Nikon Z 9 Firmware 2.0 & NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S 

Really hope to see RAW shooting as an option for Pre-Release Capture in a near future update, even if it shortens usable buffer.

@Nikon Canada Thanks Chris! Amazing update by Nikon! Because you asked, here are the things I can think of for the next FW update that'll make Z9 have no competition: 1. Shortcut assignment for Subject detection on/off (via custom control) 2. Ability to use the DISP button as a programmable button like fn (this is most ideally placed for another AF On+AF area mode assignment) 3. At least 1 more RSF option (i.e. 2 different sets of RSF that can be assigned to 2 different shortcuts) 4. 30fps in at least HE* 5. Pre-capture in at least HE* 6. Last but not the least please please add VR on/off to the list of functions that can be customized in RSF. I ideally want VR to be on when I'm using slow shutter speed vs VR off most of the other time when I'm on higher shutter speeds.

Best video I’ve seen explaining the Firmware. Thank you. I’ve been waiting YEARS for Nikon to bring back the Pre-release capture from the Nikon 1 series. I am thrilled to see it! I’d like to see the Pre-Release Capture be available in Raw modes. Even if it was only High Efficiency-Non Star. I don’t believe the thru-put of the camera to the buffer of High Efficiency Raw at 20 fps would be any higher than JPG’s at 30 FPS, so I’m not clear why this feature is limited to JPG’s. It’s wonderful for working professionals shooting JPG’s of sporting events, but for those of us looking to utilize feature to create “Hero” shot from best possible moment in a sequence and process highest qualify file, this falls short.

Thanks for the info. I would like the option of having the vertical shutter release automatically disable when the camera is in horizontal orientation and enable when orientated vertically.... this would reduce the likelihood of accidental captures. Thanks again.

I’d love to see a pixel shift function similar to Olympus bodies that creates super resolution images.

One more question Chris, will pre-release be added for RAW images too in a future release?

Would love to see demo of Motion Blend option in new firmware. Love the fact that Nikon is listening and adding new option. Adding raw to precapture would be great(guessing you need to wait for cards to get faster). It looks like the new auto function option to set your auto focus area is only as wide as wide area. Would be awesome if you could extend that to the edges. Cant wait for new firmware comes out next week!!!

Thank up very much Chris, for your enthusiastic synopsis. I have been among the most vocal proponents for PreCapture, and persuaded Canadian wildlife Pro Brad Hill to highlight this in his Wishlist... so again I'm delighted. However as a wildlife photographer, it's distinctly DOA being only jpg - largely useless to most wildlife photographers as we shoot RAW. Quite a few comments on forums diagnose Nikon's failure on this.... in that they are still struggling to orientate their strategy with a flagship camera aimed primarily at sports to target the burgeoning arena of the wildlife genre(s). Nonetheless, and underscoring the failure to enable RAW in the PreCapture Burst mode, Even more ironically, the latest Z telephoto Nikkors have underscored Nikon's leap forward toward taking the lead in the wildlife genres, especially when these optics are paired with the Z9. A quick 1 sec maximum = 20 images already in the buffer + images captured post shutter activation. Obviously, the post-release capture can continue @20fps until the buffer fills. As the Z9 performs currently, card specs set the buffer cap (speed of emptying the buffer) but the fastest write rates of premier CFExpr cards (such as Delkin Black) support a buffer duration of 80-90 images (4-4.5 sec) for Lossless RAW [versus 40-60 (for 2-3sec) using slower cards] HE*RAW is a different animal entirely - my test of a 128Gb Lexar Gold card stated as 1000mb/s Write 'only' keeps shooting at full 20 fps for 250+images and even longer apparently. The Z9 must be perfectly capable of using full RAW for a relatively long PreCapture burst of 1sec Pre + 1-2 sec Post writing to the card. So Pre-Capture Burst with RAW at 20fps should be a doddle - to co opt the words of the late Spike Milligan. Let's hope Nikon HQ prioritizes a timely fix and adds RAW or at least HE* RAW And soon. Thank You!

Lovely video, First like to say what an amazing camera the Z9 it so good in the hand. The one function I would like to see back is the Exposure Delay option like in the Z7ii and I think its in the Z6, Z6ii and the Z7. Thank you. Keep well, keep safe and stay happy the Z9 is just amazing.

Amazing work like always... I have seen your video with Brad as well (which has helped me a lot in how to set up my camera)... Thanks a million... I have a few suggestions for Nikon for their future models: 1. They have at least one (if not 2) extra button next to the AF-On button in future models (like the canon and Sony), which could be programmed to jump AF modes (and not have to use the recall shooting options, JUST to change the AF options)... Though Brad mentioned he wouldn't prefer it :) :) :) 2. A trackpad integrated into the AF-ON button like the R3 AND use the touch screen to move the point around (while eye is upto the viewfinder - this probably could be a firmware update)... 2. Replicate Fn buttons on the vertical grip... In faster action moments I keep holding my camera from the main grip as I need fn1 and fn2 and can't just rely on fn3... With my mirrorless cameras I have had to change my focus modes OR turn subject detect on/off and I am quite sure the above suggestions will help many Nikon users in improving their speed...

Great camera just got even greater. Thank you so much for taking your time to go over these update in simple English. I am NPS member and Z9 owner. I feel privileged to own such an amazing camera

Got my pre-order in! Can't wait to start shooting with the 800 PF! It'll be my first "pro-grade" super telephoto lens, and that's possible because it's the first one within reach financially.

Thanks for this Chris - most useful as usual. One feature I'd like added is the option to turn off the portrait-mode buttons until the camera is tilted vertically. I normally lock them out but sometimes forget to either unlock them or lock them when back in landscape mode - sensing the camera's tilt would be a big help. I'm sure many others would find this useful.

Thanks very much Chris, these are awesome new features. In photo mode: Are there any plans to improve the DOF preview for faster apertures? Will the shutter delay option be brought into. Z9 as it is in the Z6ii/Z7ii? And for will SnapBridge be updated any time to support iPad landscape use, it is a pain to have to keep rotating it to portrait orientation? Keep up the great work, I am loving all the features of my Z9, though just as I think I’m getting my head around all the options it changes again 🤯😂

Chris, thanks for the run through of features. Few reviews have shown/talked about (including Ricci's) the "added stability" of the AF in Firmware 2.0. I know come April 20th, we will find out exactly what this means, but it would have been nice rather than just mention it, to show what this actually entails. Also, it would have been nice if you mentioned the drop off in refresh rate when using the pre-capture feature (as I understand below the 60 fps) no matter what the setting and explain why this happens. Last thing Chris: With respect to "Recall function shooting" (pre-update) I've saved my different settings to be activated by Fn1 on the lens. I have the f-mount 600mm f/4. When I push the Fn1 button out on the lens, it never activates these settings even with the button continuously pushed. Does it only work with Z mount glass?

this is a great update. Thank you nikon. Very good overview video and we really appreciate this. I would love to see a RAW option with a 20 frames per second option in pre-capture mode. If buffer is an issue even a high efficiency star quality image at 20 frames per second would be greatly appreciated.

