Z9 Firmware 3.0: Initial Testing & 3D Autofocus Tweaks

(LINKS BELOW): I’ve upgraded my Z9 to Firmware 3.0 and tested it extensively. I’m happy to report that I have had no problems with it. It brings incremental improvements to what was already my favorite camera body ever. I’m not having issues with 3D tracking or the hybrid handoff from Wide area to 3D tracking. Yes, there are some changes to auto subject tracking and things to be careful of in the upgrade. This video should help you understand the changes, how best to incorporate them in your shooting and safely move to this new and improved firmware.

LINKED TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Are there issues with the Z9’s firmware 3.0
00:45 Some have had issues with My Menu items
01:25 Improvements & changes to 3D Tracking in FW 3.0
03:09 Effects on Hybrid Handoff AF from Wide Area to 3D tracking
05:00 In camera examples of how FW3.0 works and why you should use it
10:00 Wildlife photographer David Archer digs FW 3.0 as well
11:05 Updated Z9 AF and menu Setup update video coming soon

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I invite all of you to join Rick, Woody, David, Darren and me for our free live Office Hours session. The next is on November 15th and we’ll take your questions as we discuss whether you really need to buy new gear as well as how and where to best sell and buy new and used equipment when necessary.


Thanks to everyone for the great questions you are sending in. Keep them coming either in the comments below or by emailing me directly. I hope to see you in the next Office Hours session.

Stay safe and healthy.

[davidarcherimages]

Your "David Archer accent" impression is getting better and better!

[beckermuns]

Just pulled the trigger on a Z9, will get it this weekend, can't wait !!

[hitmanhart]

Your explanation at 4.35 is awesome. I'll set my Z9 that way and will wait for your video.
Im seeing no issues with the autofocus on my z9. Amazing camera

[kavishrajpaul]

Thank you Hudson. I have been using the Z9 for about 9 months now, having shot well over images with it. Love the camera, it was a slight learning curve coming from a Nikon D5. Once I understood how the camera worked according to my style and needs, it amazed me. People complaining don’t seem to learn how they work and post videos. For me, any system right now is just incredible compared to what we had a few years ago. Thanks so much for your content. Much appreciated

[borisgalos]

A lot of the complaints I've seen online have been people not reading the update documentation.

I've found the 3.0 focusing even better than with 2.1

[HotGates]

Exactly 3.0 is working awesome with me too!

[vernwright]

Spot on Hudson, exactly the results I’m seeing with my 10 month old Z9 with the 3.0 update. Thanks for putting up this video.

[lionhawk]

Thanks. That ties in with what I was seeing. Makes perfect sense.

[scottheppel]

Being primarily a bird photographer and having used the Z9 for over 5 months, I initially set up the back button with wide area large plus focus activation. The Fn-1 button was set to 3D tracking with focus activation and Fn-2 button to single point with focus activation. After watching a few YouTube videos, I briefly tried switching the Back button and Fn-1 settings, but ended up going back to the original configuration and have been comfortable with that since. I have photographed hundreds of birds in flight with that and I am now very comfortable with flight shots grabbing initial focus with wide area large and switching to 3D tracking. With perched birds, I usually start with single point and switch to 3D tracking. I have not yet upgraded to 3.0 but intend to do so very soon.

[stevenmuncy]

Looking forward to the new AF settings video. Thanks.

[KristofMachiels]

Thank you Hudson for your great explanation. It is always so nice to follow. You are the best.

[ele]

I've had my Nikon D500 since I rented and tested in 2016. I then kept shooting and experimenting with all the features and modes the camera has to understand how that camera works with tracking autofocusing in auto and 3D modes. From the beginning I felt the "new" autofocusing system was amazing and with time I accumulated experience and a year later I new it very well. All I do is BIF photography. I hear people saying the most absurd things about this camera. I like the autofocusing so much that I ended up buying another D500 brand new from B&H past two weeks. I guess it was the last one they had in stock. It's "discontinued" now. Point being is no matter how much technology is improved, people will always complaint about something. I guess majority expect autofocusing to just work with no understanding about how it really works. When I hear you saying how you work with your Z9 autofocusing it's clear that you have done lots of experimentation and then for sure you get to understand how the camera responds better to your needs. That's the way to go. Great job! Congrats!

[mikedavis]

Great info on the difference and I used a combination of small/wide and 3D at an AirShow this weekend with good results on tracking ! I really liked the l “direct to the point” video in this presentation!! Keep up the this style!!👍

[johnvaleanbaily]

More great advice, suggestions and thoughts. Thank you.

[Hasan-Alasadi]

I was and still is the best I don't see any reason to upset some people believe me there are many who think that the new update is undoubtedly wonderful and it seems that Nikon is listening to us thank you again 🙏🏼 🌹

[RonSkinnerPhotographer]

Great video after reading about Thom Hogan’s suggestions, I stopped using the Shutter button for focus and set the AF-On button for 3d AF or whatever I have the iMenu set to, then I set LN1 to Wide Area Large and LN2 to Auto area, works great and I agree the 3D tracking in firmware ver 3 is really sticky.

[nealPhotography]

Thanks for the confirmation, Hudson - I haven't found much improvement in 3.0, but definitely don't see any issues introduced by it. I've been using AF-ON for the wide area, with Function 2 for 3D, and the joystick push for the single point. Works well for shifting between the modes quickly.

[guyyowell]

I also didn’t have any issues with my Z9 cameras when I updated them to firmware 3.0, including MY MENU.

[joeyslaptop]

This was a great video. Thanks for sharing. I hadn't considered using two focus modes as partners and assigning them to my fn buttons. I will try it out.

[DarrenLloydPDX]

10:30 I'm dying at the David Archer impersonation...