Custom Setting d4: Exposure Delay Mode

(User’s Manual: Page 142, Reference Manual: Page 258)

Exposure delay mode introduces a delay of 0.2 to 3 seconds after the Shutter-release button is pressed before the shutter is actually released. Hopefully, during the delay period, camera vibrations will die down and the image will be sharper.

The following settings are available in Exposure delay mode (figure 9.29):

• 0.2 s, 0.5 s, 1 s, 2 s, or 3 s: After you press the Shutter-release button, the camera waits from 0.2 to 3 seconds before firing the shutter, depending on the selection you choose, as shown in figure 9.29, image 2. This allows the vibrations from the mirror movement to dissipate before the shutter fires. Of course, this won’t be useful at all for shooting anything moving or for any type of action shots. For shooting static scenes, this is a great feature.
• Off: The shutter has no delay when this setting is selected.

Figure 9.29: Exposure delay mode

Here are the steps used to configure Exposure delay mode:

1. 1. Choose d4 Exposure delay mode from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.29, image 1).
2. 2. Choose Off or a time delay from 0.2 s to 3 s (figure 9.29, image 2). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your setting.

Settings Recommendation: Exposure delay mode is very important to me. As a nature shooter, I use it frequently for single shots. When I’m shooting handheld or especially on a tripod—and want a really sharp image—I use this mode to allow vibrations I might have caused when pressing the Shutter-release button to die down. I find that 1 s or 2 s works well for me on a tripod, or even handheld. If you shoot mostly static subjects and want sharper pictures, this will help.

Custom Setting d5: Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter

(User’s Manual: Page 142, Menu Guide: Page 258)

Use Electronic front-curtain shutter (EFCS) when you want to eliminate vibrations that are caused by the camera’s physical shutter movement—called “shutter shock.” Certain shutter speeds can be more prone to shutter shock than others. For instance, shutter speeds between 1/2 sec and 1/50 sec may suffer from this malady. Also, when using long telephoto lenses at shutter speeds below the reciprocal of the lens focal length (e.g., less than 1/200 sec for a 200mm lens, or 1/400 sec for a 400mm lens), shutter shock can sometimes cause less sharp images.

The Z7 has two mechanical curtains in its shutter assembly: a front curtain and a rear curtain. Normally, the camera uses both of these shutter curtains during an exposure with all Release modes (e.g., Single frame, Continuous High).

However, when you enable the EFCS, the camera withdraws the mechanical first curtain before the exposure starts. Exposure is then initiated by turning on the sensor to receive light, for whatever shutter speed time is selected, and then the sensor is turned off. At the end of the exposure, the rear curtain closes to block light from hitting the sensor, ending the exposure. Since no light is being recorded when the rear curtain closes, it does not cause shutter shock. Using the EFCS removes the vibration caused by the mechanical front curtain moving out of the way to start the exposure. However, there are some limitations when using the EFCS:

• The maximum shutter speed is reduced from 1/8000 second to 1/2000 second.
• The maximum ISO is reduced from Hi 2 (ISO 102400) to ISO 25600.

Neither of these limitations causes much trouble for normal shooting, so many photographers use the EFCS regularly. If you regularly need faster shutter speeds than 1/2000 second, you may not need the EFCS. Of course, at shutter speeds that fast, shutter shock is not much of a problem anyway.

Figure 9.30: Enabling or disabling the Electronic front-curtain shutter setting

Here are the steps used to configure the Electronic front-curtain shutter setting:

1. 1. Choose d5 Electronic front-curtain shutter from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.30, image 1).
2. 2. Choose Enable to withdraw the mechanical front-curtain shutter during exposures, or select Disable to turn the Electronic front-curtain shutter off and use the mechanical shutter only (figure 9.30, image 2). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your setting.

Settings Recommendation: I leave d5 Electronic front-curtain shutter (EFCS) set to Enable when I am in the Great Smoky Mountains taking lovely landscapes. I don’t need fast shutter speeds or high ISO sensitivity in that environment. It works especially well for natural-light portraiture since somewhat longer lenses are often used at slower shutter speeds. If you are an action shooter and need very fast shutter speeds, maybe the EFCS is not for you. This is a mode that you should experiment with to see if it benefits your style of photography.

Nikon recommends that you use a type G, D, E, or S lens with the EFCS. If you are using lenses other than G, D, E, or S types and you notice lines or fogging in the image, it may be best to disable the EFCS or switch lenses to a recommended type.

Custom Setting d6: Limit Selectable Image Area

(User’s Manual: Page 142, Reference Manual: Page 258)

When you assign the Choose image area function to one of the 12 available slots on the i Menu, or to a camera button (e.g. Fn1, Fn2), you can use Limit selectable image area to limit which Image area modes appear as selections.

Normally, you will have the five Image area modes listed in figure 9.31, image 2, available for selection from an assigned camera control. The camera will offer the checked Image area modes in screens like the one shown in figure 9.31, image 3. The screen in image 3 is the result of my using Custom Setting f2 Custom control assignment (page 423) to assign Choose image area to the Fn1 button. When I press the Fn1 button and rotate either of the camera’s Command dials, I can select from the displayed Image area modes.

If you uncheck any of the Image area modes listed in figure 9.31, image 2, the unchecked mode will not appear on screens like the Choose image area screen shown in image 3.

Figure 9.31: Limit the Image area mode selections for assignable controls

Use the following steps to limit the selection of Image area modes for assignable camera controls:

1. 1. Choose d6 Limit selectable image area from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.31, image 1).
2. 2. Remove the check marks from the Image areas that you do not want to show up on an assignment to the i Menu or an assignable button/dial arrangement. To add or remove a check mark, tap the little box next to the option, or highlight the option [e.g., 5:4 (30x24)] and scroll to the right with the Multi selector pad. The FX (36x24) mode cannot be unchecked. When you have selected the Image area modes that you want to see on your camera screens for Assigned control/dial arrangements or an i Menu assignment—as seen in figure 9.31, image 3—press or touch OK to lock in the settings.

Settings Recommendation: I enjoy having all the camera’s Image area modes available when I assign Choose image area to a button or the i Menu. However, there may be Image area modes that you will never use and would rather not have to scroll through. In that case, uncheck them and they will not appear. Most of us will leave this function set to factory default so as not to limit our choices.

Custom Setting d7: File Number Sequence

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 259)

File number sequence allows your camera to keep count of the image file numbers for each picture you take, in a running sequence from 0001 to 9999. After 9999 pictures, it rolls back over to 0001. Or you can cause it to reset the image number to 0001 when you format or insert a new memory card. Here are the three settings, and an explanation of how each works:

• On: Image file numbers start at 0001 and continue running in a sequence until the image count exceeds 9999, at which point the camera creates a new folder and image numbers roll over to 0001 again. The File number sequence continues even if a new folder is created, a new memory card is inserted, or the current memory card is formatted. If you insert a different memory card that contains an image number in the current folder with a higher value than the previous memory card, the camera will adopt the new higher image number. In other words, file numbering continues from the last number used or the largest file number in the current folder, whichever is bigger, until 9999 images are reached, at which point the camera starts the numbering sequence over at 0001.
• Off: Whenever you format or insert a new a memory card, the number sequence starts over at 0001. If you exceed 5000 images in a single folder, the camera automatically creates a new folder and starts counting images at 0001 again (i.e., 5001 becomes 0001).
• Reset: This is similar to the On setting. However, it is not a true running total to 9999 because the image number is dependent on the folder in use. The camera simply takes the last number it finds in the current folder and adds 1 to it, up to 9999. If you switch to an empty folder, the numbering starts over at 0001. Each folder has its own number series and causes a File number sequence Reset.

Figure 9.32: File number sequence

Here are the steps used to configure File number sequence:

1. 1. Choose d7 File number sequence from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.32, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the three choices on the list (figure 9.32, image 2). On is the best choice for most of us. Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your setting.

Note: A strange event could possibly occur with Nikon’s image numbering system. If the current folder to which the camera is writing images is numbered 999 and it contains either 5000 pictures or a picture numbered 9999, the camera will disable its shutter and stop allowing pictures (or videos) to be taken. You will need to follow these two steps to reenable the camera’s shutter:

1. 1. Use the screens shown in figure 9.32 to set d7 File number sequence to Reset.
2. 2. Insert a new memory card or format the current card (Setup Menu > Format memory card). Be sure you’ve backed up your images before formatting the card!

Settings Recommendation: I heartily recommend that you set File number sequence to On, if it has been turned off. After much experience with Nikon DSLR and now Z cameras, and many years of storing thousands of files, I’ve found that the fewer number of files with similar image numbers, the better. Why take a chance on accidentally overwriting the last shooting session when copying files on your computer just because they have the same image numbers?

Custom Setting d8: Apply Settings to Live View

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 260)

One of the benefits of using a mirrorless camera with an EVF is the ability to immediately see changes to settings reflected in the image preview in the EVF or on the Monitor. In effect, the camera previews the final image before you take it. Add in the live histogram for precise exposure control and you have an especially powerful ability to create beautiful, well-exposed images.

When the Apply settings to live view function is enabled, changes to image settings such as exposure, Picture Controls, White balance, and depth of field are updated immediately on the “live view” EVF or Monitor screens. (See the sidebar Previewing Depth of Field Accurately.)

If you disable the Apply settings to live view function, the camera will use its EVF and Monitor to make sure you can see your subject well, regardless of the ambient light (unless too dark to use). The EVF and Monitor will not reflect how the final image will look. In other words, with the Apply settings to live view function disabled you will have no automatic image preview.

Let’s examine how to enable or disable the Apply settings to live view function.

Figure 9.33: Enabling or disabling Apply settings to live view

1. 1. Choose d8 Apply settings to live view from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.33, image 1).
2. 2. Select On to enable live image preview, or Off to use the live view screens merely to view the subject well (figure 9.33, image 2). On is the best choice for most of us. Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your setting.

Settings Recommendation: I leave the Apply settings to live view function set to On at all times. I love the automatic image preview with setting change updates. It is one of the unique benefits of investing in mirrorless camera technology. It makes me feel confident that my final image will look exactly the way I want it to look before I release the shutter.

However, if you want the live view screens to simply show you your subject well, even in low light, without reflecting changes to important settings (such as exposure or white balance), then set this function to Off.

Custom Setting d9: Framing Grid Display

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 260)

The Framing grid display function allows you to have a grid overlay on the EVF and Monitor in all Image area modes. The grid (figure 9.34, image 3) allows you to keep the horizon level and to align your camera with objects, such as doors, windows, and buildings. The grid overlay does not appear in the captured image or video. There are two settings in the Framing grid display function:

• On: Gridlines are displayed on the EVF and Monitor
• Off: No gridlines are displayed.

Figure 9.34: Framing grid display configuration

Here are the steps used to enable or disable the Framing grid display:

1. 1. Choose d9 Framing grid display from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.34, image 1).
2. 2. Select On to enable the grid display, or Off to use normal screens, and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your setting (figure 9.34, image 2).

Figure 9.34, image 3, shows the Framing grid display with the camera’s lens cap on for maximum contrast.

Settings Recommendation: I use these gridlines to line up things as I shoot so that I won’t have weird tilted horizons or buildings. Many of us tend to tilt the camera one way or another, and gridlines help us see that we’ve tilted the frame.

I especially enjoy shooting with gridlines enabled when I’m down at the beach. Who needs tilted ocean views? When you’re shooting architecture, the gridlines are invaluable for making sure buildings, walls, and doors are correctly oriented with the edge of the frame.

Custom Setting d10: Peaking Highlights

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 260)

Peaking highlights allows you to control the color of the fringe you’ll see surrounding the areas of your subject that are in good focus (when Focus peaking is enabled). The camera offers four Peaking highlights colors so that you can adjust your camera to a color that contrasts with your subject and background.

Figure 9.35A: Peaking highlights colors (Red, Yellow, Blue, and White)

Notice the four Peaking highlights colors in figure 9.35A, images 1–4. I focused manually on the Duracell words on the battery and the contour of the Manfrotto micro ball head. You can see clearly how the focus peaking color is highlighting the edges of the Duracell words and the contour of the micro ball head, signifying that the colored area is in good focus.

First let’s see how to select a Peaking level (intensity of color fringe) and enable focus peaking, and then we will examine how to set the Peaking color.

Figure 9.35B: Choosing a Peaking level (edge color intensity) and enabling focus peaking

Use the following steps to choose a Peaking level and enable focus peaking:

1. 1. Choose a10 Peaking highlights from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.35B, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight Peaking level and scroll to the right (figure 9.35B, image 2).
3. 3. Choose a Peaking level from PEAK 1 (low sensitivity) to PEAK 3 (high sensitivity) (figure 9.35B, image 3). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the sensitivity and intensity level. The larger the Peaking level number, the higher the sensitivity and larger the focus peaking highlight fringe will be. My camera is set to PEAK 3 (high sensitivity). The four color choices can be seen in figure 9.35A, images 1–4. When you choose a Peaking level (anything but Off), you have also enabled focus peaking for manual focusing in Live view. There is no way to enable or disable focus peaking other than selecting a Peaking level or setting it to Off.

