Ultimate single walkaround lens ?

The details are on Paul's FaceBook post.

https://www.facebook.com/paul.vanallen.56/posts/pfbid02ibWtPJ9vHAcFPnq7iNWqYpV9udyYW15sSeWzpngyYcVknZ9w6ZxgLK6Y5XChod33l

Violin concerto performance: top image: Nikon Z8 with 400mm/f4.5, bottom: Z6ii with 70-200mm/f2.8 S @ 150mm, f2.8

While supply lasts, this refurb sale lasts for 4 days, through Monday, March 25, 2024. It should end at midnight eastern time.

Anyone got any views?

Obviously 1.4 v 1.8 but...IQ?

I will probably use bracketing for that.

I will be shooting through a small scope that has a fixed aperture of f/12 (1200mm).

My choices are changing exposures manually, looking at the camera instead of the eclipse—not preferred— or do a 7-8 frame bracket changing probably 0.7EV with each shot, I haven't worked out those details yet.

I will be at a higher shutter speed just before totality than what I will use during totality.

Is it possible to program the camera or the bracketing so that the changes in exposure only go in one direction,to only increase exposure rather than a + and - arrangement, ie only +?

I could do a bracket centered on a middle ground exposure and let the camera do the plus minus, but logistically it may be simpler during the hectic 4 minutes of totality to set the exposure and let the camera progressively increase exposure.

Thanks in advance

I'm looking for recommendations for repair shops in the USA that can service Nikon F Photomic Meter heads.

I have two Ftn heads that are functional but may need calibration.

I have an early "bullseye" head that doesn't function, that I would like to function.

All three are in pristine cosmetic condition, and all three I'd like to have converted to use modern batteries.

Thanks

I noticed that when the camera is turned off, if I tilt it from side to side, it makes a subtle clunking sound, and it feels like something is moving inside the body. I suspect this is normal, and may be related to the IBIS system, but thought I'd confirm here with people who have more experience with mirrorless cameras, or maybe particularly with the Zf. This sound and movement is not present when the camera is powered on. Any ideas? Should I be concerned? 

B&H has this lens for about $250. Would it be cost effective to have it repaired at Nikon, or better to just replace the lens? He wants to stick with that lens. Anyone with experience with this type of repair? Thanks in advance.

https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2024/0307_01.html

Any thoughts?

Being old school, or maybe just old, I can focus in the center of the box and then reframe.

The problem I am having with the z8 is the "sub-selector." It moves the box, and that is a good feature until it isn't. The multi selector does this also, but it is far less likely to happen to me because it is out of the way and doesn't stick out. The sub selector does stick out right near where my thumb rests and it gets inadvertently moved, then when shooting you have to look around to see where the box is and deal with that one way or another.

Firmware 2.0 helps it by making the box more visible, but I did not want to upgrade before MG day.

Later, I will have more to comment on using the z8 for street, especially the fast moving crowded "street" of a celebration like Mardi Gras.

From Windows, this time you directly download the binary .bin file. There is no more executable archive from which you extract the binary.

The changes are a mile long, very extensive. I have downloaded it, but I am going to wait a couple of days to see whether there are any issues before I update my Z8. Below in blue is Nikon's description among the many many changes in 2.0.

Quote

 

Note: Users of the following software will need to update to the latest versions.

• • Camera Control Pro 2 version 2.37.0 or later, IPTC Preset Manager version 1.3.0 or later, NX Studio version 1.6.0 or later, NX MobileAir version 1.2.0 or later (Android edition) or version 1.1.4 or later (iOS), NX Field version 1.4.0 or later, NX Tether version 2.0.0 or later

Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, “Displays”, and “Network (Also NX Field)” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.

Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.

■ Still Photography

• • Added [Pixel shift shooting] to the photo shooting menu.
• • Added new picture controls.
• • Added [Birds] to [AF subject detection options] in the photo shooting menu.
• • The maximum shooting display zoom ratio is now 400%.
• • Added [Auto capture] to the photo shooting menu. Users can select capture criteria from [Motion] (the direction the subject is moving), [Distance] (how far the subject is from the camera), and [Subject detection] (whether or not a subject of a given type is detected), and the camera will take photographs automatically while it detects subjects that meet the selected criteria. Note that [Distance] is available with NIKKOR Z lenses and may not function as expected when used with other lenses. The [FX (36×24)] and [DX (24×16)] image areas are available with auto capture.
• • The length of time the camera will continue to buffer frames before cancelling shooting during the Pre-Release Capture phase of high-speed frame capture + has been increased from 30 to 300 seconds.
• • Added [Large] to the size options available for [Secondary slot function] > [JPEG primary - JPEG secondary] in the photo shooting menu.
• • Added new bracketing increments for use during auto bracketing with [AE & flash bracketing], [AE bracketing], or [Flash bracketing] selected for [Auto bracketing set]. This change also applies to [Interval timer shooting] > [Options] > [AE bracketing] > [Increment].

■ Video Recording

• • Added new picture controls.
• • Added [Birds] to [AF subject detection options] in the video recording menu.
• • The maximum shooting display zoom ratio is now 400%.
• • Added [Auto capture] to the video recording menu. Users can select capture criteria from [Motion] (the direction the subject is moving), [Distance] (how far the subject is from the camera), and [Subject detection] (whether or not a subject of a given type is detected), and the camera will record video automatically while it detects subjects that meet the selected criteria. Note that [Distance] is available with NIKKOR Z lenses and may not function as expected when used with other lenses. The [FX] and [DX] image areas are available with auto capture.
• • Added low ISO sensitivity options to [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity (mode M)] for use during N-Log video recording.
• • Changed the range of speeds available for Hi-Res Zoom.
• • Added slow-motion video recording.

■ Playback

• • Added [Playback speed] in the video playback “i” menu.
• • Added [Auto image rotation] in the playback menu.
• • Added [Auto series playback options] to [Series playback] in the playback menu.
• • Made changes to the [Select for upload to computer] and [Select for upload (FTP)] items in the playback “i” menu and added [Select for priority upload to computer] and [Select for priority upload (FTP)].

■ Controls

• • Added [Half-press to cancel zoom (MF)] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions d18 and g17.
• • Added [Focus point border width] to a11 [Focus point display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Changes have been made to how a full format is performed with [Format memory card] in the [SETUP MENU].
• • White balance and exposure compensation can now be adjusted while recalling the shooting function settings.
• • Added support for the power zoom feature on power zoom lenses.
• • Added an [Exposure delay mode] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position d6.
• • Added to the custom controls and roles assignable via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. New reset options have also been added.
  • - f2[Custom controls (shooting)]
  • - f3[Custom controls (playback)]
  • - g2[Custom controls]
  •    Choose [Prefer focus point] or [Prefer focus point (face priority)] for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance zoom position].
    The settings for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance] can now be applied during playback zoom.
• • Made updates to [Non-CPU lens data] in the [SETUP MENU].
• • Increased the character limit from 3 to 256 for “Category” entries in IPTC presets.
• • Restructured the [Camera sounds] item in the [SETUP MENU] with the addition of new options, including new sounds and volume level adjustment for the electronic shutter.

■ Displays

• • Added focus-distance information to the focus distance indicator displayed during manual focus.
• • The option selected for [Viewfinder display size] (formerly [Finder display size (photo Lv)]) in the [SETUP MENU] now also applies in video and playback modes.

■ Network (Also NX Field)

• • A warning now appears when the connection to an ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessory is unstable or disrupted.
• • ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessories and MC-N10 remote grips can now be used together.
• • Made changes and additions to the [Connect to FTP server] item in the [NETWORK MENU].
• • Changed the procedure used when configuring the camera for synchronized release, increasing to twenty the number of groups that can be created, while the number of cameras in each group that can be controlled from the master camera has been increased to sixteen.
• • Added [Overwrite copyright info] under [Connect to other cameras] in the [NETWORK MENU].

■ App-Related Changes

With NX MobileAir:

• • the camera live view display for photo mode now shows NX MobileAir status, and
• • camera settings saved to a memory card using [Save/load menu settings] can now be downloaded to the smart device or copied from the smart device to the camera memory card using NX MobileAir.

■ Other Changes

• • The time the shooting display goes dark after shutter is released when [ON] is selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] has become shorter.
• • Improved the accuracy of [3D-tracking] for small, fast-moving subjects when [Auto], [People], [Animal], or [Vehicle] is chosen for [AF subject detection options] and no subject of the selected type is detected.
• • Improved focus lock-on with flicker detection in low-speed continuous release mode.
• • Made other improvements to the autofocus operation and its reliability.
• • Fixed an issue that sometimes resulted in the viewfinder darkening during playback when [Auto] was selected for [Viewfinder brightness].
• • It is now easier to obtain the correct exposure from the first shot during interval-timer photography in high-contrast settings or settings dark enough for starlight view.
• • The histogram display is no longer available when starlight view is enabled.
• • Changed the video low-capacity warning so that it is now displayed in white on a red background when there is less than one minute remaining. The warning is now also displayed when recording is not in progress.
• • Users now have more precise control when scrolling through videos during playback using the progress bar.
• • When [AF-area mode] is set to [3D-tracking] and the human subject is large relative to the frame and multiple eyes are detected near the tracking focus point, the camera will assign priority for focusing to the eye closer to the point.
• • The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d11 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Fixed the following issues:
  • - Photos taken with interval-timer photography could sometimes be underexposed.
  • - Flash may not sometimes fire during focus shift.
  • - The focus position unintentionally returned to the position saved using [Save focus position] if standby timer was expired while power was supplied via USB and a WR-R10 was attached.
  • - Optimal exposure could sometimes not achieved in burst or focus shift shooting.
  • - Pressing the AF-ON button immediately ended playback when [Playback] was assigned to [AF-ON button] and [Prioritize viewfinder (2)] was selected for monitor mode.
  • - Shutter release was sometimes disabled when “Bulb” was selected for shutter speed.
  • - Focus point selection using the multi selector and sub-selector was unavailable if a touch operation was performed using [Position focus point] when [3D-tracking] was selected for AF-area mode.
  • - Fine-tuning values set in [AF fine-tuning options] in the setup menu did not apply while the subject is detected with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], or [Wide-area AF (C2)] selected for [AF-area mode].

 

Received the following news from Nikon USA. There is also a press release:

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/about-nikon/press-room/press-release/lptu8wg2/MIRRORLESS-GOES-TO-THE-MOON%3A-NIKON-ENTERS-INTO-SPACE-ACT-AGREEMENT-WITH-NASA-FOR-ARTEMIS-MISSION-SUPPORT-WITH-THE-NIKON-Z-9-CAMERA.html

Today, Nikon Inc. announced that the brand has entered into a Space Act agreement with NASA to support the Artemis program with handheld universal lunar camera development.  

For the upcoming Artemis III mission to the Moon, NASA will equip its crew with the Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless flagship camera and several NIKKOR Z mirrorless lenses. Nikon engineers are working closely with NASA to develop solutions and modifications that will ensure maximum reliability for the gear when being used under the extreme lunar environment.  

Together, the teams are redesigning various circuits and control sequences within the Z 9 to withstand the vast amounts of radiation, running vacuum thermal testing, developing a custom camera grip with common controls for easy usability with the crew’s thick spacesuit gloves and creating a special “blanket” to protect the camera during extravehicular activities. Special modifications will also be made to the Z 9 through a firmware that will expand noise reduction, adjust file naming sequences, reduce power consumption, optimize shutter shield and simplify the astronauts’ workflow. 

The 30-day Artemis III mission is scheduled to launch in September 2026 and will be the first human landing on the lunar surface since 1972 as well as the first time a woman will walk on the Moon. 

All of a sudden, February is almost over, but actually we have one more day in February due to the leap year.

Sunset at the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, 24-120mm/f4 S Nikkor (Z mount) @ 34.5mm, f5.6

https://phototrend.fr/2024/02/interview-nikon-mitsuteru-hino-cpplus-2024/

However, Nikon is not going to comment on information that they haven't officially announced. Don't expect any real information on future, up-coming products.

However, it sure looks to me that Nikon has stopped producing all F-mount products, but on certain items, there may be sufficient stock so that one can continue to purchase new F-mount items for another couple of years.

It has some limitations and they are likely physics and not a fault, but they are there. I suspect these limitations likely are applicable to all mirrorless cameras.

The major issue is the lag between putting the camera to your eye and being ready to shoot.

Most of the time it is not an issue, and for most of photogs, prob a complete non issue, but I just experienced where it IS an issue and that is shooting revelers at Mardi Gras in New Orleans (and to a lesser extent shooting street in NYC). The commonality is that you have to be quick on the draw and the shoot; the camera can't slow you down.

Sometimes revelers will be isolated and you can have the time it takes for the camera to awaken, no big deal. But sometimes, the pace is frantic and people are walking past quickly. With my old d810 I could always just pull the camera up to my eye, get focus relatively quickly and shoot, then everyone moves on. With the z8, or likely any mirrorless, the camera has to be awake, then put up to the eye find focus and shoot. A gross estimate is that it adds about 1-2 seconds to the process over a dslr. It could be less than that, but it seems LONG to me and sometimes to the subject.

This can be a problem because the people being shot may not have that much patience to await the camera to awaken, then find focus. Most of the time they do, but not always, especially if they are on their way somewhere. I know 1-2 seconds doesn't sound like a lot, but in the circumstance described it feels for all concerned that it is. And if the subject is only willing to give you 3-4 sec to get the shot, it makes for missed shots. It they are patient...non issue, but patience is a virtue not all possess.

So, I started riding the shutter button, to be sure the camera was always awake and that helped but not completely.

Next, the sub selector joystick moves the focus point inadvertently too easily and unbeknownst to the user until you put the camera to your eye and try to find the sometimes hard to find focus box—often down in the corner somewhere. This prompted my forum question about how to lock the box into place (f4 menu item does this), but being able to just turn off that function in the sub selector(only) would help a lot—can that be done? That function could still be controlled by the multiselector. the new firmware version makes the focus box easier to see, and that will help.

Next, sometimes even though it appears that you took a picture, nothing shows as a captured image after the "click." This may not be related to quick action and occurs rarely, but I've seen it happen, ie I trip the shutter, hear the click, and nothing was captured. Also when this happens it seems that the camera locks up in a way. I can still see a live view through the LCD or VF, but that is the only thing that is working, no shutter availabity, no effect when exp comp is pressed, and I cannot scroll through my images. It is obvious quickly, and turning the camera off then back on restores all functionality (Delkin Devices Black 150gb CFX card). I've only seen this 4-6 times in 2500 + captures. I do not think it is user error.

These are issues that I can live with considering the quality of the images produced and the WOW dynamic range and the colors, but they prevent this camera from functioning as a grab and shoot quickly camera. I know that is not something to aspire to in a $4k camera, but honestly, sometimes you just need that functionality.

On the attached image, I had all the time I needed. This is reduced 50% from the original.

Again, do want to start any kind of war of words, but just some observations and may as I mature with the z8 I can learn better how to address these things.

Went back to the Colero Reservoir, but while there were a lot of grebes, there wasn't much rushing, which we discussed on the last Nikon Wednesday. In late afternoon most of the grebes were resting with their heads down. However, someone brought a dog to the park, and the dog suddenly started barking and woke everybody up.

When I close the Transfer app, the NX Studio app opens, and that is useless to me. I've looked in the preferences of NXStudio to see if it is controlled there; don't see anything. I do not see prefs for Transfer.app.

Anyone know how to stop this?

Thanks