niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

We went for a picnic last evening and I grabbed a couple of cameras on the way out (without really looking at them). I knew one had an 18-140 on it and figured that would be the one I would use for the most part. I had received my new (to me) FTZ ii adapter and put an old Tamron 16-300 lens on the other camera and forgot about it thinking I still had the 50-250 which helps if the 140 isn't enough. Well, it turns out the Tamron is really soft at the long end and isn't really compatible with the FTZ anyway, so when a pair of bluebirds returned to the area, I was totally unprepared and of course, something out of the ordinary occurred. We were visiting the local Master Gardener's plot where they had just put up a wire frame made of fence wire, bamboo and zip ties. Whoever did it just left one of their gloves on each upright about six feet off the ground. So, I said all that just to tell you I got this rather soft shot which could have been so much better if I'd spend a couple minutes looking at what I'm taking and what I might actually need. Tomorrow I'm having surgery that will limit getting around for a couple days, so I'm hoping the bluebirds have the decency to hang around till I get back to visit them again with a longer lens:

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When I download the attachment and view the EXIF in Nikon NX-D, I see the camera in AF-S but no active AF point / location. Otherwise, you seem mostly 'prepared' for the situation at 1/250 sec, f/7.1 and center-weighed AUTO-ISO.

Given your coming time away, consider some newer approaches to using your modern model of mirrorless digital technology, specifically:

1, use AF-C at all times so the camera is constantly focusing / refocusing with the shutter half pressed (or the assigned BBF).

2, enable the touch-screen and practice your thumb or peck-finger to position a single AF point without needing to lower the camera from a shooting position.

3, practice your re-action skills, raising this technology marvel to your eye in a shooting position and having all the finger-dexterity needed to control, configure and shoot with the camera held to your eye so you can rip-off 5ish frames of this bird immediately, quickly review the initial results, make any more adjustments, and rip at least another 5 frames in just 10-seconds clock time, while never lowering the camera from a shooting position.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Best Wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Also, Great Advice CHG_CANON
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

It's eye surgery, so I've been kind of holding off on learning about my new camera, but hopefully I'll be able to give the manual, the David Busch book, and the store of knowledge here on UHH more attention during recovery. Thanks for the good wishes and good advice... I'll be back at it as soon as possible.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Those of us who are perfect do not understand your situation, Dave (LOL). Good luck with the surgery!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Beautifully opportune

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

So... got my slice and dice done and I had to wait a couple days till the no unnecessary moving restriction was gone, tomorrow is my first followup appointment. It's still very annoying, to say the least. If this eyelid surgery was successful, then I'll have to wait at least ninety days for the final cataract surgery.

I'm guessing the lady bluebird set up housekeeping in one of the boxes at the location I'm visiting, since I only saw the male this time. If so, it will be wonderful to see them actually being used by bluebirds as so many are not. I haven't done Paul's homework assignment yet, but will soon be doing so. I did get a couple better shots, but he didn't cooperate as well this time by sitting on the glove while I had the camera pointed in his direction. Also got a mocker and missed a goldfinch. Any ideas what the banding in the background comes from?:

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Looks good. The banding is hard to say. We'd have to see the original to confirm the banding was added in the processing, my suspicion.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

I did a search and apparently it's a thing with the Z7ii on electronic shutter, so I'll need to try to duplicate conditions and shoot again now that I've changed it from automatic to strictly mechanical shutter. Makes sense since I learned that the shutters operate kind of like mini-blinds. Must read more about it.

Here's the original before the half blind editor person screwed with it.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Good example, then, of the potential impact of the electronic shutter!!

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Nice