I will never be able to thank Nikon enough for what they've given us with the Z9. On a personal note, I recently got hired for a full-time salaried content job for the marketing department at one of Porsche's North America facilities in large part because of the work my Z9 has allowed me to do. Best camera I've ever used.
This is sick!!! Z9 value is insane. No grip to buy no atomos needed for raw video. No stupid type A memory cards no pocket wizards needed for remote camera now. No fighting for frequencies for remote cameras no more mile long cables. This is crazy I think this opens up new case scenarios for so many shooters. And of course this shows how nikon is continuing to show support for their system which they seem to have really thought out while being a punching bag out there they deserve some credit for their poise
Incredible. More free stuff. Nikon are under no obligation to keep giving us Z9 updates, but they just keep pushing the envelope for us. A stark contrast to some software companies that make you subscribe so they can continually charge us for delivering the same product for years. Nikon seem to reward their customers with as much as they can, as often as they can. These updates are game changers for this segment of the market. Super impressive. Thank you Nikon.... and thanks Matt for bringing us up to speed.
I just downloaded the firmware. I am hearing impaired and the additional shutter sounds are very welcome! I can use a distinct shutter sound which is loud enough for me to hear and quiet enough not to disturb the audience. Thanks Matt!
Nikon announced in one of their firmware 4.0 videos that Auto Capture would be coming to the Z 8 in a later update. My guess would be that it will ship along with the initial bug fixes for things found when the Z 8 got out in the field.
This is stunning work by Nikon! F4.0 will be epic and I couldn’t be happier with Z9 and what they’ve done. Thanks for an exciting glimpse of rollout of this release Matt! I can’t wait to start shooting again! Bravo Nikon!❤
Also just to note - in July 2022 I got a Z9 which was an absolutely brilliant camera. Now, nearly a year later I have a much better camera. And its the SAME camera. How awesome is that? Well done Nikon.
Very cool, thank you. I had a teacher in the early 80’s who jokingly said “ one day they’ll be a camera that says shoot now dummy……” the Z9 now says” I’ll do it my self” 😂
Awesome update again Matt. Goes to prove Nikon's decision to build a platform rather than a point in time camera and wait from new features in the next edition in a year or two. Cant wait to try the mode with a rocket lift off where I use a sound trigger. Would be nice to see the Aircraft auto focus arrive on the Z9 from the Z8. Also Matt don't forget the Z8/Z9 likely have far larger internal memory to accommodate these firmware/feature upgrades, not solely driven by the Expeed 7 image processor.
Way to go Nikon. This is amazing!!! Thank you for the great review Matt, I bet it was fun to have this before the release! This is some awesome news with my morning coffee !!
Wow, auto-capture is epic! I wonder if it would work for lightning. Personally I would find it good for bird photography where you're often waiting for a bird to take off or land on a flower etc. Was not expecting them to add this is, so good-on Nikon!
Nikon continue to impress with the Z9, the detractors must be frowning now, Nikon continue to improve auto-focus and have now added what could and in my opinion most definitely is, a game changer with the Auto Capture mode. The scope for Auto Capture is endless, for stills and video, so far this is definitely the most exciting firmware update to the Z9 platform, well done Nikon. Great video as usual Matt, your breakdown of this firmware is spot on.
I love what it's nikon doing here. I can see the tech in Z6III, Z7III, and to some extend Z5II, Z50II, Z30II and the probably Z90 (a Z9 with APSC sensor). Obviously no all the tech, but at least some of that, like the processor. The Z6III could be a video centric blazing fast shutterless camera with less megapixels (20mpx at least), the Z7III could have shutter and big number of BSI megapixels, at least 61mpx; the Z5II a basic sensor non BSI but with the same processor down clocked and SD cards only, like Z50II, Z30II. I would love a Z90 with all the tech of Z9 / Z8 in smaller body with APSC sensor like the one in the Fuji XH2S. Nikon can control the costs and the heat, can downclock the processor and use cheaper sensor and storage solutions, but keeping the basics of hardware and firmware.
This is Olympus style of innovation. It is a good thing to see. Some useful features added. I just want them to improve autofocus more, especially on the z5 in low light when using primes.
Excellent stuff as always Matt. This is the update that has me itching to get a second one. I'm currently using the Z9 alongside a D4s (for action / sports) and a Z6 (for everything else) since last February but it looks like the time has come to 'double down'. Damn you Nikon !!! 😆
I have totally lost faith in a Z6 II upgrade, I was just hoping that some of the Z9 technology would be passed on to these cameras, whatever the hardware would allow. But I'm afraid we'll have to wait for the Z6 III and buy it if we want some of those new features. I hope I'm wrong.
Currently I'm owning the Z9 and Z6, I had updated to firmware 4 & will be using over the weekend for sports photography. If there is a Z6iii that had some upgrade inside the camera like more improve AF for both still & videos and video recording up to 125mins then I will consider of getting it as my backup camera for my projects.
