Official Nikon Z9 Launch, Info, and Discussion Thread

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When I was photographing bald eagles recently, I found the Z9 did well staying on focus if I had the eagle in focus before it flew in front of the tree background. Perhaps that is a persistence/sensitivity question. If I did not have the eagle in focus first and tried to pick it up in front of the tree background, the camera often had trouble getting focus on the eagle quickly, although it usually got there. Especially with immature bald eagles which were very similar in color to the tree background. This may be more a pattern recognition issue than a persistence/sensitivity issue. I did find that the Z9 found initial focus on eagles against the tree background faster in Wide Area Large then it did in Auto Area AF, in each case with only animal detect on. I think acquiring initial focus was harder when the eagles were closer to the background, which is not surprising.

Were some of the birds you were focusing on in the photos above, northern harriers? Perhaps male?


1) Firstly, the Z9 does pretty well if you have the bird in focus before it takes off. I am talking about getting the bird in focus mid-air. That's where it is highly inconsistent.

2) Bald eagles are massive birds & are not extremely quick when they take off. The photos I missed are of a shikra. They are some of the smallest birds of prey smaller than a pigeon. Also, they are rapid. From whatever little I know of them, they are very shy & don't hang around in the open like harriers, kites, or eagles. They quickly swoop in & take off. Hence, it is quite important for a camera to focus on it as the bird does not give your regular chances...
 
The Z9 is quite fond of backgrounds, that being said I for sure would have been in the "wide small" mode. With the Z9 you cant give it too much to look at. Also.... honestly.... what kind of photo would those shots have made if they had been in focus? Maybe the first couple could have made a decent photo but the bird seems rather small in frame. I see lots of "testing" and displaying missed shots of things that people normally wouldnt be shooting anyway.

Where was your focus before trying to acquire the bird? I've found the Z9 likes to "look back" when looking for a subject. If you're focused closer than the subject it seems to do much better.


1) The bird was on the ground picking up grass strands for its nest I presume. I spotted it, dropped my binoculars, & grabbed my Z9. I couldn't focus on the bird while it was on the grass as I used wide-area large and I barely had a second. It wasn't stable. I don't blame the Z9 here, as I did that in a hurry. But once it took off, I was stable & had the bird within the wide-area large & that's where it struggled. It was only 100 feet away. Shikra is one of the smallest birds of prey & extremely quick. They don't dawdle like harriers, kites, or eagles!

2) I would have never made a great shoot, but nonetheless, I would have got a shikra in \-flight in amidst a busy ground. That would have been a rare pic. Such pics mean more to me than a perfect photo of a pelican/goose with a great composition no noise that people typically tend to like more etc. I am not a huge fan of getting the subject filling the frame. One can get that in the zoo! IU like my pictures showing plenty of the habitat...You've got to keep in mind that I live in India where the population density is 3 times that of China & about 12 times that of the USA. Rapid unplanned urbanization means very rare opportunities to even spot such birds in the outskirts of the cities let alone get a photograph of them. Actually, it is a miracle that India supports 3,000 tigers in the wild which require massive territories, unlike lions, despite all the challenges. Not so much with the birds. So you've got to make the best of the situation. Also, in the south, you get about 6-7 months of crappy cloudy weather, nearly impossible to get flight shots...you get my drift...


Here is an example of a pic that I like...the picture quality is crappy...but this pic means more to me than most other pictures that I have taken with the Z9.

1/2000 ISO 25,600, f5.6 Z9 + 500 pf.

It was nightfall (6.45 pm, ISO 25,600) when I got a glimpse of a pallid harrier cutting through the darkness like a comet across a hazy sky!


DSC_9854 1-01.jpg
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@sid_19911991 , maybe the next time you shoot against cluttered BG it would be a good idea to just try wide area af in 2 different combinations. One with AF lock on setting of 1 or 2 that you used and the other at 5. I was photographing shikra in busy BG as well and was surprised how amazing the eye af worked. My Z9 could never consistently grab the eyes of even larger raptors like black kites but was nailing the eyes of Shikras every time. Like you said Shikras are small raptors with Kestrel like flying patterns so it was quite impressive. I assume this has got to do with the AI library and what birds are in it.

Having said that, i totally agree with you that the current Z9 firmware can and should be tweaked to make it even better or match the best performing competitor cameras.
1. Tracking fast moving subjects transitioning from sky or clean bg to clutter is a problem. With bigger birds I'm able to re-acquire focus but it's not so optimal when photographing peak action or smaller birds.
2. Even when shooting against relatively busy bg or water without transitions, photographing fast moving birds is a challenge. Auto and 3d modes are unusable and wide L works well but the challenge with that is the AF box is so small it is impossible to keep those tiny birds within the box. I was photographing flycatchers and bee eaters taking bath in a pond and was finding it hard to keep the birds within the wide area L box thereby missing a lot of shots.
 
@sid_19911991 , maybe the next time you shoot against cluttered BG it would be a good idea to just try wide area af in 2 different combinations. One with AF lock on setting of 1 or 2 that you used and the other at 5. I was photographing shikra in busy BG as well and was surprised how amazing the eye af worked. My Z9 could never consistently grab the eyes of even larger raptors like black kites but was nailing the eyes of Shikras every time. Like you said Shikras are small raptors with Kestrel like flying patterns so it was quite impressive. I assume this has got to do with the AI library and what birds are in it.

Having said that, i totally agree with you that the current Z9 firmware can and should be tweaked to make it even better or match the best performing competitor cameras.
1. Tracking fast moving subjects transitioning from sky or clean bg to clutter is a problem. With bigger birds I'm able to re-acquire focus but it's not so optimal when photographing peak action or smaller birds.
2. Even when shooting against relatively busy bg or water without transitions, photographing fast moving birds is a challenge. Auto and 3d modes are unusable and wide L works well but the challenge with that is the AF box is so small it is impossible to keep those tiny birds within the box. I was photographing flycatchers and bee eaters taking bath in a pond and was finding it hard to keep the birds within the wide area L box thereby missing a lot of shots.


Yeah, can't wait for more updates.

I think group AF the way it works in D500 & resizable AF boxes with eye tracking would be cool along with better pattern recognition.
 
owl keep its eyes on the human, and then fly almost at the camera! It is as though it's locked on to prey. With their binocular vision owls usually look straight ahead when taking off

One has to question if this is not a response to livebait ?
I thought it was unusual especially when it happened twice in a row (daylight and low light) . It made me think the bird was "trained".
 
Yeah, pattern recognition. It took a lot of time. By then the Shikra flew away towards the shrubs
I think I understand the situation your referring to now. The camera does a lot better if it is focused close to the bird first, otherwise it can easily pick up and lock on to the background ignoring the bird in front of it. Most mirrorless cameras do this. Hopefully they improve this area and a subject recognition in the next firmware update where they add the different size groups.
 
1) Firstly, the Z9 does pretty well if you have the bird in focus before it takes off. I am talking about getting the bird in focus mid-air. That's where it is highly inconsistent.

2) Bald eagles are massive birds & are not extremely quick when they take off. The photos I missed are of a shikra. They are some of the smallest birds of prey smaller than a pigeon. Also, they are rapid. From whatever little I know of them, they are very shy & don't hang around in the open like harriers, kites, or eagles. They quickly swoop in & take off. Hence, it is quite important for a camera to focus on it as the bird does not give your regular chances...

I agree....Z9 is really, really good if you have bird in focus before it takes off or if you are prefocused very close to where it is in flight and then engage AF. As you say, it struggles for acquisition in other situations. This is highly variable in my experience, depending on the delta of pre focus distance to bird distance, the background and the size of the bird in frame.
 
I am impressed with the amazing skill sets of many of the people dealing with mirror less focusing systems regardless of brand.
It seems to be a reasonably steep learning curve in cases more so for some.....
The idiosyncrasy of each different system can be daunting.

Some of the examples i have seen especially in snow with owls which are just beautifully taken, the lock on to the strong yellow eye against the white background makes it easier to stay tracked on the eyes especially flying towards you, the frame rate offers opportunities for greater choices of ideal composition, excellent.

