toxdoc42

I have been a Nikon user since the 1960s when I started with a Nikormatt then F2. I traded my film cameras for a D3400 with kit lenses 3 years ago, and added a 35 and 50 mm prime lens and a 50-200 replacement for the 70-300 which came in the kit and was non-VR and I could not control. I had my D3400 cleaned as part of a Nikon day at Unique and absolutely fell in love with the Z50. I was planning on purchasing a second body for a safari in February so that I could be prepared with both a wide and a reach lens. In looking at the alternatives, I was 'turned" off by the weight of the cameras that I thought to be significant upgrades for my D3400. The upper models were all significantly heavier. The rep showed me the D5600 and I was almost sold on it, since it uses the same battery, etc., as my D3400, but then he showed me the Z50 and let me compare it to the others. It was love at first sight.

I ordered the camera and just heard that it is to be delivered tomorrow. I already read Wim Arys' setup guides with tips and tricks. have any hogs had experience with the Z50 and can offer any suggestions for a rapid ""learn?" For example, I see 2 comments about back focus, one says it is possible, one says it isn't. I never liked the use of the shutter to control the focus, once I set my D3400 for back focus, I never looked back. I also see the Z50 has built in WiFi, I disliked the Bluetooth connection to my phone, is the wifi capable of connecting directly to my computer to upload photos?

jonjacobik Loc: Quincy, MA

There are dozens of You Tube videos on the Z50, my favorite tutorials are Tony Northup's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUowOFkX74Y

toxdoc42

Thanks, but that seens to be about the Z6. But thanks, I am old and don't think about utube. I googled z50 advice and no utube appeared, i will go back and look more specifically.

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

I have one and I have it set for back button focus. The settings for the Z 50 and the same settings that I use for the Z 6 and Z 7 so look for info on them. The AF and tracking on the Z 50 is very good. Some photos of it for flying birds are here on my website:
Photos 613-651 @ https://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Guntersville-2012-2013/i-Ggw2NjF
Click on the round info button at the lower right of the photo to see the lens info.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Don’t use Google to find YouTube topics. Go to YouTube.com and do a search from there.

rangel28

I believe it is possible to send photos from your camera to computer via WiFi. I have always sent them to my phone but it should also be possible to send to your computer.
Ken Rockwell has an online "user guide" that may be helpful. I would also be on the lookout for books from David Busch, Thom Hogan, or Douglas Klostermann, who put out extensive camera user guides. Since you have been a Nikon user for a long time, you should have no problem adapting to this camera. Have fun!

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z50-users-guide.htm#useawb

Bill_de Loc: US

On the Z50 the back button defaults to "AE-L AF-L"

You can change that in the menu - Custom Settings Menu F2

You then need to go to A4 and select "AF-ON only". This removes focus activation from the shutter button.

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aellman Loc: Boston MA

Go to youtube.com and enter in the search field.

toxdoc42

Those shots are marvelous. Have you tried the lenses that are bundled with the Z50? I need to figure out the back button focus option, I don't like the shutter bit. I need to figure it out. On my D3400 I remember something about choosing an option that allows me to lock the focus or use continuous focus with the back button.

I just unpacked the camera and started "playing with it." It feels so great in my hand, as it did during the demo. Even my wife was impressed by its size and weight. I hope to use it on Sunday for my grand daughter's birthday party.

toxdoc42

When I turned off the shutter control of focusing. The option in "I" changed to M. I couldn't tell if the back button did anything

Bill_de Loc: US

I only mentioned F2 and A4.

No idea what option in I you are looking at.

The best way to tell if something is working is to try it.

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billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

1. go to internet.
2. type in these words, " how to use the Nikon Z50.
3. your welcome

toxdoc42

Bingo, it does seem to work nicely. The learning curve isn't as bad as I thought it would be, so far.

If you plug in the included USB cord, the camera will charge the battery, the little orange light showing it is charging, is below the plug, not above as stated by Ken Rockwell. He also confuses the Z50 and Z6 at times.

toxdoc42

I always used the information button lower case i when checking some basic settings. In the far is the place to vary the auto focus. When using the back button, it show an M which is supposed to mean manual. After a few tries I determined it is not true, the back button works the same now as on me D3400, you press it and the focus locks and you can then move the camera and take a shot with the locked focus. That can help with something like portraits when you want good bokey. I am having so much fun learning a new paradigm for shooting. I've set the controls as Rockwell suggested. S9 far so good.

Bill_de Loc: US

The M does mean manual. Change that to AF-C. Then focus will be active as long as you hold the back button. When you let go of the button focus is locked and you can recompose.

Remember, after you select AF-C you have to press OK.

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