Hey everyone ! I hope you found these 10 settings useful. Especially those of you receiving your new Z8 over the next few days What are the settings you always change did I miss any ? 😃
Additional SETUP steps As I shoot RAW, I have White Balance (WB) to "Cloudy" at all times. In raw, WB is just a number in the metadata and does not change the raw image data at all. It dictates how my raw processing software renders my files. I may shoot a ColourChecker Passport with critical series or when it will be hard in post to precisely set the colour palette of an image to neutral (Neutral is my preferred starting point for artistic decisions based deviations.) Then I verify ISO to be a fixed value of my choice. And look into noise and image control parameter settings. Store (focus) points by orientation. I set metering to "highlight-weighted" (where the firmware identifies the brightest photosite in the sensor and sets that to pure white - ignoring the sun. In 14 bits raw, this means that this single brightest point now becomes 11,111,111,111,111 and everything darker gets a lower number along the camera's AD conversion function lines - may be linear, may be 2-base log, etc. don't know. Well, if the image has a single bright photosite, now everything else becomes seemingly underexposed and I lose contrast envelope (the dynamic range available to a single shot, not to be confused with the camera's dynamic range as operating range of light levels). I really do not need gradation resolution between a couple single bright photosites, so an option to allow me a few choices in this respect helps get perfect exposure in one go. Nothing is fool-proof because fools are so ingenious, but with the powerful computer in the camera more is possible. File number sequence and file name and folder name - personalised. Colour space set to "Adobe RGB" rather than sRGB. Modelling flash. Assign settings to U1, U2, etc. Apply settings to live view (that's not Viewfinder brightness!) set to "On" in general but "Off" for flash sessions in the studio. Copyright information Pair with Bluetooth hosts If when JPEG is needed right away, JPEG to second card slot and start managing WB. Potentially framing grid and plumb levels
Regarding the shutter volume, I believe there's a setting for visual cues when the shutter is pressed. So you can use this instead of using a headphone in very loud locations.
Probably the most critical setting when you take it out of the box (applies to all cameras) is the "Slot empty release lock" setting. In past cameras, it was set to unlock, presumingly so the camera could click when on a showroom floor. You NEVER want to be clicking away for a client (or yourself) only to find your card slots are empty. Put it on "lock" so the camera will NOT click till you have a camera card in the slot.
@@jeremyhendersonphotography If you tether (most people never do) then unlock it or put it in your "My menu" (Another good question, if you plug in a tether, will your camera recognize it and let you shoot?)
Set the viewfinder diopter for your own vision. It gently pulls out and rotates until the information in the viewfinder is clear and crisp to see, then just press it gently back in.
Thanks Ricci -- my Z8 will be set up as closely to my Z9 bodies as possible. I always start in the Network (and pair with snapbridge for time and location data); then Setup Menu and then work through Shooting, Video, Custom Settings, and finally Review. I check the Timecode pairs with my UltraSync Blue source. AND finally I create a snapshot in Reikan FoCal so that I have a backup of my settings. It would be great if Nikon gave us a small bit of software to save, edit and transfer settings between Z8 and Z9 bodies. My plan is to keep all my camera bodies (Z8/Z9) configured as close as possible - and use a series of saved settings configured for different type of shoot.
Hi Ricci, I picked up my Z8 yesterday and I'm so grateful to find this video, as I'm aware what a learning curve I'm going to be on in moving up from the Z6. This has been tremendously useful to find not only the standard settings but some of the new ones. I hope you're going to do a 'Mastering the Z8' Zoom course on Nikon School soon!
I got the call yesterday I became one of the lucky fews that won the lottery to buy the first batch from Nikon official store in my city at launch day today. Could bearly fell asleep last night 😂
Thanks, just got the Z8, amazing camera. I have the Dji Mic 2, but when recording on Z8 via 3.5mm the audio is not great, have 32bit float enabled on the radio mics. Any settings you recommend to get good radio mic audio on the Z8 ?
On a z9 there's a setting that you can change so that when looking through the viewfinder and taking a shot there are lines that will come across the viewfinder, I seem to remember there were various options of how this looked when I set it up. Ive looked and looked ( for at least three minutes ) but can't see where this setting is and really want to try and change it, any idea?
