Nikon Z* mirrorless

Anybody using a battery grip on the z6 111 finding the camera a bit small for my hands
 
Evening all,

Had a very frustrating weekend with the Z8 + Z100-400, had it set to 3D tracking and animal Eye AF but for the life of me I couldn’t get it to lock onto the eyes of even stationary birds.

Visited the Manor Wildlife Park in Wales to photograph Rhinos, Tigers and Zebras but the focus hit rate was shockingly poor.

It wasn’t a dark day either so I was using the aperture allowed for the focal length, 1/1000 of a second and auto ISO along with 20fps burst mode.

Could it be a poor copy from Lensesforhire or am I going to have to reset the Z8 and start again?
 
the black fox said:
It states FF in the advert if it’s DX it can go back but I’ll check
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Checked and it’s a DX lens cancelled order .. many thanks. And now refunded in full and they have messaged to say advert now changed to
 
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Kieran_89 said:
Evening all,

Had a very frustrating weekend with the Z8 + Z100-400, had it set to 3D tracking and animal Eye AF but for the life of me I couldn’t get it to lock onto the eyes of even stationary birds.

Visited the Manor Wildlife Park in Wales to photograph Rhinos, Tigers and Zebras but the focus hit rate was shockingly poor.

It wasn’t a dark day either so I was using the aperture allowed for the focal length, 1/1000 of a second and auto ISO along with 20fps burst mode.

Could it be a poor copy from Lensesforhire or am I going to have to reset the Z8 and start again?
Click to expand...
Have you checked that eye detect is enabled for that focus mode , used my 180-600 in various focus modes yesterday and I estimate at least a 95% hit rate . Best way to check is get a animal picture up on computer and and see if it keeps focus on the eye as you move the camera
 
Kieran_89 said:
Evening all,

Had a very frustrating weekend with the Z8 + Z100-400, had it set to 3D tracking and animal Eye AF but for the life of me I couldn’t get it to lock onto the eyes of even stationary birds.

Visited the Manor Wildlife Park in Wales to photograph Rhinos, Tigers and Zebras but the focus hit rate was shockingly poor.

It wasn’t a dark day either so I was using the aperture allowed for the focal length, 1/1000 of a second and auto ISO along with 20fps burst mode.

Could it be a poor copy from Lensesforhire or am I going to have to reset the Z8 and start again?
Click to expand...
I have the z9 and the z100-400 and find it very good locking on to birds in flight and a cocker spaniel running with the same settings as you
 
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the black fox said:
Have you checked that eye detect is enabled for that focus mode , used my 180-600 in various focus modes yesterday and I estimate at least a 95% hit rate . Best way to check is get a animal picture up on computer and and see if it keeps focus on the eye as you move the camera
Click to expand...
Ok I can try that later on when I’m back home, will report back.
 
another jay shot from yesterday , it was high in a tree against a bright sky .looking at it with the naked eye it was just a black patch thought it was a pigeon at first . I then applied a stop and a bit of + exposure compensation and got this shot ,only downside is initially the background twigs were heavily purple fringed CA .. it took a fair bit of work to get rid of it but I'm happy enough with this result
OH JAY by jeff cohen, on Flickr
 
I think i have it figured out, if I’m using AF-C, it’s not keeping consistent focus whereas it should lock on and stay in focus until I repress the focus button?

I’m using back button focus.
 
Kieran_89 said:
I think i have it figured out, if I’m using AF-C, it’s not keeping consistent focus whereas it should lock on and stay in focus until I repress the focus button?

I’m using back button focus.
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Could well be Kieran I’m not a fan of BBF and still new to the Z8 and use shutter button focus and shoot , today I took advantage of a hour of blue skies popped down the estuary ( 5 minutes away) and took circa 200+ shots of gulls and jackdaws in flight ,hand held z8 + 180-600 with a amazing 100% hit rate . Distant birds it just got the heads closer ones locked on the eye .
You could also try making a larger focus box in C1 I find that helps to or just all points but I’m not to sure with that yet
 
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Kieran_89 said:
I think i have it figured out, if I’m using AF-C, it’s not keeping consistent focus whereas it should lock on and stay in focus until I repress the focus button?

I’m using back button focus.
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Cameras only continue focusing while the back button is pressed. Focus is locked when you release the button and tracking ceases.
 
The main reason I don’t use BBF is I have an artificial tendon in my right thumb which makes it uncomfortable to use BBF for long periods of time.
 
Son_of_Thor said:
Another from a recent(ish) trip to Glencoe. A spot I'll be returning to - there's definitely something better to be had here. Panorama with Z8 and Z 14-24 2.8 S with CPL

The Three Sister's of Glencoe by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr
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this sort of weather actually works quite well for the shot. Not sure if any of my (relatively limited number of) Glencoe shots, mainly shot in fine weather, have as much atmosphere. Composition is just about perfect, too.
 