I wonder how the same shots would come out if it was taken with a DSLR like a D6 or a 1DXmk 111 or even a D850 say with 21 focus points on the owl head, an interesting scenario.

I saw one shoot where a group of large Bison where grazing on icy plains and snow fields, and the shot was taken using i think a 600 F4 possibly with a 1.4tc ? and tracking and at 20 fps on stationary animals grazing.......i was puzzled, or ignorant to what or why the shooter was shooting this way, or was it in case they stampeded he would get the action ?

With a white bird flying fast left to right horizontally in front of a strongly colour back ground, how reliable or sticky or confused is the colour detect, if its a colored bird all most camouflaged against the background the colour detect may also be confused or let go, so is the answer to crank up the juice to help stay locked on, or lock on before the bird takes off helps, as outlined in the for mentioned suggestions, i certainly hope so, we need something.

I have also experienced this back focusing in these circumstanced or even with low colour or low contrast situations.

This particular segment has cleared up possibly the concern by making me less ignorant i will need to remember this technique when in the field.

I recall in many cases using the D4s D850 D6 with ? 9 point or 21 points and panning along on a bird in these challenging situations, i got the bird constantly in the focal plain no issues, stuck like liquid glue thrown against a blanket, ok, the eye may not have been the key focal point at 80 yards but the bird was, the shots were sharp all but the last one where i let go of the focal plain, the in focus images, was it because i was in control, the camera didn't back focus, now i guess each situation is different and challenging.
I can see where things are going and mirror less auto focus tracking is working exceptionally well in many cases but not all.

How dose the finicky, sensitivity of the mirror less system for auto tracking focusing contribute or impact on concentrating on photography, if at all ?

As an industry, i some how feel that the system of tracking etc is still a long way from being perfect and simple to use, for me its ok, sort of, but not super friendly, yes its for full professionals etc and that's good, but what about every one else buying drill down models, if the flag ships are challenging to get right how will the drill downs be especially for the average person..

I guess what i am saying is for the average person it all seems a bit more complicated variable tricky articulate and user unfriendly........but, if you take your time, work at it hard listen to people more experienced in getting things to their optimum performance yes it could be worth it, i guess its like some people use LR PS to the max, others not so.

The key success of the Apple I phone with every one, professionals mum's, dads, even kids, is one SIMPLE thing......... the phone software is just so simple and reliable for everyone to use, i wish the camera industry would follow suite...............in mirror less tracking etc.

A bit like the video games nearly everyone plays where a armed person saturated with full military gear, night vision, automatic self focusing weapons, radar detect, color detect, lazer targeting beams, sonar sensors, bullet proof vests, electronic eye attachment that track and focus on body heat, wi fi, blue tooth, LCD GPS, internet access all attached to a arm band or wrist watch, along with an endless list of who knows what, is walking through the canyons looking for the enemy, WOW so much awesome gear to deal with use focus on settings for each potential conflict scenario.........

when high up on a distant ridge what seems like a dot peering over a rock leans a sheep herder, with nothing but an old world war two bolt action 303 rifle and pops the enemy off in a single shot using his eye and skill sets, while the person with all the gear was making selections and pressing buttons to activate his defense systems...was the opertuinty or moment lost so he became the victim.

Its amazing how technical and life like these video games are now.
My Nephews all play these games, even in competitions all around the world, they do it for fun as well as good prize money...........what a fascinating industry, like many players they come home from work, straight into the games room full of high speed tech screens and computers and its on, even the wives play............

So back to relevance, with mirrorless tracking and focusing etc are we getting better with Photography or just better technically......interesting times ahead, while impressive so far i feel it still all has a long way to go before it becomes like Apples I phone and OS.
 
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I am impressed with the amazing skill sets of many of the people dealing with mirror less focusing systems regardless of brand.
It seems to be a reasonably steep learning curve in cases more so for some.....
The idiosyncrasy of each different system can be daunting.

Some of the examples i have seen especially in snow with owls which are just beautifully taken, the lock on to the strong yellow eye against the white background makes it easier to stay tracked on the eyes especially flying towards you, the frame rate offers opportunities for greater choices of ideal composition, excellent.

