Nikon Z 8 Experience - The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Nikon Z8

FIRMWARE 2.00 UPDATES

In February of 2024, Nikon released a Firmware 2.00 update for the Z 8. This firmware includes significant additions and changes to the camera, and borrows features from the flagship Z 9 and the Z f models. These include bird subject detection, Auto Capture to set up the camera to automatically capture images based on specific parameters, and new Picture Controls for stills and video. The update also adds Pixel Shift Shooting to create up to a 180 MP image from several exposures, new shutter sound options, and more options for customizing the camera controls. The performance of 3D-Tracking AF-Area Mode has been improved for certain situations including small, fast-moving subjects. Additional video options include new Slow-Motion Video, Low ISO settings for N-Log video, and changes to Hi-Res Zoom speeds. Firmware 2.01 corrected some issues and bugs, but did not change or add any features.

Nikon has created a Supplementary Firmware Update Manual that includes all these Firmware 2.00 changes. This document and the file with the latest firmware can be downloaded here:

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/616/Z_8.html

The firmware changes have been incorporated into the text of this book in the appropriate sections. Here is a brief summary of the updates:

Left: The new Birds option in the AF Subject Detection Options. Right: The camera detected a bird, and placed the autofocusing frame at its eye.

Still Photography: Subject Detection now includes the Birds option. The camera has added new Bracketing increments such as 1.3 and 1.7, three new Picture Controls including Flat Monochrome,  Deep Tone Monochrome, and Rich Tone Portrait, and the Large size option for the JPEG (HEIF) Primary - JPEG (HEIF) Secondary recording. Additions also include Pixel Shift Shooting for creating high resolution images, and Auto Capture where you can set up the camera to automatically capture an image based on subject type, motion, and distance. Pre-Release Capture will now buffer for up to 300 seconds when the shutter button is half-pressed, and new shutter sound options have been added.

Left: The new Auto Capture feature and its various options. Right: Selecting the desired subject Direction for Auto Capture.

Video Recording: Subject Detection now includes the Birds option, and the camera has added three new Picture Controls, Auto Capture, Slow-Motion Videos, and a change in color for the Hi-Res Zoom in-focus display. Low ISO sensitivity settings for N-Log video have been added (down to 200 ISO equivalent), as well as changes to the Hi-Res Zoom speed options.

Playback: In the Playback i Menu the behavior of the Select for Upload option has changed. Select for upload will now mark an image for transfer and place it in the upload queue, and Select for Priority Upload will mark an image for immediate upload to a computer or FTP. Playback Speed has been added to the Video Playback i Menu. In the Playback Menu, Series Playback now includes Auto Series Playback Options such as loop, delay, and speed, and the Auto Image Rotation item has been added for playback.

Controls: Support for Power Zoom has been added for PZ lenses, including the ability to customize controls such as the Zoom-in and Zoom-out Buttons or the Fn1 and Fn2 Buttons to operate Power Zoom. The size of the Focus Point Border Width can be changed for the Focus Point Display, so that it can be more easily seen. Exposure Delay Mode has been added to delay shutter release up to 3 seconds after pressing the shutter. A Half-Press to Cancel Zoom (MF) option has been added so that a zoomed-in view of the displays will be cancelled by half-pressing the Shutter Button, and the full view of the frame can be seen before capturing an image when manually focusing. If a button has be assigned to the Recall Shooting Functions (Hold) option, exposure compensation and white balance can now be changed while shooting, and the new setting will be retained by the recall function.

Left: Additional buttons can now be customized, including the Focus Mode Button, Playback Button, and BKT Button. Right: The new Cycle AF-Area Mode option, which can be assigned to the Focus Mode Button or various other buttons.

The Playback Button, BKT Button, WB Button, and Focus Mode Button can now be customized for shooting, and a few new options are available for the customizable controls including Switch Eyes, Cycle AF-Area Mode, Pixel Shift Shooting, Power Zoom, and Exposure Delay Mode. The Cycle AF-Area Mode option can be used to select, for example, three of your most commonly used AF-Area Modes, and then quickly cycle through them with the press of a button. For image playback, several controls can now be customized including the Playback Button, ISO Button, Exposure Compensation Button, BKT Button, WB Button, and Lens Fn and Fn2 Buttons. Some new roles are available for playback controls, including Frame Advance Zoom Position and Playback Zoom Face Selection. If a button has been customized for shooting, video, or playback, you can now reset it back to the default setting by pressing the delete button.

When formatting a CFexpress memory card using the Format Memory Card item of the Setup Menu, the procedure has changed for selecting a Quick Format or Full Format, with the Delete Button now used for a full format. The Non-CPU Lens Data menu item now allows you to add a name to a registered lens, as well as manually enter in a specific focal length and maximum aperture. When entering IPTC information, the character limit for the Category entry is increased to 256 characters, and new options have been added to the Setup Menu > Camera Sounds item, including 5 types of shutter sounds.

