Some frustration with the Nikon Z6: I like the Z6 but the major problem I am having is the red focus box moving around on its own. Wish there was a way to lock it in the center. On my...

pego101

I like the Z6 but the major problem I am having is the red focus box moving around on its own. Wish there was a way to lock it in the center. On my last shoot I noticed a bunch of pictures out of focus and I assume were caused by the red box in the corner before I noticed it and moved it back to the center. Has anyone else had problems with the focus box moving around?

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

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pego101 wrote:

I like the Z6 but the major problem I am having is the red focus box moving around on its own. Wish there was a way to lock it in the center. On my last shoot I noticed a bunch of pictures out of focus and I assume were caused by the red box in the corner before I noticed it and moved it back to the center. Has anyone else had problems with the focus box moving around?

i have been reading up as I am looking at a Z6 soon. By chance do you have focus set on Wide-area or Auto AF rather than single point? I understand it has a different focus system, similar but not same as D5 and has a learning curve!

pego101

No def single point. Thats whats frustrating about it.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

You're 100% sure you're not in 3D AF? That's exactly what happens in 3D mode. If you're in single point and it's moving around, it's probably because you're inadvertently moving the joystick or multi-touch pad. If it helps, you can set the joystick so when you press it the AF point re-centers.

To do so, head to the Custom Setting Menu, F2, and select the joystick in the left column - 3rd one down. Click that and choose "Select center focus point" from the resulting menu. Hit OK.

Now, when it wanders off, just press in on the joystick.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

pego101 wrote:

I like the Z6 but the major problem I am having is the red focus box moving around on its own. Wish there was a way to lock it in the center. On my last shoot I noticed a bunch of pictures out of focus and I assume were caused by the red box in the corner before I noticed it and moved it back to the center. Has anyone else had problems with the focus box moving around?

Yes, I find the moving focus box annoying too.

If there is a way to lock it I haven’t found it. I too have gotten images out of focus, even though I have both AF-S and AF-C set to focus priority. I think it is mostly when trying to use AF-C.

Another annoying thing is that the box doesn’t turn green when focus is achieved with AF-C. I haven’t noticed a green focus dot either. There is some hope they’ll fix that with the upcoming firmware update.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Steve Perry wrote:

You're 100% sure you're not in 3D AF? That's exact... (show quote)

Except I usually don’t want it centered.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

IDguy wrote:

Except I usually don’t want it centered.

The OP does. And it still moves :)

pego101

Steve Perry wrote:

You're 100% sure you're not in 3D AF? That's exact... (show quote)

pego101

IDguy wrote:

Yes, I find the moving focus box annoying too.

If there is a way to lock it I haven’t found it. I too have gotten images out of focus, even though I have both AF-S and AF-C set to focus priority. I think it is mostly when trying to use AF-C.

Another annoying thing is that the box doesn’t turn green when focus is achieved with AF-C. I haven’t noticed a green focus dot either. There is some hope they’ll fix that with the upcoming firmware update.

Yes both of those things i find annoying. Yea the box that doesnt turn green.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Steve Perry wrote:

The OP does. And it still moves :)

Missed that.

In any case, I think I'll practice at getting adept at using the new joystick to move it where I want it. I'll try AF-C a little more but I have usually used AF-S and never had the focus problem with my other Nikons.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Yes, sub-selector. Sorry - most people call it a joystick, but Nikon does call it the sub-selector.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Steve Perry wrote:

Yes, sub-selector. Sorry - most people call it a joystick, but Nikon does call it the sub-selector.

I thought the front wheel was the sub selector?

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

IDguy wrote:

I thought the front wheel was the sub selector?

That's the sub-command dial. Nikon likes to keep it confusing :)

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Steve Perry wrote:

That's the sub-command dial. Nikon likes to keep it confusing :)

Ah ha! Thanks. 🤪

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Then to confuse the clarification: