Nikon D850 Down loadable In-camera Settings for Action

[KimM]

Would somebody please share their settings? I used to have this camera but its been 2 years and I am trying to help a friend learn BIF/action with her existing gear. In my ideal world, could this be emailed to me as a download?? Thanks for any help!

 

[Larry S.]

Several forum members have and occasionally use their D850. I do. A lot depends on the target species in regards to shutter speed. You probably know this. Larger slower birds like herons I normally go with 1/1600 +/-. Smaller faster birds X2. The lens you friend is working with has a lot to do with settings also. With the D850 I frequently use the continuous mode w/group detection as I recall….I’ll check….

 

[Fishboy1952]

From what I recall, I had Group set up as my default AF mode and Single Point on the Fn1 button. I also used BBAF with the AF-ON button. This was primarily for perched birds and BIF, but it worked on other subjects. Bird is perched so I would depress AF-ON and Fn1. As the bird took off, I’d release Fn1 and the D850 should shift to Group which was my go to for BIF. This worked pretty well.

 

[dabhand16]

@KimM

I used to shoot rugby (field sport) with a D850 and used shutter priority 1/1000 or faster if I could, auto ISO to cover from the kick off to end of play. In the UK this was in the Winter and in the afternoon where at 4pm I'd be at 12800 and often down to 1/500. In Spring and the later part of the season I could use lower ISO, but still auto to cover clouds and Sun. FPS was as high as I could get - about 6 with no EN-EL18 in the grip - and too slow really Small or med group dynamic AF or just group AF.

Worked OK but my Fuji XT-4 with a 70-300 was so much better and I use 7/8 fps in normal play and 15fps for set pieces. (Even my XT-2 did 11 fps, but back then the ZF 55-200 was not long enough) Now using Fuji XH-2s +70-300 which is better still, but the XT-4 did a better job all round than the D850 for me. Not saying you can't get good results with a D850.

 

[John Navitsky]

with the d500 i liked group a lot for fast action (dogs). Steve has some decent af videos on his youtube channel, search for nikon maybe. his ebook is good too

 

[Larry S.]

…..continued: Yes, “Group” and 3D were (and still) the focus selections I used with success. Also..turn off HDR for continuous mode shooting, HDR obstructs (for lack of a better word) rapid shutter releases. Max aperture available usually works best to isolate bird and diminish backgrounds….…..

Also, I highly recommend this book. Excellent guide for the D850..

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[fcotterill]

Hi Kim
I still have my D850, well worn, but still mechanically sound.
BBAF using AFOn usually set to Group mode
Pv - Single Point+AF-On
Fn1 - Spot metering (very useful for backlit subjects)
LensFn: Fn1 - AutoAF+AF-On

Focus Point and AF mode are set as horizontal and vertical specific (C: a7). Usually I use Auto ISO

 

[JAJohnson]

Would somebody please share their settings? I used to have this camera but its been 2 years and I am trying to help a friend learn BIF/action with her existing gear. In my ideal world, could this be emailed to me as a download?? Thanks for any help!

Hello Kim. @Nick Dale shares his D850 settings file via download on the page at the link below. I don’t know which firmware version its associated with so that’s something to be aware of. Perhaps he can clarify. The settings are also listed on the webpage, too.

Camera set-up for Nikon D810 and D850 — Nick Dale Photography

I recently watched a few videos and read a few articles on Steve Perry’s website, and they inspired me to share my camera settings with you. Thanks, Steve!

www.nickdalephotography.com

 

[KimM]

Hello Kim. @Nick Dale shares his D850 settings file via download on the page at the link below. I don’t know which firmware version its associated with so that’s something to be aware of. Perhaps he can clarify. The settings are also listed on the webpage, too.

Camera set-up for Nikon D810 and D850 — Nick Dale Photography

I recently watched a few videos and read a few articles on Steve Perry’s website, and they inspired me to share my camera settings with you. Thanks, Steve!

www.nickdalephotography.com

Thank you! And the firmware version reminder!

 

[KimM]

Hi Kim
I still have my D850, well worn, but still mechanically sound.
BBAF using AFOn usually set to Group mode
Pv - Single Point+AF-On
Fn1 - Spot metering (very useful for backlit subjects)
LensFn: Fn1 - AutoAF+AF-On

Focus Point and AF mode are set as horizontal and vertical specific (C: a7). Usually I use Auto ISO

Thank you for the reminders! It will feel good to get one of these in my hands again. And the sound of it….

 

[KimM]

…..continued: Yes, “Group” and 3D were (and still) the focus selections I used with success. Also..turn off HDR for continuous mode shooting, HDR obstructs (for lack of a better word) rapid shutter releases. Max aperture available usually works best to isolate bird and diminish backgrounds….…..

Also, I highly recommend this book. Excellent guide for the D850..
View attachment 101455

Thanks for the shut off HDR reminder!

 

[KimM]

with the d500 i liked group a lot for fast action (dogs). Steve has some decent af videos on his youtube channel, search for nikon maybe. his ebook is good too

I thought Steve had issued a setup guide for the d850 but I couldn’t find it. I’ve gotten spoiled I guess.

 

[JAJohnson]

I thought Steve had issued a setup guide for the d850 but I couldn’t find it. I’ve gotten spoiled I guess.

There’s the video below but I don’t recall a setup guide in pdf form. I could be mistaken, though.

Nikon D850 Unboxing And Setup - Backcountry Gallery

OK, I normally don’t do unboxing videos, but I’ve had a few requests for it – along with a a boatload of requests for my initial menu setup. So, in the video below, we’ll do a very brief unboxing so you can see just what you get with the new D850 and then we’ll dive into […]

backcountrygallery.com

 

[Ralph]

From what I recall, I had Group set up as my default AF mode and Single Point on the Fn1 button. I also used BBAF with the AF-ON button. This was primarily for perched birds and BIF, but it worked on other subjects. Bird is perched so I would depress AF-ON and Fn1. As the bird took off, I’d release Fn1 and the D850 should shift to Group which was my go to for BIF. This worked pretty well.

That basically what i do as well. But I activate single point using the button on the 500 pf.

 

[Abinoone]

Would somebody please share their settings? I used to have this camera but its been 2 years and I am trying to help a friend learn BIF/action with her existing gear. In my ideal world, could this be emailed to me as a download?? Thanks for any help!

Hi Kim,
I'm probably one of the only geezers still shooting a pair of D850s, but I'm stubborn and cheap, so am sticking by my guns for the moment. To answer your question, so much depends upon the circumstances of course, but generally for BIF I shoot Manual with shutter speeds of 1/2500 or 1/3200, group AF, auto ISO, Continuous High (CH) shooting mode. AfOn button has been programmed to back button AF (BBAF). Naturally, if I'm looking to show wing motion or express subject speed, I'll slow the shutter speed down a lot, but to freeze action I Iike using a faster shutter that other folks might choose. Not sure if this is what you're looking for- please advise if not.

 

[Warren D]

Hi Kim,
I'm probably one of the only geezers still shooting a pair of D850s, but I'm stubborn and cheap, so am sticking by my guns for the moment. To answer your question, so much depends upon the circumstances of course, but generally for BIF I shoot Manual with shutter speeds of 1/2500 or 1/3200, group AF, auto ISO, Continuous High (CH) shooting mode. AfOn button has been programmed to back button AF (BBAF). Naturally, if I'm looking to show wing motion or express subject speed, I'll slow the shutter speed down a lot, but to freeze action I Iike using a faster shutter that other folks might choose. Not sure if this is what you're looking for- please advise if not.

No, you're not! I'm still using my pair of D850's and there are days when they get more use than the Z9's. I also still have my D6 and that gets used often as well. My night staem train photos are all with the D850's as I really want that little bit extra flash sync speed.

 

[Jbear]

I'm there too...D5, D850, D500, D750 and D300...no ML to this point. Yer not alone.

 

[KimM]

Hi Kim,
I'm probably one of the only geezers still shooting a pair of D850s, but I'm stubborn and cheap, so am sticking by my guns for the moment. To answer your question, so much depends upon the circumstances of course, but generally for BIF I shoot Manual with shutter speeds of 1/2500 or 1/3200, group AF, auto ISO, Continuous High (CH) shooting mode. AfOn button has been programmed to back button AF (BBAF). Naturally, if I'm looking to show wing motion or express subject speed, I'll slow the shutter speed down a lot, but to freeze action I Iike using a faster shutter that other folks might choose. Not sure if this is what you're looking for- please advise if not.

I am looking for a file to download to her camera that will give me all the in camera settings useful when shooting action. Would you be able to send me your file? I truly miss my D850 and my D5. Sigh. She has 500 pf and we are hoping for good owl season around Winnipeg in January.

 

[Abinoone]

I am looking for a file to download to her camera that will give me all the in camera settings useful when shooting action. Would you be able to send me your file? I truly miss my D850 and my D5. Sigh. She has 500 pf and we are hoping for good owl season around Winnipeg in January.

Happy to send a file, if I only knew how to create one!

 

[JAJohnson]

Happy to send a file, if I only knew how to create one!

You can download your settings file. I don’t have a D850 but the process should be similar to that on a Z camera. Go the Setup menu, then select Save/load menu settings, then Save menu settings. That should download a file with the extension .BIN to your CF express card in slot 1. I think that’s what Kim is looking for.

 

[Abinoone]

You can download your settings file. I don’t have a D850 but the process should be similar to that on a Z camera. Go the Setup menu, then select Save/load menu settings, then Save menu settings. That should download a file with the extension .BIN to your CF express card in slot 1. I think that’s what Kim is looking for.

Thanks! Learn something new every day!

 

[KimM]

You can download your settings file. I don’t have a D850 but the process should be similar to that on a Z camera. Go the Setup menu, then select Save/load menu settings, then Save menu settings. That should download a file with the extension .BIN to your CF express card in slot 1. I think that’s what Kim is looking for.

Yes thank you for clarifying - this is what I am looking for!

 

[Abinoone]

Would somebody please share their settings? I used to have this camera but it's been 2 years and I am trying to help a friend learn BIF/action with her existing gear. In my ideal world, could this be emailed to me as a download?? Thanks for any help!

Sent you a PM

 

[Rick S]

Didn't read every post, but Steve has great video available on the main page for the D850.

 

[DaveyDitzer]

…..continued: Yes, “Group” and 3D were (and still) the focus selections I used with success. Also..turn off HDR for continuous mode shooting, HDR obstructs (for lack of a better word) rapid shutter releases. Max aperture available usually works best to isolate bird and diminish backgrounds….…..

Also, I highly recommend this book. Excellent guide for the D850.. PS same for Steve's e books.
View attachment 101455

I bought a used D7100 from a UHH member and the David Busch book came along. It is excellent and extensive. I give his books a thumbs up.