Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1
Thinking Outside the Box

First Things First

In the Box

Optional and Non-Optional Add-Ons

Initial Setup

Mastering the Multi Selector and Command Dials

Setting the Clock

Battery Included

Final Steps

Chapter 2
Nikon Z6 Quick Start

Selecting a Release Mode

Selecting an Exposure Mode

Choosing a Metering Mode

Choosing a Focus Mode

Choosing the Focus Area Mode

Adjusting White Balance and ISO

Reviewing the Images You’ve Taken

Transferring Photos to Your Computer

Changing Default Settings

Resetting the Nikon Z6

Recommended Default Changes

Shooting Tips

Photo Shooting Menu Recommendations

Custom Setting Menu Recommendations

Chapter 3
Nikon Z6 Roadmap

Nikon Z6: Up Front

The Nikon Z6’s Business End

Playing Back Images

Zooming the Nikon Z6 Playback Display

Viewing Thumbnails

Using the Photo Data Displays

Going Topside

Lens Components

Underneath Your Nikon Z6

The Viewfinder/Monitor Displays

What’s the Fuss about BSI?

Chapter 4
Nailing the Right Exposure

Getting a Handle on Exposure

Equivalent Exposure

How the Z6 Calculates Exposure

Correctly Exposed

Overexposed

Underexposed

Metering Mid-Tones

Choosing a Metering Method

Matrix Metering

Center-weighted Metering

Spot Metering

Highlight-weighted Metering

Choosing an Exposure Method

Aperture-Priority

Shutter-Priority

Program Mode

Manual Exposure

Adjusting Exposure with ISO Settings

Dealing with Noise

Bracketing

White Balance Bracketing

ADL Bracketing

Working with HDR

Auto HDR

Bracketing and Merge to HDR

Fixing Exposures with Histograms

Tonal Range

Histogram Basics

Understanding Histograms

Fine-Tuning Exposure

Chapter 5
Mastering the Mysteries of Focus

Auto or Manual Focus?

How Focus Works

Contrast Detection

Phase Detection

Adding Circles of Confusion

Using Autofocus with the Nikon Z6

Autofocus vs. Manual Focus Revisited

Bringing the Z6’s AF System into Focus

Focus Mode and Priority

Autofocus Mode

Choosing an Autofocus Area Mode

Face Detection and Subject Tracking

Face-Priority AF

Subject Tracking

Store by Orientation

Autofocus Activation . . . and More

Manual Focus

Split-Screen Display Zoom

Back Button Focus

Activating Back Button Focus

Fine-Tuning the Focus of Your Lenses

Lens Tune-up Options

Evaluating Current Focus

Changing the Fine-Tuning Setting

Setting the Default Value

Chapter 6
Advanced Techniques

Continuous Shooting

A Tiny Slice of Time

Working with Short Exposures

Long Exposures

Three Ways to Take Long Exposures

Working with Long Exposures

Delayed Exposures

Self-Timer

Interval/Time-Lapse Photography

Using Interval Photography

Time-Lapse Movies

Multiple Exposures

Geotagging with the Nikon GP-1a

Focus Shift Shooting

Trap (Auto) Focus

Using SnapBridge

Using the SnapBridge App

Camera Page

Smart Device

Cloud

Chapter 7
Focus on Lenses

Sensor Sensibilities

Choosing Native Z-mount Lenses

Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S

Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S

Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S

Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S

Universal VR

How It Works

Using the FTZ Adapter

Ingredients of Nikon’s Alphanumeric Soup

Zoom or Prime?