For me the most important customization is the control ring. It is set to aperture by default and that causes the aperture to change whenever you touch the ring on some lenses.
👍👍vlog. Informative. Excellent. Do you know (by the way) the sizes of the photos/data that are sent to the CF card of the different (lossless compression/high efficiency* and high efficiency) compression types (50Mb or more/less)? Differ the sizes of the files of high efficiency and lossless compression a factor or two?
It's been a year I see from when you recorded this particular video I just got my Z8 moving from the Z6ii (which I still love) and this has been so encouraging to have you explain what's important right off from the start. I hope to find more of your "Talks" . Thank you so very much for your style of teaching, it's the best. I would love to know a recommendation for a good "L bracket" probably from "RRS" If you can recommend one to me I would love to know...
Camera defaults can cause problems to the unaware. A friend used a Nikon D60 years ago not for jpegs unaware that the camera default was for a basic jpeg not the highest thus losing megapixels on every shot taken for about two years. Since they were only interested in enprint sized pictures it was not the issue that it might have been.
Hello Ricci , I use the Nikon Z7II and I have my personal setting set to U1 for landscape U2 for wildlife and U3 for Street photography. So I’m thinking of upgrading to the Z8 but I just can’t find the custom buttons U1, U2 & U3 on the Z8 anywhere, nor can I find Full Auto on the camera the Green button setting on the Z7II. Can you please help me with these questions . I have watched all your reviews on the Z8 and all the Z Lenses reviews on your RU-vid channel and I just can’t find the answer. Perhaps the Z8 has done away with the personal functions setting I have mentioned above. Your advise will be very much appreciated. Thank you Andre Anthony
Thanks a lot, I prefer your truthfully videos. You ask, why would somebode not use AF-ON - I never use it, simply because I need my fingers to change TV or other essential changes, so I mostly need my thumb for something else then AF-activation. I also use RAW only, if I am in difficult light or harsh contrast scenes - nobody pays me for using raw, for needing more lifetime at a Mac and most animals and situations I shoot will not need anything else but Jpeg. So RAW is not a religion for me.
Love any cam video that promotes back button shooting! :) I note the menu item numbers (in "d" at least) are different in Z9 -- surely to be remedied when my Z9 gets its firmware update (soon!!?) so it as senior camera can equal it's new baby brother the 8? :) Also, I'm really hoping a frivolous firmware update is still coming -- an option to have the option to have the shutter release sound to match that when there is an actual shutter in the camera (e.g. D6 et al back to the first...). So it really doesn't matter I know, and I do with wildlife appreciate the silent option -- tho a shutter noise HAS produced great looks direct down the lens from wildlife for me in the past -- but the 10 cent toy sound the Z9 (and I'm presuming the 8) produces is feeble and embarrassing frankly :) Thanks as always for your videos -- changed a setting to give your way a try, actually. Cheers!
Hi Ricci, new subscriber. I was notified today my Z8 is shipping soon. I would like to know where you obtained the L Bracket for your Z8? I currently shoot with a 3 Legged thing on my Z6ii and would love one for the Z8 also. Cheers Kirk in the USA.
Dear Ricci i just got an Nikon Z8. I notice that when you turn on Vibration Reduction the IBIS lock , locks everytime you go to review an image. This makes a "clunky" noise and you can even feel a little "Clunk" . If you set the camera to Silentmode of if you turn VR off the noice goes away. Is this normal? Thank you. Kind Regards, Jonathan
I’ve got a problem with your Z9 settings videos! I always note the settings codes that you include in your vids, but when I go to those codes they don’t reflect the subject matter you were talking to! I can’t find many of the settings you talk about because my settings codes are different! I will admit that I may have a different firmware than you (I recently loaded version 4.0) but I don’t think that’s th only problem. You look into that and see if you need to explain something to your audience. Tom KC3QAC
I guess my question about the sensor shield is if anyone has had it malfunction? I could see why people might be hesitant to turn it on (ie. if it were to get stuck or jammed either because something bumped it or whatever; obviously it will help protect the sensor and I would think repalcing the sensor shield from damage is cheaper than replacing a sensor, but that's the only thing I could think of why someone might NOT turn this on). Personally, for me, I haven't damaged a sensor on any Z camera and would probably be indifferent to this. I also wonder if the shield has a finite life like a regular sensor (then again, even if it does, it likely has a long enough life that unless you're turning the camera on and off repeatedly, it should last at least 5-6 years before possibly needing replacement, if ever). I think your last part about proper lens swapping is very important and something that people tend to forget (I do). And this does make sense, because I do see some pepole talk about rattling in lenses like the 70-200 S, only to find out that they did not / do not power off the camera when changing lenses, which I think for the VR lenses (like you said) it's very important. I mean you should in general regardless, but I think with non-VR lenses it doesn't really cause issues, but still, I have been trying to get in the habit of turning the camera off first (part of the reason people maybe didn't do this was related to slow startup times on the original Z and the DSLR days).
