Official Nikon Z9 Launch, Info, and Discussion Thread

[DavidT]

hard to say, but i definitely think i wouldn't read too much into it

Why is that? He is a very experienced wildlife photographer who shoots pretty much daily. He has many other recent examples with the same thing. Z9 quickly jumps to the background. I am sure that can be fixed via firmware but come on how did beta testers never photograph a bird with a background?

 

[John Navitsky]

because there are a million potential "reasons". i ran an a1 for a week and a half and i'm an "experienced dog sport photographer" and i wouldn't say i was qualified to say for sure something was or wasn't a problem with the camera.

i think until people really learn the camera, it's hard to say how it should be set up for any given task, and then if something is or isn't a problem.

i'm not dismissing it as "wrong", but i'm saying there's much more that we don't know than we do know, and i'm getting a bit tired of these "i pointed the camera at something with random settings, and OMG!".

[sorry for being a fuddy-duddy]

 

[John Navitsky]

note, as a counter-fuddy-duddy response, i like the Brad Hill's coverage on his blog. he seems to be taking a methodical approach to the new gear

 

[Darwin]

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

I am experiencing the same thing when at a distance. Anytime a white bird flys from the sky to trees it loses, or doesn't acquire in the first place.

 

[John Navitsky]

i wonder if this is simply a "too far" issue. it was hard to tell from the way he was videoing it, but it didn't seem like the bird was super large in the frame

 

[Jfab1]

Why is that? He is a very experienced wildlife photographer who shoots pretty much daily. He has many other recent examples with the same thing. Z9 quickly jumps to the background. I am sure that can be fixed via firmware but come on how did beta testers never photograph a bird with a background?

Hmm maybe he should reach out to Steve Mattheis, he didn‘t seem to be having any issues.

 

[SRLNY]

One friend I have who has his Z9 in hand says he's seeing it, too; but at such a distance that he wouldn't actually want to shoot a photo so perhaps it's immaterial. But I kind of doubt one can say "how did beta testers never photograph a bird with a background"? Quite an ungrounded leap. After all, beta testers (and developers) may have done so hundreds or thousands of times and even reported a problem back but there might just not have been time to fix it by when the camera went out.

 

[John Navitsky]

i do suspect there is a size-in-the-frame point where the camera simply says "naw!". this is a complaint i have with the z6ii because that point is a lot closer than i'd like. if you watch Ricci's videos you can really see it when he does his tests. he has to get a certain size in the frame before the camera recognizes him as a subject. clearly that distance with the z9 looks a lot better, but i suspect the issue is still there

 

[O]

I have 2x 325 g Cobalt and they are excellent in every way.....My Question was Pro Grade card versus Angel bird regarding temperature when in the reader, i got this response from Pro grade.


"Please be advised that we have compared operating temperatures on our CFexpress Type B Cobalt cards against the Anglebird equivalent.
Both cards tested at very similar temperatures. Sitting idle in a reader both cards test within +/- 1 degree of 105* F. When transferring data, they were within +/- 1 degree of 120* F."

I then checked with Nikon listing of approved cards https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/na/NSG_article?lang=en_SG&articleNo=000044132
Angelbird is not approved.

 

[Darwin]

One friend I have who has his Z9 in hand says he's seeing it, too; but at such a distance that he wouldn't actually want to shoot a photo so perhaps it's immaterial. But I kind of doubt one can say "how did beta testers never photograph a bird with a background"? Quite an ungrounded leap. After all, beta testers (and developers) may have done so hundreds or thousands of times and even reported a problem back but there might just not have been time to fix it by when the camera went out.

I do think that the distance is the issue. More testing is needed.

 

[wildeheimat]

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

Why did he even bother taking such images? The bird is tiny in the frame and is flying away from the camera, so the only purpose of those pics is to fill your computers trash bin.

 

[DavidT]

Hmm maybe he should reach out to Steve Mattheis, he didn‘t seem to be having any issues.

With a dog that filled the frame on a white background. Not the same.

 

[DavidT]

Why did he even bother taking such images? The bird is tiny in the frame and is flying away from the camera, so the only purpose of those pics is to fill your computers trash bin.

He used it as an example of what he is seeing. Everyone is a critic but that doesn't explain the split second it passes a tree it focuses on the tree. I guess you think that's normal, but my Sony doesn't do that, my D850 and D5, D500 don't do that but a Z9 does but to you that is normal? yeah ok.

 

[DavidT]

Another example. Couldn’t track a bird off a perch. Gets it and looses it once it has a background change.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=607768490505205

 

[DavidT]

Here is another one of an osprey. Explain how the camera looses focus?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=334821128512774

 

[John Navitsky]

Another example. Couldn’t track a bird off a perch. Gets it and looses it once it has a background change.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=607768490505205

pretty sure that is because his focus wasn't on the bird in the first place. ymmv

 

[DavidT]

pretty sure that is because his focus wasn't on the bird in the first place. ymmv

Yup. how does it not focus on a bird that size that is sitting in a tree? I have never had a Nikon or Sony that can't do that. Even the Z6 could have done that.

