Z7 Storage folders - cannot disable?

PLShutterbug said:

I found 19 thread responses for this topic but no real answers ...

A few weeks ago I was doing focus-shift shooting and I wanted each series to go to its own folder. So, (I'm going from memory here ...) I chose "New folder" for "Starting storage folder" in the Focus Shift Shooting menu.

Now, every image I shoot is stored in a folder, and when I transfer to my PC via NX Studio that folder structure is recreated. I cannot figure out how to make that go away.

For focus-shift shooting or interval-timer shooting, saving each image in the sequence in a new folder is highly desired.

But for shooting individual images, I'd prefer that they not be saved that way. Just save them to the DCIM folder.

Has anyone run into this? How did you solve it?

Click to expand...

PL, I have not set the 'new folder' when I have done a few focus-shift shooting. But looking at the manual, p236, seems to imply that one must 'unselect' the choice of 'new folder' as you can select and unselect per the manual. Have you tried unselecting the option to see if the new folders stop being made? Other than that not sure what to say.

This is just the type of thing the Nikon needs to adjust in a firmware update. It does not make sense that a selection for a type of shooting, that must be started via a menu selection, that a set choice in that menu would then apply across the camera when not in that menu.

If unselecting the above noted choice fixes the issue, you may want to try to set up a 'User Setting' which would dial you into a on/off of the focus shift new folder.

Hopefully, someone may come along and have a different/better fix for you. Stay Safe!

TomS53 said:

PLShutterbug said:

I found 19 thread responses for this topic but no real answers ...

A few weeks ago I was doing focus-shift shooting and I wanted each series to go to its own folder. So, (I'm going from memory here ...) I chose "New folder" for "Starting storage folder" in the Focus Shift Shooting menu.

Now, every image I shoot is stored in a folder, and when I transfer to my PC via NX Studio that folder structure is recreated. I cannot figure out how to make that go away.

For focus-shift shooting or interval-timer shooting, saving each image in the sequence in a new folder is highly desired.

But for shooting individual images, I'd prefer that they not be saved that way. Just save them to the DCIM folder.

Has anyone run into this? How did you solve it?

Click to expand...

PL, I have not set the 'new folder' when I have done a few focus-shift shooting. But looking at the manual, p236, seems to imply that one must 'unselect' the choice of 'new folder' as you can select and unselect per the manual. Have you tried unselecting the option to see if the new folders stop being made? Other than that not sure what to say.

This is just the type of thing the Nikon needs to adjust in a firmware update. It does not make sense that a selection for a type of shooting, that must be started via a menu selection, that a set choice in that menu would then apply across the camera when not in that menu.

If unselecting the above noted choice fixes the issue, you may want to try to set up a 'User Setting' which would dial you into a on/off of the focus shift new folder.

Hopefully, someone may come along and have a different/better fix for you. Stay Safe!

Click to expand...

Thanks for responding. Yes, I have tried that and it has no effect.

Once I set up folders for FSS the camera starts putting every new image in a folder. I think I will have to reset the camera to get it to stop. I agree that a FW update really is needed.

I did have that issue and managed somehow to turn it off as it became very annoying. I think you may have to turn off the new folder bit in focus stacking and then run that for a dummy set.

It then saves future files to the last used auto-created folder used.

A pain, I agree.

PL,

I was experimenting with a Z9 this morning. If the Z7 is the same it's complicated. You need to use both the PHOTO Shooting Menu, and the PLAYBACK menu for file deletion of a set of folder images only. (aside, I think the only way to delete folders themselves is a format, but with the shooting banks in a Z9 if one is saving settings, then format is not a good option).

In the Photo shooting menu you can select a folder. For example if the default is NCZ_7 that is what will show in the top level menu, but if you move right you will see a choice to select the folder either by number or by list. You can go back to whatever folder you want.

Next if you want to delete a single folder for a focus shift session, you need to set that folder in the Photo shooting menu as just described. Then go to Delete>Delete All. It will delete the images in that folder only. When looking at the Delete option, look one line down and it should show the folder number. BEWARE, if shows NCZ_7 you will delete all the images on the card not just just that folder. You should be seeing a number.

