Nikon Z7 focus tracking on high speed large objects

[Nikon_Enthusiast]

Most of the Z7 shortcomings in comparison to the Z7II aren't really a problem for me but its supposedly lackluster af performance is a concern. I was wondering if anyone here could enlighten me as to how it would perform tracking a high speed train going through a wide bend at say 300kph. A slower prop driven aircraft might be a similar comparison but I suspect it would handle it a bit better due to no major clutter in the sky. The scenario deals with a much faster subject than scenarios people have claimed the af is lacking in, but the subject is also much larger and more predictable than wildlife/birds in flight so I'm not sure what to think. Any thoughts appreciated, I know it's a niche topic but figured I'd give it a shot in hopes someone here might have valuable input.

Example image of comparable subject and clutter I found online:

https://flic.kr/p/2oSW59Q

And yes I'm aware the Z9 has a focus mode for vehicle detection but that is way out of my price range (I'm trying to save and get a Z7 over a Z7II) and overkill.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

I suggest once you are adapt to no AI to detect a train or a plane and that Z7 AF needs detail parallel to the short dimension of the frame to auto focus successfully you should be able to get very good results from a Z7.

The D850 and D500 have several cross type AF points that can detect detail parallel to the short and long dimension frame - without A1.

Z7 AI detects people, faces and eyes but without AI for trains and planes.

 

[HeavyDuty]

My Z6 has always done fine with tracking rail subjects, subject to occasional dazzle issues from headlights. I’ve never felt large objects to be much of an AF challenge.

 

[Nikon_Enthusiast]

I suggest once you are adapt to no AI to detect a train or a plane and that Z7 AF needs detail parallel to the short dimension of the frame to auto focus successfully you should be able to get very good results from a Z7.

The D850 and D500 have several cross type AF points that can detect detail parallel to the short and long dimension frame - without A1.

Z7 AI detects people, faces and eyes but without AI for trains and planes.

I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about regarding AI but if the Z7 should be able to handle it in a normal tracking mode comparable to 3D on the DSLRs or just me manually selecting points to use in the Z equivalent AF-C it should be fine.

 

[Nikon_Enthusiast]

My Z6 has always done fine with tracking rail subjects, subject to occasional dazzle issues from headlights. I’ve never felt large objects to be much of an AF challenge.

North American rail is much slower, if it weren't I'd try to just rent one and see how it did but all the rail near me is quite slow.

 

[ghostfox_1]

I shot an airshow with jets with a z7 and it did just fine, so you'll be golden.