Displays: Previously the shooting display could be magnified up to 200%, and that has been increased to 400%. The Finder Display Size (Photo LV) menu item has been changed to Viewfinder Display Size, and applies to photo and video shooting. A Distance Units item has been added to the Setup Menu, to select Meters or Feet for the manual focus distance display.

Left: The new Keep Connection option for the Connect to FTP Server function. Right: The new Overwrite Copyright Info option for the Connect to Other Cameras function.

Networks: Changes have been made to the Connect to FTP Server item of the Network Menu, including the number of available network profiles and an auto reconnect Keep Connection option. Changes have also been made to the Connect to Other Cameras item of the Network Menu, used for synchronized release of multiple Z 8 cameras, including the procedure to set up synchronized release and the ability to group cameras. Up to 16 other Z 8 cameras can be remotely controlled using the Nikon NX Field remote capture software. When connecting to other cameras, the Overwrite Copyright Info option has been added, so that the copyright info from the master camera can be applied to the images from the remote cameras. And when using an MC-N10 remote grip and AirGlu accessories, Bluetooth will no longer be disabled.

In addition, various issues have been corrected and performance improvements have been made to the Z 8, as listed on the firmware update page. The firmware update page on the Nikon website includes instructions for updating the firmware. You will download the new firmware file, and copy it to the root folder of a memory card that has been formatted in the camera. Insert the memory card with the new firmware into Slot 1, turn on the camera, and make sure the Photo Shooting Menu > Primary Slot Selection menu item is assigned to Slot 1, and that the other memory card slot is empty. Access Setup Menu > Firmware Version, and follow the instructions on the screen.

1. INTRODUCTION to the Z 8

For the Z 8 full frame mirrorless camera, Nikon borrowed most all the advanced features and specifications of their powerful flagship Z 9 model, and packaged them in a smaller body. The Z 8 boasts a 45.7 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor, fast Expeed 7 processor, and versatile autofocus system with subject detection for people, animals, birds, vehicles, and airplanes. With the AF points spread widely across nearly the entire frame, the camera will allow the user to focus on and track subjects, faces, and eyes throughout most of the scene. The Z 8 can shoot RAW images at up to 20 frames per second (fps), or JPEG images at 30 fps, and offers a pre-release capture feature that can save buffered JPEG images for up to 1 second before the shutter is released, to help you capture a moment you may have previously missed. The Z 8 makes use of an electronic shutter, with no mechanical shutter, and can shoot at shutter speeds up to 1/32,000.

Figure 1.1 - Detail of the Nikon Z 8 full-frame mirrorless camera, with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens.

The Z 8 offers great image quality at high ISO settings for low-light shooting, with the native ISO range of 64 - 25,600, expandable down to 32 and up to 102,400. The camera offers in-camera 5-axis image stabilization for Z-mount lenses, which can be enabled for both stills and video shooting, plus 3-axis image stabilization is available with F-mount lenses attached via the FTZ or FTZ II Adapter. The Expeed 7 processor enables improved features including faster continuous shooting and a significantly increased image buffer, up to 81 RAW images when set to Lossless Compression, or 599 images when set to High Efficiency (star). When shooting JPEG, the camera can buffer over 1000 frames. The Focus Shift Shooting mode allows you to automatically shoot up to 300 images of a scene at varying focus distances, which can be combined into a focus-stacked image, using optional software.

The camera includes dual card slots, one slot for either CFexpress Type B or XQD memory cards, and one for UHS-II SD cards. The two card slots allow for various card slot configurations such as overflow to the other card when one fills, or simultaneously saving all images to both cards for backup, and well as a Copy function to copy saved images from one card to the other. The Z 8 uses the EN-EL15c battery, though it is compatible with previous versions of the EN-EL15. The camera can now be charged or powered over the USB-PD port, and it accepts the optional MB-N12 battery grip, which holds two batteries as well as offers duplicated controls for vertical shooting.

Figure 1.2 - 1961 Chevrolet Corvette - Medfield on the Charles Antique, Classic and Custom Auto Show, Medfield, Mass. Nikon Z 8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, Shutter speed 1/500, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100.

Most of the camera controls and the touch screen of this mirrorless model are similar to what you may be used to with a Nikon dSLR or mirrorless camera. The Sub-Selector joystick is used to quickly position the autofocus point while shooting, and can be used as a focus lock and exposure lock button when pressed straight in. It can even be customized to perform functions such as temporarily switching to different autofocus settings or to a different Metering Mode during shooting. The touch screen can be used for menu selection, image playback, as well as for adjusting exposure settings, autofocusing, and shutter release. And the 3.2" high-resolution (2.1M dot) rear monitor extends and tilts in multiple directions to assist shooting from unique high and low vantage points. The inclusion of the i Button, now standard on current Nikon models, allows photographers to quickly access mode-specific settings, whether shooting through the viewfinder, working on the rear monitor, in movie mode, or during image playback.

