Nikon Rumors on updates

[KurtH]

That is the "beauty" of rumours, they are true or they are not but right both ways.

With all the hype that usually comes along with the rumors, it's always a letdown when they don't materialize.

Dont get me wrong, I love my camera, it's capabilities, and the pictures it takes (or i wouldnt have bought it). But I'm always Jonesing for that next feature upgrade, I can't help it...it's me .

 

[Lee R]

I think we’re all dreaming about some RAW precapture or increased framerates. And I’ll be happy with any precapture in RAW, 15 FPS, HE whatever just some sort of option there would be very nice. I’d even take HEIF if that was an option since those are at least pretty editable compared to JPEG.

 

[John Navitsky]

i feel pretty safe saying we’ll get another fw release with significant features and i feel pretty safe saying raw precapture is has a lowish probability of being in that update and 30fps raw, even lower

 

[Cameron T]

I mostly agree, but honestly, I'd just like to get to feature parity (the times I'd use pixel shift are basically nil, but still).

 

[wotan1]

With all the hype that usually comes along with the rumors, it's always a letdown when they don't materialize.

Dont get me wrong, I love my camera, it's capabilities, and the pictures it takes (or i wouldnt have bought it). But I'm always Jonesing for that next feature upgrade, I can't help it...it's me .

Well what is not to like it is like getting a new camera and it is FREE.

Well not completely free. I had to pay for the camera body. Twice since I have two of them.

 

[EricKlees]

Agreed! There has been 3 major, significant updates for the Z9. The 2.0 adding in all the insane video capabilities making that like a Z9II, The AF improvements through out and certainly on 3.01. Then 4.10 with Bird Subject Detection where the improvements made it like a Z9III.

All free where other brands rarely really improve their cameras but just fine tune things and bug fixes and some charge for simple features.

Honestly i feel like a pig wanting more. In fact I'm totally happy with the Z9 as is right now, so ANY new features or improved AF is purely icing on our cake

 

[beano]

wonder if raw precapture will ever be available for the Z 8 or z 9 bodies or will that be reserved for the 2nd generation of these cameras

I’m hoping for raw pre-capture too, as well as the Zf MF subject tracking feature, and at some point, OpenGate.

 

[Len Shepherd]

With all the hype that usually comes along with the rumors, it's always a letdown when they don't materialize.

Not if you do not follow rumour sites!

It seems a very safe bet there will be upgrades for the Zf, the Z6III, the Z8 and the Z9 before the end of this year.

Later this morning I should be photographing moths collected overnight in a moth trap.

Some moths that are about in August may not be around in September - implying do it while the time is right rather than procrastinating until a rumour site gets it right - or gets it wrong.

 

[Andy A.]

Am I just totally mental, or would anyone else like to see the Z9 have a single button-press customisation to enable/disable subject detection??
Or is there a way of doing that already (without resorting to the quick menu) that I haven't managed to work ou?

 

[John Navitsky]

you can do that

 

[Andy A.]

you can do that

Are you replying to me John? If so, then thanks; but that would be an even bigger thanks if you told me how to do it!

 

[DRwyoming]

Am I just totally mental, or would anyone else like to see the Z9 have a single button-press customisation to enable/disable subject detection??
Or is there a way of doing that already (without resorting to the quick menu) that I haven't managed to work ou?

You can achieve that by dedicating a button to Recall Shooting Function and then the only thing in that saved RSF is disabling Subject Detection. But that's almost a waste of the very powerful RSF function and you can only have one saved RSF.

Since the introduction of AF Area cycling via a single button press there's another way I use. I include Single Point AF as one of my cycling options and can very quickly switch to Single Point by a few presses on the video record button without taking my eye from the viewfinder. Single Point doesn't support subject detection so it gives me a precise focus area and also turns off subject detection. You could also use one of the Dynamic AF Area modes which also do not support subject detection as a way to quickly disable subject detection when you don't want it.

Subject detection has gotten very good but there are times like architectural photography, landscape work, some wildlife, like shooting during falling snow or heavy rain or even some subjects with large round ears like Pika or Nutria that can fool subject detection so I still like having a quick way to disable subject detection when it's not working the way I want. So far I'm pretty happy with just including an AF Area mode that doesn't support subject detection as a fast way to disable it when I don't want it.