I would love it if Nikon would add "Depth of Field Bracketing" in some future firmware release. It would quickly and easily take a series of pictures at different aperture settings preset in some range of apertures. The camera would automatically adjust shutter speed and ISO to make sure each shot is properly exposed. This would be particularly useful for group portraiture where the photographer wants to use the widest aperture necessary to keep everybody in focus. Of course, this can be done manually, but the camera could do it a lot faster and easier. Nice work on the 4.0 release, though.
I second the motion! In the field doing wildflower macro photography this would create great options when choosing the best shots when reviewing the images later.
I love that I learn of my firmware updates from you well before an email from Nikon arrives -- thanks to you (and the date line) for that :) And while I'm SO interested in seeing what the Auto Capture thing is all about (wildlife!), all I've played with so far is the shutter sounds LOL On that very important update I am terribly disappointed, but will keep my Z9 nonetheless 😄 Cheers!
Since prerelease capture was extended to 300s that means the buffer is deep enough to do this in high efficiency raw for some period of time. 30s raw precapture would be a good option.
That’s not what the update is. It’s only effecting how long you can continuously use precapture. It used to time out at 30 seconds; then you would have to lift your finger then half press again. Now you can get 300 seconds before you have to lift your finger and reset. It doesn’t effect the buffer.
It is great to have the support and update features in the flagship camera! I believe some of the features will show up in the lower models, yet this is the reason why one invest in the Pro lineup cameras. I would think the processor in the older cameras would be main factor on which features are shared. Well done Nikon!!!
Hello Matt, First of all super city images. Now thank you for the heads up about the firmware update for the Z9. Keep well, keep safe and yes smile and the world will smile back. PS. the exposure delay is a welcome return, I still would of like the pre capture stills to shoot rew not just jpg (with in the max of the raw allows), But yes there does seem some great updates.
Mark Cruz from Nikon mentioned today that Auto Capture will be on the Z8 very soon (not sure about other features). Would also love Exposure Delay, Shutter Sounds, and Eye Switching via Fn buttons (my priorities) 🙂
There should be a customizable shutter sound, based on 3 wav/MP3 files: "Mirror up/open-shutter", "Timer", "Close-shutter/mirror-down" which are combined to a sound deppending on the shutter speed. (The "timer-sound"" ist needed to proper emulate the sound of the FM2 😁)
Downloaded it and updated, but will going back to 3.10 as 4 requires me to use NX Studio 1.4 and the last version of Studio that has worked properly was 1.2.2. Oh well, the Camera is going back to Nikon tomorrow to deal with several Stuck Pixels. I will have to tape a Note to the Camera, not to update from 3.10 to 4 as Studio NX is NFG after 1.2.2. I was curious as to what the New Shutter Sounds were. I was hoping for a DSLR Sound, and/or an F3 with MD-4 Sound.
The Z8 has just been released, but it would have been in test (using the basic Z9 firmware 3.10 + tweaks) for ages beforehand. So now that Nikon have released the Z9 firmware 4.0 I'm sure that they will be using nearly all of the new features in it on the Z8. Perhaps not until 4.10 is released though to catch any bugs in 4.0 and ensure that they don't add the bugs to the Z8. In my opinion Nikon don't care if Z9 users buy a second Z9 or go for a Z8 instead, they want the sales. But to keep two nearly identical cameras functionally apart by denying the Z8 some Z9 functions would upset the Z9 owners who would expect to use their two cameras as they can now, almost identically. I'm sure the Z8 will get nearly all of these improvements, I suspect that some of them are already in the Z8 anyway as the Z9 can now detect smaller objects in 3D AF which was already promoted as a feature of the Z8. Nikon USA says that Auto Capture is coming for the Z8 soon as well.
Downloaded 4.0 late last night, haven't gotten a chance to test/play with any of the new stuff yet. I know it's nitpicky considering how EPIC Nikon has been to us Z9 users...but as a Z8 owner, as well, that shoots events/people, I really had hoped that Z9's 4.0 firmware update would've came with the Z8's "skin smoothing" feature.
Iso 800 is still native for n log. Iso 200 will be like the extended low iso settings for iso in photo mode. Definitely will have some compromises. I’m not sure it matters with RAW. Will have to do tests to see what benefits it really has.
Excellent video on an excellent firmware update. I'm coming from a Z6II, and while I'm set for right now, I'm assuming my next camera will be either a Z8, or whatever the Z6III type camera is. Auto capture would be huge for me on either one of these. I wouldn't be shocked to not see it on a Z6III, but it'd be a real bummer if it didn't come to the Z8 either.
Great update review Matt! Much appreciated. Hmm...can Canon and Sony fanboy still deny that the Z9 now is the Everest of all camera bodies? Think all these continuous updates for the Z9 is really making lots of owners scratching their heads of how to comprehend with these new tech? Hell...it has made my D850 look like a slow turtle by now. Upgrade to a Z9? Welll..perhaps but I like to fiddle with Z8 first because I like the form factor of my D850. It feels just right with my big fingers. If I opt for a Z9, then it will further push my savings strategy to target the up coming Z 200-600. Testing out the Z 100-400 soon with a friend's Z9, see how it feels? If only this new Auto Capture feature was available 8 years ago when I had the D810, things would have been very different but obviously the technology was created yet.