The electronic viewfinder of mirrorless cameras differs from the optical viewfinder of a dSLR. The high-resolution (3.69M dot) OLED viewfinder, with 100% coverage, will enable you to preview the exposure, white balance, Picture Control settings, and depth of field of the final image, as you shoot, as well as make use of a virtual horizon to keep your images level. You can also make use of the customizable i Menu in the viewfinder, so that you can change numerous camera settings without taking the camera from your eye. And you can utilize focus peaking and scene-magnification in the viewfinder, as well as the electronic Rangefinder function, to assist with manual focusing.

Filmmakers will be able to take advantage of the numerous video improvements, including a wide variety of options for Video File Type, Tone Mode, and Video Frame Size and Rate including 4K (4128 x 2322) and 8K (8256 x 4644). Video File Type options include N-RAW, ProRes RAW, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265, and H.264, which make use of the NEV, MOV, or MP4 formats depending on the file type. Tone Mode selection includes the standard SDR, high dynamic range HLG, and Nikon’s unique N-Log with updated LUTs. The Frame Size and Rate options include 8K and 4K up to 60p, plus 4K 120p / 100p choices for creating slow motion video.

For movie shooting, you can make use of the same autofocus AF Area Modes and subject detection options as with still image shooting, although the Subject-Tracking AF option is available rather than 3D-Tracking. Video features also include highlight display zebra stripes (Zebra Pattern) shown on the monitor to indicate overexposed areas of the frame, and focus peaking to indicate the parts of the subject that are in focus when using manual focus. And you can choose to use either a histogram or a wave-form as the Brightness Information Display. You can also make use of the in-camera, mechanical Vibration Reduction feature to help stabilize the image while hand-holding the camera, as well as the additional Electronic Vibration Reduction, which stabilizes the video frame, and thus will slightly crop the frame. The Hi-Res Zoom feature enables you to zoom in on the scene with no loss of video resolution. With the Z 8 you can capture 4K and 8K time-lapse in-camera.

The Z 8 offers built-in stereo microphones with the ability to manually adjust the audio input and choose the desired audio frequency range, as well as make use of the Attenuator option. You can also make use of Power Aperture to smoothly adjust the aperture setting during shooting. When recording in Manual (M) Shooting Mode, you can make use of Auto ISO so that the camera adjusts the exposure settings as the lighting or scene changes. The Metering Mode is no longer limited to Matrix when shooting video, and you can make use of Center-Weighted and Highlight-Weighted Metering. And the Z 8 offers the Flat Picture Style, which is preferred by videographers. It preserves details in the shadow and highlight areas of the scene, and allows you to capture videos with the widest tonal range. This will provide the greatest amount of flexibility to make adjustments in post-processing.

The Z 7 and Z 6 cameras introduced the Z-mount lens mount, which continues to be used on the Z 8. Several Z-mount lenses are now available, as well as an F to Z (FTZ II) mount adaptor which enables you to use many of your F-mount Nikkor lenses. The wider Z-mount design allows for lenses with extremely wide maximum apertures, such as the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct. In addition, the Z 8 includes a ruggedly built, weather-sealed magnesium alloy and carbon fiber body, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities through Nikon’s SnapBridge app, and numerous customization options.

The high-resolution image sensor of this camera, along with the highly versatile and customizable autofocus system, on-sensor exposure metering with scene recognition and subject detection, and fast continuous frame rates will serve the needs of dedicated photographers of every level, from enthusiasts to professionals. The advanced features and customizable controls of the Nikon Z 8 will enable photographers to consistently capture sharp, clean, and well-exposed images in a wide range of shooting situations.

But the Z 8 is merely a tool. It is up to you to make use of its features and capabilities to create the images you envision. While the camera manual can tell you about all the settings and controls, how to change them, and their intended functions, this guide will build upon that and explain when and why you may wish to use them. All of the buttons, dials, menu items, and Custom Settings of the Z 8 are there for a reason: to help you consistently capture the images you want. Some of them are more useful to different types of photographers and shooting situations, and you don’t necessarily need to learn and use them all immediately, but this guide will help to give you the knowledge to confidently use the features that turn your Nikon Z 8 into an image capturing tool that works best for you.

Figure 1.3 - Flowers, Concord, Mass. Focus modes, exposure metering mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance all considered, even in creating this straightforward image. Nikon Z 8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, Shutter speed 1/500, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 400.

1.1 Take Control of Your Camera

Since the camera is a tool to take the images you want to take, you obviously can’t always allow the camera to make decisions for you. You have to take control of the camera to ensure that you capture exactly the images you intend - by autofocusing precisely where you intend, setting the aperture and shutter speed that you want, and obtaining the exposure you desire. While the Z 8 is a highly intelligent camera, it cannot read your mind and your intentions and does not know that you wish to focus on and properly expose the flowers in the foreground, while making the background appear out of focus, and the flowers to be caught still and not be blurred from the motion of the wind, on a bright, overcast day (see Figure 1.3).

You have to tell the camera to do all of this, through the various controls and settings, such as the Focus Mode and AF-Area Mode (lock focus on the desired flowers), the exposure metering mode (properly expose the flowers and the scene), the aperture setting (the out-of-focus background), the shutter speed (freezing the motion of the flowers from the wind), the ISO (bright day) and the white balance (overcast day). Taking control of all of these functions and settings will enable you to consistently create the dramatic and compelling images you envision.

