How to switch the wheels for AF on the Zf

MyCR29 · May 11, 2024

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

--
MyCR29

skyrunr · May 11, 2024

I don't think you can. Which is kind of why many of us are chomping at the bit for the Z6III. It is worth opening a ticket to Nikon though. These two articles explain why:

The Curious Case of Nikon Updates | Thom Hogan

Why do some Nikon cameras get some features but not others?

www.zsystemuser.com

Nikon is Out of Sync With Itself | Thom Hogan

Nikon needs some naming and organization discipline

www.zsystemuser.com

My various issues with Nikon's firmware and features:

1/3 grid not in several Z models
Backup/restore settings missing from Z50
Customizing buttons is VERY limited
Customizing buttons is not consistent between models
- You can't make two match
Not all settings save to user modes, or banks
Only one recall settings feature, and it is ONLY on Z8/Z9
Menu diving instead of toggle/cycling (Z8 just added AF cycling)
Let us set and lock "global" settings
- additionally: limit/hide those options
- maybe automatically move them to a "global" menu

I can't stand having to go through menus to configure cameras these days. We should have an app or ideally a desktop app that manages firmware and settings.

PLShutterbug · May 11, 2024

MyCR29 said:
Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

I’m curious. Why do you reverse the dials?

MyCR29 · May 11, 2024

PLShutterbug said:
MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

I’m curious. Why do you reverse the dials?

I do not change the AF mode a lot but I change the zone usually quickly between the whole zone with Person eye AF and the small AF area (aka single point AF), the one slightly bigger than pin. The subject tracking with ok is just too big usually. I removed all the other AF zone possibilities to just switch between the two, and it’s a lot more comfortable for me to push the record button with the index and change the zone with the thumb, than to fiddle around with the middle finger on the front wheel. The use of the front wheel in combination with the record button is even more awkward on the zfc and zf than on the Z6II.

AlainCh2 · May 11, 2024

skyrunr said:
I can't stand having to go through menus to configure cameras these days. We should have an app or ideally a desktop app that manages firmware and settings.

I heartily agree on that point !!!!

MyCR29 · May 11, 2024

I thought it would be almost the same as on the Nikon Zfc because of the body being almost the same and the button layout being as well the same. I guess I was wrong then.

I must say strangely I am not a fan of the gripless body. I have no issue with the Zfc and thought that the mini grip on the Zf would do the trick, but it weights much more and is thicker reducing the grip force I can apply, it is even worse with small hands like mine. So I ordered the small rig grip. I hope it will better with it.

I am too waiting for the Z6III, but I am afraid it will not get the eye recognition and focus confirmation for manual focus lenses which is a great feature on the Zf. It would not surprise me if they keep that feature for the manual lens body, aka the retro body, aka Zf. I mean they have not put this feature on the Z8 and Z9 with firmware update if I am not mistaking.

skyrunr · May 11, 2024

I was pretty happy with the smallgrip attachment as I usually use an L-bracket anyway. I got it a month before the ZF was released.

kurczeblade · May 13, 2024

If they don't fix it with software, they gave us broken hardware.

I feel sad. Such an expensive camera, this shouldn't be happening.

I'll wait a little longer, file a complaint and demand a refund, and unfortunately I'm going back to the Z6II - in which the image works perfectly.

It should not be like that. Nikon's quality control shouldn't let something like this pass, the camera shouldn't be sold with such a defect!

Nebido · May 13, 2024

MyCR29 said:
I am too waiting for the Z6III, but I am afraid it will not get the eye recognition and focus confirmation for manual focus lenses which is a great feature on the Zf. It would not surprise me if they keep that feature for the manual lens body, aka the retro body, aka Zf. I mean they have not put this feature on the Z8 and Z9 with firmware update if I am not mistaking.

I have little doubt that this feature will be included in future Z-bodies such as the Z6 III.
I see no reason to leave this feature out of a new camera, especially as it has been very well received in the reviews/influencers.
It is therefore a positive sales criterion that should not cost Nikon anything to implement.
With camera models that have already been on the market for some time, such as the Z9 or Z8, the situation is different, so it's logical not to add every new feature, even if it were technically possible via FW.