The synch speed shutter... that's my only gripe with the Z9, I had 1/320s on my D810! Also looking at what they have on the Canon bodies, "face priority exposure", when shooting with TTL flash. That's something I'd like to be copied to our Nikon bodies. That way the Flash will be more accurate in calculating exposure on the face of our subjects.
Thanks as always for the info Matt, updating the camera as I type. Nikon has really made a big change by giving us these free firmware upgrades and I think that is a smart business decision. Leave the Model number changes to hardware updates primarily, this keeps their base happy, I know I am. - Jeff
yes, Z6-III. they will reduce the clock speed of the Expeed 7 processor compared to the Z9. that reduces the need for cooling, but also increases battery life. but there is not a big downside because the Z6-III has less pixels. that means less calculation needed, at least for stills. nikon has two choices: just upgrade the processor and maybe a few minor things like card slots and other interfaces for the Z6-III and keep the sensor upgrade for the Z-6 IV. or go in with a real bang and upgrade the sensor with their own patented dual sensitivity pixel sensor that might give us a tiny bit more dynamic range. as i studied the patent a few months ago, it is a real nice approach to just have only one very high amplification of the pixel voltage before it gets into the ADC and for lowering the sensitivity just adding a capacitor to the pixel sensor to lower the voltage without throwing away resolution. in high lights this gives you an additional crazy amount of detail. the question is, if it can also deliver a tiny bit of an advantage in noise performance in low light situations. so, Z6-III only with the new CPU or also with a new sensor???
Great overview, but I totally disagree on the statement that Z9 and Z8 does not have the same power. Of course they do. It's the same hardware. It's only amount of battery and heat dicipation capability that are different, so that is not an argument/excuse for Nikon to use to differentiate the firmwares on the two cameras. I'm eagerly awaiting my Z8, which I had hope to receive last week.
I've been waiting for a Z..., to change to Nikon Z system. I hope I could buy one Z6III, with new processor Expeed 7 and all new features at auto focus 😊
Fantastic support from Nikon. Why would you want to use any other brand? Hope most of these updates reach the Z8, and quickly. Exposure Delay mode please!
Oh Matt, as I said to Ricci I am disappointed once more from NIKON as I'm still waiting for the FW to make me a nice hot coffee at star night mode!...🤨☹😢😢😢
Hey Matt. Mark Cruz made a comment on Seth’s Z8 announcement vide speaking about a Firmware update for the Z8 that included the lowered video ISO and something else he couldn’t talk about yet. Based on that I’m confident saying yes the Z8 will see an update but no idea on how many of these features.
AUTOCAPTURE for long telephoto lenses, how does the autofocus work? because of the shallow depth of field, would it be able to focus and take pictures in time for fast moving across the frame subjects? it have to be prefocused? would it mantain 3d tracking or other modes? if the subject is a lot out of focus because of the DOF of the long telephoto lens, 400, 600 or 800, will it recognizeit and shoot it? Thanks
Matt, Firmware updates on the Z9 are great. I took the mirrorless plunge with the Z6ii thinking Nikon would release Firmware updates that would improve its performance, add features and fixes. I purchased a Z8 thinking the same thing, because Expeed 7 is where Nikon development dollars are being spent. I hope Nikon does not disappoint me again. I'm not sure what type of expectations I can have with Nikon as a system. I would love to see a Z6iii with autocapture in it. I hope Nikon is looking at the whole of the Z cameras as a system. Even with owning the Z8 I would still enjoying a smaller body when I'm not doing Sport/Action/Wildlife photography.
This is all wonderful and I am truly grateful but please Nikon can we that shoot video too be provided with shutter angle and can we get custom function capability on the MC-N10 where we can map Hi-Rez zoom to the rotary dials to get that smooth zoom and damping (as with the control ring on your Zs lenses) which just is not possible with the joystick or buttons! 👍🏾🙏🏾
Maybe I’m missing something, but it appears that SnapBridge is broken with firmware 4.0. The app wouldn’t connect, so I deleted and reinstalled the app, deleted the old iPhone profile from the Smart Device settings in my Z9, pulled the battery out of the Z9 and restarted, and still I go through the steps and get dumped back at the “Connect to camera” screen. The Bluetooth pairing does not stick.
They should introduce custom crops in the Z9 and Z8, that way if I want to turn my 500pf into a 600mm lens, I can turn on a 1.2 crop, if I want it to be a 700mm lens, I can turn on a 1.4 crop, etc. having only a 1.5 crop that only leaves me with 19 megapixels is not enough.