Figure 1.4 - Vintage Bicycle - Concord, Mass. Nikon Z 8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, Shutter speed 1/200, Aperture f/4, ISO 400.

Learning to use and get the most out of an advanced digital camera like the Z 8 takes time, practice, patience, mistakes, and experimentation. If you are used to working with a dSLR, there will be some adjustments to using a mirrorless camera, including the electronic viewfinder and the autofocus system. However, you may find that these differences can help you to successfully capture scenes and situations that you may have been limited in consistently attaining before. The sophisticated and accurate autofocus system of the camera, coupled with the fast continuous shooting speed, plus the exposure metering system and high ISO capabilities will help you get sharp images of subjects and moments that previously you may have missed.

If you are still in the process of learning all the controls of your camera and the exposure concepts of digital photography, you have perhaps jumped into the proverbial deep end of the pool by choosing the advanced Z 8! But don’t worry, this book will help guide you through its features, controls, and capabilities. Be sure to take it slowly and patiently as you learn the features and concepts that I will explain. With practice and experience you will soon be shooting with confidence and can begin to take advantage of your camera’s more advanced functions. Even if you are an intermediate or experienced photographer, don’t expect to just pick up all the new information at once, in one reading of a single book. (In fact, you wouldn’t want to, as the never-ending journey of learning and mastering photography is a big part of what it’s all about!) Try not to become frustrated if you don’t quite understand something or aren’t always getting the results you desire. Instead learn the controls, functions, settings, and concepts bit by bit, try them out in real life shooting situations, and return to this guide, to the Nikon Z 8 Reference Guide, and other photography books to address questions and problems you encounter. Continue to learn and to photograph often and it should all begin to come together, sometimes slowly and sometimes in rapid bursts of discovery and understanding.

1.2 Using This Guide

There are many different ways to use an advanced digital camera and its controls to capture images, and many diverse situations in which photographers work. I’m going to concentrate on the techniques that I believe are the most practical, useful, and effective for the majority of enthusiast and advanced photographers using the Z 8, while also explaining how settings can apply to specialized uses. The settings and techniques I discuss can apply to various types of photography including general photography, action, wildlife, portrait, and travel photography. Once you have a firm grasp of the controls, settings, and basic techniques you will have the tools and knowledge to address different issues, specific situations, and challenging scenes. I encourage you to then experiment and continue to learn, and to find the techniques that work best and are most comfortable or intuitive for you.

The Z 8 is a highly sophisticated tool that deserves to be used to its full potential, and that involves taking control of your camera and its numerous functions. While this may be challenging at first, these are the techniques that are necessary to take full advantage of the capabilities of any camera including the Z 8, and will lead you to having more control and consistency over your image making. Hopefully this will inevitably lead to better images!

This guide is intended to be used with the camera in your hands. That is the best way to directly follow and understand the controls, functions, and settings as they are being explained. (All of the controls, menus, and functions are fully illustrated, to assist those readers still awaiting their Z 8.) It is also intended to be used in conjunction with and in addition to the camera manuals, not to completely replace them, so every bit of information in the brief Nikon Z 8 User’s Manual and the more complete Nikon Z 8 Reference Guide will not be repeated here. Among the often-brief descriptions and sometimes frustratingly incomplete and disjointed explanations in the manuals, there is some very valuable information, as well as the basics for buttons, controls, menus, and how to access and change all the settings. And I will refer to the manuals for very specialized or rarely used functions that are well-explained there.

In this text, the page number references that I give for the Z 8 Reference Guide will be for the version with firmware version 1.01 on the cover. This can be obtained as a PDF file from the Nikon website, at the webpage below:

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/616/Z_8.html

Figure 1.5 - Nikon Z 8 shown with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens.

As you can see, there is a lot to make sense of regarding terminology and controls, so I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the controls and displays of the camera body, starting on page 35 of the Z 8 Reference Guide and explained in the Camera Controls chapter of this book, as well as read through the manual at some point and attempt to understand or absorb as much as possible. Yes, much of it may be complicated or unclear at first, but this guide will explain and clarify the numerous buttons, controls, menus, and settings and explain when and why you will want to use them in your photography.

Various settings of the Nikon Z 8 can be controlled in multiple ways including using the buttons and Command Dials on the camera body while reading the settings on the top Control Panel, in the Viewfinder, or on the rear Information Display. Or they can be changed through the menus accessed with the Menu Button and the Multi Selector thumb pad or touch screen and read on the rear Monitor. Plus the i Button and i Menu can be used to change numerous settings, while viewing them on the rear Monitor or in the Viewfinder. Explore the options (which will be explained throughout this guide) and find the ways that work most quickly and intuitively for you.

Any time I capitalize something in this text it is a proper term that can be looked up in the Nikon Z 8 Reference Guide. I will capitalize the names of actual buttons, controls, camera parts, and menu items, such as Fn1 Button, Main Command Dial, Monitor, and White Balance. Words that are capitalized and bold refer to chapters and sections within this guide, such as Menus and Custom Settings. Access the contents navigation panel or the Table of Contents of your e-book reader if you wish to quickly navigate to these different sections.

Many of the functions and controls of a digital camera such as the Z 8 are closely inter-related, such as the shooting modes, exposure settings, and the metering modes. As a result of this I must sometimes indicate that a previous or upcoming section of the text has further explanation of a related function. However, there is no need to jump ahead or behind in the text - this is merely a heads-up that the feature will be fully explained in the appropriate section. It is best to read through the entire text, in the order it is organized. The Menus and Custom Settings chapter is particularly prone to referring to upcoming chapters, but this initial menu walkthrough is needed at the beginning of the guide in order to help set up your camera before use. The features and functions introduced in that chapter will be addressed in more detail in the applicable sections of the text.

After reading the text you may then wish to return to specific sections for further study. It may take multiple readings followed by experimentation and practice to fully understand both the individual functions and the relationships between functions. 

Example Images

In the captions to the example photos throughout the text I include the exposure settings that were used. With digital photography, while there is typically an ideal exposure and there are certainly incorrect settings, there are not necessarily best settings for any given situation. A digital camera gives you quick access to the basic and essential settings because they often need to be changed to adapt to the subject, the scene, the lighting, and perhaps most importantly your creative intentions. The choices you (or the camera) make depend on a number of variables and relationships as well as the photographer’s desires. Because the settings used for the example images are based on many variables including the lighting and time of day, the motion of the subject, the lens and focal length used, as well as the overall situation being photographed with a combination of moving subjects, still subjects, and changing lighting, these settings should not be viewed as proper or best settings. In truth, they often reflect the reality of photography and adjusting (or failing to adjust) to fluid situations.

Figure 1.6 - 1961 Chevrolet Corvette - Medfield on the Charles Antique, Classic and Custom Auto Show, Medfield, Mass. Nikon Z 8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, Shutter speed 1/1250, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100.

Many of the example photographs throughout this guide were taken with the Z 8, though note that some example images were taken with various cameras. Due to the fact that I am usually working with a variety of different camera bodies in my shooting and research for writing, I wish to use images that best exemplify the topic or point I am describing, such as shutter speed, exposure metering, or bracketing. Example photos taken with the Z 8 are noted in the image captions. Larger versions of the example photographs from this text can also be viewed online (and in color for Kindle readers) here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dojoklo/albums/72177720311146812

Updates to the Text:

Although I have carefully reviewed and edited this text, I may later find typos or wish to make corrections. And sometimes as I use the camera more and answer user questions, I may discover changes I would like to make to the text to clarify an explanation or better describe a process, setting, or function. So I will keep a log of updates, corrections, and clarifications for Nikon Z 8 Experience on my blog at:

http://blog.dojoklo.com/nikon-z8-experience-updates-page/

You can also sign up to receive notices of any important updates and to be contacted about receiving free e-book copies of updated versions of Nikon Z 8 Experience (if any major updates are made to the text). For example, Nikon may release future firmware which could add features and menu items, and I will update the guide accordingly. Or I will update the guide if an important addition or correction is made to the text. Please sign up to be notified of these major updates, here:

http://blog.dojoklo.com/ebooks/sign-up-for-full-stop-e-book-updates/

1.3 Getting Started

Batteries: The first thing to do, if you haven’t done so already, is to fully charge the battery. You will probably want a second battery, the EN-EL15c, for extended shooting sessions, traveling, or for those times you forgot to charge the battery. Remember that mirrorless cameras do not have as long of a battery life as you may be used to with a dSLR, due in part to the electronic viewfinder and increased use of the rear Monitor of a mirrorless camera. The optional EH-7P AC Charging Adapter or EH-8P AC Charging Adapter allow you to directly charge an EN-EL15c or EN-EL15b battery while in the camera, via a USB Power Delivery (PD) cable. They will also allow you to power the camera when the camera is in use. A compatible Anker Power Bank is listed on page 921 of the Z 8 Reference Guide. Be sure to use the USB Power Delivery Connector on the camera and not the USB Data Connector. Note that the camera needs to be turned off in order for it to charge, and it will not charge older EN-EL15a or EN-EL15 batteries. The Z 8 is incompatible with many third-party batteries.

Figure 1.7 - Nikon EN-EL15c battery with XQD memory cards and SD memory card.

You will want to make sure that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are disabled, so that they don’t drain the battery when these features are not in use. You can enable the Airplane Mode menu item in the Network Menu, which will turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

At the end of this book I will provide Amazon.com product links to the accessories and items I mention throughout the text, as well as other Photography Accessories and books, if you wish to view or purchase them. There is also a full version of this list, with Amazon links, on my blog:

http://blog.dojoklo.com/2011/02/10/gear-accessories-and-books/

Memory Cards: You will want to have a couple high speed XQD or CFexpress memory cards. If you will be capturing images in the NEF (RAW) format, the files will be very large, and thus a 32 GB or larger card will be most practical. Nikon suggests using the Nikon 660GB MC-CF660G Type B CFexpress memory card to achieve the maximum buffer capacity of the Z 8, listed on pages 922-923 of the Z 8 Reference Guide. The more reasonably priced Sony CEB-G128 CFexpress memory card and the Sony 64 GB QD-G64E XQD (or larger capacity) are also options, with the Sony CFexpress card having nearly the same read and write speeds as the Nikon card. Additional memory card recommendations are given on page 920 of the Z 8 Reference Guide.

