Setting ip Z7 ii: Have a Z7ii coming to replace my Z6. It will be a week or two yet as just sent the Z6 off to MPB. Interested in thoughts about setting up the Z7 that might differ...

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Have a Z7ii coming to replace my Z6. It will be a week or two yet as just sent the Z6 off to MPB. Interested in thoughts about setting up the Z7 that might differ from Z6.

Of course first is the card settings. I plan to use SD card as primary because both my computers have slots for SD cards. I have xqd and CFb for the other slot which will be backup.

Set image quality to RAW compressed on SD card and jpeg backup on other card.

I don’t like back-button focus so advocates beware I am not interested in that advice.

I generally set up U1 for wildlife and U2 for landscape. Wildlife use M mode w auto ISO. Landscape A mode and f16.

Open to advice for F1, F2, and lens focus ring. I like having focus peaking on and using the lens ring for manual focus when needed but open to other ideas. Forget what I had F1 and F2 on so fully open there.

Advice on other settings also appreciated. I’ll be googling advice also.

PS: meantime getting by with Z50. Do like to keep settings the same where possible.

tcthome Loc: NJ

These might give you some ideas to ponder on & maybe find a few suggestions you like.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Z7II+settings

photoman43

These links might help:

https://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Z7_Z6Settings.pdf

https://download.nikonimglib.com/archive4/iPXkR00UnCjR05w9SN106nWxDY44/Z7IIZ6II_TG_Setting_(En)02.pdf

User ID

IDguy wrote:

Have a Z7ii coming to replace my Z6. It will be a ... (show quote)

I set up my Z7 exactly like my Z6.

As for dual cards, on my cameras that have it I use a basic overflow setup. If assigned to do HRMs Royal Portrait I would acoarst switch over to duplicate files on both cards running in parallel.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Thanks for the inputs! I’m checking out the links.

I have the manual for the Z6/7. I’ll make sure I have the manual for the ii and look for differences. Other than the cards not aware of any.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

OBTW I see there are new User and Reference Manuals for the IIs. And some settings guides. Poring through it all.

jcboy3

IDguy wrote:

Have a Z7ii coming to replace my Z6. It will be a ... (show quote)

I set Image Area and Raw Size functions in the i Menu so I can easily change between FX/DX or RAW L / M. In the event I don't want the big files.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

jcboy3 wrote:

I set Image Area and Raw Size functions in the i Menu so I can easily change between FX/DX or RAW L / M. In the event I don't want the big files.

One of the things I noticed about the Zs (at least Z50) is no “compressed” options for RAW files. My guess is because they are now automatically compressed with an improved algorithm. But I see the Z7II does enable compressed choices.

I mostly shoot RAW, which I will direct to the SD card. I’ll use the other slot for jpeg backups when needed. Most of the time I don’t need backups. I shoot for fun so loss of a days images isn’t of great concern.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

MPB has my Z6. They say a few days to get back to me.

If they keep their offer the Z7II should be on its way next week.

jcboy3

IDguy wrote:

Have a Z7ii coming to replace my Z6. It will be a ... (show quote)

For all shooting I set F1 to control AF mode/AF-area Mode. I set Menu F Release Button to use Dial to ON, so you don't have to hold the button down while rotating the dials.

For landscape: I set F2 to bracket, so I can quickly set up a bracket shot. I set the Sub-selector Center Press to AE lock, so I can lock exposure for panoramas.

For wildlife: I set F2 to subject tracking. I set the Sub-selector Center Press to AF lock so I can focus and compose.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

jcboy3 wrote:

For all shooting I set F1 to control AF mode/AF-area Mode. I set Menu F Release Button to use Dial to ON, so you don't have to hold the button down while rotating the dials.

For landscape: I set F2 to bracket, so I can quickly set up a bracket shot. I set the Sub-selector Center Press to AE lock, so I can lock exposure for panoramas.

For wildlife: I set F2 to subject tracking. I set the Sub-selector Center Press to AF lock so I can focus and compose.

Thank you. Interesting suggestions. I don’t like the idea of changing the F assignments. I use U1 and U2 for wildlife and landscape. I set my Z50 and Z6 U and F the same so I can keep track.

jcboy3

IDguy wrote:

Thank you. Interesting suggestions. I don’t like the idea of changing the F assignments. I use U1 and U2 for wildlife and landscape. I set my Z50 and Z6 U and F the same so I can keep track.

Nikon doesn't have enough function buttons.

If I could map some functions to the arrow keys, that would be great. I don't see the reason to have a joystick and an arrow pad that can only be used for the same functions. I can map functions to the arrow pad on my Olympus and Panasonic cameras, and it helps a lot.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

jcboy3 wrote:

Nikon doesn't have enough function buttons.

If I could map some functions to the arrow keys, that would be great. I don't see the reason to have a joystick and an arrow pad that can only be used for the same functions. I can map functions to the arrow pad on my Olympus and Panasonic cameras, and it helps a lot.

You must not have a recent Nikon or not be aware of its features. They have more programmable functions than I’ll ever use. In addition to the two function buttons we have U1 and U2, the fully programmable touch I menu, and the ability to reprogram other buttons, such as movie, AE, or OK. Plus on some lenses you can reprogram the focus ring.

The challenge is recalling what you programmed.

jcboy3

IDguy wrote:

You must not have a recent Nikon or not be aware of its features. They have more programmable functions than I’ll ever use. In addition to the two function buttons we have U1 and U2, the fully programmable touch I menu, and the ability to reprogram other buttons, such as movie, AE, or OK. Plus on some lenses you can reprogram the focus ring.

The challenge is recalling what you programmed.

I am aware of all of those options, and they pale in comparison to other cameras.

The user settings (U1/2/3) are woeful these days; haven’t been updated for 10 years. They aren’t even saved when saving settings. There are much better options.

The iMenu is an advance, for Nikon, but Panasonic has had a similar feature for over 10 years.

Even MyMenu is a dated implementation. Other systems do that much better.

BTW I have Z6ii and Z7ii. I’ve shot Nikon for a very long time. And I prefer cameras with more sophisticated user interfaces.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

jcboy3 wrote:

I am aware of all of those options, and they pale ... (show quote)

Not getting what your issues are at all. The U settings save with a click. Maybe you should read your Nikon manual.

Nikon has had I menu many years too. I had it on all my D5xxs, including with touch on my last DSLR: 5600. Many D5xxx users never learned to use it, though.

I think your apparent anti-Nikon bias is clear and illustrates ignorance.

Please leave my thread as you add nothing.