This was also the case with the Z6/Z7 vs Z6 II/Z7 II.
Many of the additional comfort features could easily have been implemented in the Gen1 at a later date via FW update.
If this had been done, Gen2s would certainly have been sold less.

The Z6 III will be an important launch for Nikon, the competition in this area has so far been well ahead with bodies like the A7IV or the R6 II, afaik the R6 III is also just around the corner, Sony A7V should also not be far away.
A Z6 III will have to compete with this in the future.
Nikon will be happy for every feature that convinces the customer to buy a Z6 III, so why should they slim down where Nikon has recently been more innovative than the competition.

Nabilon · May 13, 2024

MyCR29 said:
PLShutterbug said:

MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

I’m curious. Why do you reverse the dials?

Click to expand...

I do not change the AF mode a lot but I change the zone usually quickly between the whole zone with Person eye AF and the small AF area (aka single point AF), the one slightly bigger than pin. The subject tracking with ok is just too big usually. I removed all the other AF zone possibilities to just switch between the two, and it’s a lot more comfortable for me to push the record button with the index and change the zone with the thumb, than to fiddle around with the middle finger on the front wheel. The use of the front wheel in combination with the record button is even more awkward on the zfc and zf than on the Z6II.

I reverse the dials for the same reasons, I was so happy to find this solution on my Z6. In my case, I use the front Fn-Button for switching AF-modes, and pressing the front button and simultaneously turning the front dial is much harder for me, as both are pushing in the same direction, with nothing to push against it. On the Z8 and and Z9 they re-introduced the separate AF-button on the left side of the body, as it has been the case with previous DSLRs, so that problem does not exist there. I hope they will also have that AF-button on the side on the Z6iii.

CliveTJ · May 13, 2024

kurczeblade said:
If they don't fix it with software, they gave us broken hardware.

I feel sad. Such an expensive camera, this shouldn't be happening.

I'll wait a little longer, file a complaint and demand a refund, and unfortunately I'm going back to the Z6II - in which the image works perfectly.

It should not be like that. Nikon's quality control shouldn't let something like this pass, the camera shouldn't be sold with such a defect!

It’s not clear what you’ve a problem with.

Is it not being able to swap the control dials or is there a problem with the images?

Is there a QC issue with your Zf or is it the design or the options Nikon have chosen to offer in firmware.

If it’s an issue with holding a button whilst spinning a dial, have you tried setting the buttons so you don’t need to hold them down (just a quick push) whilst spinning the dials?

kelly15 · May 13, 2024

MyCR29 said:
Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Simply move the function from the Record button to the front Fn button.

MJ_Photo38 · May 13, 2024

skyrunr said:
My various issues with Nikon's firmware and features:

1/3 grid not in several Z models

On the Z6 I also can't set my screen to have both the live histogram and the 1/3 grid, which is very dumb. On my X-T2, I can tick boxes for what I want to be present on my screen, I can untick everything or tick eveerything if I want, nothing is locked.

skyrunr said:
Backup/restore settings missing from Z50

Customizing buttons is VERY limited

Came from Fujifilm where pretty much every button can be changed, and I indeed felt a little limited with the Z6, only the two front buttons and the top record button (only in photo mode). As a point of comparison, my X-T2 has 8 function buttons that I can fully customize. And don't get me started on Sony cameras.

skyrunr said:
Customizing buttons is not consistent between models

You can't make two match

This one is the most puzzling to me. All Nikon Z bodies pretty much ahve the same button layoout (D-pad with OK button on the right, 4 buttons underneath, two buttons on the top left, ISO, exposure comp and video record on the top plate), but they seem to change the fuction of these buttons on EVERY MODEL.