This is a very exciting update! I might not have a use for many of these new features but it feels great to see Nikon keep on refining and improving their flagship camera,. It gives us a lot of confidence in the system and the future. Some future enhancements I'd love to see. 3D tracking. Once I locked focus on the subject, I'd love to have an option so the AF acts as a toggle and the camera would stay focus on the subject I identified until I press the BBF again. It seems futile to me and rather uncomfortable to have to hold the button down sometimes for a long time. The camera being heavy already it's just creates more stress on the hand. Or even better, have an AF settings where we can let the camera acquire focus automatically (like on the video side in AFF) so right away the camera finds the eye of the person, animal, car etc. which can be quickly overridden if the user moves the focus point. As the camera is doing it in video mode I can't see that being a big issue to have it behave the same on in photo mode. I suggested that to you when you gave your presentation in Vancouver earlier this week and you quickly dismissed it as not a feature people would want. I think you are wrong on that. Banks. I'd love to have more bank slots and have to save the settings and not have them automatically saved as soon as a change is made which to me defeats the purpose of carefully crafting a set of parameters for recall when as soon as you change something (which you always do, those banks are a starting point for a shooting scenario). In essence, have them behave more like U1,2,3 on Z7II but with the exception that if you turn off the camera it doesn't recall the original bank settings but stays on whatever settings it had before turning it off. That's the one thing I didn't like on the Z7II U banks.I'd load those settings and make adjustment for my shooting situation. I would turn off my camera briefly for a break or something and it would recall the original U bank settings.

Hi Chris, thanks for your effort to explain all these new functions. The Z9 coupled with that 800mm f6.3 at an "affordable" price point make my mouth watering...And it's coming from a Canon shooter. I would purchase that combo simply for my bird photography passion. Now just one little regret concerning the pre-release capture function. For bird photographers it would be a great deal if...you could use it in RAW mode! I won't explain why as it is obvious for that type of photography. Cheers

I would love an electronic video stabilization that's purely a screen space (X and Y axis) transform option. The current Z line's stabilization is a "cornerpin" type transform which looks absolutely awful and I consider it unusable. Additionally having a dial for min to max amount, like if I want to give up 2% of my screen space for punching in and stabilizing, vs. 10%, which would create a lot more stabilization at the sacrifice of resolution/sharpness. If we had this in combination of optical stab and electronic stab, the need for a gimbal would really plummet. As things are, I have to do this same operation in After Effects and it takes forevvvvver. It should be much lighter to process than your current method.

I'm using the Z9 and the Recall Shoot function is great, but I would love one extended feature of that, that you could use that as an extra shutter Button, sometimes it is "to slow" to press it and then hold the shutter Button. that would be a very great and useful feature for me while photographing Motorsport. And please add the option to use crop in C120 even if it is a 2.3 crop like in 4k Video.

Regarding future Z9 features, I would love to have a "digital ND" where the camera automatically stacks images for a long exposure. Will the new motion blend feature in the new firmware allow me to do this?

I like that you have a Smallrig cage on the Z9..

As far as adding more capabilities to the Z9, how about a Pre-Rec function for video? Especially for News Shooters it is a major plus, when trying to get a series of Lightning Flashes, or the demolition by Bomb Squad of a suspicious package, or the stakeout of a suspect walking into the frame. For any of those occurrences, just press record just after the event happens. Many Broadcast Cameras allow 3-15 seconds of pre-record buffer...

Thanks appreciate the video. I own the 800 5.6 which I got refurbished and love it, but will be trading it in for the new one (local dealer offered me a straight up trade). I do own that trunk too, which I also believe came with plutonium for the Delorean so I could get back to 1985 :). My main concern was image quality - would the 800 6.3 be the same for birds as the 800 5.6. From what I've read it is, amazingly to me for the lower cost too. Because it is light, you can carry it easier which is nice, and quickly get shots vs having to set up the tripod first. Another note is that the minimum focusing distance is, I believe, 3 feet closer - so that will make a difference (3 feet closer over the 800 5.6). Very excited for it and though I live south of the border in Minnesota, I'm in the NPS here (and I also enjoy poutine and Moosehead and SCTV so I guess that makes me kind of part Canadian). It really looks i"m not losing image quality by going from the 800 5.6 to 6.3. Fingers crossed some will show up in coming weeks for NPS. Nice work Nikon.

Would love to have option to see a long exposure, exposure before your eyes so you don’t have to guess or experiment with length of exposure. Leave on bulb until it looks how you want and turn off when you think it’s done.