 

[DavidT]

FYI here is the focusing points and the box is on the bird but clearly can’t focus on it. Let’s hear the arguments as to why this is ok?

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[DavidT]

I’ve seen several videos so far that make me glad I didn’t wait for Z9

Me too. I know they will fix this so not worried about the Z9 not being as great as it can be. What annoys me is everyone jumping to conclusions that it is better than an a9, a1, R5, R3. That is a tall order to say better. Could it be as good yup but they clearly have some updates to do which I am sure they will.

 

[Steve]

In regard to these recent BIF tracking videos I just want to say this: Be careful about coming to conclusions from this kind of information.

There is a lot to learn with this AF system and early reports are often suspect. There's a reason why you don't see anything like this from me right away with ANY camera - there is value to learning what works and what doesn't with a given model. It takes real field time to uncover the best ways to shoot with the various AF modes for a given subject or type off subject. The problem is right now, we're seeing mixed results from lots of sources that have only been out a time or two (many with little or no experience with what they are shooting). One person goes out and has bad results while another does just fine. In time, it'll get sorted out, just don't take easy info as gospel. Much of it is just because there is so much interest int eh Z9 at the moment it's a good way to garner clicks, even if the information isn't accurate.

 

[John Navitsky]

What annoys me is everyone jumping to conclusions that it is better than an a9, a1, R5, R3.

the inverse as well

 

[O]

because there are a million potential "reasons". i ran an a1 for a week and a half and i'm an "experienced dog sport photographer" and i wouldn't say i was qualified to say for sure something was or wasn't a problem with the camera.

i think until people really learn the camera, it's hard to say how it should be set up for any given task, and then if something is or isn't a problem.

i'm not dismissing it as "wrong", but i'm saying there's much more that we don't know than we do know, and i'm getting a bit tired of these "i pointed the camera at something with random settings, and OMG!".

[sorry for being a fuddy-duddy]

Remember how the Z9 focused on the colourd subject in the falling snow and the A 1 didn't, to me its to do with colour detect that Nikon uses, its a positive thing.

In this case of the white bird i feel its highly likely a setting issue and as once said before that the setting of 5 wasn't quite strong enough in certain situations.

In all my life i have never experienced this issue regardless of camera and for the love of me why would you even use tracking in the first place on this style of shot, unless it was to verify an issue that i feel is more likely related to a setting error.

I have seen this kind of tracking of a white bird and the tracking stuck so why the inconsistency.

This is why the D6 is stickier in sports action compared to the A1 and there for will be in the Z9.....i believe this to be a realistic assumption.

As i said right in the beginning, i am shooting the Z9 as i do the D850 D5 D6, then step by step i am exploring each and every feature option setting, yes one at a time, then cross referencing it to the manual..so its all sinks in.

Far to many of us are quick to jump in a fast race car............ pedal to the metal, then complain about the steering brakes headlining or crash it and blame the car.

I am seeing people now using tracking in some sensable situations and more so in just mindless applications and cant understand why..............

 

[O]

In regard to these recent BIF tracking videos I just want to say this: Be careful about coming to conclusions from this kind of information.

There is a lot to learn with this AF system and early reports are often suspect. There's a reason why you don't see anything like this from me right away with ANY camera - there is value to learning what works and what doesn't with a given model. It takes real field time to uncover the best ways to shoot with the various AF modes for a given subject or type off subject. The problem is right now, we're seeing mixed results from lots of sources that have only been out a time or two (many with little or no experience with what they are shooting). One person goes out and has bad results while another does just fine. In time, it'll get sorted out, just don't take easy info as gospel. Much of it is just because there is so much interest int eh Z9 at the moment it's a good way to garner clicks, even if the information isn't accurate.

100% spot on, i have no issues what so ever so far...................people should learn to drive properly before they blame the car.............learn to drive the Z9 properly first

 

[SRLNY]

In regard to these recent BIF tracking videos I just want to say this: Be careful about coming to conclusions from this kind of information.

As usual, a voice of sensibility. Based upon what folks are showing and having virtual conniptions about, I know I certainly am not drawing any conclusions.
And as I said above, my one friend who has a Z9 in hand (and who I personally trust) said he’s only seen an issue at such distances that it doesn’t matter. I asked him again just now and he further adds that he doesn’t really believe he’s sufficiently proficient to say really even that it is an issue. He then looked over at the link to these postings that I sent him and he just started laughing…. Take away what you want.

 

[John Navitsky]

FYI here is the focusing points and the box is on the bird but clearly can’t focus on it. Let’s hear the arguments as to why this is ok?

it’s hard to say without knowing all his settings and an evf recording and knowing when he went on-focus. but i will mention that even though that bird is reasonably small in the frame, note he is in dx mode, so in reality, it’s even smaller (in terms of pixels)