Keeping track of almost every Z body so far :

eb05c1e3ddd64f90be4bfaa972ffd273.jpg.png

It's such a mess it almost makes me mad.

skyrunr said:
Not all settings save to user modes, or banks

The picture profile not being consistent means I can't really have separate video and photo profiles... not about to use my custom Flat profile for photography, which is set to my U3 setting... meaning that mu U3 setting is for video only, pretty much.

skyrunr said:
Only one recall settings feature, and it is ONLY on Z8/Z9

Menu diving instead of toggle/cycling (Z8 just added AF cycling)

Let us set and lock "global" settings

additionally: limit/hide those options

maybe automatically move them to a "global" menu

I can't stand having to go through menus to configure cameras these days. We should have an app or ideally a desktop app that manages firmware and settings.

Could indeed be really nice

--
(G.A.S. and collectionnite will get my skin one day)

MyCR29 · May 13, 2024

kelly15 said:
MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

Simply move the function from the Record button to the front Fn button.

Not possible as I have 3D Focus on the front Fn button und the Zf has only one.

CliveTJ · May 13, 2024

MyCR29 said:
kelly15 said:

MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

Simply move the function from the Record button to the front Fn button.

Click to expand...

Not possible as I have 3D Focus on the front Fn button und the Zf has only one.

kelly15 · May 13, 2024

MyCR29 said:
kelly15 said:

MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

Simply move the function from the Record button to the front Fn button.

Click to expand...

Not possible as I have 3D Focus on the front Fn button und the Zf has only one.

Then move the 3D focus to the rear AF button.

And the function which was the to the Rec. button.

Aural · May 24, 2024

MyCR29 said:
Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to do, but on my ZF, this is pretty easily configurable.

Custom Settings Menu > f2 Custom controls (shooting) >

Video record button > Set to Focus mode/AF-area mode
Command dials (the one right before the video record button) > Focus/AF-area mode selection > Front dial changes AF mode, Rear dial changes AF zones (or vice versa)

Done!

Additionally, I have [ Custom Settings Menu > f7 ] set to on to make things easier so I don't have to hold down the video record button while adjusting the front dial.

kelly15 · May 25, 2024

Aural said:
MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to do, but on my ZF, this is pretty easily configurable.

Custom Settings Menu > f2 Custom controls (shooting) >

Video record button > Set to Focus mode/AF-area mode

Command dials (the one right before the video record button) > Focus/AF-area mode selection > Front dial changes AF mode, Rear dial changes AF zones (or vice versa)

Done!

Additionally, I have [ Custom Settings Menu > f7 ] set to on to make things easier so I don't have to hold down the video record button while adjusting the front dial.

I missed the F7 setting.

Thanks!

MyCR29 · May 26, 2024

Aural said:
MyCR29 said:

Hi,

on the Z6II, Zfc and Z30, I always use the record button to change the AF and I switch the wheels from default, meaning the front wheel changes AF mode (AF-S, AF-C, M) and the back wheel changes the AF zones (subject recognition, pin, subject tracking, …).

How can I do the same with the Zf. I didn’t find it in the menu and couldn’t find it with a quick search in the manual?

Click to expand...

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to do, but on my ZF, this is pretty easily configurable.

Custom Settings Menu > f2 Custom controls (shooting) >

Video record button > Set to Focus mode/AF-area mode

Command dials (the one right before the video record button) > Focus/AF-area mode selection > Front dial changes AF mode, Rear dial changes AF zones (or vice versa)

Done!

Additionally, I have [ Custom Settings Menu > f7 ] set to on to make things easier so I don't have to hold down the video record button while adjusting the front dial.

Thanks a lot, that (Command dials (the one right before the video record button) > Focus/AF-area mode selection > Front dial changes AF mode, Rear dial changes AF zones (or vice versa)) solved the problem. Could not find it in the manual with a quick search and it was not self explanatory as it is different from the Z fc, Z6II and Z30, which all work the same for that setting.

How to switch the wheels for AF on the Zf

Active member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Active member

Senior Member

Active member

Veteran Member

Member

Senior Member

Well-known member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Active member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Active member

Senior Member

Active member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts