joseph_smith3

See if this helps. Look for the green light blinking. Taking out the battery, waiting and then reinstalling the battery might help. I never owned this camera. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/1821391

It zooms by extending lens elements based on pictures at NikonUSA. https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/mirrorless-lenses/nikkor-z-28-400mm-f%2f4-8-vr.html?utm_source=WWA&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20240327_wwa-28-400_cs-z-3-26-2024&utm_content=btn&utm_term=LearnMore&ET_CID=5153267&ET_RID=908648365

Steve Perry at Backcountry has a video on how to do firmware updates for Nikon Z bodies. He covers the just released Z 9 firmware. At the end he talks about how to do firmware updates for lenses which is different than for Z bodies. It is pretty comprehensive and worth looking at if you think you need help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2wu9NpFqAg I had no problems with doing the update for my Z9. And that included doing it twice for the GPS update. Each took about 6 minutes.

Here is another link to info about this development. Forbes and Barron's have reported it too. https://petapixel.com/2024/03/07/nikon-acquires-us-company-red-in-shakeup-of-cinema-camera-market/ I guess I need to learn how to use the video features on my Nikon cameras. I am glad to see this development.

I have had no issues with my Nikon 300mm f4 pf lens used with and without the 1.4x tc III on a D500, D850 and Z9. I also have the 500mm f5.6 pf that I use with and without the same 1.4x tc. My shorter zoom is the Nikon 70-200mm f4 that is very sharp and much lighter than the f2.8 version. If you want this lens you have to buy it used as Nikon no longer makes it.

I attended the video presentation via zoom on Wednesday evening. Paul did an excellent job. The presentation was not recorded so if you want to watch it when it gets presented again, watch it from a laptop or desktop where you can do screen saves. It had over 600 power point pages.

Thanks Shun. I just signed up for Wednesday's program. On my Z9, I have not as yet made many button selections, but have used the i (Info) screen for some selections.

I also agree with Shun's recommendation. I use and love my Nikon 500 f5.6 pf on my D500, D850 and Z9. I am 80 with some mobility and other aging challenges and the relatively smaller size and weight savings of this lens over larger and heavier zooms are a huge benefit.

There is a Zemlin replacement hood for the HK-43. It costs a lot less than the OEM HK-43. Check out their lens caps too. https://www.zemlinphoto.com/product/lens-hood-1pc-116mm-4-57in-long-replaces-nikon-hk-43-hood-/520 They have other replacement hoods and lens caps too. I may get the hood to replace the one on my Z mount 100-400mm S lens.

One additional thought on a tele zoom lens for a Z mount body. Check out the Tamron 150-500mm lens as it may meet your future needs better than any F or Z mount Nikon tele lens. See what Brad Hill says about it with comparisons to other options at his site: http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html

I have never owned or used a 80-400mm Nikon lens. With that being said, I will offer my thoughts on lens choices for you as I still use DSLRs along with my Z9. For DSLRS, my lenses are a 70-200mm f4, 300mm f4 pf and a 500mm f5.6 pf. I have a 70-200mm f2.8 but its AF motor no longer works and gets limited use in manual focus. For my Z9, I decided on the 100-400mm S to cover the 70-200mm and 300mm focal length range. And I also got the 1.4x tc to go with it. I use my 500mm f5.6 pf on my Z9 too. I much prefer prime tele lenses as they are usually smaller and lighter. When I use the 100-400mm S I am often at 300-400mm. Another plus with the 100-400mm S is that it has a short minimum focus distance at most focal lengths. This is another plus for this tele lens if you like to chase butterflies and similar subjects. If I were to buy a Z mount 70-200mm I would likely get the 70-180mm version made by Tamron with a Nikon name on it.

David, I do not know the answer to your question. For those with more expertise, I would also want to know if the damaged Z8 could possibly damage any lens attached to it? Both the camera and the latest lenses have electronics in them. I would not want a lens to be damaged from being attached to a defective electronic device.

I also suggest NX Studio. If you happen to have Nikon NX D or Nikon Capture on your computer, you can try them too. They were predecessors of NX Studio.