Categories of Lenses

Using Wide-Angle and Wide-Zoom Lenses

Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems

Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses

Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems

Telephotos and Bokeh

Nikon’s Lens Roundup

The Magic Three

Wide Angles

Wide to Medium/Long Zooms

Telephoto and Normal Lenses

Macro Lenses

Chapter 8
Mastering Light

Light That’s Available

Continuous Lighting Basics

Living with Color Temperature

Daylight

Incandescent/Tungsten/Halogen Light

Fluorescent Light/LEDs

Other Lighting Accessories

Chapter 9
Electronic Flash with the Nikon Z6

Electronic Flash Basics

The Moment of Exposure

A Tale of Two Exposures

Measuring Exposure

Guide Numbers

Choosing a Flash Sync Mode

Ghost Images

High-Speed Sync

Using External Flash

Using Flash Exposure Compensation

Specifying Flash Shutter Speed

Previewing Your Flash Effect

Flash Control

Working with Nikon Flash External Units

Nikon SB-300

Nikon SB-400

Nikon SB-500

Nikon SB-700

Nikon SB-R200

Nikon SB-910

SB-5000

Light Modifiers

Using Zoom Heads

Flash Modes

Repeating Flash

Chapter 10
Wireless and Multiple Flash

Elements of Wireless Flash

Master Flash

Remote Flashes

Channels

Groups

Lighting Ratios

Setting Your Master Flash

Setting Commander Mode for the SB-5000

Setting Commander Modes for the SB-910 or SB-900

Setting Commander Modes for the SB-700

Setting Commander Modes for the SB-500

Setting Remote Modes

Radio Control

Chapter 11
Playback, Photo Shooting, and Movie Shooting Menus

Anatomy of the Nikon Z6’s Menus

Playback Menu Options

Delete

Playback Folder

Playback Display Options

Image Review

After Delete

After Burst, Show

Rotate Tall

Slide Show

Rating

Photo Shooting Menu Options

Reset Photo Shooting Menu

Storage Folder

File Naming

Choose Image Area

Image Quality

Image Size

NEF (RAW) Recording

ISO Sensitivity Settings

White Balance

Set Picture Control

Manage Picture Control

Color Space

Active D-Lighting

Long Exposure NR

High ISO NR

Vignette Control

Diffraction Compensation

Auto Distortion Control

Flicker Reduction Shooting

Metering

Flash Control

Flash Mode

Flash Compensation

Focus Mode

AF-Area Mode

Vibration Reduction

Auto Bracketing

Multiple Exposure

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Interval Timer Shooting

Time-Lapse Movie

Focus Shift Shooting

Silent Photography

Movie Shooting Menu

Reset Movie Shooting Menu

File Naming

Choose Image Area

Frame Size/Frame Rate

Movie Quality

Movie File Type

ISO Sensitivity Settings

White Balance

Set Picture Control

Manage Picture Control

Active D-Lighting

High ISO NR

Vignette Control

Diffraction Compensation

Auto Distortion Control

Flicker Reduction

Metering

Focus Mode

AF-Area Mode

Vibration Reduction

Electronic VR

Microphone Sensitivity

Attenuator

Frequency Response

Wind Noise Reduction

Headphone Volume

Timecode

Chapter 12
The Custom Settings Menu

Custom Settings Menu Layout

Reset Custom Settings

a. Autofocus

a1 AF-C Priority Selection

a2 AF-S Priority Selection

a3 Focus Tracking with Lock-on

a4 Auto-Area AF Face-Detection

a5 Focus Points Used

a6 Store Points by Orientation

a7 AF Activation

a8 Limit AF-Area Mode Selection

a9 Focus Point Wrap-Around

a10 Focus Point Options

a11 Low-Light AF

a12 Built-in AF-Assist Illuminator

a13 Manual Focus Ring in AF Mode

b. Metering/Exposure

b1 EV Steps for Exposure Cntrl.

b2 Easy Exposure Compensation

b3 Center-Weighted Area

b4 Fine-Tune Optimal Exposure

c. Timers/AE Lock

c1 Shutter-Release Button AE-L

c2 Self-Timer

c3 Power Off Delay

d. Shooting/Display

d1 CL Mode Shooting Speed

d2 Max. Continuous Release

d3 Sync. Release Mode Options

d4 Exposure Delay Mode

d5 Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter

d6 Limit Selectable Image Area

d7 File Number Sequence

d8 Apply Settings to Live View

d9 Framing Grid Display

d10 Peaking Highlights

d11 View All in Continuous Mode

e. Bracketing/Flash

e1 Flash Sync Speed

e2 Flash Shutter Speed

e3 Exposure Compensation for Flash

e4 Auto Flash ISO Sensitivity Control

e5 Modeling Flash

e6 Auto Bracketing (Mode M)

e7 Bracketing Order

f. Controls

f1 Customize i Menu

f2 Custom Control Assignment

f3 OK Button

f4 Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock

f5 Customize Command Dials

f6 Release Button to Use Dial

f7 Reverse Indicators

g. Movie

g1 Customize i Menu

g2 Custom Control Assignment

g3 OK Button

g4 AF Speed

g5 AF Tracking Sensitivity

g6 Highlight Display

Chapter 13
The Setup Menu, Retouch Menu, and My Menu

Setup Menu Options

Format Memory Card

Save User Settings

Reset User Settings

Language

Time Zone and Date

Monitor Brightness

Monitor Color Balance

Viewfinder Brightness

Viewfinder Color Balance

Control Panel Brightness

Limit Monitor Mode Selection

Information Display

AF Fine-Tune

Non-CPU Lens Data

Clean Image Sensor

Image Dust Off Ref Photo

Image Comment

Copyright Information

Beep Options

Touch Controls

HDMI

Location Data

Wireless Remote (WR) Options

Assign Remote (WR) Fn Button

Airplane Mode

Connect to Smart Device

Connect to PC

Wireless Transmitter (WT-7)

Conformity Marking

Battery Info

Slot Empty Release Lock

Save/Load Settings

Reset All Settings

Firmware Version

Retouch Menu

NEF (RAW) Processing

Trim

Resize

D-Lighting

Red-Eye Correction

Straighten

Distortion Control

Perspective Control

Image Overlay

Trim Movie

Side-by-Side Comparison

Using My Menu

Chapter 14
Capturing Video with the Z6

Quick Start Checklist

Lean, Mean, Movie Machine

Capturing Video

Slow-Motion Movies

Shooting Your Movie

Using the i Button

Stop That!

Viewing Your Movies

Trimming Your Movies

Saving a Frame

Chapter 15
Tips for Shooting Better Video

Using an External Recorder

Refocusing on Focus

Lens Craft

Depth-of-Field and Video

Zooming and Video

Keep Things Stable and on the Level

Shooting Script

Storyboards

Storytelling in Video

Composition

Lighting for Video

Illumination

Creative Lighting

Lighting Styles

Audio

Tips for Better Audio

External Microphones

Special Features