The Z 8 offers two memory card slots, with slot 1 accepting either CFexpress or XQD memory cards, and slot 2 accepting SD memory cards. The camera supports Type B Sony CFexpress memory cards, as well as ProGrade, Lexar, and SanDisk Type B CFexpress cards. XQD memory cards allow for high-speed transfers (read and write speeds) and large storage sizes, as well as a physically larger, stronger card than an SD memory card. They can enable the camera buffer to clear quicker, so that shooting does not lag during long continuous bursts, and is also important when recording 8K and 4K video. Faster transfer speeds can also enable you to more quickly transfer image files to a computer, if the card reader and computer allow the faster speeds. The inclusion of the XQD card slot also allows the Z 8 to be a convenient companion camera to the Nikon D850, Nikon D500, or Nikon D5 (XQD model), so that you can make use of the same card type.

CFexpress memory cards have the same physical size and pin compatibility as XQD cards, plus have the ability to offer much faster transfer speeds. In the future, cameras, card readers, and computers will be designed to make use of the faster CFexpress speeds (potentially up to 8GB/s in the future), while XQD cards can only reach 0.5GB/s. So CFexpress cards will likely be the preferred format in the near future, including for video use. The image buffer capacity figures used in the Nikon manual and in this book are based on the use of the Nikon 660GB MC-CF660G Type B CFexpress memory card.

Figure 1.8 - 1957 Chevrolet 210 - Medfield on the Charles Antique, Classic and Custom Auto Show, Medfield, Mass. Nikon Z 8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, Shutter speed 1/200, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 100. Converted to black and white with Photoshop.

Be sure to always insert and remove a memory card only when the camera is turned off. When downloading the images from a card to a computer, use a card reader and simply copy or import the images, then remove the card once the card reader has been stopped and you are sure it is no longer being accessed by the computer. Do not add or delete photos or files to a card via the computer, unless required for Custom Picture Controls or other uses. Only erase or format a card in the camera itself. This will all help to prevent card errors or corruption. If a memory card has functioned properly after several uses, with proper care it is likely to continue to work properly for a long time.

1.4 New Features and Hidden Features of the Z 8

For those coming to the Z 8 from a previous, advanced Nikon dSLR, and who are already familiar with the typical features, functions, and controls and wish to immediately learn about the new, different, and upgraded features and buttons, below is a summary of several aspects that have been added, changed, or improved with the Z 8 compared to recent Nikon models such as the Z 7II, Z 6II, D850 and D750. And as mirrorless cameras rather than dSLR cameras, there will be some additional important differences, such as the electronic Viewfinder, the hybrid autofocus system, the in-camera Vibration Reduction, and some new menu options.

I’ve described some of these features as hidden features, because they can only be accessed in very specific ways, sometimes outside of using the menus or Custom Settings, and may be challenging to find if you are not familiar with them. All of these new and hidden features and items will be discussed in more detail in the applicable chapters and sections of this guide.

Figure 1.9 - Simulated view of the Z 8 Viewfinder, showing the location of all 493 AF Points. Note that only the active AF Point(s) or areas will be visible in the Viewfinder and on the Monitor, not all the AF Points.

New Features of the Z 8

-Hybrid Autofocus System - The Z 8 has a hybrid autofocus system, which makes use of phase-detection AF for quick focusing, and contrast-detection AF for accurate adjustment of the focus. The Z 8 boasts 493 AF Points, with 90% coverage of the frame (see Figure 1.9). The large number of points, spread widely across nearly the entire frame, will allow you to more accurately track moving subjects when using AF-C Autofocus Mode. This will also allow you to locate the active AF Point exactly where you want it, most anywhere in the frame, when shooting in AF-S Autofocus Mode. This eliminates the need to lock focus and recompose.

However, the AF Area Modes and the procedure for tracking moving subjects will differ from what you may be used to with a Nikon dSLR. Pinpoint AF is an AF-Area Mode first included on the D850, Z 7, and Z 6. It is similar to Single-Point AF, except that it makes use of an even smaller focus point that is about half the size, so that you can focus on a more precise area or detail. The Dynamic-Area AF area modes can be used along with Continuous AF focus mode (AF-C), and are designed for moving subjects. You will focus on the subject with the selected AF Point, and the surrounding AF Points will help retain focus on the subject if it moves away from the selected point. With the Wide-Area AF area modes you can select the small or large size, or create your own custom size. For 3D-Tracking AF-Area Mode, you will position the AF Point over the intended subject then press the AF-ON Button or half-press the shutter button to begin tracking that subject throughout the frame. When using Auto-Area AF, the camera will automatically select a subject and focus on it.