Note: Once focus peaking is enabled (step 3), you can focus manually and see when particular areas of your subject are in focus as the color fringe becomes very prominent on color-change edges and rough contours (figure 9.35A).

Settings Recommendation: I set the camera to PEAK 3 so that it would be easy to see the focus peaking highlight fringe in the graphics. PEAK 3 may be a little overkill for most uses. I use PEAK 2 most of the time.

Next let’s see how to select a highlight color.

Figure 9.35C: Selecting a Peaking highlight color

Use the following steps to choose a Peaking highlights color:

1. 1. Choose d10 Peaking highlights from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.35C, image 1).
2. 2. Select Peaking highlight color and scroll to the right (figure 9.35C, image 2).
3. 3. Choose one of the highlight colors: Red, Yellow, Blue, or White (figure 9.35C, image 3). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your choice.

Settings Recommendation: I generally choose the Red setting for the Peaking highlight color because red seems to contrast well with most other colors. Of course, some subjects will do better with other colors; therefore, you have a choice of three more when needed.

Custom Setting d11: View All in Continuous Mode

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 260)

The View all in continuous mode function allows you to control whether the camera’s EVF and Monitor are active or disabled when you are burst shooting in one of the Continuous modes (CL or CH). If it is set to Off, both screens go dark during burst shooting and come back on afterward.

Figure 9.36: Enabling or disabling the camera’s screens during burst shooting

Use the following steps to turn the Monitor and EVF on or off when using CL or CH mode:

1. 1. Choose d11 View all in continuous mode from the d Shooting/display menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.36, image 1).
2. 2. Select On to leave screens active during burst shooting, or Off to disable the screens during burst shooting. Press the OK button or tap an option to lock in your choice (figure 9.36, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: As a landscape photographer, I rarely use burst shooting and I cannot imagine a time when I would not want to see what my camera is capturing while shooting bursts of images. However, since Nikon gave us this function there must be reasons that some photographers will want the Monitor and EVF to turn off during burst shooting. Most of us will ignore this function.

SECTION FIVE: e Bracketing/Flash

Custom Settings e1 to e7

In the e Bracketing/flash section, there are seven functions to consider:

• e1: Flash sync speed
• e2: Flash shutter speed
• e3: Exposure comp. for flash
• e4: Auto [flash] ISO sensitivity control
• e5: Modeling flash
• e6: Auto bracketing (mode M)
• e7: Bracketing order

Figure 9.37: e Bracketing/flash

Each of these functions has something to do with bracketing or Speedlight flash use.

All seven “e” functions and their settings—discussed within the following sections—are found on the Custom Setting Menu under the e Bracketing/flash menu item (figure 9.37).

Custom Setting e1: Flash Sync Speed

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 261)

Flash sync speed lets you select a basic flash synchronization speed from 1/200 s to 1/60 s (figure 9.38, image 2). Or, if you prefer, you can use the Auto FP mode in your camera—1/200 s (Auto FP).

Auto FP high-speed sync enables the use of fill flash even in bright daylight with wide aperture settings. It allows you to set your camera to the highest shutter speed available, up to 1/8000 s, and still use the external flash unit to fill in shadows. See the next section, Auto FP High-Speed Sync Review (page 413), where we discuss how this works.

The Auto FP mode is available only with certain external Nikon Speedlights. See the upcoming sidebar Which Flash Units for Auto FP High-Speed Sync Mode? (page 415) to see if your Nikon Speedlight(s) are compatible.

Figure 9.38: Flash sync speed

Here are the steps used to adjust your camera’s Flash sync speed:

1. 1. Choose e1 Flash sync speed from the e Bracketing/flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.38, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the seven choices on the list—1/200 s (Auto FP) to 1/60 s. In figure 9.38, image 2, 1/200 s (Auto FP) is selected, which enables the Auto FP mode. Press the OK button or tap an option to lock in the setting.

When you’re using Auto FP mode, the output of your flash is reduced but doesn’t cut off the frame for exposures using a shutter speed higher than the normal flash sync speed (X Sync). Why? Let’s review.

Auto FP High-Speed Sync Review

In a normal flash situation, with shutter speeds of 1/200 second and slower, the entire shutter is fully open and the flash can fire a single burst of light to expose the subject. It works like this: there are two shutter curtains in your camera. The first shutter curtain opens, exposing the sensor to your subject. The flash fires, providing correct exposure, and then the second shutter curtain closes. For a very brief period, the entire sensor is uncovered. The flash fires during the time when the sensor is fully uncovered.

However, when your camera’s shutter speed is set above 1/200 second, the shutter curtains are never fully open for the flash to expose the entire subject in one burst of light. The reason is that at higher shutter speeds, the first shutter curtain starts opening and the second shutter curtain quickly starts following it. In effect, a slit of light is scanning across the surface of your sensor, exposing the subject. If the flash fired normally, a flash of light would expose the width of that slit between the shutter curtains, but the rest of the sensor would be blocked by the curtains. You would have a band of correctly exposed image, and everything else would be underexposed.

What happens to your external Nikon Speedlight to allow it to follow that slit of light moving across the sensor? It changes from a normal flash unit into a pulsing strobe unit. Have you ever danced under a strobe light? A strobe works by firing a series of light pulses. Similarly, when your camera’s shutter speed is so high that the Speedlight cannot fire a single burst of light for correct exposure, it can use its Auto FP high-speed sync mode and fire a series of light bursts over and over as the shutter curtain slit travels in front of the image sensor. The Speedlight can fire thousands of bursts per second. To a photographer or subject, it still looks like one big flash of light, even though in reality it is hundreds or thousands of bursts of light, one right after the other.

When the camera is set to Auto FP mode, you’ll see something like this on the Speedlight’s LCD monitor:

• TTL FP
• TTL BL FP

The ”FP” tells you that the camera and Speedlight are ready for you to use any shutter speed you’d like and still get a good exposure—even with wide-open apertures!

You can safely leave your camera set to 1/200 s (Auto FP) all the time because the highspeed sync mode does not kick in until you raise the shutter speed above the maximum setting of 1/200 s. Below that shutter speed, the flash works in normal mode and does not waste any power by pulsing the output.

This pulsing of light reduces the maximum output of your flash significantly but allows you to use any shutter speed you’d like while still firing your external Speedlight. The higher the shutter speed, the lower the flash output. In effect, your camera is depending on you to provide enough ambient light to offset the loss in power. I’ve found that even my powerful SB-5000 Speedlight can provide only enough power to light a subject out to about 8 feet (2.4 m) when using a 1/8000 s shutter speed. With shutter speeds that high, there needs to be enough ambient light to help the flash light the subject, unless you are very close to the subject.

However, now you can use wide apertures to isolate your subject in direct sunlight—which requires high shutter speeds. The flash will adjust and provide great fill light if you’re using Auto FP high-speed sync mode.

Note: If your flash fires at full power in normal modes, it will blink the flash indicator in the Viewfinder to let you know that all available flash power has been used and that you need to check to see if the image is underexposed. When the camera is firing in Auto FP high-speed sync mode, that doesn’t happen. You’ll get no warning in the Viewfinder if the image does not have enough light. Check the camera’s histogram often to validate your exposures when using Auto FP.

Special Shutter Speed Setting X + Flash Sync Speed

When using Manual (M) or Shutter-priority auto (S) exposure modes, there is still one more setting below 30 seconds, BULB, and TIME that you can use; it’s named X + Flash sync speed. This special setting allows you to set the camera to a known shutter speed and shoot away. You will see “x 200” in the top Control panel and “x 1/200” on the Information display if Custom Setting Menu > e1 Flash sync speed is set to 1/200 s. Whatever Flash sync speed you select will show up after the X. If you select a Flash sync speed of 1/125 s, then X 125 will show up as the next setting below BULB. Selecting a Flash sync speed of 1/60 s means that X 60 will show up below BULB and TIME.

When you select this setting, the shutter speed will not vary from your chosen setting. The camera will adjust the aperture and flash when in Shutter-priority auto (S) mode, or you can adjust the aperture while the flash controls exposure in Manual (M) mode.

This special X-Sync mode is not available in Aperture-priority auto (A) or Programmed auto (P) mode because the camera controls the shutter speed in those two settings. Primarily, you’ll use this setting when you are shooting in Manual or in Shutter-priority auto and want to use a known X-Sync speed.

Settings Recommendation: I leave my camera set to 1/200 s (Auto FP) as shown in figure 9.38, image 2, all the time. The camera causes the flash to work just as it normally would until one of its settings takes the shutter speed above 1/200 s, at which time the flash starts pulsing the light to match the shutter curtain travel.

Once again, you won’t be able to detect this high-frequency strobe effect because it happens so fast it seems like a single burst of light. Just remember that the flash loses significant power (or reach) at higher shutter speeds because it is forced to work so hard.

Be sure you experiment with this to get the best results. You can use a big aperture opening like f/1.4 to have very shallow depth of field in direct bright sunlight because you can use very high shutter speeds. This will allow you to make images that many others simply cannot create. Learn to balance the flash and ambient light in Auto FP high-speed sync mode. All this technical talk will make sense when you see the results. Pretty cool stuff!

Custom Setting e2: Flash Shutter Speed

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 262)

Flash shutter speed controls the minimum shutter speed your camera can use in various flash modes. You can select from 1/60 second (1/60 s) to 30 seconds (30 s). Whereas the previous function, Flash sync speed, controls the fastest shutter speed available, Flash shutter speed controls the slowest shutter speed available in specific modes. Let’s consider each mode and its minimum shutter speed:

• Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, or Red-eye reduction: In Programmed auto (P) mode or Aperture-priority auto (A) mode, the slowest shutter speed can be selected from the range of 1/60 second (1/60 s) to 30 seconds (30 s) (figure 9.39). Shutter-priority (S) mode and Manual (M) mode cause the camera to ignore Flash shutter speed, and the slowest shutter speed can be as slow as 30 seconds (30 s) if the photographer chooses a speed that slow.
• Slow sync, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, or Slow rear-curtain sync: These three modes ignore Flash shutter speed, and the slowest shutter speed can be as slow as 30 seconds (30 s) if the camera or photographer chooses a shutter speed that slow.

Figure 9.39: Flash shutter speed

Here are the steps to set the Flash shutter speed minimum:

1. 1. Choose e2 Flash shutter speed from the e Bracketing/flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.39, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the settings on the list—from 1/60 s to 30 s. In figure 9.39, image 2, 1/60 s has been selected. You will need to scroll down with the Multi selector pad, or by swiping with your fingertip to find the slower shutter speeds (e.g., 30 s). Remember that slower shutter speeds can cause subject ghosting when flash is used in high ambient light conditions. Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting.

Note: Custom setting e2 is only partially used by the flash modes because the default is preset to as slow as 30 seconds in Shutter-priority and Manual modes.

Settings Recommendation: I normally use 1/60 s. Shutter speeds slower than 1/60 s can cause ghosting if the ambient light is too high. The subject can move after the flash fires but with the shutter still open and with enough ambient light to record a blurred ghost effect. You’ll have a well-exposed picture of the subject with a ghost of your subject also showing in the image. Use slower shutter speeds only when you are sure that you’ll be in dark conditions and the flash will provide the only lighting—unless you’re shooting special effects, like a blurred aftereffect following your subject to imply movement.

Custom Setting e3: Exposure Comp. for Flash

(User’s Manual: Page 143, Reference Manual: Page 262)

The Exposure comp. for flash function allows you to treat the subject and background differently when you use flash. You can separate the normal exposure compensation function (for the background) and the flash compensation function (for the subject). Exposure compensation can be applied to the background only, or to the background and subject (the entire frame) with flash. There are two available settings:

• Entire frame: Both the flash and the exposure compensation work normally.
• Background only: The nonflash exposure compensation (that you adjust with the Exposure compensation button) and the flash compensation (that you apply with the Flash compensation button) are separate. Flash compensation applies to the subject only, and nonflash exposure compensation applies to the background only.

Figure 9.40: Exposure comp. for flash

Use the following steps to choose a flash and exposure compensation combination:

1. 1. Choose e3 Exposure comp. for flash from the e Bracketing/flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.40, image 1).
2. 2. Choose either Entire frame or Background only (figure 9.40, image 2). If you choose Background only, the nonflash and flash compensation functions are applied separately. Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your choice.

