I need some Z50ii settings help! AF isn't working.

[spamalot1950]

I received my new Z50ii on Friday. I did walk-throughs setting it up by watching Steve Perry's Z6iii set-up videos (the menus are nearly the same), and also Hudson Henry's (Henry Hudson?) Z50ii YouTube videos. Both sets of videos are pretty comprehensive and easy to follow. Regardless, I cannot get the autofocus to work with either the shutter release in AF-S or with the AE-L/AF-L button when using AF-C and BBAF. Among other things, I have returned the camera to factory settings several times and repeated the set-up process, and the autofocus never engages. I also updated the firmware for the DX16-50 f3.5-6.3 lens which changed nothing. The AF also doesn't work with my 35mm f1.8 G + FTZii. Before I return the camera, does anyone have any suggestions? I never had the issue with my D7500, but the Z50ii's menus offer many more opportunities for an old fart like me to make a mistake. Hopefully, this issue is the result of user error, and I don't have to go through the return process. Thanks.

Edit to add: In Custom Settings Menu>Focus>AF-C priority selection, the camera is set to Release. In AF-S priority selection, it is set to Focus.

 

[JAJohnson]

Let’s check these things and go from there.

1: In the shooting settings, I suggest not using AF-A focus mode. Use AF-S or AF-C. I think you’re doing this already.

2: For AF-S and AF-C, which focus area modes are you using?

3: Custom setting a1, for wildlife shooting you’ll want this set to Focus+ release. Custom setting a2, set this to Focus.

4: Custom setting a6, set this to Shutter/AF-On

Now, in either AF-S or AF-C, autofocus should happen when the shutter button is half-pressed. Is that occurring?

 

[spamalot1950]

Let’s check these things and go from there.

1: In the shooting settings, I suggest not using AF-A focus mode. Use AF-S or AF-C. I think you’re doing this already.

2: For AF-S and AF-C, which focus area modes are you using?

3: Custom setting a1, for wildlife shooting you’ll want this set to Focus+ release. Custom setting a2, set this to Focus.

4: Custom setting a6, set this to Shutter/AF-On

Now, in either AF-S or AF-C, autofocus should happen when the shutter button is half-pressed. Is that occurring?

Thank you for the reply. To respond:
Item #2 - I have used multiple focus area modes, but, primarily, I have kept it in Single Point AF .
Item #3 - I have a1 set to release. My understanding is that I want the shutter to release even when I don't have a focus lock. Additionally, I am using BBAF, but I have tried to use a half press of the shutter release, in the setting you suggested, and the AF still does not work
Item #4 - I just returned to try this setting again. AF is now working with the shutter release, but I have yet to get it to work with BBAF.

Progress - Thank you.

 

[DRwyoming]

I received my new Z50ii on Friday. I did walk-throughs setting it up by watching Steve Perry's Z6iii set-up videos (the menus are nearly the same), and also Hudson Henry's (Henry Hudson?) Z50ii YouTube videos. Both sets of videos are pretty comprehensive and easy to follow. Regardless, I cannot get the autofocus to work with either the shutter release in AF-S or with the AE-L/AF-L button when using AF-C and BBAF. Among other things, I have returned the camera to factory settings several times and repeated the set-up process, and the autofocus never engages. I also updated the firmware for the DX16-50 f3.5-6.3 lens which changed nothing. The AF also doesn't work with my 35mm f1.8 G + FTZii. Before I return the camera, does anyone have any suggestions? I never had the issue with my D7500, but the Z50ii's menus offer many more opportunities for an old fart like me to make a mistake. Hopefully, this issue is the result of user error, and I don't have to go through the return process. Thanks.

Edit to add: In Custom Settings Menu>Focus>AF-C priority selection, the camera is set to Release. In AF-S priority selection, it is set to Focus.

You mentioned returning it to factory settings and then reprogramming. Did the AF system work properly after the reset but before reprogramming? IOW, does the AF system work prior to any customization at all? If not I'd suspect either a camera problem or dirty or loose electrical contacts to the lenses you've tested.

