Nikon z 6 2 Fn1 Fn2 buttons.

Hello Camera world. I was wondering what most photographers who use the Nikon z 62 what settings they would use on the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons on front of camera I know the auto focus settings would be quite handy. I think the Fn1 button mine is set to a white balance setting. I've never changed that setting.

FN1=Spot Metering

FN2=Subject Tracking

Agreed it would be great if there were some focus options available.

After many changes

u1 set manual and AFS

U2 manual and face and eye detect

u3 flash

f1 spot

f2 highlight metering.

mysteryman44 said:

Hello Camera world. I was wondering what most photographers who use the Nikon z 62 what settings they would use on the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons on front of camera I know the auto focus settings would be quite handy. I think the Fn1 button mine is set to a white balance setting. I've never changed that setting.

Click to expand...

I keep a pdf of my settings (below) on my phone so I can keep track and review before going out, They have changed over time (and probably will again) as I learn and refine how I'm using the camera (Z7) or what is important in my use case but are currently set as follows:





I also track changes I make to the I-menu (WB, flash, image stabilization on or off, metering, etc.) and my menu settings as I rearrange to suit which features I need quick access to. I also find Thom Hogan's Z6/7 guide that outlines which feature or function can be assigned to various buttons very helpful.

Thank you for the reply. I have the Nikon z 100 400mm S lens, and I like the control ring for aperture and sometimes Exposure compensation. You had a good idea writing the settings down.

I use the F1 for quick access to the Exposure Delay options (switching between OFF and 2 SEC, depending when using a tripod or not).

And F2 for freezing (or releasing) the exposure lock (AE-L).

Ok, Thank you for the reply. I will look into that.

On my Z5:

Fn1 to subject tracking.

Fn2 to AF area and mode.

For me this works for optimal control and quickest changes to AF system. I have my Z50 set the same.

If I had a Z6 or Z7 I would set up the same.

Z6 and Z7ii (Differs from Z9, how I wish they had the same options)

For stills

Fn1 spot metering

Fn2 AF mode.

lens fn both are tracking.

Af-on Ae lock

Joystick press AF-on.

For video

fn1-tracking

fn2 af mode

Sounds good, Thank you for the reply

I largely try to shoot JPEGs (plus raw in challenging situations) and get it right at the time, which is blasphemous around here (but I have neither the time nor the skills for much post-processing), so I set Fn1 to Picture Control. Then my next-most frequently used setting is Focus, Fn2, which lets me control the focus mode with the front wheel and the area mode with the rear.

I love these customization options and haven't even delved into the U1, U2 modes, but I plan to at some point.

FWIW I'm still on an original Z6.

Thank you for the reply. I am somewhat in the learning stage, but having fun experimenting with settings.

SoCalAngler said:

On my Z5:

Fn1 to subject tracking.

Fn2 to AF area and mode.

For me this works for optimal control and quickest changes to AF system.

Click to expand...

On my z6ii I have these same functions set, but the buttons swapped.

On my Z6:

F2 is 100% zoom. I use this a lot. It zooms to the focus point in the frame, then another F2 press zooms it all the way out. That's faster and way more efficient than repeated pressing of the "+" and "-" zoom buttons.

I can override the AF with the lens focus ring, and see the zone of focus move in and out.

100% zoom also works great on Image Review, zooming to the focus point.

F1 is usually (the default for F1?) metering mode.

~~~

I normally shoot "landscape" type scenes, in AF-S, usually single point AF.

For subject tracking, I use U3 settings. So it's just two clicks of the Mode dial from Aperture priority to U3. I can switch while looking through the viewfinder.

I really like U3 for Subject and face tracking -- now it's an instant switch to tracking, no menu choices needed. And it reverts back to my Aperture settings when I change back to Aperture.

Switching to U3: When I press AF-On, I get the dancing red focus boxes, with the camera looking for focus points to select. If it sees faces or eyes, it auto switches to face/eye tracking. Note: this face/eye that's tracking won't be focused unless I press AF-On or half press shutter.

If I press F1, I get the centered white box. Hold the AF-On (or half press shutter) and it continuously tracks and focuses whatever was in the white box, following it all over the frame. Press F1 again to revert.

My settings for U3:

a4-face eye detect ON,

f2-Custom Controls-->Fn1: Subject Tracking.

Also AF-C and Auto-area AF. All these changes revert back to my usual settings when I'm out of U3.

I don't remember what I used them for, but after programming their use I still never used them. Any functions I need I go right to the iMenu. Sure the first way is slightly more efficient, but his works for me. I guess I keep forgetting the buttons are there.

FN1 AE Lock (Hold)

FN2 Focus Mode/AF-area mode

Fn 1 Spot metering

Fn 2 Highlight - weighted metering

mysteryman44 said:

Hello Camera world. I was wondering what most photographers who use the Nikon z 62 what settings they would use on the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons on front of camera I know the auto focus settings would be quite handy. I think the Fn1 button mine is set to a white balance setting. I've never changed that setting.

Click to expand...

Both of mine are dedicated to AF, which is telling...

One brings up the basic tracking box and the other changes AF modes with the wheels.

Hello, Yes it can get confusing. I do go to the menu as well. I try to set my settings ahead of time before using the camera. I like the U1 U2 U3 settings. I however would like to know more about the function buttons on the camera and on the lens. The control ring on the lens seems easier to learn.

mysteryman44 said:

Hello Camera world. I was wondering what most photographers who use the Nikon z 62 what settings they would use on the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons on front of camera I know the auto focus settings would be quite handy. I think the Fn1 button mine is set to a white balance setting. I've never changed that setting.

Click to expand...

I often take back-to-back photos with and without flash. Rather than turn my flash off and remove it from the hot shoe each time, I have my Fn1 button programmed to cancel the flash. I just reach over and hold down the Fn1 button and the flash doesn't fire.

I have my Fn2 button set to initiate focus tracking.

--StevenN