My Z9 is setup and ready to go :)

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No need to use shooting banks !!!
You can assign fn buttons a huge variety of settings - see manual page 651 and assign "recall shooting functions" under "f2". I think this is exactly what you guys look after.
I've configured fn3 to my "BIF Button" - means the Z9 engages Auto Area AF + Animal detection, high shutter speed of 1/2000, 20 fps burst rate and a few more setting just by pressing fn3.
You can either store current camera setting as a "shoting function" or manually go through the different options and amend or check/uncheck as required.
Works absoluely great!

BR
Markus
We tired it, it doesn't work. The questioner wanted to be able to engage alternative AF areas and use Recall Shooting to override just the animal detection. We both tired it and you can only have one override working at a time. Recall shooting works well (really well) if you're override everything as you describe - I've used it in the D5 and D6 and I have it set in the Z9 as well. However, it doesn't work to solve the problem the original questioner had, unfortunately.
 
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First outing with my Z9 today. Initial thoughts, it’s amazing. And, I could be wrong, but, I feel my 500 E with 1.4iii focused faster then it did on my d850 and d500. It feels equivalent to being on the d850 without the tc.
I had mine out this morning with the 600fl and 1.7Xtc and I couldnt believe how well it auto focused. perfectly tracked a duck in flight, 50 some odd shots all in focus.
 
I had mine out this morning with the 600fl and 1.7Xtc and I couldnt believe how well it auto focused. perfectly tracked a duck in flight, 50 some odd shots all in focus.
It's incredible, really. I was
Mostly auto area and single point. I played around a little bit with 3d tracking but the auto area is better for shots that present themselves suddenly.
I agree, auto area is, however, try having auto area for acquisition, then using a separate fn for 3d tracking. It helps keep the focus on the original subject. If you use only auto, it may jump to another bird or branch. I was trying out a bunch of options on boring Guls (yes, that’s the scientific term lol) and if a gul flew into view auto would pic it up, I would then switch to 3d and it would hold it throughout better then if I kept auto the whole time. Against a blue sky auto is perfect, but, I purposefully was testing today, being day one for me, and used a very busy tree background and found this to work best. Man, really makes you appreciate @Steve setup videos!
 
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To those of you who have already received your Z9....

I would love to hear any experience/advice you might have for using any of the older "G" model big primes (400, 500, or 600). I have a 500mm F/4G and I'm curious how it does with the Z9. I've seen numerous folks discussing whether the 20 fps frame rate will overwhelm the G lenses.
Yep. I am also waiting for a Z9 which I plan to use with a Nikkor 500F4 and a 300 F2.8 (both G series). I am not sure I will opt for 20fps all the time though. I will see how they work when using 15 to 16fps for BIF rather than going straight to 20fps. 20fps would mean twice as many files to review. So there is a chance I may overwhelmed by the workload of reviewing the images.
 
We tired it, it doesn't work. The questioner wanted to be able to engage alternative AF areas and use Recall Shooting to override just the animal detection. We both tired it and you can only have one override working at a time. Recall shooting works well (really well) if you're override everything as you describe - I've used it in the D5 and D6 and I have it set in the Z9 as well. However, it doesn't work to solve the problem the original questioner had, unfortunately.
Would be nice if Nikon added multiple Recall Shooting functions in FW. Just like Sony allows 3 different sets that can be assigned to 3 different buttons. Even though Nikon (and Canon) are slowly improving their button customization, neither of them holds a candle to what Sony allows one to do.
 
Absolutely! So far i need an RSF for at least 2 instant overrides, one for subject detection and one for AF tracking sensitivity settings but i can only have one so i chose subject detection. It would be much easier if Nikon just let us customize all these settings using the custom control options. Its such a bummer these customization\toggle options do not exist by default in pro bodies.

Would be nice if Nikon added multiple Recall Shooting functions in FW. Just like Sony allows 3 different sets that can be assigned to 3 different buttons. Even though Nikon (and Canon) are slowly improving their button customization, neither of them holds a candle to what Sony allows one to do.
 
Would be nice if Nikon added multiple Recall Shooting functions in FW. Just like Sony allows 3 different sets that can be assigned to 3 different buttons. Even though Nikon (and Canon) are slowly improving their button customization, neither of them holds a candle to what Sony allows one to do.
True.From my experience of shooting A1 for the last two months the custimisation is what make taking better shots compartively easier & also provide more flexibility in shooting.
 
Would be nice if Nikon added multiple Recall Shooting functions in FW. Just like Sony allows 3 different sets that can be assigned to 3 different buttons. Even though Nikon (and Canon) are slowly improving their button customization, neither of them holds a candle to what Sony allows one to do.
Agree 100%, although at this point I'd be happy for just a subject detection toggle! When I look at all the customization I can do with he a1, I have to wonder why Nikon and Canon aren't trying to step up their game in that department. With the Sony, even though it has more programmable buttons, I still run out of buttons before I run out of settings I want to program. With the Z9, I ran out of things I was able to program before I ran out of buttons. Just not enough options - but at least that's probably something they can do with firmware.
 
