 1/3/2022 will be processed no later than early next week.
 
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Steve said:
I just received this from NPS (not sure why, I already have my Z9), but it looks like they are coming in at a good clip.

Happy New Year!
In our continued effort to keep you informed as it relates to the Z 9 shipments, we are happy to report that all NPS priority orders received by 12/19/21 are in process and should be on their way to retailers later this week.
Anyone that submitted a priority request between 12/20/2021 and 1/3/2022 will be processed no later than early next week.
Click to expand...

I got the, your Z9 has shipped email and this email within about 5 minutes of each other.
 
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O said:
Just getting the feel for the Z9 using the 70-200 fl hand held.

I must say that the 3D in Wide tracking works brilliantly, a flock of birds would scream by, i would with my thumb move the focus ring a fraction and the auto focus snapped in and locked on to the birds in flight, even when i deliberately moved the frame around the green dots just stuck like faeces to a blanket.
So far very impressed with step one.
Click to expand...

Can you clarify what you mean by "3D in Wide tracking"? 3D and Wide Tracking (Small or Large) are different modes that cannot be used simultaneously. Just curious which one you meant works brilliantly. Thanks!
 
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Nextlife1 said:
Interesting--I have tended to go the other way around. Finding it with Wide, and then if it was clearly locked on the eye, "handing it off" to 3D.
Click to expand...

I am still exploring the many ways of using the focusing system, wide narrow it all works well.
My Favorite way is still myself being in control, either single point or 25 points the way i do it on the DSLRS........
 
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zule11 said:
Australian Wildlife Photography - Nikon Z9 + 100-400mm


Click to expand...

I don't know if Mats attempt to shoot birds or wild life in this video is a real good example for a Z9 and 100-400......to be used in fact any real pro camera.
A few lizards, why would you even take high consecutive shots, the subject is usually frozen.
If you need 3 D or eye tracking for this subject i have to scratch my head. Yes it shows how it works and that's i guess the point of his exercise..............
I would be using 9 -points and place the dots on the head the standard way you would..........

I am of the opinion that 3 d and eye tracking in most cases is a little ????? well somewhat overrated regardless of brand., that said it dose have a small place where it could be really helpful, i need to learn and discover its benefits...be it reality or somewhat a perception. I am no expert in this area at the moment LOL.
 
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O said:
I don't know if Mats attempt to shoot birds or wild life in this video is a real good example for a Z9 and 100-400......to be used in fact any real pro camera.
A few lizards, why would you even take high consecutive shots, the subject is usually frozen.
If you need 3 D or eye tracking for this subject i have to scratch my head. Yes it shows how it works and that's i guess the point of his exercise..............
I would be using 9 -points and place the dots on the head the standard way you would..........

I am of the opinion that 3 d and eye tracking in most cases is a little ????? well somewhat overrated regardless of brand., that said it dose have a small place where it could be really helpful, i need to learn and discover its benefits...be it reality or somewhat a perception. I am no expert in this area at the moment LOL.
Click to expand...
I don’t think it was a great example of the overall benefit of eye AF or the performance of the Z9.

If eye AF is working as expected, why would you want to use 9 point and move the points around manually? It isn’t difficult to move focus points on a very static subject like a Lizzard sunning on a rock, but not sure I understand why you would want to. I don’t get the high consecutive shots of stationary subjects, but I see people do it. Maybe they’re going for a particular eye position 😊
 
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I think the Dynamic area modes will be the least used ones on the Z9. It just makes sense to use the 3D or Auto area for a full automatic tracking or Wide area L/S for semi-auto tracking or just use single point AF for complete control.

abc123brian said:
I don’t think it was a great example of the overall benefit of eye AF or the performance of the Z9.

If eye AF is working as expected, why would you want to use 9 point and move the points around manually? It isn’t difficult to move focus points on a very static subject like a Lizzard sunning on a rock, but not sure I understand why you would want to. I don’t get the high consecutive shots of stationary subjects, but I see people do it. Maybe they’re going for a particular eye position 😊
Click to expand...
 
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bsinc1962 said:
Quick af video from Steve Mattheis

Click to expand...


Interesting, it looks promising, looking forward to learning how to drive this focus system particulalry where to actually use it..
A question, I ask why would you even consider photographing anything like this relying on auto tracking.
I understand it was only an example to show the system working, but gee wouldn't you shoot in manual 1/3200 auto iso 9 L or 25 dots like on the D850 with the large center square kept on the dogs head.........much easier and consistent. !!!
 
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O said:
Interesting, it looks promising, looking forward to learning how to drive this focus system particulalry where to actually use it..
A question, I ask why would you even consider photographing anything like this relying on auto tracking.
I understand it was only an example to show the system working, but gee wouldn't you shoot in manual 1/3200 auto iso 9 L or 25 dots like on the D850 with the large center square kept on the dogs head.........much easier and consistent. !!!
Click to expand...
How would it be easier to keep a small box on the dogs head over just keeping the dog’s head in the frame and letting the AF do its thing? I can’t speak to the consistency but it seems like auto area did pretty well and if you were trying to just keep a smaller group on the head you might end up with nose in focus but not sharp on the eyes. My Z7ii does pretty good with eye AF on people and it can move the AF point much faster and accurately than I can. If the Z9 can do this with a running dog coming at you, I don’t see the advantages of using a smaller group like you mentioned.
 
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O said:
I understand it was only an example to show the system working, but gee wouldn't you shoot in manual 1/3200 auto iso 9 L or 25 dots like on the D850 with the large center square kept on the dogs head.........much easier and consistent. !!!
Click to expand...

That does work with a DSLR, as does Group AF. The trick is, how many sharp eyes do you get vs. sharp noses? Mirrorless is a different animal and allows us to do things that weren't possible with a DSLR - in this case, getting on and staying with the eye of a running dog. I've found in scenarios like this and countless others, the number of tack-shapes eyes I get compared with my DSLRs is significant.
 
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I’ve been following along with Alex Phan on FB. He shoots all 3 brands and has more money in current pro gear than even Steve. He’s not having good results with the Z9 tracking birds once they have non sky behind them. He’s been using the beloved 500PF and the new Z 100-400 along with 600F4.
He’s been using all of the AF lock on settings with similar results. Here’s one of a slow sea gull with af setting 5 the most stick and the camera quickly leaves the bird. What’s up with that?!?

https://www.facebook.com/100007589355024/posts/3132595210336760
 
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