Of course this assumes the camera is in an AF mode while shooting and no control on the camera or lens body is set to MF.

I'd forget all about custom programming for now and test the camera and various lenses with the camera returned to its factory default state. If that does not work then the problem is almost certainly in the camera itself or something related to electrical communication to the lens. Only get into customization if the camera works properly set up with factory defaults and a very simple focusing mode like Single Point, AF-C.

Also, just to be certain, I'd defocus the lens so everything is blurry and then try to initiate AF. With the wide angle lenses you describe the initial focus can be so close it's hard to see that the AF system did anything unless you start by manually defocusing the lens.

 

[Cameron T]

Thank you for the reply. To respond:
Item #2 - I have used multiple focus area modes, but, primarily, I have kept it in Single Point AF .
Item #3 - I have a1 set to release. My understanding is that I want the shutter to release even when I don't have a focus lock. Additionally, I am using BBAF, but I have tried to use a half press of the shutter release, in the setting you suggested, and the AF still does not work
Item #4 - I just returned to try this setting again. AF is now working with the shutter release, but I have yet to get it to work with BBAF.

Progress - Thank you.

if you don't have af on set to a button, it won't af. That's probably where your issue is. It'll show the focus mode, but won't activate auto focus because you're told the camera not to.

You always need AF ON and optionally + (af mode) if you want a specific one.

 

[JAJohnson]

Thank you for the reply. To respond:
Item #2 - I have used multiple focus area modes, but, primarily, I have kept it in Single Point AF .
Item #3 - I have a1 set to release. My understanding is that I want the shutter to release even when I don't have a focus lock. Additionally, I am using BBAF, but I have tried to use a half press of the shutter release, in the setting you suggested, and the AF still does not work
Item #4 - I just returned to try this setting again. AF is now working with the shutter release, but I have yet to get it to work with BBAF.

Progress - Thank you.

If you want to ensure focus for AF-C, set a1 to Focus+release, otherwise you’re going to be frustrated because you’ll get sets of unfocused photos.

To properly enable BBAF, in custom setting f1, set the AE-L/AF-L button to either AF-area mode + AF-ON or AF-ON.

BBAF should now enable AF.

 

[DRwyoming]

If you want to ensure focus for AF-C, set a1 to Focus+release, otherwise you’re going to be frustrated because you’ll get sets of unfocused photos.

FWIW, I run Release priority because the AF system doesn't always track perfectly and doesn't always report perfect focus for fast moving animals even when the focus is perfectly fine. I'd rather cull out a few slightly missed focus shots than have the camera refuse to release the shutter in fast moving situations where often the focus is just fine but perhaps the camera doesn't quite think so.

I find it far more frustrating to have the camera interrupt a burst shooting sequence than having to cull some focus misses back home. YMMV.

 

[spamalot1950]

if you don't have af on set to a button, it won't af. That's probably where your issue is. It'll show the focus mode, but won't activate auto focus because you're told the camera not to.

You always need AF ON and optionally + (af mode) if you want a specific one.

Evidently. It's odd that both Steve Perry's and Hudson Henry's videos show the AF-ON setting as "OFF". Regardless, I feel much better about this now. Furthermore, I am going back to the begining, reset all the custom settings, and start from scratch. At least I know it is me and not the camera with issues. As I said, it's progress.
Thank you for all the help.

 

[spamalot1950]

You mentioned returning it to factory settings and then reprogramming. Did the AF system work properly after the reset but before reprogramming? IOW, does the AF system work prior to any customization at all? If not I'd suspect either a camera problem or dirty or loose electrical contacts to the lenses you've tested.

Of course this assumes the camera is in an AF mode while shooting and no control on the camera or lens body is set to MF.

I'd forget all about custom programming for now and test the camera and various lenses with the camera returned to its factory default state. If that does not work then the problem is almost certainly in the camera itself or something related to electrical communication to the lens. Only get into customization if the camera works properly set up with factory defaults and a very simple focusing mode like Single Point, AF-C.