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wee jake said:
Anybody using a battery grip on the z6 111 finding the camera a bit small for my hands
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I use handgrips on my Z6ii and Z7ii. I found the cameras a little too small in the hand, but too big with a battery grip for everyday use. So I managed to track down a Meike and Wepoto handgrips for them and the cameras now fit perfectly in the hand. Not easy things to find though for some reason.
 
viewfromthenorth said:
I use handgrips on my Z6ii and Z7ii. I found the cameras a little too small in the hand, but too big with a battery grip for everyday use. So I managed to track down a Meike and Wepoto handgrips for them and the cameras now fit perfectly in the hand. Not easy things to find though for some reason.
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Thanks for the reply will look into them
 
lunar22 said:
this sort of weather actually works quite well for the shot. Not sure if any of my (relatively limited number of) Glencoe shots, mainly shot in fine weather, have as much atmosphere. Composition is just about perfect, too.
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It was certainly moody, as well as rather cold and blustery. This was a from a brief break in the rain. For me the central band of rock is perhaps a little prominent and I'd like to try again from a little further back to perhaps try and include some of the Heather on the bank in the foreground - that said, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to critique of my own photos!
 
the black fox said:
Could well be Kieran I’m not a fan of BBF and still new to the Z8 and use shutter button focus and shoot , today I took advantage of a hour of blue skies popped down the estuary ( 5 minutes away) and took circa 200+ shots of gulls and jackdaws in flight ,hand held z8 + 180-600 with a amazing 100% hit rate . Distant birds it just got the heads closer ones locked on the eye .
You could also try making a larger focus box in C1 I find that helps to or just all points but I’m not to sure with that yet
Click to expand...
there was a piece done on BBF and that under DSLRs it was useful to lock a focus of a subject then recompose if that subject was not desired to be centred or within the focus point. However with subject detection capabilities the advantages provided by BBF are now reduced and having one button for fusing and one for shutter release are now more redundant, and the shutter release is now more beneficial for both.
 
Due to the standard tripod foot on the 180-600 not having a arca plate I have had to add a plate which obviously adds weight and awkwardness.. so after chatting with a good friend today I have ordered the haoge lens foot and a QD link as it takes them as standard.. hopefully this will mean less weight and easier use if tripod or monopod are required
 
Also been mulling over the 400mm options all week for a lighter shorter range walkround lens , most lenses available work out circa £700+ which for occasional use is excessive , however I was just watching a u.tube vid on the 70-200 f4 which I already have and the guy said it works great with the Nikon 2xmkiii t.c , so I just did a bit of delving into results with that combo and yes it’s a good one ..
So just bought one that’s been allegedly used once for a good price on evil bay .. happy daze ..just need the weather to pick up now
 
Anyone using the Z5II? Need a 2nd body for event work and wondered how good the AF is in low light? I need it to be as least as good as my ZF. Thanks
 
mikeyw said:
Anyone using the Z5II? Need a 2nd body for event work and wondered how good the AF is in low light? I need it to be as least as good as my ZF. Thanks
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It's a ZF in a different skin, performance should be identical.
 
the black fox said:
Also been mulling over the 400mm options all week for a lighter shorter range walkround lens , most lenses available work out circa £700+ which for occasional use is excessive , however I was just watching a u.tube vid on the 70-200 f4 which I already have and the guy said it works great with the Nikon 2xmkiii t.c , so I just did a bit of delving into results with that combo and yes it’s a good one ..
So just bought one that’s been allegedly used once for a good price on evil bay .. happy daze ..just need the weather to pick up now
Click to expand...
I’d be interested to see results at 400mm with f8 vs the 600mm 6.3.

It’s a route I thought about but 70-200 isn’t a lens I really like using.
 
it was a cheap option ,I've spent far to much this year already . did try the 70-200 out this morning and quite pleasing results from it hopefully the t.c will arrive early next week . but I don't think its going to come anywhere near what I'm getting from the 180-600 that's a superb bit of glass
 
Nice Iain
 
the black fox said:
Due to the standard tripod foot on the 180-600 not having a arca plate I have had to add a plate which obviously adds weight and awkwardness.. so after chatting with a good friend today I have ordered the haoge lens foot and a QD link as it takes them as standard.. hopefully this will mean less weight and easier use if tripod or monopod are required
Click to expand...
Arrived and fitted very pleased with the result a lot more efficient
 
I obviously live in the wrong place.
Owls arrive at night and hoot at me from the trees.
Buzzards go overhead and land in trees where I cannot get a clear shot.
Wrens are just too quick and flighty for me.
Nuthatches and others are gone as soon as I spot/see them
Only the robins are considerate and friendly.
 
jknights said:
I obviously live in the wrong place.
Owls arrive at night and hoot at me from the trees.
Buzzards go overhead and land in trees where I cannot get a clear shot.
Wrens are just too quick and flighty for me.
Nuthatches and others are gone as soon as I spot/see them
Only the robins are considerate and friendly.
Click to expand...
I don’t know what to say old friend , the zee8 seems to have re-invigorated my mojo must have a few thousand shots not even looked at yet just from this week alone ,only really started using it a week ago . Got shots lined up on my desktop screen ready to post to LOL
 
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