Bird to Animal Autofocus with One Button Nikon Z8/Z9 

This is one of the best tips I have found on RU-vid. I reprogrammed my z8 and z9. Not only can you change subject detection; you can also change shutter speed, exposure compensation, release mode, etc on the fly. Thank you!

Hi Matthew. Another very informative and useful video. Thank you. I have set my Z8 up like yours and it works well. However, I noticed there is no option to do this in video mode. Or am I missing something?

Great idea. I too have programmed some other custom functions. I might suggest how to save these custom setting to the memory cards ( i save mine custom settings to both cards on my Z9) so if at some later point I loose my custom function settings I can reload them from my memory cards. Note that reformatting a card will wipe away the file. One reason to have these custom settings on both camera memory card. And as a total backup I keep a copy of my latest setting on my laptop.

Thanks, Matthew that works brilliantly.

On the Nikon Z9, I use my Custom Function 1 button to switch between bird and animal AF settings. Works very well!

I already have recall configured for birds in flight, so it increases the shutter speed, adds +1 exposure conpensation for shooting into the sky and makes sure the lowest f stop is selected and auto-ISO. I don't want to lose that. I set the subject detection to the first item in My Menu because it is a stand alone option there. In the i menu you have to of course find AF and then toggle down to subject detection and then use the command wheel. I put spot focus on Fn2 so as long as I hold it I am in spot focus. Sometimes I set recall shooting for blurs, like for barrel racers at the rodeo. Fast shutter speed for rounding the barrel and I hit my recall button (DISP) to put it into slow shutter speed for panning blur as they race for the finish. Steve Perry says animal detection detects birds way better than bird detection detects animals. So better to be caught in animal detection if you don't have time to switch.

Thanks mate.. this is very useful...❤

I also use the F2 button to switch between FX and DX crop.

Thankyou. Very useful

A new camera and lens with every new video. Next time I am expecting a Sony a9 III with 300mm 2.8. :)

Would you recommend the 180-600 as a one lens do it all for birds and animal photography?

I changed the settings as you show but it doesn’t work.

Suggestin please: how about showing which buttons and how "I programmed to switch" but how please