Good discussion and exchange of ideas on this topic. I’ve owned a Z50, Zfc, Z30 and Z7ii and currently own a Z6iii and Z8. Like anything, there are pros and cons to User Settings (U1,U2,U3) and Photo/Video & Custom Banks.
I would love for there to be an option on the Z8 for User Settings to be included in the Mode (PSAM) button, which would allow for quick switching between linked Photo & Custom Banks (e.g., Photo Bank A + Custom Bank B). Since there’s no physical dial to limit the choice, there could be PSAM … U1,2,3 … all the way up to 9. Heck, get really crazy and allow for a choice for the Z8 User Setting to be static (has to be updated via menu) or dynamic (like the current banks work). Wishful thinking, I know, as Nikon seems to be stuck in the mud with software / UI development.
In regard to User Settings on all the models below the Z9/Z8, there is a tremendous amount of misconception to easily change the parameters of a User Setting. The only thing that is impossible to change without resetting the User Settings in the Custom Menu is the Shooting Mode (PSAM). I have all my User Settings set to Manual so there’s very little reason to switch to a different Shooting Mode.
Nearly everything in the Photo/Video Menu and Custom Settings can be easily changed by going to the Setup Menu and selecting Save User Settings. So if you setup U1 at home to 1/2000 @ f/2.8 and out in the field you’ve been shooting at 1/3000 @ f/4, plus you’ve turned off the Manual Focus Ring in AF Mode in the Custom Settings (it was on at home, and now you’re finding it to be really annoying), go to the Custom Menu, select Save User Settings -> U1 (or U2, U3). Now U1 will be saved to 1/3000 @ f/4 and stay that way until you select Save User Settings -> U1 again. Yes, it’s an extra few steps compared to Banks.
Also, any changes made on the fly within a User Setting will “keep” like a Bank, as long as the camera is not turned off. So using the example above, where you’ve increased the shutter speed from 1/2000 to 1/3000, but haven’t saved the user setting and the camera goes into standby, when you wake the camera back up, the shutter speed will still be at 1/3000. If you turn the camera off, then the shutter speed will be at 1/2000.
EDIT: I realized there were a couple things I missed out: one, you don’t have to Reset the User Setting to change the Shooting Mode. You can change the user setting by going to one of the shooting modes, then selecting save user settings in the custom menu. Two, in addition to the camera being powered off, if you switch the mode dial, any changes to the user setting will be unsaved.