Settings Recommendation: I leave my Z7 set to Entire frame for most shooting. If I need to change the light level relationship between the subject and the background, I set the camera to Background only and experiment until I find the best compensation for balance or to emphasize one or the other. Why not spend some time experimenting and learning how to use this technology?

Custom Setting e4: Auto [Flash] ISO Sensitivity Control

(User’s Manual: Page 144, Reference Manual: Page 262)

Auto [Flash] ISO sensitivity control allows you to select whether the subject (only) or the subject and background is used for automatically adjusting exposure when you are using the Auto ISO sensitivity control and flash. The camera can isolate the subject because it has focus (distance) information from the lens. There are two settings in this function:

• Subject and background: The camera examines both the subject and the background when you are using a flash unit and will adjust ISO sensitivity so that both are exposed well (if possible).
• Subject only: The Z7 examines only your subject and adjusts the ISO setting to make sure it is exposed well, regardless of the background’s exposure.

Figure 9.41: Choosing how flash works with ISO-AUTO

Use the following steps to configure how your flash unit works with ISO-AUTO:

1. 1. Choose e4 Auto [flash] ISO sensitivity control from the e Bracketing/Flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.41, image 1).
2. 2. Choose either Subject and background or Subject only and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your choice (figure 9.41, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: To effectively use this function, you will have to decide whether the subject is more important than the background or whether they have equal importance. Normally, I leave my camera set to the default of Subject and background, which can at times lead to higher ISO values as the camera tries to adjust for a larger range of lighting conditions. However, if I am shooting family portraits, I tend to focus more on the subject and may use the Subject only setting, ignoring the background.

Custom Setting e5: Modeling Flash

(User’s Manual: Page 144, Reference Manual: Page 263)

Modeling flash lets you fire a pulse of flashes to help you see how the light is wrapping around your subject. It works like modeling lights on studio flash units except it pulses instead of shines.

You can press the button to which Preview (depth-of-field preview) has been assigned to see the effect (see Custom setting f2 Custom control assignment, page 423).

This function works with Nikon’s better Speedlight flash units: SB-5000, SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, SB-500, and SB-R200. Here’s what each of the settings for Modeling flash accomplishes:

• On: This setting allows you to see (somewhat) how your flash will light the subject. If you have this setting turned On, you can press the button to which Preview has been assigned to strobe an attached/controlled external Speedlight unit, in a series of rapid pulses. These pulses are continuous and simulate the lighting that the primary flash burst will give your subject. The Modeling flash can be used for only a few seconds at a time to keep from overheating the flash unit, so look quickly.
• Off: This means that no Modeling flash will pulse when you press the button to which Preview has been assigned.

Figure 9.42: Modeling flash

Here are the steps used to configure Modeling flash:

1. 1. Choose e5 Modeling flash from the e Bracketing/flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.42, image 1).
2. 2. Choose On or Off and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting (figure 9.42, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: I used to forget that Modeling flash was turned on and when I checked my actual depth of field on a product shot by pressing the Preview button, I would get the modeling light instead of depth of field. I didn’t find this feature to be particularly useful, and it often startled me because of the buzzing noise the flash unit makes during the modeling flash cycle. I now leave it set to Off. However, you might like it if you do a lot of studio-style flash photography that requires a modeling light.

Custom Setting e6: Auto Bracketing (Mode M)

(User’s Manual: Page 144, Reference Manual: Page 263)

The Auto bracketing (mode M) function is a series of four settings that let you or the camera control the flash, shutter speed, and aperture in various ways during a bracketing operation, but only when the camera is set to Manual (M) exposure mode. This gives you a little finer control over manual camera settings while you are taking several exposures within a bracket of images.

Here is a list of the four settings under Auto bracketing (mode M) and what each does. The camera controls the selected setting when you are using Manual (M) exposure mode while bracketing. These functions are dependent on how Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set (page 271) is configured.

• Flash/speed: This setting allows you to control the aperture for best depth of field while still using bracketing. The camera will control the shutter speed. If Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set is configured to AE & flash bracketing, the camera will vary the shutter speed and flash level to expose the bracketed images while you control the aperture. If Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set is set to AE bracketing, the camera will vary only the shutter speed to get the exposures.
• Flash/speed/aperture: This setting is for those who want the camera to control the shutter speed, aperture, and flash while still using bracketing. If Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set is configured to AE & flash bracketing, the camera will vary the shutter speed, aperture, and flash level to expose the bracketed images. If Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set is set to AE bracketing, the camera will vary the shutter speed and aperture to get the exposures.
• Flash/aperture: This setting is for those who want to control the shutter speed for best action shots while still using bracketing. The camera will control the aperture and flash. If Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set is configured to AE & flash bracketing, the camera will vary the aperture and flash level to expose the bracketed images. If Photo Shooting Menu > Auto bracketing > Auto bracketing set is set to AE bracketing, the camera will vary only the aperture to get the exposures.
• Flash only: This setting is for those who want to control only the flash while using bracketing. The camera will vary the flash level only to get the bracketed exposures. AE bracketing obviously does not apply with this setting.

Note: Flash bracketing is performed only with i-TTL or AA (auto aperture) flash control. If any setting other than Flash only is selected and the flash is not used, the ISO sensitivity will be fixed at the value for the first shot regardless of the setting selected for Auto ISO sensitivity control.

Figure 9.43: Auto bracketing (mode M)

Here are the steps used to configure Auto bracketing (mode M):

1. 1. Choose e6 Auto bracketing (mode M) from the e Bracketing/flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.43, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the four settings on the list and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting (figure 9.43, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: Because I am mostly a nature shooter, I often leave my camera set to Flash/speed so that the camera will control the shutter speed when I take a series of bracketed images, but I’ll control the aperture. That way I can choose how much depth of field I want to allow in my images.

If I were shooting important action shots and wanted to bracket, I’d select Flash/aperture so that the camera would control the aperture and flash while I controlled the shutter speed for action.

If I were letting only my Speedlight flash control the exposure, as with indoor shots, I might use Flash only during the bracket.

Finally, if I wanted to let the camera alone decide how to get the best exposure during the bracket, I might use Flash/speed/aperture. Then all I have to do is take pictures and let the camera do the rest. This seems to me to be a small violation of the principle of manual exposure, though.

Custom Setting e7: Bracketing Order

(User’s Manual: Page 144, Reference Manual: Page 264)

Bracketing order allows you to choose the order of your exposure settings (normal, over-exposed, and underexposed) during a bracketing operation. There are two bracketing orders available in the Z7. They allow you to control which images are taken first, second, and third in the bracketing series. Here are the three values in the bracket order and what they each mean:

• MTR = Metered value (normal exposure)
• Under = Underexposed
• Over = Overexposed

Next, let’s see how these are used during bracketing:

• MTR > under > over: With this setting, the normal exposure (MTR) is taken first, followed by the underexposed image, and then the overexposed image. If you are taking a group of five images in your bracket, the camera will take the images like this: normal exposure > most underexposed > least underexposed > least overexposed > most overexposed. For WB bracketing, the pattern is normal > amber > blue. This does not apply to ADL bracketing.
• Under > MTR > over: Using this order for bracketing means that a five-image bracket will be exposed in the following manner: most underexposed > least underexposed > normal exposure > least overexposed > most overexposed. For WB bracketing, the pattern is amber > normal > blue. This does not apply to ADL bracketing.

Figure 9.44: Bracketing order

Finally, let’s look at the steps to actually configure the Bracketing order:

1. 1. Choose e7 Bracketing order from the e Bracketing/Flash menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.44, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the two bracketing orders on the list and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting (figure 9.44, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: I leave Bracketing order set to MTR > under > over, so that when the images are displayed in series by the camera, I can see the normal exposure (MTR) first and then watch how it varies as I scroll through the bracketed images. It gets confusing to me if there are nine images in a bracket and I am trying to figure out which one is the MTR image, as I would with the other bracketing order.

If that doesn’t suit you, change it to the other direction, Under > MTR > over. The normal exposure will be in the middle of the bracket instead of at the beginning. Some prefer the more natural flow of that bracketing order (under to over).

SECTION SIX: f Controls

Custom Settings f1 to f7

There are seven functions in the f controls section:

• 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

Figure 9.45: f controls

Each of these allows you to configure how certain physical controls on your camera work.

All seven “f” functions and their settings—discussed within the following sections—are found on the Custom Setting Menu under the f Controls menu item (figure 9.45).

Custom Setting f1: Customize i Menu

(User’s Manual: Pages 92 and 145, Reference Manual: Page 265)

The i Menu for still photography is a grouping of 12 camera functions that can be set from a single screen (figure 9.46A). The i Menu can be found by pressing the i button on the back of the camera, just below the Sub-selector joystick, while the Photo/movie selector switch is set to still photography mode (switch in top position). The i Menu defaults to the functions most commonly used by photographers.

Figure 9.46A: The i Menu screen for still photography

The camera has a selection of 31 functions that can be assigned to those 12 function locations on the i Menu. Let’s examine how to assign a function to one of the 12 available i Menu slots.

Figure 9.46B: Assigning a function to an i Menu location

Use the following steps to assign a function to an i Menu location:

1. 1. Choose f1 Customize i menu from the f Controls menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.46B, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight a location and press the OK button or tap the option to select it for assignment. The Set Picture Control location is selected for reassignment in figure 9.46B, image 2.
3. 3. A scrollable list of 31 options will now appear (figure 9.46B, image 3). Scroll up or down in the list and highlight an option to replace Set Picture Control. Press the OK button or tap the option to assign it to the selected i Menu location, replacing Set Picture Control.
4. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for any other i Menu locations you want to change.

The i Menu is available for both still images and videos; however, it is separately configurable for the two. See Custom setting g1 Customize i menu (page 452) for information on customizing the i Menu for video.

In the downloadable resource document titled Appendix A: i Menu Photo Functions we examine each of the 31 assignable functions individually. Most of these functions are fully described in other parts of this book. Therefore, to prevent adding many extra pages (and more weight) to this already large book, we are providing a downloadable PDF document with details on each of the 31 functions. The downloadable resources are found at this web address:
http://rockynook.com/NikonZ7

Custom Setting f2: Custom Control Assignment

(User’s Manual: Page 146, Reference Manual: Page 267)

The Nikon Z7 has eight programmable controls for still photography, with 45 different functions that may be assigned to those controls. The Custom control assignment function presents a programming interface for all of the assignable controls on the camera body and a mounted Nikkor lens that has a programmable L-Fn button. Here is a list of the eight programmable controls (figure 9.47A, image 2):

• Fn1 button
• Fn2 button
• AF-ON button
• Sub-selector joystick directional movement
• Sub-selector joystick center press
• Movie record button
• Lens-Fn button (on a Nikkor lens that has an L-Fn button)
• Lens control ring (on a Nikkor lens that has a control ring—e.g., S lenses)

Some options can be assigned to most of the camera’s programmable controls. However, not all options can be assigned to all controls. A few options can be assigned to particular controls only.

When programming the buttons for custom usage you can assign an option to a single button press (figure 9.47A, image 3: Press functions), or you can assign a different functionality to be executed when the button is held down while you turn a Command dial (figure 9.47A, image 4: Press + command dials functions).

Assigning a Function to a Control

In this subsection, we will consider the individual Nikon Z7 programmable controls and which functions can be assigned to each one (table 9.1). Then we will examine what each assignable function does.

Before we examine the list of functions that can be assigned to the camera’s programmable controls, let’s choose a sample control to work with. We’ll use the Fn1 button.

Figure 9.47A: Assigning a custom function to a camera control (sample: Fn1 button)

Use the following steps to assign a custom function to a camera control:

1. 1. Choose f2 Custom control assignment from the f Controls menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.47A, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight a control and press the OK button or tap the control to select it (figure 9.47A, image 2). Each control name is listed in the top-left area of the screen when the control is highlighted, in case you are unsure which control is selected (Fn1 button). Just below the name of the control is the current function assignment for that control (Choose image area, blue arrow). As you scroll around the screen shown in figure 9.47A, image 2, you will see different control names (such as Fn1 highlighted in yellow) and function assignment names (e.g., Choose image area) appear in the top-left corner. Press the OK button or tap the highlighted yellow option to open the control assignment screen.
3. 3. Figure 9.47A, image 3, shows a list of functions on the control assignment screen. You can choose one to activate when you press the Fn1 button (e.g., AF-ON, AF lock only). This list has an aptly titled heading: Press. If you scroll down on this same screen you will see another distinct list of functions under a new heading: Press + command dials (figure 9.47A, image 4). Each of the functions in this section (e.g., Choose image area, Image quality/size) requires you to hold down the button and turn either of the Command dials. Highlight the function you want to assign to the control and press the OK button or tap the highlighted function option to lock it in for use.

