Question about precapture and nikon Z bodies

[AlanB313]

I have a question about precapture on the z8/z9 and forgot to ask this when I visited the Nikon reps station at a local camera store expo. Can you set the camera for precapture ( which I know is jpeg) and have the camera record RAW after the shutter is pressed? Or does the camera have to be jpeg only for precapture to work? How about jpeg+raw?

I spoke with the rep about wanting precapture raw and she tried to tell me that the jpeg quality is usually good enough. That's probably true for my skill level except for times when I'm shooting in low light anticipating action and want to capture specific moments. I brought up that I try for dusk birds like nightjars (poorwills and nighthawks), and need to pull up shadows in post. Trying to keep iso down.

She agreed and suggested that eventually raw precapture should come to z8 or z9, but had no idea when. I guess I can't count on it coming and I'll have years of learning to do anyway with the z8. I'm getting Steve's book in anticipation.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Cameron T]

I have a question about precapture on the z8/z9 and forgot to ask this when I visited the Nikon reps station at a local camera store expo. Can you set the camera for precapture ( which I know is jpeg) and have the camera record RAW after the shutter is pressed?

No

Or does the camera have to be jpeg only for precapture to work?

Precapture only works in JPG

How about jpeg+raw?

You can set the camera however you want, but precapture only works in modes that only produce jpg images.

I spoke with the rep about wanting precapture raw and she tried to tell me that the jpeg quality is usually good enough. That's probably true for my skill level except for times when I'm shooting in low light anticipating action and want to capture specific moments. I brought up that I try for dusk birds like nightjars (poorwills and nighthawks), and need to pull up shadows in post. Trying to keep iso down.

If you're pulling up shadows, you're not really changing anything regarding ISO. You're still underexposing, just effectively raising ISO in post.

She agreed and suggested that eventually raw precapture should come to z8 or z9, but had no idea when. I guess I can't count on it coming and I'll have years of learning to do anyway with the z8. I'm getting Steve's book in anticipation.
Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't trust a random reps opinion, we've gotten (collectively) a lot of mixed messages from them. Ultimately, we don't know if it ever will, or in what form if it does.

 

[AlanB313]

No

Precapture only works in JPG

You can set the camera however you want, but precapture only works in modes that only produce jpg images.

If you're pulling up shadows, you're not really changing anything regarding ISO. You're still underexposing, just effectively raising ISO in post.

I wouldn't trust a random reps opinion, we've gotten (collectively) a lot of mixed messages from them. Ultimately, we don't know if it ever will, or in what form if it does.

Thanks. Good to know.