Nikon Z6ii - changing auto focus area modes

[ronnie]

I only do bird photography and i have the following situation regarding changing the auto focus area modes.

The situation is like this, i have a bird sitting on a branch in clear view, the auto focus area mode is set on Single-point AF. Now the bird takes off and i need to change to Wide Area AF mode quickly to be able to capture the bird in flight, how do i do this?

Is there a way to customs set one of the Fn buttons to a specific auto focus area mode?

I'm thinking, the camera is set on single-point AF and if i press Fn1 the auto focus area mode will change to Wide Area AF or whichever AF Area mode i have chosen? is it possible to setup the Fn button to do this.

I have looked in the custom setting menu under F controls but i cannot see any options to assign a button to the AF Area Modes.

Any advice on this issue will be much appreciated.

 

[SoCalRick]

Nikon Z6II Manual

 

[Patrick M]

set Your camera to your normal birding mode. NOw change the focus mode to wide . Save this to U3
now reset the focus mode to single point.
so when you need to, rotate the mode dial to u3.
u3 I like as it’s nearest to M.
switch back to M and you’re back to single point

 

[Patrick M]

I suspect you can use a fn button, but mine are already in Use

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[StevieJSmall]

There’s no ability to assign the Function button to a specific AF-area mode. Instead, you’re able to assign Focus mode/AF-area mode to either Fn 1 or Fn 2 button and when pressed/held, use the main and sub command dials to quickly change the value.

If you go to menu option a7, limit AF-area mode selection, you can uncheck any modes you don’t want, so then theoretically, you could just have Single Point and Wide Area checked. Then when you press your function button, you’ll still need to rotate the front command dial but it’ll only cycle between Single Point and Wide Area-L.

I have my Fn 2 button set to do this and when I press, I can quickly change my AF-Area modes (I have them all checked personally).

 

[Patrick M]

I use the record button for setting focus area and Mode. Fn1 is preview and fn2 playback.
I tested just now and u3 is fast,

 

[ronnie]

set Your camera to your normal birding mode. NOw change the focus mode to wide . Save this to U3
now reset the focus mode to single point.
so when you need to, rotate the mode dial to u3.
u3 I like as it’s nearest to M.
switch back to M and you’re back to single point

many thanks for this advice, i will program U3 to be used for birds in flight and hopefully its a quick change over between M and U3, i will let you know how it goes.

 

[ronnie]

I use the record button for setting focus area and Mode. Fn1 is preview and fn2 playback.
I tested just now and u3 is fast,

regarding the custom settings for Fn1 and Fn2, i have set my Fn1 for playback, for Fn2 i have set it to the + function so it works like a telescope, what happens if i am looking at a bird at a very far distant through the view finder and i dont want to take my eye away from the view finder, by pressing Fn2 set to the + function the view finder zooms in and when you press it a second time, it returns the view finder to normal. I find this very useful and easier than for my right thumb trying to find the + button.

 

[Patrick M]

regarding the custom settings for Fn1 and Fn2, i have set my Fn1 for playback, for Fn2 i have set it to the + function so it works like a telescope, what happens if i am looking at a bird at a very far distant through the view finder and i dont want to take my eye away from the view finder, by pressing Fn2 set to the + function the view finder zooms in and when you press it a second time, it returns the view finder to normal. I find this very useful and easier than for my right thumb trying to find the + button.

useful - I have the lans fn Botton set to zoom. it makes it much easier to check focus/ With the 70*200 I have the 2nd button yo switch to tracking