Note: A couple of the controls (i.e., AF-ON button and Lens control ring) have no Press + command dials function list available. The AF-ON button has only Press items, and the Lens control ring, not being a button, has no Press items or Press + command dials items. That wouldn’t make sense for a control ring on a lens; therefore, there is just a simple list of items that you can assign to the Lens control ring.

Now let’s consider a list of which functions can be assigned to which controls (table 9.1).

Control Assignment Options List

Table 9.1 contains a list of 45 available functions and shows which controls each function can be assigned to. A “” means that function is available for assignment to that particular control, whereas a blank cell means it is not available for that control.

The Function Name column in table 9.1 lists the same items that are partially visible in figure 9.47A, images 3 and 4. Each programmable control is listed across the top of the table, in the order in which the camera presents them, with a checkmark showing which functions can be used with that control.

The Lens ring has functions listed that can be used only with certain qualifications, as listed in the table caption (1 and 2).

Table 9.1: Available functions and the controls to which they can be assigned, in alphabetical order ( = Yes; blank = No; 1 = Compatible lenses only; 2 = Regardless of options selected, in MF mode the control ring can be used to adjust focus only)

Assignable Functions Explained

In this subsection you will find a descriptive list of each assignable function mentioned in table 9.1. Since the various functions can be assigned to different controls, I used the words Assigned control (in italics) as a replacement for specific button names. When you see Assigned control, substitute the control name to which you are going to assign the particular function. The Assignable Functions List explains how each function works when you use it.

Assignable Functions List

• Access top item in MY MENU: You can use the Assigned control to jump directly to the top item in My Menu. This allows you to quickly modify a frequently used menu item.
• Active D-Lighting (figure 9.47B): Press and hold the Assigned control and rotate either of the Command dials to adjust Active D-Lighting (ADL) to one of its six settings: Off (Off), Low (L), Normal (N), High (H), Extra high (H*), and Auto (A). You will see the symbols that represent the various settings—such as L and H—scroll by as you turn either of the Command dials.

Figure 9.47B: Active D-Lighting

• AE/AF lock: This allows you to lock AE (exposure) and AF (focus) on the last meter and autofocus system reading when you hold down the Assigned control.
• AE lock (hold): Enabling this function causes AE (exposure) to lock on the last meter reading when the Assigned control is pressed once. It stays locked until you press the Assigned control again. In other words, the Assigned control toggles AE lock. This is similar to AE lock (Reset on release) except that releasing the shutter does not reset the AE lock hold. You must press the Assigned control again to release AE lock.
• AE lock only: This allows you to lock AE (exposure) on the last meter reading when you hold down the Assigned control.
• AE lock (reset on release): Enabling this function causes AE (exposure) to lock on the last meter reading when the Assigned control is pressed once. It stays locked until you press the Assigned control again or release the shutter. If the light meter goes off, it will also reset this function.
• AF lock only: This allows you to lock AF (focus) on the last autofocus reading when you hold down the Assigned control.
• AF-ON: Pressing the Assigned control causes the camera to autofocus. In other words, when you press the Assigned control it’s as if you had pressed the Shutter-release button halfway down or pressed the AF-ON button, starting autofocus only.
• Aperture: This function is assignable to the Lens ring only on a Nikkor lens that has one. When you rotate the Lens ring, the aperture changes. This works in a similar manner to the old days when we had aperture click-stop settings on a lens ring, except the Lens ring on S lenses does not have click stops but turns smoothly and silently.
• Auto bracketing (figure 9.47C): Press and hold the Assigned control and turn the rear Main command dial to select the number of shots in the bracketed series. Press the Assigned control and turn the front Sub-command dial to choose the exposure variation between each image. For more information on Auto bracketing and what the symbols on the screen mean, refer to the Auto Bracketing section in the Photo Shooting Menu chapter (page 269).

Figure 9.47C: Auto bracketing

• Bracketing burst: Normally, when you shoot a bracketing sequence, with the Release mode set to Single frame Release mode, you have to press the Shutter-release button (or AF-ON button) once for each image in the bracket. The only way to shoot all the images in the bracketed series without letting up on the Shutter-release button is to use Continuous L or H Release mode. If you assign Bracketing burst to a button, you can hold down the Assigned control while also holding down the Shutter-release button and the camera will take all the images in the bracket without letup. This seems a bit redundant to me. I think I’d rather just set the Release mode to Continuous L or Continuous H Release mode and shoot the bracketed burst. This applies to AE, Flash, and ADL bracketing, which each take one image for each shutter release. WB bracketing is mentioned in the manual, too, but because WB bracketing normally causes the camera to take the entire bracket in one shutter release, I don’t see the point of using the Bracketing burst option. If you use this function for WB bracketing and hold down the Shutter-release button, you’ll create multiple groups of bracketed images on your memory card. Be careful with this function when using WB bracketing.
• Center-weighted metering: If you do not use Center-weighted metering as your primary metering system but want to use it occasionally, you can turn on Center-weighted metering by holding down the Assigned control. When you release the button, the camera returns to your customary meter type, such as Spot, Matrix, or Highlight-weighted metering.
• Choose image area (figure 9.47D): You may press the Assigned control and rotate either of the Command dials to choose one of the camera’s five Image area formats. As you turn a Command dial, you can select from the following choices: FX (36×24), DX (24×16), 5:4 (30×24), 1:1 (24×24), 16:9 (36×20). Refer to Choose image area under the Photo Shooting Menu (page 174) for more information.

Figure 9.47D: Choose image area

• Choose non-CPU lens number (figure 9.47E): If you have registered non-CPU lenses under Setup Menu > Non-CPU lens data, you’ll be able to hold down the Assigned control while rotating either Command dial to scroll through a list of up to 20 non-CPU lenses. As you rotate the Command dial, the screen will display the non-CPU lens focal length (200mm) and maximum aperture (F4), along with the number of the lens (No. 1 to No. 20). For example, when I mount my registered AI Nikkor 200mm f/4 non-CPU lens on my Z7, I can press the Assigned control, rotate a Command dial, and watch the lenses scroll by until I see 200mm, F4, and No. 2. When you see the mounted lens appear on the camera displays, release the Assigned control, and the Z7 knows which non-CPU lens has been selected from the 20 available choices. Remember, you must have already registered at least one non-CPU lens in the camera for this function to be of benefit to you. See the Non-CPU Lens Data function in the Setup Menu (page 493) chapter for more information.

Figure 9.47E: Choose non-CPU lens number

• Exposure compensation: This function is assignable only to the Lens ring on a Nikkor lens that has one. When you turn the Lens ring you will see the +/− Exposure compensation symbol appear on your screen and you will immediately see the results of the compensation on your subject. This works the same way as using the +/− Exposure compensation button, except that you get no EV step readout on the screen (e.g., +0.3, −0.7 +1.0); you just see the results reflected in the brightening and darkening of your subject. This function is especially useful when the Live histogram is on the screen since it lets you adjust the exposure and watch the histogram instantly respond. If you see the +/− Exposure compensation symbol on your screen and have no idea what the actual value of the compensation is, just press the +/− Exposure compensation button to see a display of the EV compensation value (e.g., +0.3, +1.0)
• Exposure delay mode (figure 9.47F): Press the Assigned control and rotate either of the Command dials to choose an exposure delay of 1, 2, or 3 seconds. This is the same as setting an exposure delay with Custom Setting Menu > d Shooting/display > d4 Exposure delay mode (page 402). As you press the Assigned control and rotate a Command dial, the screen will show three characters signifying delay (DLY), and one of the following: Off, 0.2s, 0.5s, 1s, 2s, or 3s. For example, if you select 3s, the camera will wait (delay) three seconds before it fires the shutter. This allows photographer-induced vibrations to die down, resulting in a sharper picture.

Figure 9.47F: Exposure delay mode

• [Flash] Disable/enable: If you have a flash unit mounted on the camera and it is currently turned off, the camera will use Front-curtain sync while you hold the Assigned control down. If the flash is turned on, it will not fire while you hold the Assigned control down.
• Flash mode/compensation (figure 9.47G): With this function you can press and hold the Assigned control and turn the front Sub-command dial to add or subtract flash exposure compensation (e.g., +0.3, −0.7), or the rear Main command dial to choose a Flash mode (e.g., fill flash, red-eye reduction). For more information on the various flash modes, see the Flash Mode heading in the Photo Shooting Menu chapter (page 256).

Figure 9.47G: Flash mode/compensation

• Focus (M/A): This function can be assigned only to a Nikkor lens with a Lens ring. When you turn the Lens ring in manual focus (M) mode, you will have full control of focusing the camera. Be sure to enable focus Peaking (page 86) to help you obtain very accurate manual focus. When using autofocus (A), you can top off the focus by turning the Lens ring. If you have enabled focus Peaking and hold down the Shutter-release button halfway or press the AF-ON button while turning the Lens ring, focus Peaking will assist you with fine-tuning the camera’s autofocus choice.
• Focus mode/AF-area mode (figure 9.47H): Hold down the Assigned control and turn the rear Main command dial to change the Focus mode (e.g. AF-S, AF-C), or the front Sub-command dial to change the AF-area mode (e.g., Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF).

Figure 9.47H: Focus mode/AF-area mode

• Focus point selection: This function is assignable only to the Sub-selector joystick directional movement (left, right, up, down, and diagonal) capability. This is the default setting for the joystick. It allows you to use the joystick to move the AF point around in the grid of 493 AF points so that you can select the best AF point for your subject.
• Framing grid display (figure 9.47I): Press the Assigned control to toggle on and off a convenient Framing grid to assist with leveling horizons and alignment with architectural features.

Figure 9.47I: Framing grid display

• FV lock: Pressing the Assigned control will cause the external Speedlight to emit a monitor preflash and lock the flash output to the level determined by the preflash. The flash output level will remain locked until you press the Assigned control a second time.
• HDR (high dynamic range) (figure 9.47J): Using this function is similar to using the Photo Shooting Menu > HDR (high dynamic range) function (page 283). Press the Assigned control and turn the rear Main command dial to select one of the following HDR modes: Off, On (single photo), or On (series). Press the Assigned control and turn the front Sub-command dial to select the Exposure differential: 1EV, 2EV, 3EV, and Auto. You cannot adjust the Smoothing (Low, Normal, or High) subsetting (not shown) unless you use the Photo Shooting Menu > HDR (high dynamic range) function directly. However, this function does obey the current Smoothing setting in the HDR (high dynamic range) function (page 284).

Figure 9.47J: HDR (high dynamic range)

• Highlight-weighted metering: If you do not use Highlight-weighted metering as your primary metering system but want to use it occasionally, you can turn on Highlight-weighted metering by holding down the Assigned control. When you release the button, the camera returns to your customary meter type, such as Center-weighted, Matrix, or Spot metering.
• Image quality/size (figure 9.47K): Press and hold the Assigned control while turning the front Sub-command dial to adjust the Image size (e.g., L, M, S), or the rear Main command dial to adjust the Image quality (e.g., RAW, FINE).

Figure 9.47K: Image quality/size

• Matrix metering: If you do not use Matrix metering as your primary metering system but want to use it occasionally, you can turn on Matrix metering by holding down the Assigned control. When you release the Assigned control, the camera returns to your customary meter type, such as Spot, Center-weighted, or Highlight-weighted metering.
• Metering (figure 9.47L): When you press and hold the Assigned control and turn either of the camera’s Command dials, you can select from the following Metering modes: Matrix metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering, and Highlight-weighted metering. The camera will remain in the chosen Metering mode until you change it. This function a shortcut method imitating the Photo Shooting Menu > Metering mode (page 235).

Figure 9.47L: Metering

• Multiple exposure (figure 9.47M): Using this function is the same as using the Photo Shooting Menu > Multiple exposure function (page 277). Press the Assigned control and turn the rear Main command dial to select one of the following Multiple exposure modes: Off, On (single photo), On (series). Press the Assigned control and turn the front Sub-command dial to select the Number of shots (2 to 10). You cannot adjust the Overlay mode, Keep all exposures, Overlay shooting, and Select first exposure (NEF) subsettings (not shown) without using the Photo Shooting Menu > Multiple exposure function directly. However, this function does obey the current Multiple exposure settings entered via the Photo Shooting Menu. See the Multiple exposure function on page 277 for more information.

Figure 9.47M: Multiple exposure

• MY MENU (figure 9.47N): Pressing the Assigned control opens the MY MENU display with the first item highlighted. You can then access any of the other items on MY MENU by scrolling down or tapping the menu item with your fingertip. This is a quick way to get to your favorite menu items without digging around in the camera’s regular menu system. There are only two items on my camera’s MY MENU currently (Auto bracketing and Exposure delay mode), but you can have as many as 20 items available.

Figure 9.47N: MY MENU

• + NEF (RAW): If you are a regular JPEG shooter and have any form of JPEG selected as the Image quality setting, you can press the Assigned control once (do not hold) to temporarily add a NEF (RAW) image to your JPEG capture. The camera will take a JPEG and a NEF (RAW) picture when you press the Shutter-release button. Once you take the JPEG + NEF (RAW) combo picture, the camera switches back to JPEG. If you decide not to take the NEF (RAW) picture before you press the Shutter-release button, just press the Assigned control again to return to JPEG mode. This function does not work with TIFF or NEF (RAW) Image quality modes, only JPEG mode.
• None: When this option is set, the Assigned control does nothing.
• Peaking highlights (figure 9.47O): Pressing and holding the Assigned control while turning the rear Main command dial to any setting besides Off, enables the Peaking highlights function. Choose from PEAK OFF, PEAK 1, PEAK 2, and PEAK 3. The higher numbers increase the sensitivity and saturation of Peaking. Pressing and holding the Assigned control while turning the front Sub-command dial allows you to select a Peaking highlights color: Red (R), Yellow (Y), Blue (B), or White (W). For more information on focus Peaking, see the Custom Setting d10: Peaking Highlights subheading earlier in this chapter (page 409).

Figure 9.47O: Peaking highlights

• Playback: This option causes the Assigned control to act as if you had pressed the Playback button. Nikon included this so that you could play back images when using a big telephoto lens that requires two hands to use.
• Preview: The Z7 shows accurate depth of field for the live view of your subject in the EVF and on the Monitor, but only down to f/5.6. The camera would have difficulty autofocusing if allowed to stop down more than that, so the Z7 limits its smallest aperture with live image preview to f/5.6. To overcome this limitation, the Preview function is available for assignment to a convenient camera control. Pressing the Assigned control will activate Depth-of-field preview and stop the aperture all the way down to its actual setting (e.g., f/11, f/16, f/22), showing you the actual depth of field the current aperture offers.
• Protect (figure 9.47P): Display an important image you want to protect on the camera’s Monitor (or EVF). To prevent accidental deletion, press the Assigned control and the image will be locked from deletion. Also, a protection key symbol will be displayed in the top-left corner of the image. As you scroll through your images, the protected pictures will have this symbol. Press the Assigned control again when an image with the symbol is displayed and the image protection—and symbol—will be removed.

Figure 9.47P: Protect

• Rating (figure 9.47Q): Display a picture to which you want to give a rating, then press and hold the Assigned control. The will camera present you with a 1–5 star rating scale ( to ) on the bottom-left corner of the screen (figure 9.47, bottom-left red arrow). Turn the rear Main command dial to add or subtract yellow stars. For example, if you rate an image as a four-star image, you will see four yellow stars in the lower-left area of the screen. When you later view the picture you will see the symbol displayed in the upper-right area ( 4, top-right arrow). This symbol is a reminder that the image was previously rated as 4 out of 5.

Figure 9.47Q: Rating

Figure 9.47R: Same as multi selector (scroll or display next/previous frame)

• Same as multi selector (figure 9.47R): Normally the Sub-selector joystick is set to Focus point selection, the factory default setting. However, the Sub-selector joystick’s left, right, up, and down motions can be programmed to duplicate the Multi selector pad’s motions by selecting Same as multi selector. This does not affect the Sub-selector’s center press, which is a separately assignable control. Once you have selected Same as multi selector, you must choose what happens when a zoomed-in image is displayed on the screen. Choose Same as multi selector and scroll to the right (image 2). The following screen (image 3) gives you two choices that affect what happens when you have a zoomed-in image on the display. If you move the joystick with Scroll selected, the camera will scroll around within the zoomed-in image. If you move the joystick with Display next/previous frame selected, the camera will change images, according to which direction you press the joystick, instead of scrolling around within the zoomed-in image. The camera will stay zoomed in when it changes to a previous or next image. (Settings Recommendation: Since I normally zoom into an image to check it out well, I find that Scroll usually works best for me. However, if I want to quickly compare a certain point between two or three zoomed-in images, I can choose Display next/previous frame, and then scroll back and forth between the images with the joystick. Of course, remember that this assignment duplicates the functionality already present in the Multi selector, so you may just want to ignore this function.)
• Select center focus point: Pressing the Assigned control causes the camera to jump from whatever focus point (AF point) you were using to the center AF point instead.
• Shutter spd & aperture lock (figure 9.47S): Simply press the Assigned control and rotate the front Main command dial to lock the camera’s shutter speed when you are using Shutter-priority (S) and Manual (M) modes. Or, press the Assigned control and turn the front Sub-command dial to lock the aperture setting when using Aperture-priority (A) and Manual (M) modes. A tiny “L” will appear next to the settings while they are locked (red arrows). Hold the Assigned control and turn the dial again to unlock a setting.

Figure 9.47S: Shutter spd & aperture lock

• Set Picture Control (figure 9.47T): Press the Assigned control and rotate the rear Main command dial to change which Picture Control (page 200) the camera uses for JPEG images.

Figure 9.47T: Set Picture Control

• Spot metering: If you do not use Spot metering as your primary metering system but want to use it occasionally, you can turn on Spot metering by holding down the Assigned control. When you release the button, the camera returns to your customary meter type, such as Matrix, Center-weighted, or Highlight-weighted metering.

Figure 9.47U: Sync. release selection—you will see different choices depending on how Custom setting d3 Sync. release mode options is configured (page 401).

1. Sync. release selection (figure 9.47U): When you are using a wireless transmitter—such as the WR-T10 transmitter found in the Nikon WR-10 Wireless Remote Controller kit—to control multiple remote cameras (Master/Remote relationship) for synchronized shutter release, you can press the Assigned control to take synchronized pictures with multiple cameras in different ways, as described in paragraphs a and b below. This function depends on how Custom Setting Menu > d Shooting/display > d3 Sync. release mode options is configured (page 401). You will need to make a Sync. release selection immediately upon assigning this function to a control. After that you will press and hold the Assigned control while firing the shutter to execute your choice. To choose a different Sync. release selection you will need to reuse Custom Setting Menu > f controls > f2 Custom control assignment > [Assigned control] > Sync. release selection and choose a new release style. Here are the selections and how they work:
   1. If you have chosen Sync in Custom setting d3, the following two items are available:
      1. Master release only: If you choose Master release only from the screen shown in figure 9.47U, image 1, you can keep the Assigned control pressed down to take pictures with the Master camera only.
      2. Remote release only: If you choose Remote release only from the screen found in figure 9.47U, image 1, you can keep the Assigned control pressed down to take pictures with the Remote camera(s) only.
   2. If you have selected No sync in Custom setting d3, the following two items are available:
      1. Synchronized release: If you choose Synchronized release from the screen found in figure 9.47U, image 2, you can keep the Assigned control pressed down to synchronize the shutter releases on both the Master and Remote cameras.
      2. Remote release: If you choose Remote release only from the screen found in figure 9.47U, image 2, you can keep the Assigned control pressed down to take pictures with the Remote camera(s) only.
2. White balance (figure 9.47V): Press and hold the Assigned control while turning the rear Main command dial to select a White balance type (e.g., Auto, Direct sunlight, Cloudy). While still pressing the Assigned control, you can turn the front Sub-command dial to select a sub-option if that White balance type has any sub-options (e.g., for Auto, a sub-option is A0 Keep white (reduce warm colors)). See White balance on page 116 for more information on options and sub-options.

Figure 9.47V: White balance

• Zoom on/off (figure 9.47W): When you first assign this function to a control, you will be presented with a screen that asks you to choose a magnification level. Most of us will choose 1:1 (100%) because that is an accurate pixel-peeping level for viewing already taken images and for verifying focus or examining detail in a not-yet-captured subject. This function works for both. To use it, press the Assigned control and the image will immediately zoom in to the magnification level you assigned.

Figure 9.47W: Zoom on/off

Settings Recommendation: Here are the assignments I make for the controls on my camera:

• Fn1: Preview
• Fn2: Focus mode/AF area-mode
• AF-ON: AF-ON
• Sub-selector joystick directional control: Same as multi selector
• Sub-selector joystick button press: Select center focus point
• Movie record button: Zoom on/off (Movie mode has own settings)
• Lens Fn (L-Fn) button: AE lock only
• Lens control ring: Focus (M/A)

Of course, you may desire a completely different configuration that works better for your style of photography. You have a large number of options available!

Custom Setting f3: OK Button

(User’s Manual: Page 146, Reference Manual: Page 275)

The OK button setting determines how the button in the center of the Multi selector pad works in two different camera modes:

• Shooting mode is in force when you are actually using the camera to take pictures through the Viewfinder.
• Playback mode is in use when you are examining pictures you’ve already taken on the rear Monitor.

Let’s examine each mode in detail.

Shooting Mode

Now we will examine the options available for the OK button (Multi selector center button) when you are actively taking pictures (Shooting mode), not viewing already taken pictures (Playback mode, see next subsection).

Figure 9.48A: OK button (Shooting mode)

Use these steps to begin configuration of the OK button for Shooting mode:

1. 1. Follow the screen flow shown in figure 9.48A, images 1–2 (f Controls > f3 OK button > Shooting mode), until you arrive at the third screen in the series.
2. 2. Choose one of the three choices, according to the upcoming descriptions of each selection (figure 9.48A, image 3). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting.

The three Shooting mode selections are as follows (figure 9.48A, image 3):

• Select center focus point: Often when shooting, you’ll be using the Multi selector pad with your thumb to move the selected focus point (AF point) around the Viewfinder to focus on the most appropriate area of your subject. When you are done, you have to scroll the AF point back to the center. However, if Select center focus point is chosen, you can press the OK button to make the focus point pop back to the center point of the Viewfinder. This is the default action of the button.

Figure 9.48B: OK button – Zoom on/off

• Zoom on/off: Figure 9.48B continues where figure 9.48A ends. If you choose Zoom on/off, you will need to select a magnification level (i.e., 50%, 100%, 200%), which will allow you to pixel-peep your subject for things like correct focus before taking the picture. You can preview your subject with the Monitor or EVF by pressing the OK button to zoom in to a magnified view and then pressing OK again to zoom back out to a normal view. While zoomed in, you can scroll around the screen with the Multi selector pad, make any adjustments (such as fine-tuning focus), and then zoom back out. You can take the picture while zoomed in or out.
• None: Nothing happens when you press the OK button in Shooting mode.

Playback Mode

Now let’s examine how the OK button can be used in Playback mode. Playback mode is used when you are examining images on the camera’s Monitor after you have taken them.

Figure 9.48C: OK button (Playback mode)

Use these steps to configure the OK button for Playback mode:

1. 1. Follow the screen flow shown in figure 9.48C, images 1–2 (f Controls > f3 OK button > Playback mode), until you arrive at the third screen in the series.
2. 2. Choose one of the four options on the list, according to the upcoming descriptions (figure 9.48C, image 3). If you choose Zoom on/off, you’ll need to scroll to the right and select one of the three subsettings (use figure 9.48F in the upcoming subsection called Zoom on/off). If you select Choose folder, you’ll also need to be aware of some additional screens your camera will present you with (use figure 9.48G in the upcoming subsection called Choose folder). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting.

There are four selections in Playback mode (figure 9.48C, image 3), which are described in the following subsections.

Thumbnail On/Off

This feature allows you to switch from viewing one image on your camera’s Monitor to viewing multiple thumbnails instead. It’s a toggle, so you can press the OK button to turn thumbnail view on and off. In figure 9.48D, image 1, Thumbnail on/off has been selected.

Figure 9.48D: OK button (Playback mode – Thumbnail on/off)

Use the following steps to configure and use Thumbnail on/off:

1. 1. Figure 9.48D continues where figure 9.48C ends. Select Thumbnail on/off from the Playback mode menu and press the OK button or tap the option to select it (figure 9.48D, image 1).
2. 2. Now when you press the Playback button and view a picture on the Monitor, like the river cascades picture in figure 9.48D, image 2, you can then press the OK button to get a thumbnail view of that image along with the three subsequent images (figure 9.48D, image 3). If you press the OK button repeatedly, the camera will toggle between normal view and thumbnail view with each button press.

View Histograms

I discovered the View histograms feature while I was writing a previous Nikon book, and now I immediately switch my new Nikons to this setting when I get one. Even though the Z7 has a live histogram and I use it, I still like to easily view the histogram after I’ve taken an image.

When the OK button function is set to View histograms, I can have an image open on my Monitor, and then press and hold the OK button to view a luminance histogram. This saves a lot of scrolling around through the data, RGB histograms, and information screens. It’s a quick histogram view that disappears when the OK button is released. Great feature! Let’s see how to configure and use it.

Figure 9.48E: OK button (Playback mode – View histograms)

Use the following steps to configure and use View histograms:

1. 1. Figure 9.48E continues where figure 9.48C ends. Select View histograms from the Playback mode menu and press the OK button or tap the option to select it (figure 9.48E, image 1).
2. 2. Now when you press the Playback button and view a picture on the Monitor, like this lovely tree in the Great Smoky Mountains (figure 9.48E, image 2), you can then press and hold the OK button to see a luminance histogram for that image (figure 9.48D, image 3). This is an extremely convenient setting for those who use the histogram regularly.

Zoom On/Off

If you want to zoom into your image on the Monitor without using the normal zoom in and out buttons, this is a good feature for you. If you have an image showing on the Monitor and Zoom on/off is selected, you can press the OK button to jump immediately to one of three levels of zoom. It works like a toggle switch—pressing the OK button a second time takes you back to a normal full-screen view.

Here is a description of the three levels of zoom available under this setting (Low to High):

• Low magnification seems to be the same as viewing the image at about 50 percent pixel-peeping level. Pressing the Zoom in button three times brings you to the same 50 percent level.
• Medium magnification (1:1) is for viewing the image at about 100 percent. This is like pressing the Zoom in button five times.
• High magnification is around the 200 percent viewing level. This is like pressing the Zoom in button six times.

Figure 9.48F: OK button (Playback mode – Zoom on/off settings)

Use the following steps to configure and use Zoom on/off:

1. 1. Figure 9.48F continues where figure 9.48C ends. Select Zoom on/off from the Playback mode menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.48F, image 1).
2. 2. Select Low magnification (50%), 1:1 (100%), or High magnification (200%) from the Zoom on/off list and press the OK button or tap the option to select the setting (figure 9.48F, image 2).
3. 3. Press the Playback button to display a picture on the Monitor (as shown in figure 9.48F, image 3, where you see cascades and a small waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains).
4. 4. Now press the OK button and the camera will immediately zoom in to view the picture on the Monitor (or EVF) at whatever magnification level you chose in step 2. The zoom display centers on the focus point used to take the image (figure 9.48F, image 3, red arrow). Images 4, 5, and 6 in figure 9.48F match the zoom levels selectable in figure 9.48F, image 2: Low magnification (50%), 1:1 (100%), and High magnification (200%).

Note: If you are using Thumbnail view, you can select from a series of images on the Monitor. When you have one of the images selected, even though it is not full size, you can press the OK button and the image will be enlarged to whatever magnification level you previously selected. When you press the button again, the camera will switch back to Thumbnail view.

Choose Folder

When you select Choose folder, you will have a folder selection screen available while you are examining an image in Playback mode. To open the folder selection screen, press the OK button.

Figure 9.48G: OK button (Playback mode – Choose folder)

Use the following steps to configure and use Choose folder. (Note: The camera will now show images from the folder you have selected. If you have Playback Menu > Playback folder set to All or NZ7, the camera will switch folders, and even memory cards, when it gets to the end of the current folder):

1. 1. Figure 9.48G continues where figure 9.48C ends. Select Choose folder from the Playback mode menu (figure 9.48G, image 1). Press the OK button or tap the option to select it.
2. 2. Press the Playback button to display a picture on the Monitor (figure 9.48G, image 2). When you press the OK button, you will be presented with the screen shown in figure 9.48G, image 3. Highlight a folder name and press the OK button or tap the option to use that folder until you change to a different one later.

If Playback Menu > Playback folder is set to Current, the camera will show only the images in the current folder and will display no other images from any other folder or card.

Settings Recommendation: I have my camera set so that when I press the OK button in Shooting mode, it jumps to the center AF point. This saves time because I don’t have to scroll back manually.

When I press the OK button in Playback mode, I have the camera show me a luminance histogram. I absolutely adore being able to see a histogram for an image I just took by pressing the OK button instead of scrolling to the histogram screen. This saves time by letting me see my camera’s histogram when I need it most, right after taking the picture.

Custom Setting f4: Shutter Spd & Aperture Lock

(User’s Manual: Page 146, Reference Manual: Page 277)

Shutter spd & aperture lock is an interesting function that allows you to lock the shutter speed at the currently selected value when shooting in Shutter-priority (S) or Manual (M) mode. You can also lock the aperture at its current value when you are shooting in Aperture-priority (A) or Manual (M) mode. This function does not apply to and will not work when shooting in Programmed auto (P) mode.

You will need to choose a shutter speed or aperture before using this function. The camera will lock the currently selected shutter speed or aperture until you unlock it later.

Figure 9.49: Selecting Shutter spd & aperture lock

Use the following steps to keep your shutter speed or aperture from changing, according to which exposure mode you are using:

1. 1. Choose Shutter spd & aperture lock from the f Controls menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.49, image 1).
2. 2. You will now see two selections, Shutter speed lock and Aperture lock (figure 9.49, image 2). When you are using Aperture-priority (A) mode, Shutter speed lock will be grayed out and unavailable. When you are using Shutter-priority (S) mode, Aperture lock will be grayed out and unavailable. If you have the camera set to Manual (M) mode, Shutter speed lock and Aperture lock are both available (figure 9.49, image 2). When the camera is set to Programmed-auto (P) mode, the entire Shutter spd & aperture lock function is grayed out and unavailable. If your shutter speed has already been chosen, select Shutter speed lock, or if an aperture has already been chosen, select Aperture lock (according to which exposure mode you are currently using) and scroll to the right.
3. 3. Choose either On or Off from the list. In figure 9.49, image 3, Off has been chosen for Shutter speed lock. On locks the setting (Shutter speed or Aperture), whereas Off allows you to continue adjusting that setting. (The screens for Aperture lock are not shown in figure 9.49, but they work exactly the same way as Shutter speed lock.) Press the OK button or tap the option to select it.

Settings Recommendation: If I were shooting in a studio, under carefully controlled lighting, and wanted to lock the shutter speed or aperture to a value that would not change throughout the session, this function would do the job well. It can be a protection for when you do not want a value to change.

Custom Setting f5: Customize Command Dials

(User’s Manual: Page 146, Reference Manual: Page 277)

Customize command dials does exactly what it sounds like—it lets you change how the Command dials operate. There are several operations you can modify:

• Reverse rotation
• Change main/sub
• Menus and playback
• Sub-dial frame advance

Let’s examine each of these items and the screens and steps used to change them.

Figure 9.50A: Customize command dials

Use the following steps to change the functionality of the Command dials:

1. 1. Choose f5 Customize command dials from the f Controls menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.50A, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the four selections from the list (figure 9.50A, image 2). Use the screens and steps under each of the following sections to configure the four listed functions (figures 9.50B to 9.50G).

Reverse Rotation

Reverse rotation allows you to change what happens when you rotate the Command dials in a particular direction. You can reverse Command dial operations with this setting. There are two selections:

• Exposure compensation: When you press and hold the Exposure compensation button and turn the Sub-command dial clockwise, it increases the amount of compensation. If you place a check mark in this box and select Done, the camera will decrease the amount of compensation when you turn the Sub-command dial clockwise.
• Shutter speed/aperture: Normally, when the Z7 is set to Aperture-priority (A) or Manual (M) mode and you rotate the Sub-command dial clockwise, the aperture gets smaller. If you put a check mark next to Shutter speed/aperture, the aperture will instead get larger when you turn the Sub-command dial clockwise. The same goes for shutter speed in Shutter-priority (S) and Manual (M) modes. Normally, turning the rear Main command dial clockwise slows down the shutter speed. If you put a check mark next to Shutter speed/aperture, the shutter speed will instead get faster when you turn the Main command dial clockwise. Finally, when you override the aperture setting in Programmed auto (P) mode by turning the Main command dial clockwise, instead of decreasing the size of the aperture, it increases it.

Figure 9.50B: Customize command dials (Reverse rotation)

Here are the steps to change the rotation direction of the Command dials:

1. 1. Continuing from figure 9.50A, image 2, select Reverse rotation and scroll to the right (figure 9.50B, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight Exposure compensation or Shutter speed/aperture and scroll to the right, or tap the option, to set a check mark in the corresponding small check box (figure 9.50B, images 2 and 3). In figure 9.50B, image 3, both selections have a check mark. Press or touch OK to lock in the setting.

Settings Recommendation: I leave the Command dials rotation set to factory default. I find life confusing enough without my camera working backward. Of course, if you come from a different camera brand than Nikon and are used to the dials working in the opposite direction, you may feel more comfortable reversing them on your Z7.

Change Main/Sub

Change main/sub allows you to swap the functionality of the two Command dials. The rear Main command dial will take on the functions of the front Sub-command dial, and vice versa.

You can configure the camera so that this reversal of the Main and Sub command dials applies to both the Exposure setting (aperture and shutter speed) and the Autofocus setting (Autofocus modes and AF-area modes).

Exposure Setting

The Exposure setting subfunction allows you to switch the Main and Sub functionality of the Command dials for changing the aperture and shutter speed. Normally, the aperture is controlled by the front Sub-command dial, and the shutter speed is controlled by the rear Main command dial. However, when switched, that is reversed.

Let’s consider the three settings you can choose under this subfunction and see how each affects the actions of the Command dials. Here are the three setting variations:

• On: By selecting On, you reverse the functionality of the two Command dials so that the Sub-command dial controls shutter speed while the Main command dial controls aperture.
• On (Mode A): This special mode sets the camera so that the Main command dial controls the aperture when using Aperture-priority (A) mode only.
• Off: The functionality of the Command dials is set to the factory default. The Main command dial controls the shutter speed while the Sub-command dial controls the aperture.

Let’s examine how to choose one of these settings.

Figure 9.50C: Customize command dials (Change main/sub – Exposure setting)

Here are the steps to swap the functionality of the Command dials for the Exposure setting:

1. 1. Continuing from figure 9.50A, image 2, select Change main/sub and scroll to the right (figure 9.50C, image 1).
2. 2. Choose Exposure setting from the Change main/sub menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.50C, image 2).
3. 3. Select one of the three settings: On, On (Mode A), or Off (figure 9.50C, image 3). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting.

Autofocus Setting

If you have Focus mode/AF area-mode assigned to one of the buttons (e.g., Fn2), and you adjust the Autofocus setting, you will hold in the Assigned control and turn one of the Command dials while watching the modes change on the Monitor or EVF. Normally, the rear Main command dial controls the Autofocus mode (i.e., AF-S, AF-C) and the front Sub-command dial controls the AF-area mode (e.g., Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF). However, you can reverse that with the Change main/sub > Autofocus setting subfunction. Here is a list of the two settings within this subfunction and what each does:

• On: By selecting On, you reverse the functionality of the two Command dials so that the front Sub-command dial controls the Autofocus mode (i.e., AF-S, AF-C) and the rear Main command dial controls the AF-area mode (e.g., Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF).
• Off: The functionality of the Command dials is set to the factory default. The front Sub-command dial controls the AF-area mode (e.g., Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF) and the rear Main command dial controls the Autofocus mode (i.e., AF-S, AF-C).

Let’s see how to choose one of these settings.

Figure 9.50D: Customize command dials (Change main/sub – Autofocus setting)

Here are the steps to swap the functionality of the Command dials for the Autofocus setting:

1. 1. Continuing from figure 9.50A, image 2, select Change main/sub and scroll to the right (figure 9.50D, image 1).
2. 2. Choose Autofocus setting from the Change main/sub menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.50D, image 2).
3. 3. Select On or Off and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting (figure 9.50D, image 3).

Settings Recommendation: I see no reason to reverse the functionality of the Command dials because I have trained my muscle memory over the last several years to work with the normal Main and Sub command dial functions. However, if you have recently come from a different camera brand over to the new Nikon Z7 and are used to the dials working in reverse, or you just prefer it that way, by all means reverse how the Command dials work.

Menus and Playback

Menus and playback is designed for those who do not like to use the Multi selector pad for viewing image Playback or Info screens. It also allows you to use the Command dials for scrolling though menus. There are two selections for how the menus and image playback work when you would rather not use the Multi selector pad:

• On: While viewing images during playback, turning the Main command dial to the left or right scrolls through the displayed images. Turning the Sub-command dial left or right scrolls through the data and histogram screens for each image. While viewing menus, turning the Main command dial left or right scrolls up or down in the screens. Turning the Sub-command dial left or right scrolls left or right in the menus. The Multi selector pad button works normally, even when this is set to On. This setting simply allows you two ways to view your images and menus instead of one. Also, when you are using thumbnail viewing of multiple images on the Monitor, turning the rear Main command dial moves left and right in the grid of thumbnail images, while the front Sub-command dial moves up and down in the grid of thumbnails.
• On (image review excluded): This works exactly the same as On, with one exception. When you use On alone (previous setting) and take a picture, the picture will show up on the Monitor and you can then use the Command dials to review images other than the one you just took. However, if you select On (image review excluded) instead of just On, you will not be able to scroll to other images with the Command dials when an image pops up for review after you take it. In other words, image review with the Command dials is excluded just after you take a picture. You can view only the picture you just took unless you use the Multi selector pad, not the Command dials, to scroll through the other images taken previously. You can still use the Command dials for Playback image review (after pressing the Playback button)—just not immediately after taking an image, when it first pops up on the Monitor.
• Off: This is the default action. The Multi selector pad or a finger swipe is used to scroll through images and menus.

Figure 9.50E: Customize command dials (Menus and playback)

Here are the steps used to configure Menus and playback:

1. 1. Continuing from figure 9.50A, image 2, select Menus and playback and scroll to the right (figure 9.50E, image 1).
2. 2. Select one of the three settings from the list and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting (figure 9.50E, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: I have my camera set to On for Menus and playback. I like the fact that I can use the Multi selector pad or the Command dials to move around in my camera’s menus and images. Try this one out; you may like it, too!

Sub-Dial Frame Advance

With the huge memory cards available today, you may find yourself having hundreds or even thousands of images on a single memory card. Have you ever had to scroll through a large number of images to find an image you want to look at more closely? Nikon has come to our rescue with a function that lets you move around more efficiently within a large number of images, or even multiple folders, on a memory card.

After we examine how to select one of the seven available Sub-dial frame advance settings, we will explore what each setting does.

Figure 9.50F: Customize command dials (Sub-dial frame advance)

Use these steps to choose a Sub-dial frame advance setting:

1. 1. Continuing from figure 9.50A, image 2, select Sub-dial frame advance and scroll to the right (figure 9.50F, image 1).
2. 2. Select one of the six settings, referring to the upcoming list (figure 9.50F, image 2). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting.

Note: This function is closely tied to the previous function, Menus and playback. If you do not have On or On (image review excluded) set in Menus and playback (previous subheading), the camera will not respond to any settings in the Sub-dial frame advance function. When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, nothing will happen.

Keeping in mind that each click of the rear Main command dial always moves forward or backward by only one image, here is a list examining what each click of the front Sub-command dial does, depending on how you have Sub-dial frame advance configured:

• 10 frames: When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, the camera will jump forward or backward 10 frames at a time, skipping over the frames in between.
• 50 frames: When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, the camera will jump forward or backward 50 frames at a time, skipping the frames in between.

Figure 9.50G: Sub-dial frame advance ( Rating)

• Rating (figure 9.50G): When you rotate the front Sub-command dial the camera will immediately jump to the next or previous Rated image. You can control which rated images it will scroll among by checking or unchecking the boxes next to the star rating level(s) you want to see. To add or subtract check marks, tap the check boxes with your fingertip or highlight an item and scroll to the right.
• Protect: When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, the camera will jump to the next or previous protected file (marked with the Protect key symbol).
• Still images only: When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, the camera will jump to the next or previous still image (including protected images), skipping all movies.
• Movies only: When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, the camera will jump to the next or previous video (movie), skipping all images.
• Folder: When you rotate the front Sub-command dial during full-frame playback, the camera will move between folders. If there is only one folder on the memory card, the Sub-command dial does nothing.

Settings Recommendation: I have my camera set to Folders because I often use different folders to separate the images on my camera’s memory card. I currently shoot with 64GB Sony G-series cards and they will hold hundreds of RAW images and thousands of JPEGs. As memory cards increase in size and the larger ones become more affordable, I can foresee a time when this function will become even more important.

Custom Setting f6: Release Button to Use Dial

(User’s Manual: Page 146, Reference Manual: Page 279)

Release button to use dial provides a different method for those who don’t like to or cannot hold down buttons and turn a Command dial at the same time. This function may be very useful to people with limited hand strength, allowing them to operate the camera more easily. The function works with the following buttons and functions: ISO button, Release mode/self-timer button, and the following functions assigned using Custom setting f2 Custom control assignment and Custom setting g2 Custom control assignment:

• Choose image area
• Image quality/size
• White balance
• Set Picture Controls
• Active D-Lighting
• Metering
• Flash mode/compensation
• Focus mode/AF-area mode
• Auto bracketing
• Multiple exposure
• HDR (high dynamic range)
• Exposure delay mode
• Shutter spd & aperture lock
• Peaking highlights
• Choose non-CPU lens number
• Microphone sensitivity

There are two settings under this function. Let’s examine them and then look at the screens and steps to modify Release button to use dial:

• Yes: This setting changes a two-step operation into a three-step operation. Normally, you would press and hold down a button while rotating a Command dial. When you select Yes under Release button to use dial, the camera allows you to press and release a button, rotate the Command dial, then press and release the button again. The initial button press locks the button so that you do not have to hold your finger on it while turning the Command dial. Once you have changed whatever you are adjusting, you must press the button a second time to unlock it.
• No: This is the default setting. You must press and hold a button while rotating the Command dials in order to change camera functionality.

If the exposure meter turns off or you press the Shutter-release button halfway while the Yes operation is active, you must press the original button again to restart the action. You can set the exposure meter to No limit or a longer timeout in Custom Setting Menu > c Timers/AE lock > c3 Power off delay > Standby timer to prevent the exposure meter from turning off after a few seconds. This may make the function more useful if you have weak hands or must move slowly.

Figure 9.51: Release button to use dial

Here are the steps to configure Release button to use dial:

1. 1. Choose f6 Release button to use dial from the f Controls menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.51, image 1).
2. 2. Choose Yes or No from the list and press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting (figure 9.51, image 2).

Settings Recommendation: I haven’t found this function useful for myself. However, a person with certain physical limitations may find this to be a very useful function.

Custom Setting f7: Reverse Indicators

(User’s Manual: Page 146, Reference Manual: Page 279)

Reverse indicators lets you change the direction of your camera’s exposure displays. Normally, anytime you see the exposure indicators in your camera’s Control panel, Viewfinder, or the Information display, the – is on the left and the + is on the right.

Figure 9.52A shows the Information display with the exposure indicator. The first image shows the normal (default) exposure indicator direction (underexposure on left). The second image shows the Information display with the exposure indicators reversed (over-exposure on left).

Figure 9.52A: Reversed indicators on the Information display (see red arrows)

Figure 9.52B: Reverse indicators

Here are the steps to reverse the direction of all camera exposure indicators:

1. 1. Choose f7 Reverse indicators from the f Controls menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.52B, image 1).
2. 2. Choose one of the two selections from the list. In figure 9.52B, image 2, the normal exposure indicator direction is selected (default). Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in the setting.

Settings Recommendation: If you have been using an older Nikon SLR or DSLR, you may find the exposure indicator scale on your Z7 somewhat jarring at first. Newer Nikon DSLRs default to a reversed exposure indicator compared to older Nikons.

Having used Nikons since way back in 1980, I was quite used to my camera’s exposure scale having the plus on the left and the minus on the right. When I first started using a Nikon that reversed this scale, it aggravated me to no end, and I changed it back to the “normal” +/− setting.

However, after thinking about it for a while, I realized that the histogram works in a −/+ direction, with dark on the left and bright on the right. I use the histogram frequently, so I changed the indicator direction back to the factory default of −/+. I have now used it this way for some time and it is beginning to make sense and feel more natural.

However, if you feel uncomfortable seeing the meter indicator working “backward,” you may want to change the exposure indicator to the “correct” direction. If you do change it, you may also want to reverse the Exposure compensation direction with Custom Setting Menu > f controls > f5 Customize command dials > Reverse rotation > Exposure compensation (see the section Custom Setting f5: Customize Command Dials on page 443). Otherwise, you will notice that the Exposure compensation setting works backward from the reversed direction of the exposure indicator. It’s a good thing we still have a choice about reversing things!

SECTION SEVEN: g Movie

Custom Settings g1 to f6

The final Custom settings group has a total of six custom settings:

• g1: Customize i menu
• g2: Custom control assignment
• g3: OK button
• g4: AF speed
• g5: AF tracking sensitivity
• g6: Highlight display

These functions are all related to capturing video with your Z7.

All six “g” functions and their settings—discussed within the following sections—are found on the Custom Setting Menu under the g Movie menu item (figure 9.53).

Figure 9.53: g Movie

Custom Setting g1: Customize i Menu

(User’s Manual: Page 147, Reference Manual: Page 280)

The i Menu for video capture is a grouping of 12 camera functions that can be set from a single screen (figure 9.54A). The i Menu can be found by pressing the i button on the camera’s back, just below the Sub-selector joystick, while the Photo/movie selector switch is set to movie mode (switch at bottom position). The i Menu defaults to functions that are the most commonly used by videographers.

Figure 9.54A: The i Menu screen for video capture

This function works the same as Custom setting f1 Customize i menu for still photography. However, some of the available settings are different for video than for still photography. Nikon has given us a completely separate i Menu configuration for still photography and video capture, controlled by the position of the Photo/movie selector switch (to the left of the AF-ON button on the back of the camera).

The camera has a selection of 22 functions that can be assigned to one of the 12 function locations on the i Menu. Let’s examine how to assign a function to one of the 12 available i Menu slots.

Figure 9.54B: Assigning a function to an i Menu location

Use the following steps to assign a function to an i Menu location:

1. 1. Choose g1 Customize i menu from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.54B, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight a location and press the OK button or tap the option with your fingertip to select it for assignment. The Set Picture Control location is selected for reassignment in figure 9.54B, image 2.
3. 3. A scrollable list of 22 options will now appear (figure 9.54B, image 3). Scroll up or down in the list and highlight an option to replace Set Picture Control. Press the OK button or tap the option to assign it to the selected i Menu location.
4. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for any other i Menu locations you want to change.

As mentioned, the i Menu is available for both still images and videos; however, it is separately configurable for the two. See Custom setting f1 Customize i menu (page 422) for information on customizing the i Menu for still photography.

In the downloadable resource document titled Appendix B: i Menu Video Functions we examine each of the 22 assignable functions individually. Most of these functions are fully described in other parts of this book. Therefore, to prevent adding many extra pages (and more weight) to this already large book, we are providing this downloadable PDF. The downloadable resources are found at this web address:

http://rockynook.com/NikonZ7

Custom Setting g2: Custom Control Assignment

(User’s Manual: Page 147, Reference Manual: Page 281)

The Nikon Z7 has six programmable controls for video capture, with 28 different functions that may be assigned to those controls. This Custom control assignment function presents a programming interface for all the assignable controls on the camera body and a mounted Nikkor lens that has a programmable L-Fn button. Here is a list of the six programmable controls (figure 9.55A, image 2):

• Fn1 button
• Fn2 button
• AF-ON button
• Sub-selector joystick center press
• Shutter-release button
• Lens control ring (on a Nikkor lens that has one—e.g., S lenses)

Some options can be assigned to most of the camera’s programmable controls. However, not all options can be assigned to all controls. A few options can be assigned to particular controls only.

When programming the buttons for custom usage you can assign an option to a single button press (figure 9.55A, image 3: Press functions), or you can assign a different functionality to be executed when the button is held down while you turn a Command dial (figure 9.55A, image 4: Press + command dials functions).

Assigning a Function to a Control

In this subsection, we will start by discussing how to make a function assignment to each programmable control. Then we will consider the individual Nikon Z7 programmable controls and which functions can be assigned to each control (table 9.2). And finally, we will examine what each assignable function does.

Let’s see how to actually choose a custom function for a sample control. We will use the Fn1 button as our sample control.

Figure 9.55A: Assigning a custom function to a camera control (sample: Fn1 button)

Use the following steps to assign a custom function to a camera control:

1. 1. Choose g2 Custom control assignment from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.55A, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight a control and press the OK button or tap the control with your fingertip (figure 9.55A, image 2). Each control name is listed in the top-left area of the screen when the control is highlighted, in case you are unsure which control is selected (Fn1 button). Just below the name of the control is the current function assignment for that control (White balance, at the blue arrow). As you scroll around the screen shown in figure 9.55A, image 2, you will see different control names and function assignment names appear in the top-left corner. Press the OK button or tap the highlighted yellow option to open the control assignment screen.
3. 3. Figure 9.55A, image 3, shows a list of functions on the control assignment screen. You can choose one to activate when you press the Fn1 button (e.g., Power aperture (open)). This list has an aptly titled heading: Press. If you scroll down on this same screen you will see another distinct list of functions under a new heading: Press + command dials (figure 9.55A, image 4). Each of the functions in this section (e.g., Choose image area) requires you to hold down the button and turn either of the Command dials. Highlight the function you want to assign to the control and press the OK button or tap the highlighted function to lock in in for use.