I think this is a bit too complicated because under Playback Folder in Playback Menu, you can't choose the folder. That is done under the Photo Shooting menu.

Take an empty card and experiment with this.

I just reread your post. I’m not sure you can go back to not using any folders and you will have to experiment with that

Stinson said:

I just reread your post. I’m not sure you can go back to not using any folders and you will have to experiment with that

Click to expand...

Thanks for the other response. I don’t think that will help. Looks like my best bet is to use a designated folder for “normal/single” images and tell stacks and sequences always to create a new folder per sequence.

I’m starting vacation tomorrow and will be on an airplane all evening, so I will wear out a battery or two experimenting and report back. :-D

PLShutterbug said:

Stinson said:

I just reread your post. I’m not sure you can go back to not using any folders and you will have to experiment with that

Click to expand...

Thanks for the other response. I don’t think that will help. Looks like my best bet is to use a designated folder for “normal/single” images and tell stacks and sequences always to create a new folder per sequence.

I’m starting vacation tomorrow and will be on an airplane all evening, so I will wear out a battery or two experimenting and report back. :-D

Click to expand...

One other quick thought would be to set up the i-menu to change cards and only do focus stacking on a second card.

Stinson said:

PLShutterbug said:

Stinson said:

I just reread your post. I’m not sure you can go back to not using any folders and you will have to experiment with that

Click to expand...

Thanks for the other response. I don’t think that will help. Looks like my best bet is to use a designated folder for “normal/single” images and tell stacks and sequences always to create a new folder per sequence.

I’m starting vacation tomorrow and will be on an airplane all evening, so I will wear out a battery or two experimenting and report back. :-D

Click to expand...

One other quick thought would be to set up the i-menu to change cards and only do focus stacking on a second card.

Click to expand...

I wish I had that option, but my Z7i only has one card slot.

PLShutterbug said:

I wish I had that option, but my Z7i only has one card slot.

Click to expand...

Opps I saw the "Z7i" and thought it was the "ii ". I think once you have folders you are stuck with them. Haven't confirmed that. But you should be able to rename one of your folders to your liking for everyday shooting.

Hi... was looking for an answer to the same issue and I think I've figured it out.

When in the storage folder menu, there is the select folder by number option and then right below it there is a 'select folder from list' option. It doesn't seem like it does anything because when you select it there is no "list", however, if you choose the one line in the list it will reset putting things in new folders. It puts it back to the camera name folder that is in the DCIM folder.

fotosbyamy said:

Hi... was looking for an answer to the same issue and I think I've figured it out.

When in the storage folder menu, there is the select folder by number option and then right below it there is a 'select folder from list' option. It doesn't seem like it does anything because when you select it there is no "list", however, if you choose the one line in the list it will reset putting things in new folders. It puts it back to the camera name folder that is in the DCIM folder.

Click to expand...

Ooh, you got my hopes up and then dashed them on the rocks!

First I tried the above. Went to Photo Shooting Menu, chose Select folder from list, and it showed me a bunch of folders I could choose from. But there was no blank choice like you describe. So I couldn't simply select an empty folder.

Then I reformatted my card. Now in Photo Shooting Menu, the "Select folder from list" option is greyed out - I cannot select it.

Interval Timer Shooting: Starting storage folder, "New folder" was unchecked.

Focus Shift Shooting: Starting storage folder, "New folder" was checked. I just unchecked it.

Then I took a photo. It still created a folder.

Here is what I see when I look at my Nikon Transfer 2 folder in Windows Explorer. All of those "xxxNCZ_7" folders are what I complained about in my original post. Before I started messing around with creating folders for my focus stacks and interval-timed images, I only got the all-numeric primary folders with the files inside those. Now I always get a second folder, with the files in there. It's an extra step I'd prefer not to have to deal with, but I don't see any way to make it go away.





I wish your idea had worked ...