Also, just to be certain, I'd defocus the lens so everything is blurry and then try to initiate AF. With the wide angle lenses you describe the initial focus can be so close it's hard to see that the AF system did anything unless you start by manually defocusing the lens.

Good advice. Thank you.

 

[MartyD]

Take it one step at a time!

Set a6 to shutter/AF-ON and make sure that the auto focus is working correctly in all modes and with all lenses using the shutter release to activate focusing.

Now, if you change a6 to AF-ON only and the auto focus does not work using the AE-L/AF-L button then you have changed the function of the AE-L/AF-L button. So got to F2 Custom Controls Shooting and check to see that the AE-L/AF-L button is set to AF-ON. If not return it to AF-ON and check to see if BBAF is working.

Then if you want to set the SE-L/AF-L button to change an area mode and activate focus change it to AF-area mode + AF-ON.

 

[JAJohnson]

FWIW, I run Release priority because the AF system doesn't always track perfectly and doesn't always report perfect focus for fast moving animals even when the focus is perfectly fine. I'd rather cull out a few slightly missed focus shots than have the camera refuse to release the shutter in fast moving situations where often the focus is just fine but perhaps the camera doesn't quite think so.

I find it far more frustrating to have the camera interrupt a burst shooting sequence than having to cull some focus misses back home. YMMV.

Focus+release doesn’t interrupt a burst. It begins the burst with the first shot in focus. I’ve never had any discernible delay in burst shooting.

Your experience may be different, however.

 

[DRwyoming]

Evidently. It's odd that both Steve Perry's and Hudson Henry's videos show the AF-ON setting as "OFF". Regardless, I feel much better about this now. Furthermore, I am going back to the begining, reset all the custom settings, and start from scratch. At least I know it is me and not the camera with issues. As I said, it's progress.
Thank you for all the help

It can be confusing since in the customization menus Nikon presents you with the option to assign an AF Area Mode (e.g. Single Point, Wide-Small, 3D, etc.) as just an override option (does not in and of itself activate the AF system) or as an AF-ON plus Focus Area Mode option that selects the desired mode but ALSO activates the AF system. For BBAF you'll generally want one of the latter or just set the AF-ON button to its default mode of 'AF-ON' and then it will use the AF Area Mode selected for the camera's current default (which can be changed via a variety of methods).

Any secondary buttons assigned to select an AF Area Mode can either just use the mode alone without the AF-ON function meaning you have to keep the primary button activated or can be set to select a new mode and also activate the AF system.

Lot's of options but one way or another some button has to be programmed to activate the AF system or nothing happens. It's confusing in part because that AF-ON button has the big label on it but really it's just another programmable button and if you change its programming such that it no longer activates the AF system and have also disabled AF activation from the shutter release then there's nothing to tell the camera to start autofocusing.

 

[spamalot1950]

Update:
First, thank you to all who replied to my query. Your suggestions have allowed me to explore the problem knowing that it was me and not the camera at fault.
Second, WRT to BBAF, I found the answer, and it may have been included in the responses above (it was, twice, but I misread it, thank you @MartyD & @DRwyoming), but I was probably confusing the settings with one another.
First, going to Customs Settings Menu > Focus > a6 AF activation, I did select AF-ON only > Enable. This will mark a6 AF activation as off. For BBAF, this is the correct setting. However, I had failed to finish the settings. Next, I went to Custom Settings Menu > Controls (shooting) . I then highlighted the AE-L/AF-L icon and selected AF-ON. Now, I can use BBAF, and my shutter release won't change the focus when I press it. My anxiety is abated.

FWIW, I don't do nearly as much nature photography as most here. However, I have found this site, and this forum in particular, to be one of the most helpful photography resources anywhere. Between Steve Perry's articles, books, and videos, and the friendly, helpful advice found in the forums, I am managing to drag myself into the digital age of photography. And, it is, and has been, and enjoyable journey. Thanks to everyone!