I’ve been a photographer and videographer for 35 years and I have never switched lenses without shutting the camera off. I guess they’re a lot of morons out there.
Thank you. This is an excellent video. I would love to see a similar video that covers many of the other settings that you have learned to customize and why- especially those that dive deeper into the autofocus system.
Hey Ricci :). Did you know if it's possible to save the settings on the z9 and "load" them in the z8? I have both cameras and did not want do change all my settings in the z8 manually. Thanks
Rocco also what do you recommend for a Lbracket? I called RRS and they won’t have one for months. I see something orange on yours. Thanks. Also please post a your settings. Like for portrait/ alsoIm new to video Would love to know how to set up for that
Great video, thanks! I wonder if the sensor shield setting is off to preserve mechanical actuations. Maybe just turn it on when you are going to change lenses?
hey great video. just converting from canon, then i am not a friend with the shooting banks and photo banks. They keep storing new settings when I chamge them. on Canon I could take autosaving off making me able to have the exact same settings when I turn camera on and off. are you able to answer or do you have a video on the x banks?
Problem with * efficiency is as it is not supported by other software… that is really is shame… and I would like to understand why? Is it Nikon that does not share licensing???
I personally shoot in lossless raw, but have heard many claim they notice no difference between lossless and HE. Have you seen a difference yourself or just use lossless to get best quality possible (same reason i chose it).
Amigo, gostaria de transferir as fotos de festa infantil diretamente pro celular. Ainda no evento! Em torno de 100 fotos. Para o cliente ter as fotos no momento da festa. Acredita até seja rápido na z6ii?
Ricci, I am a stalker or run and gun bird photographer. I have a Z9 and 400/4.5. I can never decide which auto focus mode is best. At present I have full screen AF and 3D on F1. I heard someone say that they had “double back button focus” by using the display button. Is it possible to add a different area focus mode and trigger the focus with the display button?
Hi Ricci, I know you’re busier than a one armed paper hanger, but could you do a video on ALL YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS for your Z8 and Z9. I find your initial Z8 settings VERY helpful. Many thanks. Joseph Everett
Thank you for great info. I like BBF but there are times when it would be useful to be able to switch quickly to shutter focus instead of going into the menu - for example when holding the camera with one hand for animal action photography, my second hand being used to attract attention etc! My hand aren’t big enough to grip the camera, and press the back button and the shutter button simultaneously…
Great reminder tips, especially as my Z8 is supposed to arrive within the next hour, as it is already 25 May here in Sydney. I also turn on Airplane mode to save battery.
01:45 - Ricci, I actually would love to see a video on the differences between the RAW file types: Lossless, HE*, and HE. Matt Granger and Matt Irwin (and the fellow from ZP Productions) have made videos, but 1) there are not many videos about this; and 2) the videos that do exist are all geared towards the Z9. I would love to see a video on this subject with the Z8.
Excellent video. Just got my Z9 and as a total beginner I found this video very useful. I had no idea there was a sensor guard for example! Mine is now on. Makes me wonder why it’s not on by default though. Cheers, Steve
Thank you! I love the familiarity of Nikon menus…helps when you change to a different camera. Just switched from z6ii to z9. Huge leap forward but tons of fun!
Thanks Ricci I pick my Z8 on Saturday, you are straight to the point with no waffle and that’s what we need. Do enjoy Grays of Westminster as well for their light banter as well as their knowledge of all things Nikon. Would recommend Thomas Rask a Swedish landscape photographer who uses a Nikon Z7.
Thanks for sharing this information, Ricci. I shoot with two Z9s with no immediate plans for a Z8, but such refreshers are always useful. Now for a little confession. I was hoping for a hint about any upcoming FW updates for the Z9.