I think it's awesome that Nikon keeps improving the Z9 thru firmware updates. For all the professional photographers that own a z9 or z8, the definitely getting their money's worth. But as hobbyist photographer and owner of the Z50 and the other owners of Z5, Z6II/Z7ll; Nikon has left us in the dark. Ok I understand that Expeed 7 is the processor of the future, but Nikon has yet to address the lack of affordable mid-range and APSC cameras compare to there competitors. Canon, Sony and yes Fujifilm have address this market with lots of new cameras with similar AF has Nikon flagship cameras. It hurt me to say it, but Nikon has become a two camera company for the professional and perhaps the wealthy enthusiasts market.
It is what it is, Nikon is trailing behind in the mirrorless industry before the Z9 came out. If there is no way they can improve the older mirrorless lineup, at least they are getting ahead of the competition with the Z9 and Z8
Hi Matt, Thank you very much for your Video. It's really cool what Nikon delivers. Is there also HEIF like on the Z8? Is there still the display black-out for longer exposure times ???
Always good to see your output. Not sure if this is a creative enhancement. It seem to me a robotic enhancement diminishing the creativity and spontaneity of the photographer. Plonked the camera down in a location, that’s the visionary bit, program it, that’s the surrendering of control, walking off to have a coffee . The opportunity to miss the unique shot of a lifetime to the left seems high, where a human would have realise to look 🤨 Thanks, it has a use case but not for me.
Wonderful as always. A few question and idea: could you perhaps include some bloopers at the end or in a special video? Always fun. Question: what would be your recommendation for zoom lens that is very cost effective for wildlife? I own the Nikon z50 and the z6ii but don’t want to invest that much in Z glass. Perhaps some F mount on the apsc for netter range? Cheers from Zurich Switzerland.
Autocapture and precapture are interresting additions. I can't see, where I could use 5min of precapture. How many pictures does it capture? How do you tell the camera, what to autocapture? Are there any meaningful examples?
I call bullshit bc the z9 can oversample from 8k. Polin also famously sees high 'sharpness' as unnecessary post pixel processing, so that might even be a compliment.
I just hope the Z6iii has autofocus equal to the Z9 and Z8. Otherwise I'm fine if they strip it down a bit. That is why I want it and not the Z8, frankly.
I will never be able to thank Nikon enough for what they've given us with the Z9. On a personal note, I recently got hired for a full-time salaried content job for the marketing department at one of Porsche's North America facilities in large part because of the work my Z9 has allowed me to do. Best camera I've ever used.
Great news CML. Maybe I could do an interview with you sometime ?
Congrats on the new job. Yes this Nikon z9 with the firmware updates is a beast. Can’t wait to download.
@@MattIrwinPhotography Absolutely, I'd be honored!
This is sick!!! Z9 value is insane. No grip to buy no atomos needed for raw video. No stupid type A memory cards no pocket wizards needed for remote camera now. No fighting for frequencies for remote cameras no more mile long cables. This is crazy I think this opens up new case scenarios for so many shooters. And of course this shows how nikon is continuing to show support for their system which they seem to have really thought out while being a punching bag out there they deserve some credit for their poise
Well said Seth, it appears Nikon played the long game.
Incredible. More free stuff.
Nikon are under no obligation to keep giving us Z9 updates, but they just keep pushing the envelope for us.
A stark contrast to some software companies that make you subscribe so they can continually charge us for delivering the same product for years.
Nikon seem to reward their customers with as much as they can, as often as they can. These updates are game changers for this segment of the market. Super impressive.
Thank you Nikon.... and thanks Matt for bringing us up to speed.
Because they want to sell it That's why they ignore z6ii customers
@@carlosandreviana9448 you're right! Shame on Nikon for wanting to sell cameras!
Nikon is nailing with every new update.. Nikon is coming up with more aggressive upgrades.. just getting better & better.. love it❤❤❤❤❤
I just downloaded the firmware. I am hearing impaired and the additional shutter sounds are very welcome! I can use a distinct shutter sound which is loud enough for me to hear and quiet enough not to disturb the audience. Thanks Matt!
Just keeps getting better!
Sure Does !!! 😀
Nikon announced in one of their firmware 4.0 videos that Auto Capture would be coming to the Z 8 in a later update.
My guess would be that it will ship along with the initial bug fixes for things found when the Z 8 got out in the field.
There was no day I regret buying two Z 9 - the oposite is true: it's getting better by time
This is stunning work by Nikon! F4.0 will be epic and I couldn’t be happier with Z9 and what they’ve done. Thanks for an exciting glimpse of rollout of this release Matt! I can’t wait to start shooting again! Bravo Nikon!❤
Wow! I am so impressed with this firmware announcement. I’ve used top line Nikons since 1998 and never been more impressed. Great video thank you
Also just to note - in July 2022 I got a Z9 which was an absolutely brilliant camera. Now, nearly a year later I have a much better camera. And its the SAME camera. How awesome is that? Well done Nikon.
Great video Matt, you put a lot of work into that.
Nikon is really lookig after its high end users, and keeping the Z9 at the top of the pack!
