NIKON STRIKES BACK! Nikon Z9 autofocus update.

In October, Nikon introduced firmware v4.1 for the Nikon Z9. Probably the biggest news is the animal eye autofocus, which has now also been optimized for birds. I have tested this bird autofocus with several lenses and would like to share my experiences here.

You can buy the Z9 here (Affiliate Links):

[FabianFoppNaturephotography]

You can buy the Z9 here (Affiliate Links):

[martinsarre]

Glad Nikon catching up. Thanks for the comparison. Looking forward to the z8 firmware update

[Photographersforyou]

Thanks Fabian
After version 3.0 My Z9 is performing great with AF and after 4.0 the acquisition seemed a bit better, however version 4.1 and using all area AF with 3D tracking there is a big improvement in all areas - to be honest even Auto Area on its on performed great with backlit subjects and I rarely hit my 3D button. I only use a smaller area when there is a lot going on and that works great. I have to say that after trying the R5 I never found a better experience maybe the same. I have set various focus modes on my function buttons and even the DISP button and there is no need for me to fiddle about trying to find the right AF mode - I am able to get the shot practically all the time and the AF rarely goes to the background now not like before - I applaud Nikon for keeping my nearly 2 year old camera up to date (it’s like I purchased a new one yesterday), especially with all the new features added since firmware 1.0 and I just love the rock steady VR especially with 8k video (never had an overheat sign).

[Jay-srge]

Love the commitment to improve performance through firmware updates.

[Razzer]

Ive owned the z9 since the fw 2.0, now its best if you use the z9 in auto area AF with subject detection of your choice, it identifies much smaller ones in this mode than any other modes surprisingly

[livejames]

I suggest use of full auto area. Two times when the system lost bird in example clips were because bird left smaller box for a short period of time. Use the full focus area.

[csc-photo]

A lot of wildlife people suggest using the largest custom box, and then doing a hand-off to 3D tracking (mapped to its own dedicated button, 3D Tracking + AF-ON) once the subject is acquired & locked. Is this still the preferred technique? Or are we now just better off in Auto-Area AF?

I have the Z8 but there have been a few fw updates for the 9 so I don't believe the 8 and the 9 are exactly the same in their AF systems (yet).

[brianlemke]

Thank you. Getting the 600mm 6.3 pf for Christmas for my Z8. Hoping the Z8 update comes early in the new year.

[DrNick]

My Z9 with 180-600mm and 800mm pf (both at f6.3) still has a bit of inconsistency in AF after firmware 4.10

[bladerealm]

Great comparison. What focus mode were you using on the R5 with that square box in the center? Is that using animal eye-AF? What do you have your back buttons set to for focusing?

[nguyenhoangvu]

You can turn z9 af button to area mode af-on (3d mode) just like canon in your video..better tracking bird the whole frame too.😊

[chrisbaudeg]

Sounds like a lot of deep search and excuses to find how good the Z9 autofocus is.... it took a year to come close to the R5, which is not even close to other Canon bodies (viz 7:15). So we are comparing a Nikon 'flagship' "Z9" to a low level Canon? Price of R6 Mrk II THAT TRACKS correctly vs Z9 ?? !! How long has the Z9 been out?? Just barely catching up.

[patwon]

Great comparison video, very sharp! Do you think that, in term of subject recognition, the z9 4.1 is equal to r6 mark 2?

[Kakkoii_otoko]

Any bird autofocus updates for the Z8?

[Kakkoii_otoko]

Man. Can the Z8 get an update like this???

[chrisbaudeg]

Cross sensors are more sensitive to light and they lock faster and more precisely. Guess which bodies have cross sensors?

[eric]

Nikon Z9 firmware 4.10 has easily leaped shared ahead of Sony and Canon in terms of AF recognition and acquisition in bird subject detection for birds in flight and subjects in front of busy backgrounds. When I'm bird subject detection, Auto Area AF mode is the only AF mode you need and is far superior to any wide area or 3D AF modes.

You issue on the 4.10 firmware is you're using the wrong AF mode. Use only Auto Area AF mode now in Bird subject detection

[victorlim]

Great video. What did you think of the 600mm 6.3 pf, Fabian?

[victoriaemilycathomen]

Danke Fabian! Fotografiere eher die metallenen Vögel, sprich Kampfjets. Auch hier ist die FW 4.1 ggb 4.0 ein grosser Schritt nach vorne!

[Europa]

Thanks for the update on the new Z9 firmware. You mentioned Z8 is also getting a Bird Eye autofocus firmware update next month - where did you get that information? Thanks.