Great stuff as always, Ricci. Hope to have my Z8 in hand for the coming weekend. One comment regarding the sensor shield - I also have mine set to engage on my Z9s, but I also know that mechanical parts wear out with use - and I switch my cameras on and off frequently to save battery and also to prevent me messing up control ring settings when carrying the cameras with large lenses, etc. It would be wonderful if there were a way to engage the shield when the lens release button is depressed, instead of the power button... perhaps that is where the comments come from. The camera takes a bit longer to get to "ready" when the shield has to disengage, and also makes a "kerthunk" sound that is not too welcome if I'm in a hide...
I’ve enjoyed your pieces for a year or so now but you really got me on this one… you covered several very important observations that I’m grateful to you for sharing (like sensor cover) which I may have missed for quite some time. Great informative piece! Thanks again!!
Hi Ricci, is there a way to adjust the brightness of the top display for the Z8? I find that it is very dark compared to my Z6. on my Z6 there is a setting called "Control panel brightness" and I can manually adjust the brightness. On the Z8 I dont see this setting.
I always shut off the camera before swapping lenses but have to admit that in the heat of the moment I have forgotten to a handful of times on my Z9 and I silently scream to myself "Gahh!!" when i see a naked sensor and curse at myself. But also in those moments I wish that the sensor shield would close automatically. Maybe Nikon can set up the camera to beep maniacally when you start to rotate the lens, or bring up a warning on the back of the screen that reads "HEY STUPID! DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!"
Completely agree - the problem is indeed that, under pressure, one can occasionally forget to turn the camera off. I would also comment that I frequently turn cameras on and off to conserve battery life, and it is not necessary for the sensor shield to be closed and opened every time. Hence it would be much better if closing the sensor shield was associated with removing the lens, not powering off the camera. I assume the difficulty for Nikon is that they would have to implement some electronic detection of lens removal, which might not be easy. So we just have to accept the implementation as it is.
I need help with my Z8. When I shoot in the studio I need Custom Setting d8 to be set to “Adjust for ease of viewing.” I have all of my studio settings set to Shooting Bank A. When I go out of the studio, I use Shooting Bank B, and I need Custom Setting d8 to be set to “Show effects of settings.” How can I make Custom Setting d8 change when I change my Shooting Banks?
The shooting menu bank & custom settings menu bank are independent of each other So you have to set up and change custom setting banks for D8 to change And shooting menu bank for ur shooting settings to change
Wish the Sensor Shield had an option to close when lens is removed. I always turn the camera off for lens swap but don't always want the shield closing when I simply shut off the camera. The shield is a point of failure that will wear out. A massive reason I got the Z8 was the shutterless design...
Great suggestions, Ricci. Always enjoy your straightforward and informative videos. I have a slightly off-topic question, other than it is related to your first change: setting the Time & Date. A couple of days ago I realized I had not changed my cameras to Daylight Savings Time so I went through and changed them all. No problem on the D850 & Z9. However, on my Z6 I noticed that it is off by one hour. I live on the east coast of the US so I set it to NYC time zone (UTC-5), however that shows it as 1 hour behind the actual time. If I then turn Daylight Savings Time Off it will become 2 hours behind. Only workaround is to set it to UTC-4. Is this a known bug? Is there some other setting that is controlling this that I may have missed? My Z6 has the latest firmware, Ver 3.5.
I set my cameras to UTC - no DST and the same all around the world. The addition of location coordinates (or time zone) and the date shot then can be used to deduce local time at the moment of the shot, by software that knows how to do this.
Is that orange L bracket a generic one? Does it fit the Z8? No one has them available yet so I was wondering if that is generic and who makes it? Thanks
That orange L-bracket comes from Three Legged Thing, also available in grey which I have for my Z7ii. I'm waiting for my Z8 so I don't know yet if it will fit.
Hi Ricci, Love your top 10. I recall being on a Nikon speedlight training course several years ago now and Neil grabbed my camera, went straight in to e1 Flash sync speed and changed it to (Auto FP) - OK there might be a couple of those now - and then said "don't go there again" ever since then that is the first thing that I've done for each of my Nikons - D300, D850, Z 8 Regards, Hayden