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I have a question for Steve and whoever else has or used both the a1 and Z9. My friend with the a1 keeps telling me it has the best viewfinder on the market at 9.44 mpxl. He said the Z9 won't hold a candle to it although Nikon advertises how bright it is (he has never seen the Z9 viewfinder). He said you can't compare 3.6 mpxls to 9.44 mpxl. Since you Steve have both, what is your opinion on the viewfinder brightness of the Z9 compared to the a1? He also brags about the 240 fps compared to the 60 fps of the Z9. I just want a viewfinder that is super bright with no lag. I can see the flicker on fast moving objects on my 60 hz LCD TV. I would hope the flicker is truly gone as Nikon states.
 
I have a question for Steve and whoever else has or used both the a1 and Z9. My friend with the a1 keeps telling me it has the best viewfinder on the market at 9.44 mpxl. He said the Z9 won't hold a candle to it although Nikon advertises how bright it is (he has never seen the Z9 viewfinder). He said you can't compare 3.6 mpxls to 9.44 mpxl. Since you Steve have both, what is your opinion on the viewfinder brightness of the Z9 compared to the a1? He also brags about the 240 fps compared to the 60 fps of the Z9. I just want a viewfinder that is super bright with no lag. I can see the flicker on fast moving objects on my 60 hz LCD TV. I would hope the flicker is truly gone as Nikon states.

Not holding a candle to it is extreme. I'm more aware that I'm looking through an EVF with the Z9 than I am with the a1 and when moving the camera left to right rapidly the a1 is smoother. Still, the EVF on the Z9 is decent and I don't think I'd consider it a deal-breaker by any means. When I start getting into more action, maybe I'll change my mind, but right now I don't think the Z9's EVF should play a huge part in any a1 vs Z9 discussion. I'll eventually do a pros and cons video covering the a1 vs Z9 - there are a lot of differences and I personally still lean towards the a1 just because of all the customization options (they really make a difference in the field) but the truth is both cameras are really close and if you're already shooting Nikon I'd be VERY hesitant to drop that system to buy a Sony setup - and vice versa.
 
Not holding a candle to it is extreme. I'm more aware that I'm looking through an EVF with the Z9 than I am with the a1 and when moving the camera left to right rapidly the a1 is smoother. Still, the EVF on the Z9 is decent and I don't think I'd consider it a deal-breaker by any means. When I start getting into more action, maybe I'll change my mind, but right now I don't think the Z9's EVF should play a huge part in any a1 vs Z9 discussion. I'll eventually do a pros and cons video covering the a1 vs Z9 - there are a lot of differences and I personally still lean towards the a1 just because of all the customization options (they really make a difference in the field) but the truth is both cameras are really close and if you're already shooting Nikon I'd be VERY hesitant to drop that system to buy a Sony setup - and vice versa.
Thanks Steve. That really helps!
 
I reset the camera to the original settings, from the menu Setting again in my way all the Af modes/buttons
Went out to a place where are lot of seagals and wattlebirds flying around.
Night at the dog beach. and...And I'm still in shock how insane is this camera AF.
I made shot like this with the dslr, obviously, but not with this hit rate. I have full series of 40 shots (lossless, my Prograde CF express unfortunately isn't that good , look like) all in focus. And these dogs are light speed.
Just crazy
File out of camera raw, no editing
1/4000 4500 auto Iso 500mm 5.6 pf
View attachment 29600
View attachment 29598
Fantastic captures, Simone. My daughter has a rescue Greyhound and until you see one running in real life upclose, you just don't get how bloody fast they are. The speed is just nuts. I am looking forward to trying to get some action shots using the Z9 with her Greyhound one day also. I did manage to get some decent shots with the D500, but like you, there were quite a few misses.
 
Fantastic captures, Simone. My daughter has a rescue Greyhound and until you see one running in real life upclose, you just don't get how bloody fast they are. The speed is just nuts. I am looking forward to trying to get some action shots using the Z9 with her Greyhound one day also. I did manage to get some decent shots with the D500, but like you, there were quite a few misses.
Thanks
I couldn't belive how good was the dog eye detection. So you will be so happy, because a greyhound running not in straight line is quite of a mission.
As I was amazed that day with dogs, I was a bit speechless today at the zoo.
Black Cockatoo , pratically frozen, in low Iso good light. filling the frame and the camera not even once got the eye.
I moved the camera a couple of meters on a Rainbow Lorikeet, and the eye detection was perfect. I go back to the Cockatoo...nothing.
I know that since yesterday we were shooting without eye detection, so I know how to switch to single point, but on black birds, having the z9, can't see any help.
 
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