Nikon Z 9 Firmware 2.1 - A Birders Perspective - A Jump on 2.0?

#z9 #firmware #birding

Nikon FW 2.10 seems like a big step forward, how much does it impact the birding experience auto focus experience?

All images and video of the birds supplied by @josephsworkshop75

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[stuartmeador]

Refreshing... an actual conversation.... Thanks

[ThomasRuecker]

It's always delightful to see you two discuss things.

[grantking]

Be really nice if Nikon did something similar with the Z7ii/6ii bodies. I understand the Z9 is the flagship but remember Nikon (i.e. don't forget) we invested serious dollars in the 6ii/7ii space long before the Z9 release and it would be nice if we received some of the flow-on benefits. Not all of us want, need or can afford a Z9, the 6ii/7ii's fit our user-case perfectly.

[germanshepherdmom]

I just received my Z9 and I’m blown away!! I can use my teleconvertor on my 500mm pf and no image quality loss…it’s sharp, sharp, sharp!!! I have the 800mm pf on order and am so excited with the possibilities! I’m over the moon, can you tell?!😂

[RaymondParkerPhoto]

Nice chat. One of these days I'll have to go point my Z9 at a bird -- no excuse; there's plenty in my back yard.

[rogerirwin]

Thank You for this, great info. I was struggling with focus on a duck that was swimming among the reeds this morning with the 500pf and Z9, here in sunny NE US. I am going to google right now how to do the firm ware update! I do hope that Nikon comes out with an updated Z6III for its low light capabilities with these slower lower priced lenses!

[ottokruse]

I know it drove me crazy I could not get information on Nikon Z9 availability/shipping dates. In the interest of keeping the community informed, my Nikon Z9 that I ordered 1/30/22 from B&H just shipped today. Looking forward to it. 🥲

[ThePhotographyHobbyist]

Hopefully there will be some additional AF improvements for the Z6/7 II. I don't need them, but I'm sure any action shooters would appreciate any improvements.

[ambrosechiu]

thanks guys, really glad to see the eye AF is so good. not just Canon R5 is good at eye AF.

[OracleTestlab]

I loved the way you planned your video today. Great, I absolutely enjoyed it. Thank you. Fw 2.1 is triggering me to get a Z9., and after this video the urge has reached the peak. I use Z6ii and Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6.

[salehalrashdan]

I am learning too much from your guys. Awesome presentation 🌹

[Bobgolf]

Not sure the 2.0 FW was a specific distance but maybe more of a ratio. I've experienced the background focus on subjects 100 ft away and had Z9 focus on background a couple of hundred feet away. Anyway, I've had pretty much the same experience you have with the 2.1 FW. I mostly shoot sports and the 2.1 wasn't around during most of the sports season but can't wait to shoot some football this fall. I've also ordered the 400 f/2.8 thru NPS and am excited to see how this lens performs although had to put the wives breast implants on hold.

[isoawe]

I would like a firmware update where I can push a button and, change focus point with command dial, and change eye detect with subcommand dial. I never change focus mode on the fly, but change these two A LOT!!

[randallortegachaves]

I don’t know if it gets harder to capture bird photos than in the darkness of tropical rainforest! But to all of you this beast gets the job done like nothing I have yet tried before! Needless to mention I have been chasing birds with Nikon cameras since 1994.

[ambrosechiu]

if that eye AF is on z7ii, I will definitely buy it asap. I love birds photography. let's see what is the next z camera.

[duncanwallace]

I love bird photography even with my Z7, but will welcome better AF when my Z9 finally arrives. I totally agree that it would be better to be worrying about composition, especially because birds wont stay still.

[markshirley]

Nice to see this after Chelsea Northrup gave the Z9 a lackluster review compared to the A1 and R3 in birding. Maybe she was using the old firmware.

[terilapetino]

Will have to try AFF…but I just spent hours in the backyard trying to get the Z9 and the 500 pf to focus on hummingbirds in Crocrosmia flowers and could not get the camera to focus on the eye of the hummers! (Had the 2.1 upgrade installed) Was using wide area box on the half press and switching to 3D on the AF button. Had to use my thumb on the lens ring to get anything close enough. I was 15 feet away so the birds were not that tiny in the frame but the camera couldn’t get there! Hoping it was me. Can’t say I see any help with the 2.1…will keep trying. Thanks for the ideas.

[blythewarland]

Another great deep dive into the technology of the firmware as a photographer not just the facts and so good to hear about the F mount lenses so we can slowly move over to the mirrorless system

[seaseagle]

You convinced me to upgrade my Z9 firmware. I was hesitant to do this.