Nikon Z8 & Z9: BEST Bird-In-Flight Autofocus Settings

Looking for the best bird-in-flight (BIF) autofocus settings for your Nikon Z8 or Z9? Don't worry, you know I got your back!

In this video, we'll cover all the best AF settings for your Z8 or Z9. We'll look at relevant menu settings, I'll show you how to get the most from subject detection, we'll discuss AF areas and how to use them - and so much more.

This video is a bit of a deep dive, but if you're a bird-in-flight shooter with a Z8 or Z9, the field-proven advice in this view will skyrocket your keeper rate!

////

Link Tree (books, newsletter, sites, etc. - everything in one place)

Nikon Z8/Z9 Setup Guide:

Bird-In-Flight Book:

Backcountry Gallery Newsletter Signup:

[desertrat]

No one in the business is producing (or can produce) this level of useful, detailed guidance. If you can use just a bit of it, you and your images will improve.

[clark]

Thank you Steve. I don't do much bird photography, but I come here for the best Nikon autofocus tutorials, period. You have helped me immensely.

[MegaWaitit]

Just moved into the Z8 from my D500... this video has LOADS of helpful info to get me up and running... THANK YOU!

[EdCatlett]

I purchased your focus book for my 850 years ago. I just got the Z8 and very much looking forward to your book firmware 2.0 update to pull the trigger on this one. There are a couple of other Nikon guys I follow but you are the best/most practical for detailed descriptions of how to handle real world situations. Thanks for all you do!

[ttojgik]

Most Helpful & Very timely Video with insights and "why" not found elsewhere. Steve continues to be one of the best!!

[castironwood]

Thanks Steve. I have every book that you have published. Please continue providing excellent Nikon tips and tutorials.

[sinetwo]

Thanks so much Steve, all the advice you've given has been so solid in the past, I always look forward to when you post about new features/how to! I just updated my Z8 and I'm on my way to Kerkini tomorrow!

[gseffel]

I just got my z8 for the past week I couldn’t figure out how to get the autofocus to work. This video helped me out so much, Great videos.

[BudBetz]

As always Steve, you have the most keen insight to the Z family of pro bodies and lenses. You’re top shelf in my book! Appreciate you!

[amitavaganguly]

You are the only one who helps me learn Sony a1 autofocus system

[kalimarus]

I have a Zf and this is extremely helpful information. Probably for all the expeed 7 based cameras down the line as well. Thank you for producing this!

[jimwlouavl]

Thanks so much for this detailed advice and for talking about how you’ve changed your approach. I came here to learn how to do handoff to 3D and now will see how wide AF and custom modes work. I am adding more events and people to my nature work so am more used to AF-S.

[DjWarpedcore]

subscribed after watching this video and will be coming back to this a few times and seeing what else you have, so clear and easy to understand

[sabaisabai]

Took me a lot of time & rewinding a bit to catch all of this, but very glad I did. Great info & details.

[martinpilschek]

Great video Steve. Thanks. 
To turn off the AF subject detection I use the REC button and the rear wheel on Z9. I use it to switch between SHOOT A and B. A and B have exactly the same settings until the AF subject detection is missing on B. Another advantage is that I can choose a different measuring field in B than in A.

[GregVaughn]

As always, excellent tutorial. One addition I would like is a refresher on how to save these settings to one of the shooting banks.

[ranjankmsphotography]

Absolutely fantastic Steve ❤ I keep counting days waiting for your tutorial video. ❤❤

[nestboxingforbirds]

Steve you are the best. You post the most helpful and relevant videos on wildlife photography

[stripes_in_raw]

I usually setup the AF just like you have shown over the years and it always works great.

But recently I discovered a trick. I keep the Shutter AF-On and keep it on Auto Area AF with Animal mode. It works great after the 2.0 update.

And i keep the back button Af-on button to Af Area+Af-on as 3D tracking and 1 front fn button to Af area+af-on with af area as Custom Area 1x1.

Focus persistence is always on auto and movie button to switch af-areas.

If Auto-Area not working well, i switch it using movie recording button to Wide area S/L and once subject is detected, I hand it over to 3d tracking set to Back button AF and still if doesn't work I press the front fn button as single point and focus persistence mostly works well and if it doesn't, I move it with the joystick while keeping the front fn button pressed.

The AF Area+AF-On switches overrides the Shutter Af-on button. So, now I can use both Shutter Af-On & Back Button Af simultaneously.

Will use it for sometime if it doesn't work, will switch back to as you said in this video.

[duncanwallace]

I watch quite a few photographers for settings, and I definitely get the best tips from you, which is why I bought your guide a while back. Thanks for this update! Hopefully that Z8 area-af button will come to the Z soon.