Cheers. Yep and I think z8 will sit in a similar space. 😀
Very cool, thank you.
I had a teacher in the early 80’s who jokingly said “ one day they’ll be a camera that says shoot now dummy……” the Z9 now says” I’ll do it my self” 😂
Shutter sound type b is so nice. I think Nikon should just keep adding new ones, why not!?
Totally agree!
Nikon rocks it!
I hope some (or all) of these updates will come to my new Z8 in near future!
Awesome!
Can’t wait to try it out, thanks for the video Matt!
Awesome update again Matt. Goes to prove Nikon's decision to build a platform rather than a point in time camera and wait from new features in the next edition in a year or two. Cant wait to try the mode with a rocket lift off where I use a sound trigger. Would be nice to see the Aircraft auto focus arrive on the Z9 from the Z8. Also Matt don't forget the Z8/Z9 likely have far larger internal memory to accommodate these firmware/feature upgrades, not solely driven by the Expeed 7 image processor.
Way to go Nikon. This is amazing!!! Thank you for the great review Matt, I bet it was fun to have this before the release! This is some awesome news with my morning coffee !!
Amazing. Now I won’t have to miss that picture of Bigfoot when I need a bathroom break.
hah !
Thanks Matt. Great update. Cue: The Pointer Sisters "I'm so excited".
Wow, auto-capture is epic! I wonder if it would work for lightning. Personally I would find it good for bird photography where you're often waiting for a bird to take off or land on a flower etc. Was not expecting them to add this is, so good-on Nikon!
Wow, great idea! If it works for lightning it's a game changer for this type of photography!
_" I wonder if it would work for lightning."_
*Yeah. It was the first thing that came to mind when I read about the new feature.*
Nikon continue to impress with the Z9, the detractors must be frowning now, Nikon continue to improve auto-focus and have now added what could and in my opinion most definitely is, a game changer with the Auto Capture mode. The scope for Auto Capture is endless, for stills and video, so far this is definitely the most exciting firmware update to the Z9 platform, well done Nikon.
Great video as usual Matt, your breakdown of this firmware is spot on.
Hell yeah, I'm definitely excited for this one.
I love what it's nikon doing here. I can see the tech in Z6III, Z7III, and to some extend Z5II, Z50II, Z30II and the probably Z90 (a Z9 with APSC sensor). Obviously no all the tech, but at least some of that, like the processor. The Z6III could be a video centric blazing fast shutterless camera with less megapixels (20mpx at least), the Z7III could have shutter and big number of BSI megapixels, at least 61mpx; the Z5II a basic sensor non BSI but with the same processor down clocked and SD cards only, like Z50II, Z30II. I would love a Z90 with all the tech of Z9 / Z8 in smaller body with APSC sensor like the one in the Fuji XH2S. Nikon can control the costs and the heat, can downclock the processor and use cheaper sensor and storage solutions, but keeping the basics of hardware and firmware.
Thank you Matt! Awesome as always! 😀
This is Olympus style of innovation. It is a good thing to see. Some useful features added.
I just want them to improve autofocus more, especially on the z5 in low light when using primes.
Excellent stuff as always Matt. This is the update that has me itching to get a second one. I'm currently using the Z9 alongside a D4s (for action / sports) and a Z6 (for everything else) since last February but it looks like the time has come to 'double down'. Damn you Nikon !!! 😆
So glad I stuck with Nikon
I would be so happy is they update the Z8 to have the menus flip vertical
Thanks Matt. I have just 4.0'd my Z9 and everytime they do these updates it almost feels like getting a new camera.
😢 we're never gonna get a new firmware update for the Z6ii and Z7ii
I mean. Seriously. I have been waiting for 7 months now. You know they can do it but they won’t. They want everyone to buy the z8 or 9
I have totally lost faith in a Z6 II upgrade, I was just hoping that some of the Z9 technology would be passed on to these cameras, whatever the hardware would allow. But I'm afraid we'll have to wait for the Z6 III and buy it if we want some of those new features.
I hope I'm wrong.
Currently I'm owning the Z9 and Z6, I had updated to firmware 4 & will be using over the weekend for sports photography. If there is a Z6iii that had some upgrade inside the camera like more improve AF for both still & videos and video recording up to 125mins then I will consider of getting it as my backup camera for my projects.
I would love it if Nikon would add "Depth of Field Bracketing" in some future firmware release. It would quickly and easily take a series of pictures at different aperture settings preset in some range of apertures. The camera would automatically adjust shutter speed and ISO to make sure each shot is properly exposed. This would be particularly useful for group portraiture where the photographer wants to use the widest aperture necessary to keep everybody in focus. Of course, this can be done manually, but the camera could do it a lot faster and easier. Nice work on the 4.0 release, though.
I second the motion! In the field doing wildflower macro photography this would create great options when choosing the best shots when reviewing the images later.
I think Matt is loving his new 3rd party title plugin. 😃
Some great enhancements to the Z9. My one wish is…for ease in and out for High Res.