When subject detection is enabled in the Shooting Menu > AF subject detection options, the camera will automatically detect and follow a subject when using the Wide-Area AF, 3D-Tracking, Subject-Tracking, or Auto-Area AF area modes. (Chapter 5 - Autofocusing). The camera can detect people, animals, birds, vehicles, and aircraft.

Figure 1.10 - Making use of face and eye detection for people (left) and animals (right).

-Electronic Viewfinder - As explained in the Introduction, the 3690K dot electronic Viewfinder of the Z 8 mirrorless camera differs from the optical viewfinder of a dSLR. As an OLED screen, the high-resolution Viewfinder will enable you to preview the exposure, white balance, Picture Control settings, and depth of field of the final image, as you shoot, as well as make use of a virtual horizon to keep your images level. You can also view playback images in the Viewfinder, and make use of the customizable i Menu in the Viewfinder, so that you can change camera settings without taking the camera from your eye. And you can utilize focus peaking in the Viewfinder, as well as the electronic Rangefinder function, plus zooming-in, to assist with manual focusing.

-Dual Memory Card Slots - The two card slots provide various options on how they can be configured. The Primary Slot Selection item of the Photo Shooting Menu allows you to choose if the CFexpress/XQD card slot or the SD card slot is the primary slot. The Secondary Slot Function menu item is used to choose the role of the second card slot, such as Overflow, Backup, or RAW primary - JPEG secondary. Use of the Nikon 660GB MC-CF660G Type B memory card will help to achieve the maximum buffer capacity of the Z 8, including up to 81 consecutive images when capturing lossless compressed NEF (RAW) files (with specific settings, under ideal circumstances). You can achieve even higher buffer rates using the High efficiency compression settings. The Destination item of the Video Recording Menu is used to select which slot movies will be recorded to, and the Playback Menu offers a Copy Image(s) item, to copy image files from one card to the other. When an image is saved to both cards, you will be able to choose to delete one or both copies.

-Monitor Mode Button - In order to select if the Monitor or the Viewfinder will be in use, you will need to press the Monitor Mode Button, which is located on the side of the Viewfinder bump. Press it repeatedly until you see the Automatic display switch option, as you look on the rear Monitor or in the Viewfinder. Set it for this option for now, so that you can make use of both the Viewfinder and the rear Monitor. The other options will be described in Chapter 2 - Camera Controls. If you are pressing the Playback Button or the Menu Button and not seeing anything appear on the rear Monitor, be sure to look in the Viewfinder and set the Monitor Mode to Automatic display switch.

-Controls - The Z 8 includes the Sub-Selector joystick control, which can be used to select AF Points as well as navigate menus. Pressing it straight in can be customized to your desired function, such as focus lock and/ or exposure lock, thus providing an AE-L/AF-L button, which this camera does not have. The Z 8 also has three customizable Fn (Function) Buttons, and the Video Record Button can be assigned to another function for use during photo shooting mode. Many of the buttons and controls can be customized in the Custom Setting f2 and g2 menus, so that you can quickly access various functions and settings during photo and movie shooting. The Z 8 also has a Focus Mode Button to quickly change the Focus Mode and AF-Area Mode. The Shooting Mode, Release Mode, White Balance, and Bracketing settings can be quickly changed with the buttons on the top of the camera. (Chapter 2 - Camera Controls, and Section 3.5 Custom Setting Menu).

Figure 1.11 - Left: Photo-Mode i Menu, accessed by pressing the i Button. After highlighting the desired setting, either press the OK Button or use the Command Dials to change the settings. For the AF Area Mode, the rear Main Dial will change the AF Area Mode, and the front Sub-Command Dial will change the Subject Detection type. Right: For the White Balance setting, the rear Main Command Dial will select the White Balance setting, and the front Sub-Command Dial will select any available sub-options.

-i Menus - The i Button enables quick access to the i Menus, to change various functions during shooting, movie mode, and playback. For example, during photo shooting you can quickly access and change the Picture Control, White Balance, Image Quality, and Focus Mode (see Figure 1.11 - left). You will even be able to access and change additional, related sub-options via the i Menu, without having to go into the menus. For example, when selecting a Picture Control, you can adjust its parameters as well. And when choosing a White Balance setting, you can select available sub-options, such as for the Auto and Fluorescent white balance settings (see Figure 1.11 - right). Using Custom Setting f1, you can replace the default i Menu options with other functions that you often use. The Movie-Mode i Menu offers similar options and customizations. During image playback, you can access an i Menu that will enable you to quickly access features such as Rating, Protect, Record Voice Memo, and Retouch. You can even access the various i Menus while looking in the electronic Viewfinder, so that you can change settings without having to take your eye from the Viewfinder.

