My new Z50ii is here

I must admit I did not take the time to even set it up before taking some test shots. I set it for RAW, AF-C, and put my 18-140mm lens on it. I took it out to where I know we still have flowers and bees. Put it in P mode (hangs head in shame) and changed the AF to tracking. The wind was blowing and I was trying to keep focus on the bees while the flowers bounced around. The learning curve for this is going to be fun.

Never be afraid to use P mode - it is the Professional mode after all;-)

cutterpup said:

I must admit I did not take the time to even set it up before taking some test shots. I set it for RAW, AF-C, and put my 18-140mm lens on it. I took it out to where I know we still have flowers and bees. Put it in P mode (hangs head in shame) and changed the AF to tracking. The wind was blowing and I was trying to keep focus on the bees while the flowers bounced around. The learning curve for this is going to be fun.

Click to expand...

If you plan to shoot wildlife, consider using auto iso for that. As Simon DEntremont points out, iso is the only non-creative choice in the exposure triangle.

Aperture and shutter speed are creative choices, iso is just a sensor gain/no gain function.




Also, set one of your custom buttons to cycle AF area mode. Once you do that, don't be afraid to leave it on auto detect (no reticle on screen). Auto will grab/hold that bee and flower for you easily.




With focus and iso taken care of, you can look out for framing/light conditions/etc.

z50ii is an amazing camera, it punches way above its weight (and price) congrats!

Bird_Nerd said:

If you plan to shoot wildlife, consider using auto iso for that. As Simon DEntremont points out, iso is the only non-creative choice in the exposure triangle.

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Thank you. For years I had my cameras set for auto with a high limit of 800. I bumped it up manually as needed. I'm sure the Z50ii can handle much higher than that.

Bird_Nerd said:

Also, set one of your custom buttons to cycle AF area mode. Once you do that, don't be afraid to leave it on auto detect (no reticle on screen). Auto will grab/hold that bee and flower for you easily.

Click to expand...

Again, thank you

Bird_Nerd said:

With focus and iso taken care of, you can look out for framing/light conditions/etc.

z50ii is an amazing camera, it punches way above its weight (and price) congrats!

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This package is so freaking light and convenient you won't hesitate to take it with you everywhere. I will also note the image quality is amazing.

cutterpup said:

Bird_Nerd said:

If you plan to shoot wildlife, consider using auto iso for that. As Simon DEntremont points out, iso is the only non-creative choice in the exposure triangle.

Click to expand...

Thank you. For years I had my cameras set for auto with a high limit of 800. I bumped it up manually as needed. I'm sure the Z50ii can handle much higher than that.

Click to expand...

Gotcha, I'm preaching to the converted here.

I think on my 50ii the high is at 8000 maybe 6500, somewhere in there.

I try to stay below those as best I can, but my 500pf is 5.6 and 800pf is 6.3 so I get to 8000 pretty often in the evenings as the sun goes down.

No! No, no, no, no, no. Your first shot must be of a CAT!

:-D

Congrats. It’s a nice camera.

Bird_Nerd said:

cutterpup said:

Bird_Nerd said:

If you plan to shoot wildlife, consider using auto iso for that. As Simon DEntremont points out, iso is the only non-creative choice in the exposure triangle.

Click to expand...

Thank you. For years I had my cameras set for auto with a high limit of 800. I bumped it up manually as needed. I'm sure the Z50ii can handle much higher than that.

Click to expand...

Gotcha, I'm preaching to the converted here.

I think on my 50ii the high is at 8000 maybe 6500, somewhere in there.

Click to expand...

I will do some research/ testing before fully deciding. 800 as my comfort zone goes way back. I need to adjust to the modern times.

Bird_Nerd said:

I try to stay below those as best I can, but my 500pf is 5.6 and 800pf is 6.3 so I get to 8000 pretty often in the evenings as the sun goes down.

Click to expand...

