adolfo.cruz Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 Ok, I’ve searched the threads and no matter how I did it, it kept coming up with no results found. So please, if you can help. I’ve got a simple question. I setup my Z7 on a tripod, turn on a 10 second timer, focus is on continuous & wide, press the shutter, and the following happens: I get into the frame of the shot for a self portrait. Green light blinks and counts down. Camera takes image. BLURRY… Am I doing something wrong? Do I have to set something else to have it focus on me? Done it dozens of times and it just doesn’t work. The only way I can get it to do as wanted is to tether it, or snapbridge. Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Davies Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 Does auto area with eye AF not work? That's what I used om the Z6. This was with the 85. Insert awkward self portrait here.... :) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 24, 2021 Author Share Posted October 24, 2021 Wow, your image is great. Question, did you focus on the chair before you got in frame? Like I said, mine just won’t refocus. Did some more experiments. I have an image of my daughter that it will track all over the screen. Locks eyes and everything, so yes, eye and face tracking works when holding AF-On. You made a good point so I had to test that. Now, I turn on the self timer, and press the AF-On, it gets focus on her face. I then press the shutter button, and and release AF-On and move the camera back 3 feet, it will not re-focus even though the green light is blinking and it still has the yellow box on her face. Like I said, am I missing something? Try this on your camera also. I have window light, overhead incandescent light, f/1.8, iso 1600, shutter at 1/60. It’s bright enough. I’m using the FTZ, NIKKOR 35mm Af-s Dx lens, wide area af, focus mode is C. It makes no difference w what lens I use either, same results. Do I need Z lenses for this to work or am not setting/doing something correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Davies Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 If I remember correctly, the camera was set to continuous AF with auto area on and eye/face focus enabled. I didn't prefocus, just pressed the shutter to trigger the self timer, sat down and waited. Out of probably 15 attempts, 12 were focused accurately - it did find my watch a couple of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 Well, I tried your settings, reset all autofocus settings, reset all custom controls, reset the entire camera, no change. After another 100 shots, one hour, got 3 that worked. I could not recreate it literally right after I got the 3 with no changes to settings. To even see if it was only the Z7, I tried it with my D500. Interestingly enough, somewhat same results… did get a few better hits though. I might just give up on this endeavor, and continue using tether shooting or snapbridge. Mr. Davies, thank you for your time. If there is anyone else who wants to make any suggestions, please do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgelfand Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 You don't happen to have Back Button Focus enabled, do you? If so, turn it off and try when just depressing the shutter button activates focus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Full BBF will disable shutter button AF completely, so I guess focus is still effectively locked from the last time you pressed AF-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 Gentlemen, thank you for your two most recent posts on my question. I tried again this morning, ensuring that BBF was not the main focusing option, and it did not work. 10 perfectly blurry images. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 I have window light, overhead incandescent light, f/1.8, Focusing can be tricky with distance to subject because you are shooting wide-open with very shallow depth of field. Just to make sure it's not your hardware problem, try f/4 or even f/8 to see if you are in focus. If this works, then work from there. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 Thank you for your recent response Mrs. Doo. I tried your suggestion, and it still did not work. Lens used is the 35mm DX 1.8. I even made a video: iCloud Any and everyone, please review. Am I doing something wrong or am I expecting too much?? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_niemi1 Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Try this: Focus Mode - AF-SAF area mode - Eye detectBeep Option - On (so you can hear confirmation of focus) In Photo Shooting Menu select Interval Timer Shooting Choose start time - nowIntervals x shots//interval - select at least 3 shots to allow you to get into position, for example 7x1. Silent photography - offFocus before each shot - on (most important) Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 (edited) I called Nikon support about this issue, and they wanted me to send them some .jpgs of the testing we were doing while we were on the phone. Then they sent me a bad link, and was unable to send the images requested. I then sent the images directly to them via email, but I don't think they were delivered. A catch all email address. Let's see. I will keep you all posted. But, I did have some success tonight. I tried what