-Large 3.2" high-resolution (2,100K-dot), tilting, touch-screen LCD Monitor - The touch screen capability allows you to navigate menus and select options, view, zoom, and scroll through playback images, enter text with a touch screen keyboard, as well as select an autofocus area and release the shutter in Live View. When viewing an Information Display screen or a Live View screen on the rear Monitor, the exposure settings will be surrounded by a box. This indicates that you can use the touch screen to change those settings (see Figure 1.12). The Monitor can be color customized with the Monitor Color Balance item of the Setup Menu. There is also a new display option, so that you can view the scene on the screen without any of the shooting information. This allows you to focus on your composition without any distraction from the numbers and symbols. To make use of this, you need to assign one of the camera buttons to the Live view info display off option.

Figure 1.12 - Left: Live View display on the rear Monitor, with the exposure settings surrounded by a box, indicating they can be changed with the touch screen. Right: Changing the aperture setting using the touch screen.

-In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) - The Z 8 includes in-camera, sensor-based Vibration Reduction, to help stabilize images during still photography and movie shooting. The camera offers 5-axis stabilization when using a Z-mount S lens, and 3-axis stabilization when using an F-mount lens via the FTZ or FTZ II Adapter. This includes lenses with and without built-in VR, as well as Non-CPU lenses that are registered in the camera menu. Movie shooting also offers an additional Electronic Vibration Reduction.

FTZ / FTZ II F-Mount Lens Adapters - These optional adapters will allow you to use numerous older and current F-mount lenses with the Z 8, including CPU lenses, manual focus lenses, and Non-CPU AI lenses. AF-S, AF-P, and AF-I type lenses will have full autofocusing, and all compatible lenses will have full metering. When attaching a lens with an aperture ring, be sure to set the aperture to the narrowest setting, such as f/22 or f/32. (Chapter 16 - Lenses).

-Highlight-Weighted Metering Mode - This metering mode helps to prevent the overexposure of highlights, in certain types of lighting situations such as a subject under bright stage lighting. It is not intended for general use, but rather for specific types of lighting and subject situations, as will be explained in Chapter 8 - Metering Modes.

-No Built-In Flash - The Z 8 require an optional external Speedlight if you wish to make use of flash. You will be able to control the flash and wireless flash settings from the camera.

-High Speed Bursts with Pre-Release Capture - The Z 8 offers the High-Speed frame rates of C30, C60, and C120, which can be used to capture rapid bursts of JPEG images. The Custom Setting d3 - Pre-Release Capture Options enable you to buffer images before fully pressing the shutter release, which can then be saved when the shutter is released, to help you capture the exact moment you may have missed as you reacted.

-Low Light Shooting - Custom Settings d10 - Starlight View (Photo LV) and d11 - Warm Display Colors can assist you in viewing the display when shooting in dark environments. And the camera buttons can be illuminated so that they can be found in low light.

-Expanded Native ISO Sensitivity Range - The native ISO range of the Z8 is 64 - 25,600, with an expanded range of 32 - 102,400. The high ISO capabilities of this camera will help you to capture images with decreased noise, in low-light situations. (Chapter 7 - Exposure Part 1 - Shooting Modes).

Figure 1.13 - Left: ISO Sensitivity Settings, including the versatile Auto ISO options. Right: Fine-tuning the Auto Minimum Shutter Speed setting.

-Auto ISO Options - As with the other current Nikon models, the Z 8 offers a powerful Auto ISO option, which will change the ISO setting if necessary in order to obtain a proper exposure, including when capturing images or recording video in Manual (M) Mode. You can set the parameters of Auto ISO, including the Maximum Sensitivity and Minimum Shutter Speed that the camera will use for Auto ISO (see Figure 1.13 - left). One useful option is that if you set the Minimum Shutter Speed to the Auto setting, the camera will select a shutter speed based on the focal length of the lens. For example, a longer telephoto lens requires a faster shutter speed to avoid blur from camera movement. But, if you are unhappy with the choice that the camera is making, you can continue to press right from the Minimum Shutter Speed > Auto setting, and you can fine-tune this setting so that the camera selects a faster or slower Auto shutter speed (see Figure 1.13 - right). Choosing an ISO setting and taking advantage of Auto ISO will be explained in Section 3.3 - Photo Shooting Menu, as well as the Exposure chapters.

-White Balance Improvements - You can choose between three different Auto White Balance options, including Keep white (reduce warm colors), Keep overall atmosphere, and Keep warm lighting colors, as well as a Natural Light Auto setting, which adjusts the colors for what is seen by the eye under natural light. And you can store up to 6 custom Preset (PRE) White Balance settings. You can also select a separate white balance for movie shooting while retaining the current photo shooting white balance, or set the movie white balance to be Same as photo settings (Section 10.1 - White Balance). Other additions include the HLG Tone Mode, to capture images with a wider dynamic range, and the Skin Softening and Portrait Impression Balance features.

-Picture Controls and Creative Picture Controls - The Z 8 offers the Flat Picture Control, which is desired by videographers as it provides the greatest latitude for post-processing by helping to retain details in both highlights and shadows. It can also be used for still images that are going to be heavily processed. Also, the Picture Controls offer the Clarity setting, the Brightness adjustment allows a wider range, and