 

[EricKlees]

Am I just totally mental, or would anyone else like to see the Z9 have a single button-press customisation to enable/disable subject detection??
Or is there a way of doing that already (without resorting to the quick menu) that I haven't managed to work ou?

I see a lot of people talk about this but I have never once needed to turn off subject detection. I shoot with 7 other Z9 users k regularly and they haven't ever needed to either. In the end, of some needed out then they need it I guess.

Currently the only way to toggle SD on or off with a single button and no menus is with RSF

 

[John Navitsky]

Are you replying to me John? If so, then thanks; but that would be an even bigger thanks if you told me how to do it!

yah, sorry, i'm on my way to somewhere, so can't look for it at the moment

 

[Andy A.]

You can achieve that by dedicating a button to Recall Shooting Function and then the only thing in that saved RSF is disabling Subject Detection. But that's almost a waste of the very powerful RSF function and you can only have one saved RSF.

Since the introduction of AF Area cycling via a single button press there's another way I use. I include Single Point AF as one of my cycling options and can very quickly switch to Single Point by a few presses on the video record button without taking my eye from the viewfinder. Single Point doesn't support subject detection so it gives me a precise focus area and also turns off subject detection. You could also use one of the Dynamic AF Area modes which also do not support subject detection as a way to quickly disable subject detection when you don't want it.

Subject detection has gotten very good but there are times like architectural photography, landscape work, some wildlife, like shooting during falling snow or heavy rain or even some subjects with large round ears like Pika or Nutria that can fool subject detection so I still like having a quick way to disable subject detection when it's not working the way I want. So far I'm pretty happy with just including an AF Area mode that doesn't support subject detection as a fast way to disable it when I don't want it.

Sounds like you are at the same place as me Dave!

 

[Darrellhar]

The one interesting thing that isn't talked about is that the Z9 does all that it does in 14 bit raw. I'm sure someone will but correct me if I'm wrong in that other cameras use 12 bit to get to 30 fps or pre capture raw. Not sure if the issue providing pre capture raw is a processor, sensor, or buffer bottle neck but I would think dropping bit rate to 12 I would would solve that issue. I wonder if they are waiting for the company they buy the compression from (sorry already forgot their name) to create it for 12 bit version or maybe Nikon just doesn't want to drop it for quality purposes. I believe file size for full JPEG is very similar to HE* already.

 

[RAWky]

RSF works fine, but you cannot combine it with other Fn-keys.
I have something else under Fn-1 and RSF under Fn-2 (Zee 8 and 9)
If I press Fn-1 and hold it, Fn-2 is locked.
If I press Fn-2 and hold it, Fn-1 works fine.
Fn-1 sets only light metering, Fn-2 3D-AF / AF on

 

[EricKlees]

RSF works fine, but you cannot combine it with other Fn-keys.
I have something else under Fn-1 and RSF under Fn-2 (Zee 8 and 9)
If I press Fn-1 and hold it, Fn-2 is locked.
If I press Fn-2 and hold it, Fn-1 works fine.
Fn-1 sets only light metering, Fn-2 3D-AF / AF on

I don't play finger gymnastics. My front FN buttons are toggles only, no holding them.

FN1 is RSF
FN2 is Silent
FN3 is Switch FX/DX

My back buttons are for my AF modes+Af ON. This allows all my AF modes reachable to my thumb

AF ON is Auto Area
DISP is 3D
Sub Selector is Single Point

Also my default AF mode is also Auto Area so o get the white passive AF box. I let that start the SD and tracking and just hit the ago button and it instantly tracks from the white AF box and i can also dictate to the camera what i want to focus and yeah I'd more then one subject in the frame

 

[Andy A.]

I've just fitted my Z9 out with the new Delkin Black 4.0 and it rattles away at 20fps HE* without bottle-necking. So perhaps raw pre capture is possible in that raw format.
I'm just wondering about how long it'll take Nikon to contemplate a new version of the Z9 where is catches up to the AF 'pseudo' Cross sensor of the Canon R1!

 

[EricKlees]

I've just fitted my Z9 out with the new Delkin Black 4.0 and it rattles away at 20fps HE* without bottle-necking. So perhaps raw pre capture is possible in that raw format.
I'm just wondering about how long it'll take Nikon to contemplate a new version of the Z9 where is catches up to the AF 'pseudo' Cross sensor of the Canon R1!