I wonder how the same shots would come out if it was taken with a DSLR like a D6 or a 1DXmk 111 or even a D850 say with 21 focus points on the owl head, an interesting scenario.

I saw one shoot where a group of large Bison where grazing on icy plains and snow fields, and the shot was taken using i think a 600 F4 possibly with a 1.4tc ? and tracking and at 20 fps on stationary animals grazing.......i was puzzled, or ignorant to what or why the shooter was shooting this way, or was it in case they stampeded he would get the action ?

With a white bird flying fast left to right horizontally in front of a strongly colour back ground, how reliable or sticky or confused is the colour detect, if its a colored bird all most camouflaged against the background the colour detect may also be confused or let go, so is the answer to crank up the juice to help stay locked on, or lock on before the bird takes off helps, as outlined in the for mentioned suggestions, i certainly hope so, we need something.

I have also experienced this back focusing in these circumstanced or even with low colour or low contrast situations.

This particular segment has cleared up possibly the concern by making me less ignorant i will need to remember this technique when in the field.

I recall in many cases using the D4s D850 D6 with ? 9 point or 21 points and panning along on a bird in these challenging situations, i got the bird constantly in the focal plain no issues, stuck like liquid glue thrown against a blanket, ok, the eye may not have been the key focal point at 80 yards but the bird was, the shots were sharp all but the last one where i let go of the focal plain, the in focus images, was it because i was in control, the camera didn't back focus, now i guess each situation is different and challenging.
I can see where things are going and mirror less auto focus tracking is working exceptionally well in many cases but not all.

How dose the finicky, sensitivity of the mirror less system for auto tracking focusing contribute or impact on concentrating on photography, if at all ?

As an industry, i some how feel that the system of tracking etc is still a long way from being perfect and simple to use, for me its ok, sort of, but not super friendly, yes its for full professionals etc and that's good, but what about every one else buying drill down models, if the flag ships are challenging to get right how will the drill downs be especially for the average person..

I guess what i am saying is for the average person it all seems a bit more complicated variable tricky articulate and user unfriendly........but, if you take your time, work at it hard listen to people more experienced in getting things to their optimum performance yes it could be worth it, i guess its like some people use LR PS to the max, others not so.

The key success of the Apple I phone with every one, professionals mum's, dads, even kids, is one SIMPLE thing......... the phone software is just so simple and reliable for everyone to use, i wish the camera industry would follow suite...............in mirror less tracking etc.

A bit like the video games nearly everyone plays where a armed person saturated with full military gear, night vision, automatic self focusing weapons, radar detect, color detect, lazer targeting beams, sonar sensors, bullet proof vests, electronic eye attachment that track and focus on body heat, wi fi, blue tooth, LCD GPS, internet access all attached to a arm band or wrist watch, along with an endless list of who knows what, is walking through the canyons looking for the enemy, WOW so much awesome gear to deal with use focus on settings for each potential conflict scenario.........

when high up on a distant ridge what seems like a dot peering over a rock leans a sheep herder, with nothing but an old world war two bolt action 303 rifle and pops the enemy off in a single shot using his eye and skill sets, while the person with all the gear was making selections and pressing buttons to activate his defense systems...was teh opertuinty or moment lost he became the victim.

Its amazing how technical and life like these video games are now.
My Nephews all play these games, even in competitions all around the world, they do it for fun as well as good prize money...........what a fascinating industry, like many players they come home from work, straight into the games room full of high speed tech screens and computers and its on, even the wives play............

So back to relevance, with mirrorless tracking and focusing etc are we getting better with Photography or just better technically......interesting times ahead, while impressive so far i feel it still all has a long way to go before it becomes like Apples I phone and OS.

I've had the Z9 for over a month now. I think I've used it maybe 3 times. I feel like I'm taking pictures with a computer. It makes me want to use my DSLRs and film cameras more (which I have been since buying it actually).
 