My decision to go with a DSLR from film was when I went outside before dinner at a conference. I had an SLR with me. A bald eagle flew into a low tree branch. I lost the light too quickly. Then the beauty of being able to change the iso hit me.

On a side note my husband wasn't too enthused until I asked him, " Want to see what my new computer with lenes that takes pictures can do?"

cutterpup said:

Put it in P mode (hangs head in shame) and changed the AF to tracking.

Click to expand...

I use P mode quite a bit in daylight when I don’t care so much what my ISO is. No shame in that.

Congrats. I test drove one during the NikonUSA Roadtrip. Really good quality, and I liked the small size.

The new 2.8 16-50 looks intriguing. I'd like something wider as well. Maybe the 12-28 PZ?

I am glad that you are enjoying your new camera. That makes two of us. Here are a few that I took today, with the Z50 II and the Z24 F1.7.




The new and the old, side by side!!




The hummingbirds love this flower




This flower produces an amazing fragrance!




My magnificent cactus produces wonderful fruit

Together, they make a wonderful walk-around system!

Barleyman said:

Congrats. I test drove one during the NikonUSA Roadtrip. Really good quality, and I liked the small size.

The new 2.8 16-50 looks intriguing. I'd like something wider as well. Maybe the 12-28 PZ?

Click to expand...

I also bought the 12-28 PZ but hadn't unboxed it before trying out the camera. I was on the fence because I love my F mount Tamron 10-24 dx. But I decided I want a fully Z mount grab and go kit.

cutterpup said:

Bird_Nerd said:

Gotcha, I'm preaching to the converted here.

I think on my 50ii the high is at 8000 maybe 6500, somewhere in there.

Click to expand...

I will do some research/ testing before fully deciding. 800 as my comfort zone goes way back. I need to adjust to the modern times.

cutterpup said:

...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I've kept my Z30 and returned the Z50II because after using it for three days, my thumb was not able to get the BBf button, and when I used the shutter with the thumb-point, it made a bleeding sore on the middle of the thumb skin. [My hand is 13cm large and my fingers are under 8cm short ].

Alas, they made that button buldging too much.

Back to ISO.
Z30 and Z50II have the same sensor.
My Auto-ISO is set in the 100-6400 during the day and 100-10/20.000 at night.

I shoot in M and, depending on subject/light, I decide what speed I need or what DOF/grain I want. I keep a tab on the ISO to keep it at camera best: 100 or 400 when possible. Not very often, I do switch to manual when I have a strange unexpected readings. Usually, these are due to a Lamp, a Window in the interior. Outside, Direct sunlight, or a Reflection.
Otherwise, I don't care to shoot 6400ISO or 20.000, provided the speed and DOF are what I want.

Around your shot in the digital world, there is a lot of software: camera software, PP, Denoising, whatever you need is there.
Note: Z50II has better software and image management than the Z30.

ISO is not the important issue as it was in the film era, when you were forced to respect 64ISO or 200ISO.

I'm printing a 2mt poster from a Z30 shot. 1/320; f/14; ISO 900

> In the same way, I use the Zf

( Auto-ISO unlimited is a benefit to be used, not to be shunned )

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-------- Mid of French/Italian Alps --------- I Love my Carnivores. >https://eu.zonerama.com/AlainCH2/1191151
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Photography ... It is about how that thing looks when photographed..
( Avoid boring shots )

cutterpup said:

Bird_Nerd said:

If you plan to shoot wildlife, consider using auto iso for that. As Simon DEntremont points out, iso is the only non-creative choice in the exposure triangle.

Click to expand...

Thank you. For years I had my cameras set for auto with a high limit of 800. I bumped it up manually as needed. I'm sure the Z50ii can handle much higher than that.

Click to expand...

My D500 has a sensor from the same family as the Z50II. I usually use Auto ISO with the maximum ISO set to 6400. I tend to use the AI-powered Denoising feature in LrC for photos with ISOs above 2000 with good results. I try to keep ISOs as low as possible, by I don’t hesitate to go high when conditions require it.

Have fun getting to know your Z50II.