Nikon has a DX and FX version of the 35mm f1.8 G lens. And the 35mm f2 D lens is a FX lens. So one explanation is that the two lenses being compared may not be both FX . I have owned the 35mm f1.8G DX and the 35mm f2 D FX lenses. The 35mm f1,8 G DX was very sharp but could be used on DX bodies. I paid $200 for it when I bought it new. Some of the copies of the Nikon 35mm f2 D lenses had sticky aperture blades (mine did). And this factor alone may reduce its price. And I paid a lot more than $200 for it. One explanation is that the ebay seller has overpriced the D version or is guaranteeing that it is in 100% working order. But another reason is that the D version is full frame and the 35mm f1.8 G you are looking at is DX and not the FX version.

Like Dieter, I also use Downloader Pro to avoid images with the same name/number. I do not add a token to identify the camera body in each image file name that is created by Downloader Pro. But I do add a token to identify the camera body in the file folder name. My naming convention is pretty simplistic: File folder: 2023_11_10_Smith Oaks Rookery_Z9 File name: 231110_Smith Oaks Rookery.001 To get Downloader Pro to recognize Z9, I had to enter this token in Preferences: C:\Users\Photo\Pictures\Saved Pictures\Download 2023\{Y}_{m}_{D}_{J}_{T8} This creates the file folder name. {J} is Job Code. In my example Smith Oaks Rookery. {T8} is the token for Z9. This required some experimentation and help from Breeze Systems. I started using Downloader Pro before Nikon developed Nikon Transfer. Nikon Transfer can do about the same things. It is part of NX Studio. Downloader Pro is for windows Pcs only.

I just watched Steve Perry's 600mm pf tests video. I suggest that all users of tele lenses need to watch it as many of the points and comments made about the Nikon 600mm pf and other lenses made by Nikon " to get to 600mm " may also apply to newer lenses made by Sony, Canon and maybe other vendor too. My non tech summary--all are pretty sharp, even the zooms. If background rendering is your most important need, get the prime lens. If money (value for money spent) is your objective, get the zoom. I can see how some might need two 600mm lenses--the zoom for mammals, safaris and general wildlife and the prime for birds, blind shooting and background rendering.

Mary and others, I am attaching five images I took on Saturday at Houston Audubon Raptor Center on a very bright sunny morning. In general backgrounds are close and busy, not the best especially when the sun is out. Three of the images of the broadwinged hawk were taken at roughly the same position. The focal length changed and maybe the f stop too. 400mm, 220mm, 240. f5.6, f5, f5 The image of the kite was taken at f9 at 400mm. I was pretty close to him. The red-tailed hawk had a bright and busy background. 290mm at f6.3 Background rendering with this lens (and maybe any zoom) is very sensitive to how close you are to the subject and how far away the background is. All taken with a Z9, 100-400mm S, Bird detection, wide large, AF-C, Continuous Low in bursts. Auto ISO with Manual shutter speed at 1/320. All taken with a monopod with a wimberley monopod head. No processing or cropping. Jpegs made in DXO PL 6.10. Fstop and focal length used appears at the beginning of each file name.

Mary and others, here is some additional info on the 100-400mm S based on my use of it on my Z9. While I prefer wide apertures, for background control, I have found that f6.3, f7.1, f8 at 400mm render backgrounds better than I had expected. I do not like the cheap lens hood on the 100-400mm. If you are thinking of buying it, rent it and try it out especially to see how if renders backgrounds. It is my first tele zoom as I prefer prime lenses for long tele work.

