Nikon Z9 Autofocus Made Easy

BBAF? I know people who like it claim it is best. Well it’s best for them. I don’t see a place for it on the Z series. I get it for something like a D850 where the autofocus points don’t cover the whole viewfinder. Once you are used to it, it maybe harder to stop using it. I never liked it on the D500 and I have other things to do when using the Z9. So no thanks.
I really like the rest of the video. Nice work.

This is exactly what I was looking for! Super helpful information. Thank you for posting.

Do you always need background music while talking to people?

Tony Northrup : " Sony focuses faster"

I posted this on Zwade’s channel on this very subject.

"Did some more tests this is what I see. Single birds with good contrast no background follage within say 50 feet focus is perfect including 3D. Around 70 feet with close bright background follage none of the focus modes "saw" the birds eye. It mostly back focused on the follage. Even group area small struggled."

There appears to be a definite issue with messy backgrounds and some distant bird subjects.

People face and eye focus detection seem to be excellent even at great distances.

Danke!

Excellent video

Do you have to keep the back button pressed the whole time in 3D?

HI Terry I could not find the link to your book? Can you send instructions and info on how to purchase it. Thanks. je

Tip #1: “Leave your Z9 in MF (manual focus).

Great info Terry, just sitting back hoping for a Z8 release. Learned a lot today, you are a great teacher.

Hi I have a nikon d4 and d4s I brought the nikon Z9 my problem after 3 shots the focus run all over the screen please how much you charge to help me figure it out

Thank you for this excellent video. Though I have few doubts and I hope that you would answer.
1. According to the Z9 manual, there is no mention that the camera is going to focus on the object closest to the camera (as you mentioned). Instead, this is mentioned for "Wide Area" modes (which you mentioned).

2. According to the Z9 manual, Nikon recommends Dynamic Area- Large for photographing birds and WA-L for sports. What is your opinion on that?

3. I have tried to use the 3D AF method, but at least for small birds, it proved to be too slow. I use a Nikkor 200-500 with Z9.

Thank you again.

Thank you for this great video. You just saved me a tremendous amount of time taking poor shots whlie trying to figure which focus mode to use. Great job!

How much better is the AF on the Z9 compared to the POS called the D850?

Enjoyed your video, well done, your a great teacher, explain things well. Look forward to more videos.

Dear Terry in regards how to use the AF AREA C1 for wildlife ! I had a prototype few months ago before the new update therefore, I did not have the opportunity to used it then but since I got my own z9 within this week I will be traveling to put to extreme conditions in Costa Rica this beast! Do you have an email that I can send my experiences? Great video I enjoyed learning from you!

amazing video thank you

I have a question regarding how set focus to AF-C 3D animal in video mode. I can do this fine in photo mode, but the video mode is not giving me the option to put it in AF-C 3D ....any ideas .

Also limited in assigning the function buttons to all the various modes of AF-C I can do in photo mode

Thanks !

Pierre

Thank you for the video. But my experience with the z9 has been slightly different.

3d tracking is good when you’re up close and the camera has a good pattern to register and track. But with busy backgrounds or subjects slightly further away, i find it gets confused very easily.

I am finding that using a regular wide-L af-s mode, held (toggled) off of a function button, is what i use for birds in flight. It seems to track them better than 3d tracking for me.

But I’m also more in the wild without a blind, so things are coming at me in a more unpredictable fashion too.

Hello Terry. Great video. Thanks for making this. Just one question. If I am using AF back button, I need to keep it pressed as long as I want to keep my subject in focus. Is that correct? Also, what is the real benefit of separating the AF function from shutter release button? With back button, I am now engaging more (thumb and finger). Please clarify this.

What tripod is that?

For the custom area AF (C1, C2), create a 1x1 box and this will allow for subject tracking.

Can you set a spot to start the focus area then train it to follow.

Want great AF? Buy a Canon or a Sony

I've got a question I can't find an answer for - when I'm shooting video with the Z9 of a bunch of subjects (group of ducks, elk, etc) and AF is locking on to their heads/eyes it often then jumps to another animal nearby. Is there a way to prevent it from jumping to another subject and just force it to continue tracking one object? The white autofocus boxes show what look to be arrows on them when there is multiple subjects....

THANK YOU!!

thanks for this Terry!

Worst video ever.

Welcome
What is the best option
Release
focus + release.
focus

I have never heard of the focus points explained like that before, thank you.

On my z6 when I shoot on ‘AF-area mode’ set to Auto Focus, and I press the OK button I get a box that tracks the subject, on my Z9 that same OK button doesn’t show me this tracking box unless I tap on the screen to track the subject. Where can I turn in this setting on my z9 to function the same as my z6?

How is your experience with the ikon Z9 and Fx Nikon lenses with the NTZ II adaptor ?

Thank you for your video. Best regards from Bogotá, Colombia.

fantastic Sir . Verry helpfull

Love your video! I do have a question that I cannot find an answer to. I just received my Z8 and wanting to know for eye/animal/subject detection, which area focusing modes can this be used with?

Very helpful and well done!

Terry... thanks for a great video, helpful for better understanding the Z8. I'm also a pro photographer and did a lot of teaching. You do a good job and it's the best way to thank all who have taught us the craft. Best Wishes!

But how do you turn on eye detection? I haven’t figured it out yet and no one seems to be explaining that part for the Z9

Wow Terry! Truly amazing photos!!! Learned a bunch. Thank you!

That was a very helpful video. Just got my Z9 and going up the learning curve. Thank you.

yet another outstanding video Terry
Thankyou

YES YES Nikon z9 with Sony mother sensor!!

AF-S stads for Single-shot but thats NO bigi

I LOVE THIS PTESENTSTION. I LOVE THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL. A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION OF A VERY INTRICATE FACET OF NIKON’S FOCUS TECHNOLOGY. GREAT JOB! THANK YOU.
I “LIKED” AND “SUBSCRIBED”.