I've had the Z9 for over a month now. I think I've used it maybe 3 times. I feel like I'm taking pictures with a computer. It makes me want to use my DSLRs and film cameras more (which I have been since buying it actually).


You views are not universal but at the same time not unreasonable, while lots of people love mirror less tracking etc and all that comes with it including frustration and new learning curve....... regardless of brand.
I have heard some people complain that mirror less tracking is taking a bit of the relaxation joy out of photography due to so many options, the degree of complexity....again with all brands and some limitations or inconstancy, its hard to determine if its the gear or the person.

There are people in our club that just take a straight raw image and then build the final image in PS LR etc as they seem to love doing so, there are just as many who would like to get it right in camera to avoid or reduce processing, a) due to lack of interest, b) lack of time, c) lack of skill, myself i am a get it right in camera person, i dislike processing.

If your young and a bit geekish hey its all easier, if your creative and enjoy composition and less techi stuff etc its maybe better to get fully experienced to get the best out of mirror less tracking, that said ............but not at the expense of emotional frustration.

I think so far for me the only real standout is the option for super speed, its allowing in cases to get shots or information never easily obtainable before at 20 or 30 fps.

I feel that the 12 or 15 fps is really overall plenty, there are few situations where i like to go to 30fps.

The high speed has its benefits but so dose the D6 1dxmk III etc.

The mirror less tracking hangs on to the focal plain nicely and the eye tracking is good but in mostly in ideal circumstances, defiantly not in all cases.
I am exploring more each day...........i go really well then loose it and start again, this goes over and over but the rate of loosing it is getting less so i must be learning.

I did say that i like the option of speed, true, that said today i was reviewing some archive images on my mates new I Mac 27 inch, it was a good time had.
To our surprise at 11 fps on the D4s, 14 fps on the D6 frankly many photo's were real no different in end result.

So i assume, if i turn off all tracking etc and shoot the Z9 as a normal camera then ok you have a normal camera yes/no ?...................... your focusing and tracking correct.

But yes i picked up the D850 and my mates D6 while not a Z9 i was more relaxed momentarily, the question is will i feel the same after quality time with et Z9.

I think the Z9 deserves a lot more patience and respect, while my personal opinion is that in the industry (all brands) the tracking lock on is at level 6 ot 7 not 10, or a bit raw and not totally perfect just yet.

My position is i am accessing what dose mirror less tracking at the moment do for my photography as apposed to using my skill set in the real world.............i do have a love for the D850 and a real soft spot for the D6, both are defiantly brilliant cameras and do i feel mirror less is better but only in some ways, for my self i am learning to see whats reality and whats perception, before i invest in new glass.

For indoor basket ball, hockey, wheel chair basket ball, with challenging lighting conditions i rent the D6 and leave the Z9 at home or office, why, i am not there yet with the Z9, now that's not taking anything away for the Z9, i love it so far, equally i have a long way to go.

Only an opinion
 
You views are not universal but at the same time not unreasonable, while lots of people love mirror less tracking etc and all that comes with it including frustration and new learning curve....... regardless of brand.
I have heard some people complain that mirror less tracking is taking a bit of the relaxation joy out of photography due to so many options, the degree of complexity....again with all brands and some limitations or inconstancy, its hard to determine if its the gear or the person.

There are people in our club that just take a straight raw image and then build the final image in PS LR etc as they seem to love doing so, there are just as many who would like to get it right in camera to avoid or reduce processing, a) due to lack of interest, b) lack of time, c) lack of skill, myself i am a get it right in camera person, i dislike processing.

If your young and a bit geekish hey its all easier, if your creative and enjoy composition and less techi stuff etc its maybe better to get fully experienced to get the best out of mirror less tracking, that said ............but not at the expense of emotional frustration.

I think so far for me the only real standout is the option for super speed, its allowing in cases to get shots or information never easily obtainable before at 20 or 30 fps.

I feel that the 12 or 15 fps is really overall plenty, there are few situations where i like to go to 30fps.

The high speed has its benefits but so dose the D6 1dxmk III etc.

