Here are notes on the Nikon Z7. As I use the camera, I'll add comments as needed.
Update. July 11, 2020
Somehow I forgot to document this issue so here goes.
When using the radio remote release (WT . .) I realised this device does double duty. With no remote flash, it acts as a radio remote release. With flash, and with the appropriate (commander) nmenu enabled, you can do remote TTL to an external Nikon SB5000. However, if you are using the radio remote without flash, make sure to disable the flash commander function in the camera. While enabled, it can cause exposure errors at small apertures (go figure).
Update: new firmware 3.0 with improved tracking.
Some posts:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63657638
If you don't assign tracking (new option) to FN button:
You have to enter the tracking by pressing the OK button, and:
- you activate tracking by half pressing the shutter or AF-ON button - tracking stops when you release the button. The white square is reset where it was before tracking.
- you activate tracking by OK button > tracking has to be stopped by again pressing the OK button again. The white square is reset to the center.
You can assign FN (it's FN2 for me, more comfy then FN1) button on the camera body m (and on the lens for that matter) to enter the tracking.
I saved this to U1 as someone here recommended. That is AF-C, Auto area. Other settings as desired. Set U1, just press FN2 and voila you enter the tracking. Press FN2 again and you exit the tracking. Better then pressing OK button to activate and Zoom out button to exist the tracking mode.
What is annoying that you cannot save release mode to user settings, there just numerous threads about it here now. In manual is not mentioned that the release mode cannot be saved. It's either discrepancy in the manual or in the camera. Time and Nikon will tell
Custom settings.
I'm trying to figure out how to customize the camera and how to save custom settings in U1/U2/U3. Since this method is different than the D850, I have some learning to do.
From the manual, it is possible to save user settings to any of three states - U1, U2, U3, accessible from the command dial. The way to set a user setting is to configure the menus to your liking, including PASM, then go to the SETUP menu -> Save user settings and pick the state you want (U1, U2 or U3). These settings will be saved and accessible if you select the appropriate U*. Upon returning to the PASM dial, the previous configuration will be restored. Thus there are really four custom states - the regular state, U1, U2, U3. Note that the settings for PASM are included in U1-3. Thus, it is not possible to change them while in U1-3. For example, if you are in U1 and it was set to M, then it is not possible to change to A. Keep this in mind.
There are some exceptions to all of this:
1. Playback and Setup menu items cannot be saved as user settings in U* (this is not stated in the manual but consistent with previous Nikon cameras supporting customized user settings).
2. From the manual, the following menu items cannot be saved:
Photo shooting menu:
Storage Folder
Choose image area
Manage picture control
Multiple exposure
Interval timer shooting
Time-lapse movie
Focus shift shooting
Movie shooting menu:
Choose image area
Manage picture control
Other items:
i Menu items and ordering can be different in U1-3. This may be more confusing than useful but worth noting.
My Menu items are the same across all user states.
Custom control assignments (f2) can be different across U1-3 (ex. AF-ON can be changed) - maybe even more confusing.
My Custom Settings (Rev. 01/20/2019):
I have a spreadsheet - Z7_settengs-excel_v0.95_2019 (as of 01/20/19) which details all the settings of the camera.
Normal PASM setting:
All the usual stuff uou would expect.
U1: Action-Manual Exposure-Auto ISO:
This setting is for a quick and dirty telephoto / fast exposure / subject tracking situation. Exceptions to "normal" shooting include:
Shooting Menu:
1. 12-bit RAW (versus 14-bit). This is a requirement to achieve the 9fps burst rate. Also, anticipating higher ISO's where 14 bit is redundant. This can be changed in the iMenu or in MyMenu
2. Manual exposure mode with Auto ISO. This allows me to dial-in the shutter speed and aperture depending on the circumstances and allows the ISO to vary to achieve the correct exposure. Set max ISO to 6400.
3. Focus mode is AF-C, AF-Area mode is Auto Area AF. This mode is intended to be used for subject tracking - press the OK button to bring up the tracking target. Hold down AF-ON to continually focus as the target moves around. To change to another mode, use the Fn2 button or the iMenu.
Custom Settings Menu:
1. Disable EFCS (d5). This removes the restriction of 1/2000 max shutter speed. This can be changed in the iMenu
U2: Flash
This setting is for a quick way to enable flash settings for normal shooting.
Shooting menu:
0. Manual exposure to enable control over the background versus foreground exposure
1. Fixed ISO set to 400. This is a default since most speedlights require some boost in ISO to achieve coverage. This can easily be changed if needed.
2. White balance set to "flash" anticipating that flash will be the dominant light source.
3. Flicker reduction setting set to ON. Anticipating issues with indoor lighting
Custom Settings menu:
1. Built in AF assist illuminator set to OFF to avoid annoying the subject. (not sure ot works with flash anyway)
2. Exposure comp with flash (e3) set to background only. As I understand it, with this setting, I can use exposure comp independent of flash comp. Needs some testing.
U3: Easy
This setting is for when you want to hand over the camera to someone else to take a shot and don't want to burden them with complexities of AF-ON and particular focus modes.
Shooting menu:
1. Auto ISO with Minimum shutter speed set to Auto
2. Auto-area AF
Custom Settings menu:
1. AF activation set to Shutter/AF-On (a7)
A note from DPreview: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62076907
I stumbled onto a hack today while attempting to shoot a movie. The Z support focus peaking in both stills and movie mode and exposure zebras in movie mode only. I wanted to use both together today when recording a movie but the camera wont let you turn on exposure zebras if focus peaking is enabled. The workaround I discovered is to first disable focus peaking, then turn on exposure zebras, then enable focus peaking. In other words, the camera prevents you from enabling zebras if peaking is enabled but Nikon forgot to disable the alternate case of preventing you from enabling focus peaking if zebras are enabled (assuming they really want to prevent both from being used simultaneously, otherwise it's a bug that's disallowing the enabling of zebras when peaking is enabled).
Normally focus peaking only works in MF mode. When in MF mode with peaking enabled the exposure zebras wont display, which brings us to the second part of this hack. Switch to AF-S mode, then hold down AF-ON and start turning the focus ring (or start turning the ring first and press AF-ON while still turning) - the camera will temporarily switch to MF mode, enabling focus peaking while you focus. Exposure zebras will temporarily disappear while you're manually focusing, but will reappear as soon as you release AF-ON to return to AF-S mode.
Terminology note: Nikon calls their focus peaking "Peaking highlights" (Custom Setting a9), and their exposure zebras "Highlight display" (Custom Setting g6).
Manual Focusing:
Here is a handy web page on how to optimally focus in manual mode:
https://blog.kasson.com/the-last-word/optimum-z6-z7-manual-focusing/