Nikon flagship bodies are generally on a 4 year cycle. I wouldn't expect a Z9 refresh till the very end of 2025 or sometime in 2026 in time for the winter Olympics for it's stress test before announcement

 

[RAWky]

I don't play finger gymnastics.

Playing piano is much more difficulty, but if the E doesnt work if C is pressed on a piano you can only play e.g. „Old Macdonald“ with your right hand only.

Whatever is your setup, RSF may not be the first button pressed in some conditions.

 

[EricBowles]

Am I just totally mental, or would anyone else like to see the Z9 have a single button-press customisation to enable/disable subject detection??
Or is there a way of doing that already (without resorting to the quick menu) that I haven't managed to work ou?

Program a Fn button to a focus area mode that does not include subject detection - like Dynamic or Single.

You could also program a button with cycle AF to include a mode without subject detection.

The other approach is to turn on Store By Orientation, then set up an AF area mode without subject detect in vertical orientation (or vice versa). When you simply rotate the camera to vertical, your subject detection is off. When you rotate back to horizontal, the last mode used for horizontal is active.

 

[Ken Miracle]

Am I just totally mental, or would anyone else like to see the Z9 have a single button-press customisation to enable/disable subject detection??
Or is there a way of doing that already (without resorting to the quick menu) that I haven't managed to work ou?

What Dave @DRwyoming said except I have both methods set up and use both. I have my vid record button set up to cycle between the AF Area Modes. I turned off the ones I do not use so only a few fast clicks to single point. I usually use that when I have more time to change or anticipate the need for single point, snow, rain etc. as Dave mentioned.

I use the recall shooting functions method programmed to fn3 in the heat of battle when I am out birding and a bird in the bush pops up and even the custom wide area 2 at 1x1 has a focus issue on the target with subject detection bird on (not often). I have AFON button, fn1 and fn2 set up to AF Area Modes I want plus AFON. So whatever af area mode I am in and I want to keep using that but want to turn subject detection bird off it is just on button push away. For instance I have been out photographing birds when a deer or other critter suddenly pops up and I can push the button and disable bird.

 

[SCoombs]

Program a Fn button to a focus area mode that does not include subject detection - like Dynamic or Single.

You could also program a button with cycle AF to include a mode without subject detection.

The other approach is to turn on Store By Orientation, then set up an AF area mode without subject detect in vertical orientation (or vice versa). When you simply rotate the camera to vertical, your subject detection is off. When you rotate back to horizontal, the last mode used for horizontal is active.

I do this as a workaround, but I would still much rather see an option to have a button programmable to deactivate subject detection. The reason is because there may be times I WANT to use the current AF mode - like wide area small, just as an example - but without subject detection. The fastest way I've found to do this is to put it on My Menu and have a button programmed to go to the first item on My Menu. This is again a sort of workaround which limits other possible control configurations.

The bottom line is that I think it would be better if Nikon allowed a lot more freedom in terms of what buttons are programmed to what things and eliminated most of the artificial restrictions that are in place - e.g., why can't I set the standard AF mode button - which I think is in a terrible place for using the swap AF modes on the fly - to something else? I currently have the Fn2 button set to change AF modes, but since I also have to have the default AF mode button do this, I essentially have one less button than I am supposed to.

 

[SCoombs]

I don't play finger gymnastics. My front FN buttons are toggles only, no holding them.

FN1 is RSF
FN2 is Silent
FN3 is Switch FX/DX

My back buttons are for my AF modes+Af ON. This allows all my AF modes reachable to my thumb

AF ON is Auto Area
DISP is 3D
Sub Selector is Single Point

Also my default AF mode is also Auto Area so o get the white passive AF box. I let that start the SD and tracking and just hit the ago button and it instantly tracks from the white AF box and i can also dictate to the camera what i want to focus and yeah I'd more then one subject in the frame

I've seen other people comment in a very similar way, referring to having not only the front Fn buttons but even having the standard buttons for EC and ISO operate on a "hold down" basis as a kind of gymnastics. Personally I don't feel this way at all. I have my Fn2 button set as the AF mode button which I hold while spinning the dials to change AF modes. I have my Fn1 button to switch to 3D Tracking withOUT subject detection while held down so that if SD is not working well for a given subject I can hold down Fn1 and then hold down the AF-ON button to activate the AF. It all feels very natural to me anyways.