Hi Mary, You are right that Nikon shooters have a lot of equipment choices to make especially since there are three Nikon Z mount lenses that allow you to reach 600mm without the use of a teleconverter. This and related topics has received considerable discussion on another site, Backcountry Forums. Here s what I have done to date and what I might do if I had the funds to start all over again. What I now use: Nikon Z9, Nikon D500 and Nikon D850. For the Z9, I got the 100-400mm S lens and its matching 1.4x tc. I did not buy a Z mount 70-200mm as I felt the 100-400mm covered that focal range. For longer reach on the Z9 I use my F mount Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf both with and without the F mount 1.4xtc. I also have the Z mount 24-120mm f4 lens for general purpose photos. And I use all three of my nikon F mount macro lenses with the adapter. My D 500 and D 850 are my backup/additional cameras. These can use the 500mm pf or my 300mm pf or my 300mm f2.8 and my 70-200mm f4. If I were starting from scratch, and flush with $$$, I would have to cameras, a Z9 and a Z8 or two Z9s. My lenses would all be Z mount: NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S, 600mm pf nd 800mm pf. And the 100-400mm zoom. And the matching 1.4x tc. If I needed a 70-200mm, I would likely get the 70-180mmNIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8. OR the Z180-600mm zoom and the Z mount 400mm f4.5, especially if I were a safari shooter, hiker, etc. And maybe the 600mm pf too. I will likely buy the new Nikon 600mm pf lens. When I do this I might sell all of my F mount. If I had to go small and light, then two Olympus bodies with the OM SYSTEM M. Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC 1.25 IS PRO Lens as my main tele lens supported by smaller lenses.

This morning I had a chance to test out the new bird detection firmware at a raptor shoot. I used my Z9 and the 100-400mm S lens. Bird detection was selected along with Wide Large. I took over 500 images of captive raptors in good to harsh sunlight and the software found the eye quickly and favored the eye that was brighter. I was hoping for overcast or shadow conditions, but these were not available to me. I did not get a chance to use Auto Area or 3D. For non bird stuff like American Beauty berries and fall leaves, , I had to switch to Dynamic area to achieve focus.

Regarding additional lenses, I still have and use two Nikon 300mm lenses: the 300mm f4 pf and the 300mm f2.8 G II. Since I got the 500mm f5.6 pf, I have not used either 300mm lens. I do use the 300mm f2.8 when I am faced with (bad) backgrounds and/or want the best possible bokeh. And its AF is fast. However it is big and very heavy so I do not take it on trails or while walking. When I ue it it is on a monopod or a tripod. I use the 300mm f4 when walking and when I need to get close to subjects as it has a pretty short minimum focus distance. And when I add an extension tube to it, it is like having a 200mm macro lens with me. Given the above, the 400mm S lens probably has replaced both F mount 300mm lenses, so I am not holding my breath for a S 300mm. The next Z mount lens I want from Nikon is a high quality S 70-200 f4. I doubt if they will make it as they already have the 70-200mm f2.8 S. But with the 100-400mm S, there is no way I am buying a 70-200mm f2.8S. For travel, safaris, etc, a 70-200mm f4 should be small and light and easier to use over a 70-200mm f2.8.

I just finished watching Steve Perry's video. I love using my 500mm pf lens, For me I probably need the 800mm pf to avoid cropping. However its added size and weight make the 600mm pf a more likely replacement lens if I decide to buy one. With my Z9 and the 100-400mm S, a 600mm or a 800mm pf should cover my needs.

I updated my Z9 firmware yesterday. It took about 5-6 minutes to update. Today, if it stops raining (not complaining as we need the rain) I hope to test the Bird feature on hummingbirds in my backyard, if any are still around. I will try it with Wide, Auto Area and 3D and see what works best.

I just got this notice from Nikon about firmware version 4.10. Here is the link for NikonUSA: Added [Birds] and [Airplanes] to [AF subject detection options] in the photo shooting and video recording menus. https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/505.html?utm_source=Support&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Z 9 US 4.10-10-3-2023&utm_content=link&utm_term=NIKKOR Z 9&j=4926002&sfmc_sub=908648365&l=514_HTML&u=307182978&mid=7227070&jb=4&ET_CID=4926002&ET_RID=908648365 Looks like I will do this tomorrow. I skipped ver 4.01. I am assuming this update covers all previous ones too.

I looked at all three videos that were part of the info at the nikonusa link. I was impressed by all three of them. The tech specs list its minimum focus distance as 2.69 ft. This is a little bit closer than the MFD for the Sigma art 135mm f1.8. I am wondering what type of photographer might be needing this lens? Wedding photographers? Video ?