Mr. Niemi suggested. Though I could not find the "Focus before each shot - on" option, I was able to do 3 rounds of interval shots, with the suggested settings, and all came out with successful images. I could hear the lens refocusing between shots, as I moved towards and away from the camera. It was an overhead light bulb, iso 1000, f/4 and shutter speed 160. It worked... I then tried the self timer again, thinking I had lady luck on my side, NOPE!! Blurry as usual. So, I now know that I can do some self portraits via interval shots, and those will work. Thank you all that made suggestions, I do appreciate your time. *If Nikon responds, I will keep you posted. Edited October 26, 2021 by adolfo.cruz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian_niemi1 Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Adolfo, I am happy to hear you are having some success. The “focus before each shot” option is on the second page of the “interval timer shooting” menu. I have a Z7ii so the menu on my camera might be different than yours. Please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 26, 2021 Author Share Posted October 26, 2021 Just a quick update: Nikon emailed me this morning, and stated that they would like me to do another round of testing with better light, and a flash. I tested it with all the windows open in my apartment, a lower fstop and iso 200. I also attached the SB700 flash unit. None of the testing resulted in a more acceptable image. All were still blurry. I will be sending them the images after I get off work tonight, and I will update the forum on the findings. Thanks again everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted October 31, 2021 Author Share Posted October 31, 2021 Last update: I gave up all together. Nikon stated that they could not figure out what was wrong with the images and I would have to send in my gear for review at a fee. I told them that I will continue using this, as is, and probably trade it in for a z7II or z9. So again, to everyone who helped, thank you. Here is my latest portrait session of me and the first camera I ever used. My dads Vietnam War era Yashica FX-1. Shot in interval mode!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgelfand Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Nikon stated that they could not figure out what was wrong with the images and I would have to send in my gear for review at a fee. I told them that I will continue using this, as is, and probably trade it in for a z7II or z9. Wrong answer, Adolfo. I would have replied, "Oh, well, I'll continue to use this as is and then trade it in on a Sony A1. That will solve the problem." <EVIL GRIN> Doesn't mean you have to switch to Sony or Canon, or... but you might as well add to their stomach acid level a little. I am sorry we and they could not help you. BTW if the self-timer is an important function for you, Vello makes a Timer/Remote for the Z7 LINK: Vello ShutterBoss II Timer Remote Switch for Nik RC-N2II B&H (bhphotovideo.com) It usually goes on sale around the Holidays and will probably cost much less than Nikon's evaluation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Shot in interval mode!!! If INTERVAL works but SELF TIMER doesn't, it sounds like a Z7 bug. Interval is effectively multiple Self Timer shots nothing more. Do you happen to have the latest firmware? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) bgelfand : Good play on my wording. I read it quickly and only on the second reading is when I noticed the switching part. Everyone did, in part help, because I tried what was recommended and not only did I find a mode that works, it put my mind at ease knowing that I was not doing or using the feature incorrectly. I might look into the Vello. A nice Xmas gift! Mr. Halliwell, yes, I do have the latest firmware installed. Unfortunately, it does not work. But like I stated, I may trade it in and do a slight or $MAJOR$ upgrade or even just continue using it as is. Not sure yet. Edited November 2, 2021 by adolfo.cruz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_smith3 Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 I am late in responding and realize the problem may be resolved. If it is still not resolved, check the lens to make sure the focus switch on the lens is set correctly. Or reset it a few times and then set it to the right setting. Maybe that is the problem or part of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adolfo.cruz Posted November 5, 2021 Author Share Posted November 5, 2021 Mr. Smith thank you for your input. I did check the lens as suggested and it didn’t make a difference. So, yesterday I was feeling under the weather and stayed home. I decided that some retail therapy may help so I packed the z7 up and took it with me right to the camera shop and traded it in. I got a Z7ii. I did a test and posted it. Can’t complain. It does what it is supposed to and is a tad quicker. Now I’m not saying that was the perfect solution, but I am happy with my decision. Thanks again, everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 Gotta love retail therapy! ;) That makes your issue a Z7 'bug' or your ex-Z7 was somehow corrupt if the identical settings on your new Z7ii work as designed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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