Really great content Matt. I love the Nikon support for this.
I love that I learn of my firmware updates from you well before an email from Nikon arrives -- thanks to you (and the date line) for that :) And while I'm SO interested in seeing what the Auto Capture thing is all about (wildlife!), all I've played with so far is the shutter sounds LOL On that very important update I am terribly disappointed, but will keep my Z9 nonetheless 😄 Cheers!
Since prerelease capture was extended to 300s that means the buffer is deep enough to do this in high efficiency raw for some period of time. 30s raw precapture would be a good option.
That’s not what the update is. It’s only effecting how long you can continuously use precapture. It used to time out at 30 seconds; then you would have to lift your finger then half press again. Now you can get 300 seconds before you have to lift your finger and reset.
It doesn’t effect the buffer.
Matt, love your videos. You have kept me abreast with my Photography for years. Keep up the good work. See you on your next video.
Awesome! Thank you!
Thanks for the information. That is exciting news. I was having some occasional 3-D tracking difficulty.
Awesome
Of all the features introduced, I think auto capture needs to be added to every Nikon mirrorless. 👍👍
Auto Capture. Great! Now I can do focus capture like I did with my F4s/MF-23 back in 1990!
It is great to have the support and update features in the flagship camera! I believe some of the features will show up in the lower models, yet this is the reason why one invest in the Pro lineup cameras. I would think the processor in the older cameras would be main factor on which features are shared. Well done Nikon!!!
In the video from NikonUSA he says that Auto Capture will come to the Z8 soon :)
i love it, keep it coming Nikon!!
As I hold on to a obsolete Z6II that Nikon just refuses to update with a healthy firmware update.
For real. They just don’t get it. 7 months and no new firmware for the z6ii or z7ii what a joke.
Hello Matt, First of all super city images. Now thank you for the heads up about the firmware update for the Z9. Keep well, keep safe and yes smile and the world will smile back. PS. the exposure delay is a welcome return, I still would of like the pre capture stills to shoot rew not just jpg (with in the max of the raw allows), But yes there does seem some great updates.
Nice, waiting update Z6ii 😒
Outstanding video Matt
Cheers from NE Texas😊
Mark Cruz from Nikon mentioned today that Auto Capture will be on the Z8 very soon (not sure about other features). Would also love Exposure Delay, Shutter Sounds, and Eye Switching via Fn buttons (my priorities) 🙂
The Z9 is the G.O.A.T
Incredible
Thanks Matt !!!!!! My go to Guy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An excellent update. I like the Type B and C sounds a lot more than the original Type A one. We’ll see how it goes for this weekend’s shoot.
No prerelease RAW, no 30 fps RAW?? The only two features that I want from day one …
Love my Z6ii. I would buy a Z6iii with pre-release capture tomorrow. I don't need 45mp. I need low light performance with high fps in a small body.
There should be a customizable shutter sound, based on 3 wav/MP3 files: "Mirror up/open-shutter", "Timer", "Close-shutter/mirror-down" which are combined to a sound deppending on the shutter speed. (The "timer-sound"" ist needed to proper emulate the sound of the FM2 😁)
Downloaded it and updated, but will going back to 3.10 as 4 requires me to use NX Studio 1.4 and the last version of Studio that has worked properly was 1.2.2. Oh well, the Camera is going back to Nikon tomorrow to deal with several Stuck Pixels. I will have to tape a Note to the Camera, not to update from 3.10 to 4 as Studio NX is NFG after 1.2.2.
I was curious as to what the New Shutter Sounds were. I was hoping for a DSLR Sound, and/or an F3 with MD-4 Sound.
The Z8 has just been released, but it would have been in test (using the basic Z9 firmware 3.10 + tweaks) for ages beforehand. So now that Nikon have released the Z9 firmware 4.0 I'm sure that they will be using nearly all of the new features in it on the Z8. Perhaps not until 4.10 is released though to catch any bugs in 4.0 and ensure that they don't add the bugs to the Z8. In my opinion Nikon don't care if Z9 users buy a second Z9 or go for a Z8 instead, they want the sales. But to keep two nearly identical cameras functionally apart by denying the Z8 some Z9 functions would upset the Z9 owners who would expect to use their two cameras as they can now, almost identically. I'm sure the Z8 will get nearly all of these improvements, I suspect that some of them are already in the Z8 anyway as the Z9 can now detect smaller objects in 3D AF which was already promoted as a feature of the Z8. Nikon USA says that Auto Capture is coming for the Z8 soon as well.
The Z9 is just too big for me, but if Nikon brings the Auto Capture feature to the Z8 I'll be very tempted to get one instead of a Z7II
Downloaded 4.0 late last night, haven't gotten a chance to test/play with any of the new stuff yet.
I know it's nitpicky considering how EPIC Nikon has been to us Z9 users...but as a Z8 owner, as well, that shoots events/people, I really had hoped that Z9's 4.0 firmware update would've came with the Z8's "skin smoothing" feature.