The mirror less tracking hangs on to the focal plain nicely and the eye tracking is good but in mostly in ideal circumstances, defiantly not in all cases.
I am exploring more each day...........i go really well then loose it and start again, this goes over and over but the rate of loosing it is getting less so i must be learning.

I did say that i like the option of speed, true, that said today i was reviewing some archive images on my mates new I Mac 27 inch, it was a good time had.
To our surprise at 11 fps on the D4s, 14 fps on the D6 frankly many photo's were real no different in end result.

So i assume, if i turn off all tracking etc and shoot the Z9 as a normal camera then ok you have a normal camera yes/no ?...................... your focusing and tracking correct.

But yes i picked up the D850 and my mates D6 while not a Z9 i was more relaxed momentarily, the question is will i feel the same after quality time with et Z9.

I think the Z9 deserves a lot more patience and respect, while my personal opinion is that in the industry (all brands) the tracking lock on is at level 6 ot 7 not 10, or a bit raw and not totally perfect just yet.

My position is i am accessing what dose mirror less tracking at the moment do for my photography as apposed to using my skill set in the real world.............i do have a love for the D850 and a real soft spot for the D6, both are defiantly brilliant cameras and do i feel mirror less is better but only in some ways, for my self i am learning to see whats reality and whats perception, before i invest in new glass.

For indoor basket ball, hockey, wheel chair basket ball, with challenging lighting conditions i rent the D6 and leave the Z9 at home or office, why, i am not there yet with the Z9, now that's not taking anything away for the Z9, i love it so far, equally i have a long way to go.

Only an opinion

A lot of what I'm doing lately doesn't "require" any of the wizardry of mirrorless cameras. I feel like once I get back to the bird stuff my feelings will change. I'm heading to Fort DeSoto next week for a week. That trip will give me a much better look at the camera. Its also my first mirrorless so things are a little weird.
 
A lot of what I'm doing lately doesn't "require" any of the wizardry of mirrorless cameras. I feel like once I get back to the bird stuff my feelings will change. I'm heading to Fort DeSoto next week for a week. That trip will give me a much better look at the camera. Its also my first mirrorless so things are a little weird.

Your not alone.
 
I find i just get happily the results i need or want with my DSLRS for everything BIF sports action portraiture, commercial what ever as i feel i am more in control.
Its a great comfort zone that lets me enjoy what i do, photography........

However i need to give mirror less a chance, embrace what the Z9 has to offer, the Z9 is a beautiful camera and works really well for me so far in nearly all instances using the new tracking etc, BUT, i do get some occasional issue, i assume may be caused by myself, or situations that are frustrating ..................Example: the tracking is on the bird that's stationary, then for what ever reason when the bird moves half an inch or so the focus can let go and the focusing starts to hunt and it wont regain focus, i have had this experience a couple of times, i need to under stand what i am doing wrong first if anything, so far i wonder if may be using in this case a FX 70-200 fl and if it could even have a connection ?

The other situation was i am focused dead on this stationary bird, brown with a little green colour, sitting at a water fountain with a white marble back ground 30 feet away, dead easy shot, good light, the small focus point is dead on the birds head, the bird is out of focus the background is in focus, now i shoot all my other cameras the same way with the same 70-200 fl lens, the square was red and never went green maybe its not supposed to, yet it focused on the marble back drop not the bird, Bizarre, Must be me.

This has also happened on occasions in my surfing shots even using 9 points. So yes be prepared to do a little work with a lot of patience.

My old D3X (old dependable friend) i can use single point focus and nail a spider web single thread that is hardly visible.
I have never experienced this with the D850 or D6.

Also I have had the moment where the protection cover that comes down when changing lenses stay shut, its happened twice, i turned the camera on and off 3 or 4 times and it was OK then.

I have had a dose of massive hot pixels being an issue on some surfing shots as well as other subjects, all in the background and the iso was only at 720iso, full day light perfect conditions, activating the sensor clean 3 times consecutively seemed to eliminate the issue, this was done on a technicians advice as a first step solution.

I have also had occasional unusual shift in settings not activated by myself and then not respond to correction immediately, i have reformatted the camera twice, i will see where it goes from here.

At least if i do have an issue Nikon is 5 star in getting all over it if need be.