1-Having the possibility to have more then one rsf!! Let's say we could customize 4 or 5 different rsf. 2-Have all the function available for all customizable button and not being limited to certain function only. 3-Having the possibilty to toggle af mode with customizable button vs having to hold the button to change af mode(example fn1 would be af on 3d hold or toggle vs having to hold the button to have 3d af) 4-Having the possibilty to turn off manual focus in the af mode, right now you can only toggle one mode, let's say afc only or afs only. I switch between afs and afc and don't need to cycle through manual focus option. I think it was possible to do that with the D6.

Great video as usual Chris, I guess the next ultimate option could be that when the eye of a bird (for example) is detected, the autofocus would be automatically activated and going even further, a photo (or even a serie of photos) would be automatically taken without touching any buttons. Wow!!

Awesome video Chris!

Mine is on 'deposit paid' order. Assuming delivery in the New Year. I know the world screws royally with product delivery these days, but our US pals have had this lens for weeks now; any hints on when this will be shipping for Canada (and Europe)? Sure would be nice to have it for the Toronto air show :) As always, love your videos, Mr. Ogeonek with their relaxed style and lots of straightforward information. PS -- love my Z9.

Great presentation. Glad to RSF can now be set as a toggle. A few requests. Multiple RSF options. If I set it to two different FN buttons, I can have different options for each. Prerelease capture for CL and CH modes. How about 30 FPS w/ HE* raw and 30 FPS DX lossless Raw (and if possible 60 FPS, either Raw or HE*).

Nikon you guys are completely amazing and are creating perfect systems. We could use better remote control with Snapbridge. Right now Snapbridge remote control has really slow frame rates and isn't very responsive. It really needs to be as snappy as the controls on the camera, and it needs to be able to support every menu function. It needs to work for multiple remote viewers, say an iPad for director, an iPhone for assistant director, etc.. And it really needs to be able to control external gimbals as well as follow focus units for manual lenses. And the MC-N10 remote grip is amazing. A couple of things would make it perfect is that it needs a more typical zoom rocker switch to control power zoom lenses (either using external focus puller or maybe Nikon eventually releases power zoom lenses for Z mount), and it needs a leather strap for shoulder mount setups. Also, is there any way to use N-Raw files with Final Cut or Premiere? Especially on the MacBook Pro with hardware accelerators for ProRes Raw? (not sure how much of the algorithms can be hardware accelerated...) Also could use variable frame rates, not just discrete 24/30/50/60 etc.. Ideally we could adjust frame rates while recording with one of the dials. And please make the next version of the Z9 support 240FPS. And one more small thing would be to create quad resolution raw images with pixel shifting. I could actually use that as I use cameras to scan large-format films.

I’d love to see this camera available to purchase. Ordered one along with the Z 400 2.8 Jan 24th.

Thanks for the detailed video. Since you asked: I would like to see the option to have a different recall shooting functions for different buttons. I would also like to see the return of simply having metering option (Spot) as a function button option. If at all possible could we have 8k 60 in a non raw format. I would like to be able to save the continuous shooting FPS option in menu banks. I would like a quick way to change subject detection modes. ISO 64 and auto ISO in snapbridge.. Shutter angle rather than shutter speed in video. More dreams than wishes: 30fps in some raw format. Pre shot in 20fps even if it's only HE raw or, if that is not possible, jpg for the pre shot and raw once the shutter is pressed... Sorry for the long(ish) list but despite this I am very happy with the current offering.

Thanks Chris, super useful. One question on RSF (Hold): Does it use the settings from regular RSF or can I configure separate settings? I'd like to have RSF set to use a lower shutter speed for things like perched birds and I want RSF (Hold) to disable/enable subject detection. Would love to be able to do this on the same bank.

Nice job! Have you used the Z9 with the Z 800mm with the TC-2.0X? if so how is the auto-focus response? Thanks in advance

Thank you.