Iso 200 for Nlog is just crazy!? I hope I understand it correctly that I can now use this as native instead of iso 800.
That’s huge if this is really the case
Iso 800 is still native for n log. Iso 200 will be like the extended low iso settings for iso in photo mode. Definitely will have some compromises. I’m not sure it matters with RAW. Will have to do tests to see what benefits it really has.
@@SunilThakkar You can also do video @ 200 iso but yes it is an 'extension' of base800. Which is welcome bc Nikon's 800 is p noisy !
Yew!!! Just started watching... Here we go!
Excellent video on an excellent firmware update. I'm coming from a Z6II, and while I'm set for right now, I'm assuming my next camera will be either a Z8, or whatever the Z6III type camera is. Auto capture would be huge for me on either one of these. I wouldn't be shocked to not see it on a Z6III, but it'd be a real bummer if it didn't come to the Z8 either.
Great update review Matt! Much appreciated.
Hmm...can Canon and Sony fanboy still deny that the Z9 now is the Everest of all camera bodies?
Think all these continuous updates for the Z9 is really making lots of owners scratching their heads of how to comprehend with these new tech? Hell...it has made my D850 look like a slow turtle by now. Upgrade to a Z9? Welll..perhaps but I like to fiddle with Z8 first because I like the form factor of my D850. It feels just right with my big fingers. If I opt for a Z9, then it will further push my savings strategy to target the up coming Z 200-600. Testing out the Z 100-400 soon with a friend's Z9, see how it feels? If only this new Auto Capture feature was available 8 years ago when I had the D810, things would have been very different but obviously the technology was created yet.
The synch speed shutter... that's my only gripe with the Z9, I had 1/320s on my D810! Also looking at what they have on the Canon bodies, "face priority exposure", when shooting with TTL flash. That's something I'd like to be copied to our Nikon bodies. That way the Flash will be more accurate in calculating exposure on the face of our subjects.
Thanks as always for the info Matt, updating the camera as I type. Nikon has really made a big change by giving us these free firmware upgrades and I think that is a smart business decision. Leave the Model number changes to hardware updates primarily, this keeps their base happy, I know I am. - Jeff
yes, Z6-III. they will reduce the clock speed of the Expeed 7 processor compared to the Z9.
that reduces the need for cooling, but also increases battery life.
but there is not a big downside because the Z6-III has less pixels. that means less calculation needed, at least for stills.
nikon has two choices: just upgrade the processor and maybe a few minor things like card slots and other interfaces for the Z6-III and keep the sensor upgrade for the Z-6 IV.
or go in with a real bang and upgrade the sensor with their own patented dual sensitivity pixel sensor that might give us a tiny bit more dynamic range.
as i studied the patent a few months ago, it is a real nice approach to just have only one very high amplification of the pixel voltage before it gets into the ADC and for lowering the sensitivity just adding a capacitor to the pixel sensor to lower the voltage without throwing away resolution.
in high lights this gives you an additional crazy amount of detail.
the question is, if it can also deliver a tiny bit of an advantage in noise performance in low light situations.
so, Z6-III only with the new CPU or also with a new sensor???
Great overview, but I totally disagree on the statement that Z9 and Z8 does not have the same power. Of course they do. It's the same hardware. It's only amount of battery and heat dicipation capability that are different, so that is not an argument/excuse for Nikon to use to differentiate the firmwares on the two cameras. I'm eagerly awaiting my Z8, which I had hope to receive last week.
Power was never the deciding factor for a cripple hammer, you're thinking of 'Marketing'
I've been waiting for a Z..., to change to Nikon Z system. I hope I could buy one Z6III, with new processor Expeed 7 and all new features at auto focus 😊
Fantastic support from Nikon. Why would you want to use any other brand? Hope most of these updates reach the Z8, and quickly. Exposure Delay mode please!
was nice watchin this one.....
Nikon has forgotten the generation of Z6II and z7II for upgrades??
Oh Matt, as I said to Ricci I am disappointed once more from NIKON as I'm still waiting for the FW to make me a nice hot coffee at star night mode!...🤨☹😢😢😢
Great video, Matt. I might add: as anyways 👍
Thank you.
Hey Matt. Mark Cruz made a comment on Seth’s Z8 announcement vide speaking about a Firmware update for the Z8 that included the lowered video ISO and something else he couldn’t talk about yet. Based on that I’m confident saying yes the Z8 will see an update but no idea on how many of these features.