My first ever D850 was replaced with logic a board issue and the new camera has been perfect ever since.

Again Nikon has been stellar dealing with any issues i have ever had.
 
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Henry has some interesting thoughts on using the z9 af modes for action. i’m probably going to try his wide area -> 3d tracking approach as it sounds well suited for picking up fast dogs, but then letting you reframe. it also sounds like it leverages bbf muscle memory well.
Isn't that the exact same method all of us have been recommending on here since the release of the camera?
 
Henry has some interesting thoughts on using the z9 af modes for action. i’m probably going to try his wide area -> 3d tracking approach as it sounds well suited for picking up fast dogs, but then letting you reframe. it also sounds like it leverages bbf muscle memory well.
One of the very useful videos about modern AF system (& i dont shoot Z9).Thx for sharing
 
Electronics professional, Jim Kasson has started a series of posts reporting his in depth review of the Z9. He should test the electronic shutter thoroughly

[EDIT] he has indeed started testing the Z9 shutter


His analyses are technical and complement Bill Claff's site Photonstophotos
 
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One of the very useful videos about modern AF system (& i dont shoot Z9).Thx for sharing


I had a look at this video, interesting, i am open minded but may still need to catch up with the Z9 and where and how the tracking is a be all to end all..........i look forward to experiencing that.

Perception- Opinion\or Reality ?

The biggest take away i get from the Z9 so far is the speed, the high frame rate just captures that focal plain with that special moment.
So do DSLRS, 9, 11, 14, 16, fps, 16 is getting to the limit i assume. the faster the more choices you have.

As to the lock on tracking, yes that's a fine accessory, in this video with the example of the guy flying in the air doing turns etc captured at 20 fps, conventional focusing techniques used on your pro dslr will deliver also the similar results if your using a high frame rate say 9,11, 14, 16 (1DXIII) fps. The higher the frame rate the more frames or bites you have to choose from............AHHH so that what the Pro photographers meant recently that they can take still frames of wild life from the Z9 video for that precise frame that's the money shot.............WOW handy........yes that's the future.

I feel in certain situations the auto tracking may have some merits, personally i feel its more important for videoing than stills.

Its where you hold the frame to your liking, composing a global composition, then rely on the tracking to to stay on the subject of interest hence your really behaving as if your videoing, just taking stills at 20 or 30 fps or even 120 fps.

I was told some professional photographers are getting results taking stills of wild life frames from the video capture on the Z9.

Panasonic is of the same belief, stills from hi K video in all future pro cameras, 30 mb files and that's for now, when the middle point in pixels becomes 60 to 80 it will even be more interesting.

I love the Z9 so far..............is it for me, time will tell, i do find the complexity to be an annoyance rather than a joy, that's because i don't understand it yet, or really don't want to deal with it, or i may not be capable of dealing with it......as it takes away from what i like doing, so i guess the question going forward is for myself........dose mirror less or these video computer orientated cameras suite Me...........i have a 3 month plan............fight or flight.

But i do love the Z9 so far.........
 
I feel in certain situations the auto tracking may have some merits, personally i feel its more important for videoing than stills.

i think it much depends on your subject matter.

as a dslr shooter, photographing dogs in action, a HUGE part of my brain is dedicated to dealing with focus, deciding where to put my focus point, trying to keep focus attained, and living with the consequences of my choice.

basically, i have to put the focus point where i think the dog's head will be in the final shot.... before the shot sequence starts, and hope it works out.

with the dslr, i can't just reframe as needed, i have to keep that focus point on the head. this means if the dog does something unexpected, i'm going to likely have body parts cut off or simply have a poor framing.

while, yes, it is possible for me to get 90% of my shots with my dslr without these fancy af modes, it's still holding me back and impacting my ability to get even better shots because i'm spending cycles on focusing instead of composition and other things.

JN9_3062-2.jpg
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EDIT: Here's the full size image, also run through topaz and black levels tweaked a bit https://www.dogsportsphotos.org/photos/kickass-disc-dogs-20220123/JN9_3062-Edit.jpg
 
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