Ask Nikon: Help Me With This Interview

[fcotterill]

I suppose so, although some have called this machine learning. I do not mean to split hairs, but I was more worried about Nikon adopting some of the things that Apple and Android phone manufacturers have adopted in their cameras. I am a bit worried about Nikon offering a feature that does things like remove overhead wires automatically without users being able to turn this function off. For those that want to use AI at any point in their work flow, that's great. But I really do not want it forced on my work flow. Options are always appreciated, especially for those of us who are on the minimalist side of post processing.

--Ken

Nikon's AF uses deep learning algorithms, trained on supercomputers. They have used pioneering versions of this technology in their matrix metering for decades, since the Nikon FA

Deep-Learning in the Z9 catalysed much discussion last year eg:

Z9 'Deep-learning AI'

There doesn't seem to be much said or written about this. Apart from advanced subject detection, does anyone have more insight as to what this is all about. Marketing say - 'Deep-learning AI, meanwhile, powers the most advanced, simultaneous detection of up to nine different subject types'...

bcgforums.com

 

[John Navitsky]

Nikon should simply modify Wide and Small into C3 and C4. Gives us more options (albeit the Zf has +70 Custom Area modes)

yah, that would be an improvement. and/or give us more custom modes.

An important question is whether they work like the Pro-DSLR Group mode?

i think if you disable subject detection they should approximate the behavior but probably not identical

I recall in their Z9 books , @Steve and Thom Hogan describe the DSLRs have far better closest-focus priority. The Cross Type focus sensors gives DSLR AF its advantages, notably the D6.

yah, i think the cross type sensors will give the dslrs an advantage, but i would think the z8/z9 sensors should be good enough in most cases

 

[fcotterill]

yah, that would be an improvement. and/or give us more custom modes.


i think if you disable subject detection they should approximate the behavior but probably not identical

There's a practicable difference, advantage D6 and D850 on my subjects against clutter particularly, but hybrid focus method using a tight Custom Area puts the Z9 in line and often better now with Eye tracking in Bird and Animal modes

yah, i think the cross type sensors will give the dslrs an advantage, but i would think the z8/z9 sensors should be good enough in most cases

See above IME. Hybrid aka Handover focus is useful often essential

 

[John Navitsky]

See above IME. Hybrid aka Handover focus is useful often essential

that’s the thing. the z8/z9 provide more options/capabilities which can even (often much more than even) the score

 

[Replytoken]

Nikon's AF uses deep learning algorithms, trained on supercomputers. They have used pioneering versions of this technology in their matrix metering for decades, since the Nikon FA

Deep-Learning in the Z9 catalysed much discussion last year eg:

Z9 'Deep-learning AI'

There doesn't seem to be much said or written about this. Apart from advanced subject detection, does anyone have more insight as to what this is all about. Marketing say - 'Deep-learning AI, meanwhile, powers the most advanced, simultaneous detection of up to nine different subject types'...

bcgforums.com

The linked Medium article is a helpful primer about all things AI(?), thanks. Not sure what the umbrella terms we should use but the article seemed to point to AI being used as both so I'll use it here.

I can appreciate what they are trying to do with functions like autofocus and metering, but I am not sure where this ends and automated image adjustments begin. Granted one could say that things like D-lighting are automated, but what I am really focusing on is content in front of the lens and content that is recorded and/or adjusted in the recorded image. I'll refer to the example I used above - removing overhead wires. I suspect this could be easily programmed into a mirrorless camera now or in the near future, but if that is the case, I just want to make sure I can turn this type of technology on or off. When things get automated with no user control is my concern. I am not a purist by any means, but I also like my photos to record what the sensor saw without any editing of content as best as possible. It is not really a concern at the moment, but watching all of the Google commercials over the holidays leads me to believe that the cameras and software on new, high-end smartphones are now there.

It is interesting to see what technology that the cellphone manufacturers are pushing vs. what the camera companies are. I may not personally care for what Google and Apple are offering, but I do find it interesting. And do I wonder what the camera companies would concentrate on if they had the same R&D budgets and staffing that Apple and Google have. All quite interesting, but I still prefer to make the decisions as to what content my sensor and processor include or exclude. Post processing software offers us the luxury of making those changes after the fact as we are so inclined.

--Ken

 

[John Navitsky]

I'll refer to the example I used above - removing overhead wires. I suspect this could be easily programmed into a mirrorless camera now or in the near future, but if that is the case, I just want to make sure I can turn this type of technology on or off.

i can’t imagine any of the major camera mfgs adding that directly to their camera. it’s just not what photographers are asking for from that end of the workflow.

a phone app, maybe. LR, definitely

 

[Larry S]

Panoramic capability like iPhone has would be an interesting feature….this recently taken in St.Thomas..

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

 

[StarTracker50]

What are they doing to speed up production of the 180-600mm Z zoom without compromising quality control of course.

 

[StarTracker50]

This may be a difficult question to ask since we want them to do things for us, and not p them off. But if you can ask them if they can please remove the sentences in their website where they state that selecting DX Crop mode increases the REACH of the lens by the crop factor. You already have the link where they say this in their website in my email to you.