If lower NLOG came to my Z8 then my mind would be blown!😊
AUTOCAPTURE for long telephoto lenses, how does the autofocus work? because of the shallow depth of field, would it be able to focus and take pictures in time for fast moving across the frame subjects? it have to be prefocused? would it mantain 3d tracking or other modes? if the subject is a lot out of focus because of the DOF of the long telephoto lens, 400, 600 or 800, will it recognizeit and shoot it? Thanks
Matt, Firmware updates on the Z9 are great. I took the mirrorless plunge with the Z6ii thinking Nikon would release Firmware updates that would improve its performance, add features and fixes. I purchased a Z8 thinking the same thing, because Expeed 7 is where Nikon development dollars are being spent. I hope Nikon does not disappoint me again. I'm not sure what type of expectations I can have with Nikon as a system. I would love to see a Z6iii with autocapture in it. I hope Nikon is looking at the whole of the Z cameras as a system. Even with owning the Z8 I would still enjoying a smaller body when I'm not doing Sport/Action/Wildlife photography.
Would be great, if they put Heif in and make it a new standard over jpeg
This is all wonderful and I am truly grateful but please Nikon can we that shoot video too be provided with shutter angle and can we get custom function capability on the MC-N10 where we can map Hi-Rez zoom to the rotary dials to get that smooth zoom and damping (as with the control ring on your Zs lenses) which just is not possible with the joystick or buttons! 👍🏾🙏🏾
Maybe I’m missing something, but it appears that SnapBridge is broken with firmware 4.0. The app wouldn’t connect, so I deleted and reinstalled the app, deleted the old iPhone profile from the Smart Device settings in my Z9, pulled the battery out of the Z9 and restarted, and still I go through the steps and get dumped back at the “Connect to camera” screen. The Bluetooth pairing does not stick.
Will they apply it for Z8 soon?
They should introduce custom crops in the Z9 and Z8, that way if I want to turn my 500pf into a 600mm lens, I can turn on a 1.2 crop, if I want it to be a 700mm lens, I can turn on a 1.4 crop, etc. having only a 1.5 crop that only leaves me with 19 megapixels is not enough.
I think it's awesome that Nikon keeps improving the Z9 thru firmware updates. For all the professional photographers that own a z9 or z8, the definitely getting their money's worth. But as hobbyist photographer and owner of the Z50 and the other owners of Z5, Z6II/Z7ll; Nikon has left us in the dark. Ok I understand that Expeed 7 is the processor of the future, but Nikon has yet to address the lack of affordable mid-range and APSC cameras compare to there competitors. Canon, Sony and yes Fujifilm have address this market with lots of new cameras with similar AF has Nikon flagship cameras. It hurt me to say it, but Nikon has become a two camera company for the professional and perhaps the wealthy enthusiasts market.
It is what it is, Nikon is trailing behind in the mirrorless industry before the Z9 came out. If there is no way they can improve the older mirrorless lineup, at least they are getting ahead of the competition with the Z9 and Z8
Still waiting for highlight warnings in the EVF while shooting.
Hi Matt, Thank you very much for your Video. It's really cool what Nikon delivers.
Is there also HEIF like on the Z8?
Is there still the display black-out for longer exposure times ???
Always good to see your output. Not sure if this is a creative enhancement. It seem to me a robotic enhancement diminishing the creativity and spontaneity of the photographer. Plonked the camera down in a location, that’s the visionary bit, program it, that’s the surrendering of control, walking off to have a coffee . The opportunity to miss the unique shot of a lifetime to the left seems high, where a human would have realise to look 🤨 Thanks, it has a use case but not for me.
Great video as always sir. Do you think the Nikkor Z 40mm f 2 is better than the old Nikkor 50mm f 1.8 G?
What about the other Z models?!?! No updates that bring value to them the only focus is on the Z9 everything else is ignored. 😢
Wonderful as always. A few question and idea: could you perhaps include some bloopers at the end or in a special video? Always fun. Question: what would be your recommendation for zoom lens that is very cost effective for wildlife? I own the Nikon z50 and the z6ii but don’t want to invest that much in Z glass. Perhaps some F mount on the apsc for netter range? Cheers from Zurich Switzerland.
Autocapture and precapture are interresting additions. I can't see, where I could use 5min of precapture. How many pictures does it capture? How do you tell the camera, what to autocapture? Are there any meaningful examples?
They need to give more options in the z8 to shoot high, med, and low in Raw for stills.
Jared Polin said the 4k video in the Z9 is less sharp than Canon R5 or Sony. Do you think is that way? It's Nikon lacking in video sharpness? 🤔
I call bullshit bc the z9 can oversample from 8k. Polin also famously sees high 'sharpness' as unnecessary post pixel processing, so that might even be a compliment.
We pre capture on the Z8 I find that the viewfinder is stuttering when following a subject, is anybody have the same issue
if have not seen or read the new firmware take 6min for camera update will be out for Z8 too.
I was hanging out for the Z8 but now that it's out I think I rather the Z9
how can i add the AutoCapture Feature to the I-Menue? Thanks!
Can somebody explain to me why they won't add back up recording for video? Is it some sort of weird hardware limitations for nikon or something?
I just hope the Z6iii has autofocus equal to the Z9 and Z8. Otherwise I'm fine if they strip it down a bit. That is why I want it and not the Z8, frankly.
Does iso 200 in video also work in auto iso video? Thanks.