Not sure if it's been added with the latest firmware, but I'd like to see accurate metering beyond 30 seconds. As of now, the Z9 stops metering at exposures longer than 30 seconds, whereas my GFX 100S histogram is accurate for 2-4 minute long exposures.

Just going to throw it out there that a Z8 with a Stacked 6K (~24mp) sensor with better even better framerates in that same gripped body would be an absolute monster camera. A stacked Z6 or zF body might be the ultimate street camera of all time with the 28/40 combo!

Nikon Z9, 1.0: Best Camera of 2021 Nikon Z9, 2.0: Best Camera of 2022

Requests...Easy iso mode and Exposure delay mode. I don’t know why these were dropped!! The current Easy exposure mode gets forgotten when it is selected on a lens control ring. Please fix on Z6/7 firmware. (I do realise self timer is sort of usable for the second request). Thanks.

Ho ho, 8MP Snapbridge. Yes, it's somewhat of a corner case feature, but it will help me a lot!

Question: When will we see a 70 to 200 f4 to go with the first lens released for the Z system 24 to 70 f4?

I have had a Z9 on order since November 2, 2021. Please fill the backorders.

Chris can you comment on the lens roadmap for the rest of the year? Lots of people are clamoring for some F2 glass!!!

I will come and look at the Z9 when you're in Edmonton later this month

What brand camera bag are you using,if you can say,thanks.

Thank you for the updates and improvements, but - still no (d4 on Z6/Z7) Exposure delay mode? (for Astro, Studio, etc) 😞 - still no 5-digit for the image numbering. (needed because of the higher framerates..) 😞

I echo the call for prerelease RAW. And would like the option of 12-bit for this if that’s what it takes to get to or over 20fps. Also I wish every function button could be programmed for every programmable option. Why, for instance, can I not program a lens function button to switch from FX to DX (and please let it toggle and not need to be held down)? As to future video topics I’d like to see one on how the machine learning works. Is this all done in Japan? Or can I somehow teach my Z9 to detect the head (purple and orange) and/or eye (red) of a condor instead of jumping from the head to focus on a black wing tag with white lettering (looks absolutely nothing like a head).

would love to have 30fps in raw even if its having to use high efficiency star mode?

Having worked in Video production Waveforms are great for setups but while actually working they are not that important nor are they used all the time. While in production you might glance at it to tweek lighting.

Wish Nikon would make more than 10 for the initial shippment.

👍🏾🙏🏾

I shoot real estate photography and I’m sure there are others who can really use the horizon level to display in the EVF.

Any reason you cannot find any explanation on what Z6ii\Z7ii 1.40 update will translate to? Nothing but Z9 info from you and your ambassadors. There’s a lot more of us than Z9 owners. Just a obvious suggestion

Is the Fresnel element plastic?

The camera that takes a year

NO ProRes Raw 4K 120 with oversampling,,,,,,,,,NO 30 fps RAW ? WTF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I will wait for firmware 3.0 update.

NO ProRes Raw 4K 120 with oversampling ? I will wait for firmware 3.0 update.

UPDATE: ATTENTION Z9 Lovers !!!: Almost all internet influencers are deliberately overlooking and downplaying something everyone absolutely needs to know ! 👀 The ProRes Raw HQ update is (NOT AVAILABLE IN 8K RESOLUTION !!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬 ) It's baffling why ProRes RAW HQ doesn't work at all in 8K at any fps ??? You can shoot in 8K in N-Log, but Nikon's proprietary Log doesn't work in Final Cut Pro !!! What the heck is up with that ????

Please put the gold rings back on all your pro Z mount lens, make them in Japan and charge more for them. If I wanted an all black boring looking looking lens made in china for cheap I'd buy Sigma or Tamron.....

“I don’t want to spend much time talking about the Z 800mm”...9’30 mins later the firmware discussion starts.

OMG,,, I can not believe you put "Canon's" name in your mouth ! 4:32