 

[Replytoken]

i can’t imagine any of the major camera mfgs adding that directly to their camera. it’s just not what photographers are asking for from that end of the workflow.

a phone app, maybe. LR, definitely

I agree with you, but surviving in a contracting market can make companies consider a lot of things, and the technology is certainly out there.

--Ken

 

[hrv]

@Steve, another good thing to ask is how we can best provide feedback to Nikon?

We often hear the statement that Nikon Engineers are not photographers themselves as the excuse for not listening to the field.
Obviously they get feedback from NPS members, but for example the discussion on multiple RSF's or different behaviour for banks comes up so often across so many fora and across such a diverse set of people, you wonder why it has never changed and as a result, if they are aware of it in the first place.

 

[Johan Schmidt]

With respect, Steve won’t know any more than we do. Nikon use the Shooting Banks for their “pro” cameras and the user buttons for the rest. I very much doubt they’d change this, as it’s been their format for a decade at least.

- I framed my comment as a question that Steve could ask in the interview. Those setting recall buttons have been included in Z7ii, Z6ii, Z5, Z50, Z30

 

[O]

Would like a 60mp version of the ZF

Only an opinion

 

[marc]

Is there a plan for recapture raw in any current nikon camera (probably z9/8 only for now)?

I

According to Nikon rumors Pre-capture in RAW in the Z9 is coming very soon in a new FW update, likely in DEC.

New Nikon Z8/Z9 firmware updates rumored to be released soon (new pre-capture in RAW feature?) - Nikon Rumors

New Nikon Z8/Z9 firmware updates are rumored to be released soon – most likely in December. One possible new feature that could be released is “pre-capture in RAW”. Pre-capture for JPG already exists in the Z9: “How Pre-Release Burst works. Once Pre-Release Burst is set, you can confirm...

nikonrumors.com

Really looking forward to this long awaited feature!

 

[Cameron T]

According to Nikon rumors Pre-capture in RAW in the Z9 is coming very soon in a new FW update, likely in DEC.

New Nikon Z8/Z9 firmware updates rumored to be released soon (new pre-capture in RAW feature?) - Nikon Rumors

New Nikon Z8/Z9 firmware updates are rumored to be released soon – most likely in December. One possible new feature that could be released is “pre-capture in RAW”. Pre-capture for JPG already exists in the Z9: “How Pre-Release Burst works. Once Pre-Release Burst is set, you can confirm...

nikonrumors.com

Really looking forward to this long awaited feature!

Yeah I saw that. But it's a really vague rumor based on a rumor. Until we get more solid info, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[marc]

With CFE-B cards why are your cameras limited to 20fps in RAW?

Are there plans for a stacked sensor over 45MP?

Also according to Nikon rumors, the Z9 will soon get 30 fps, 45MP in RAW, via a soon to be FW update.

Rumored Nikon Z9/Z8 firmware updates roadmap - Nikon Rumors

I received this Nikon Z9/Z8 firmware roadmap covering the firmware updates that should appear in the future – I am not sure how legitimate this information is, so treat it as a rumor (you are on NikonRumor after all): 45M 30fps RAW continuous shooting. Continuous shooting speed switching...

nikonrumors.com

 

[marc]

Yeah I saw that. But it's a really vague rumor based on a rumor. Until we get more solid info, I'm not holding my breath.

If it came from any other source, OTHER than Nikon Rumors, I'd tend to agree, however NR do have a good track record.

 

[Cameron T]

If it came from any other source, OTHER than Nikon Rumors, I'd tend to agree, however NR do have a good track record.

Sure, but he's also posted stuff that's been a huge whiff before.

Everyone has. It's why I don't get excited until it's actually confirmed.

 

[Jerry Watson]

Has this thread turned in to a speculation thread? Steve must be pulling his hair out.

 

[John Navitsky]

Has this thread turned in to a speculation thread? Steve must be pulling his hair out.

i think Steve realized a while back that we were going to be no help!

 

[marc]

Has this thread turned in to a speculation thread? Steve must be pulling his hair out.

That in itself is a cruel joke!

 

[Anjin San]

Yeah I saw that. But it's a really vague rumor based on a rumor. Until we get more solid info, I'm not holding my breath.

I would love to have that…even if it only worked at 15FPS…but like you I’m not holding my breath. Catching the takeoff or leap would be very nice…but it isn’t worth sacrificing RAW for IMO.

 

[Kumarsnaveen]

From a friend Radhakrishna not on forum: Nikon’s broad direction to evolve hybrid camera approach.

One thing that will put the Z9 /Z8 almost on par with cine cameras is the ability to use the type C port in z9/8 to directly record to SSDs… this will eliminate the external recorders.

 

[JoelKlein]

@Steve
What’s the status with this interview?

 

[wotan1]

I am requesting a super lightweight body like the z7ii with compatible autofocus with the Z8/9.

Would be a great second body.