Note: A couple of the controls (i.e., AF-ON button and Lens control ring) have no Press + command dials function list available. The AF-ON button has only Press items, and the Lens control ring (not being a button) has no Press or Press + command dials items. That wouldn’t make sense for a control ring on a lens; therefore, there is just a simple list of items that you can assign to the Lens control ring.

Now let’s consider a list of which function can be assigned to which control (table 9.2).

Control Assignment Functions List

Table 9.2 contains a list of 28 available functions and shows which controls the function can be assigned to. A “” means that function is available for assignment to that particular control, whereas a blank cell means it is not available for that control.

The Function Name column in table 9.2 lists the same items as partially seen in figure 9.55A, images 3 and 4. Each programmable control is listed across the top of the table, in the order in which the camera presents them, with a check mark showing which functions can be used with that control.

The Lens ring has functions listed that can be used only with certain qualifications, as described in the table caption (1 and 2).

Table 9.2: Available functions and the controls to which they can be assigned, in alphabetical order ( = Yes; blank = No; 1 = Compatible lenses only; 2 = Regardless of options selected, in MF mode the control ring can be used to adjust focus only)

Assignable Functions Explained

In table 9.2 you will find a list with each assignable function and what it does. Since the various functions can be assigned to different controls, I used the words Assigned control (in italics) as a replacement for specific control names. When you see Assigned control, substitute the name of the control to which you are going to assign the particular function. The Assignable Functions List explains how each function works.

Assignable Functions List

• Active D-Lighting: (figure 9.55B): Press and hold the Assigned control and rotate either of the Command dials to adjust Active D-Lighting (ADL) to one of its five settings: Off (Off), Low (L), Normal (N), High (H), and Extra high (H*). You will see the symbols that represent the various settings—such as L and H—scroll by as you turn either of the Command dials. Auto (A) Active D-Lighting is not available in Movie mode.

Figure 9.55B: Active D-Lighting

• AE/AF lock: This allows you to lock AE (exposure) and AF (focus) on the last meter and autofocus system readings when you hold down the Assigned control.
• AE lock (Hold): This function causes AE (exposure) to lock on the last meter reading when the Assigned control is pressed and released once. It stays locked until you press the Assigned control again or the exposure meter turns off.
• AE lock only: This allows you to lock AE (exposure) on the last meter reading when you hold down the Assigned control.
• AF lock only: This allows you to lock the AF (focus) system on the last autofocus reading when you hold down the Assigned control.
• Choose image area (figure 9.55C): When the camera is in Movie mode, you can press the Assigned control and rotate a Command dial to change the image area. Your image area choices are FX and DX. The live view will change on the Monitor to reflect the new image area. You cannot make this change while recording a movie.

Figure 9.55C: Choose image area

• Exposure compensation: This function is assignable to the Lens control ring only. Turn the Lens control ring to visually add or subtract exposure from your video. When used in conjunction with the Live histogram, you have a very accurate method to fine-tune the exposure for your video. If you need to know how much actual exposure change you have made, press the +/− Exposure compensation button. Using the Lens control ring for Exposure compensation is a virtually silent method of fine-tuning exposure.
• Exposure compensation +: This function can be assigned to the Fn1 button only. By pressing the Fn1 button, you ask the camera to override the meter and add extra exposure (+) for each press of the button. When you enable the Exposure compensation + (plus) function for Fn1, the camera automatically selects the Exposure compensation − (minus) setting for the Fn2 button, and gives you an on-screen notice that says, “Exposure compensation has been assigned to the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons.” At that point, the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons are paired, with Fn1 adding exposure (+) and Fn2 removing exposure (−). If you try to change the Fn1 button to another setting, breaking the pairing, the camera will display this message: “Fn2 button exposure compensation assignment has been canceled,” and the Fn2 button is set to None (Off).
• Exposure compensation –: This function can be assigned to the Fn2 button only. By pressing the Fn2 button, you ask the camera to override the meter and subtract exposure (−) for each press of the button. When you enable the Exposure compensation − (minus) function for Fn2, the camera automatically selects the Exposure compensation + (plus) setting for the Fn1 button, and gives you an on-screen notice that says, “Exposure compensation has been assigned to the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons.” At that point, the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons are paired, with Fn1 adding exposure (+) and Fn2 removing exposure (−). If you try to change the Fn2 button to another setting, breaking the pairing, the camera will display this message: “Fn1 button exposure compensation assignment has been canceled,” and the Fn1 button is set to None (Off).
• Focus (M/A): This function can be assigned only to a Nikkor lens with a Lens ring. When you turn the Lens ring in manual focus (M) mode, you will have full control of focusing the camera. Be sure to enable focus Peaking (page 86) to help you obtain very accurate manual focus. When using autofocus (A), you can top off the focus by turning the Lens ring. If you have enabled focus Peaking and hold down the Shutter-release button halfway or press the AF-ON button while turning the Lens ring, focus Peaking will assist you with fine-tuning the camera’s autofocus choice.
• Focus mode/AF-area mode (figure 9.55D): Hold down the Assigned control and turn the rear Main command dial to change the Focus mode (e.g., AF-S, AF-F), or turn the front Sub-command dial to change the AF-area mode (e.g., Single-point AF, Auto-area AF).

Figure 9.55D: Focus mode/AF-area mode

• Framing grid display (figure 9.55E): Press the Assigned control to toggle on and off a convenient Framing grid to assist with leveling horizons and alignment with architectural features.

Figure 9.55E: Framing grid display

• Metering (figure 9.55F): When you press and hold the Assigned control and turn either of the camera’s Command dials, you can select from the following Metering modes: Matrix metering, Center-weighted metering, and Highlight-weighted metering. The camera will remain in the chosen Metering mode until you change it. This function a shortcut method imitating the Movie Shooting Menu > Metering mode (page 343).

Figure 9.55F: Metering

• Microphone sensitivity (figure 9.55G): Press and hold the Assigned control and turn either of the Command dials to select a Microphone sensitivity level. Your choices are Auto, Off, and 1–20. This setting affects how sensitive to sound your favorite external mic or the built-in stereo mic is. You can let the camera control it automatically (Auto), disable the mic (Off), or manually control it yourself (1–20).

Figure 9.55G: Microphone sensitivity

• None: Pressing the Assigned control when using Movie mode does nothing.
• Peaking highlights (figure 9.55H): Pressing and holding the Assigned control while turning the rear Main command dial to any setting besides Off enables the Peaking highlights function. Choose from PEAK OFF, PEAK 1, PEAK 2, and PEAK 3. The higher numbers increase the sensitivity and visibility of Peaking. Pressing and holding the Assigned control while turning the front Sub-command dial allows you to select a Peaking highlights color: Red (R), Yellow (Y), Blue (B), or White (W). For more information on focus Peaking, see the Custom Setting d10: Peaking Highlights subheading earlier in this chapter (page 409).

Figure 9.55H: Peaking highlights

• Power aperture: This function is assignable to the Lens control ring only. Turn the Lens control ring to change the aperture. This works somewhat like the old aperture lens rings of old, without the click stops. As you turn the lens ring, you will see the aperture value change on the camera’s display screens.
• Power aperture (open): This function may be assigned to the Fn1 button only. By selecting this function, you ask the camera to open the aperture to a larger opening when you press and hold the Fn1 button. This is accomplished automatically without you having to turn any dials; just pressing the Fn1 button opens the aperture smoothly and silently. When you set the camera to Power aperture (open) for the Fn1 button, the camera automatically selects the Power aperture (close) setting for the Fn2 button, and gives you an on-screen notice that says, “Power aperture has been assigned to the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons.” At that point, the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons are paired. If you try to change the Fn1 button to another setting, the camera will give you a terse warning: “Fn2 button power aperture assignment has been canceled,” and the Fn2 button is set to None (Off). Power aperture assignments are available only in exposure modes A and M. When you press the Fn1 button, you will see the aperture number get larger (open up), and the results of that change (brightening of subject) are visible on the EVF or Monitor immediately.
• Power aperture (close): This function may be assigned to the Fn2 button only. By selecting this function, you ask the camera to close (stop down) the aperture to a smaller setting when you press and hold the Fn2 button. This is accomplished automatically without you having to turn any dials; just pressing the Fn2 button closes the aperture smoothly and silently. This function works in conjuction with the Power aperture (open) setting (Fn1). When Power aperture (close) is assigned to the Fn2 button, the camera automatically assigns Power aperture (open) to the Fn1 button. If you break that partnership by trying to assign another selection to the Fn2 button, the camera will give you the following message: “Fn1 button power aperture assignment has been canceled,” and the Fn1 button is set to None (Off). Power aperture assignments are available only in exposure modes A and M. When you press the Fn2 button, you will see the aperture number become smaller (stop down), and the results of that change (darkening of subject) will be visible on the EVF or Monitor immediately.
• Protect (figure 9.55I): Display an important video you want to protect on the camera’s Monitor (or EVF). To prevent future accidental deletion, press the Assigned control and the image will be locked from deletion. As you scroll through your videos, the protected movies will have a protection key symbol in the top-left corner of the frame. Press the Assigned control again with a protected video displayed, and the protection and key symbol will be removed.

Figure 9.55I: Protect

• Rating (figure 9.55J): Display a video to which you want to give a rating, and then press and hold the Assigned control. The camera will present you with a 1 to 5 star rating scale ( to ) in the bottom-left corner of the screen (figure 9.55J, image 1, red arrow). Turn the rear Main command dial to add or subtract yellow stars. For example, if you rate a video as a three-star movie, you will see three yellow stars in the lower-left area of the screen. When you press the Playback button and display the video, you will see the symbol (3) displayed in the lower-left corner of the frame (figure 9.55J, image 2, red arrow). This symbol is a reminder that the image was previously rated as 3 out of 5 stars.

Figure 9.55J: Rating

• Record movies: Press the Assigned control and the camera will immediately start recording a movie, just as if you had pressed the Movie record button. You can stop the recording by pressing the Assigned control again.
• Select center focus point: Pressing the Assigned control causes the camera to jump from whatever focus point (AF point) you were using to the center AF point instead.
• Set Picture Control (figure 9.55K): Press and hold the Assigned control while turning either Command dial to change which Picture Control (page 200) the camera uses for video recording.

Figure 9.55K: Set Picture Control

• Take photos: This function can be assigned to the Shutter-release button only. If you are in the middle of recording a movie and you absolutely must have a still image immediately, you can acquire an image that matches the resolution of a single frame of the video by pressing the Shutter-release button all the way down. If your camera is currently recording video in 4K, the single image will be 8.29 MP in size (3840×2160). If recording 1080p (Full HD) video, the single image will be 2.07 MP in size (1920×1080). The camera will continue recording without interruption. Be careful not to shake the camera when you press the Shutter-release button to capture a frame while recording.
• White balance (figure 9.55L): Press and hold the Assigned control while turning the rear Main command dial to select a White balance type (e.g., Auto, Direct sunlight, Cloudy). While still pressing the Assigned control, you can turn the front Sub-command dial to select a sub-option, if that White balance type has any sub-options (e.g., for Auto, a sub-option is A0 Keep white (reduce warm colors)). See White balance on page 108 for more information on options and sub-options.

Figure 9.55L: White balance

• Zoom on/off (figure 9.55M): This function can be assigned only to the AF-ON button under Custom setting g2: Custom control assignment; however, you can also use Custom setting g3: OK button to select and use Zoom on/off (see next main heading). When you first assign this function to the AF-ON button, you will be presented with a screen that asks you to choose a magnification level (figure 9.55M, image 3). Most of us will choose 1:1 (100%) because that is an accurate pixel-peeping level for verifying focus or examining detail in a non-yet-videoed subject. This function is not available once you have started recording the video. To use it, press the AF-ON button and the camera will immediately zoom in to the magnification level you assigned.

Figure 9.55M: Zoom on/off

Settings Recommendation: Here are the assignments I make for the controls on my camera:

• Fn1: White balance
• Fn2: Focus mode/AF area-mode
• AF-ON: AF-ON
• Sub-selector joystick button press: Select center focus point
• Shutter-release button: Take photos (still photography mode has own settings)
• Lens control ring: Focus (M/A)

Of course, you may desire a completely different configuration that works better for your style of videography. You have a sizable number of options available!

Custom Setting g3: OK Button

(User’s Manual: Page 148, Reference Manual: Page 286)

The OK button has a dual purpose in the Z7 when capturing video. There are three settings you can assign to the OK button, which we will discuss; however, anytime Movie mode is active, the OK button can be used to initiate focus tracking when Auto-area AF AF-area mode is selected. Let’s examine the three settings you can choose to assign to the OK button:

• Select center focus point: If selected, pressing the OK button causes the AF point to jump to the middle of the screen.
• Zoom on/off: If selected, you can press the OK button to zoom in on your subject before you start recording a movie. This function will not work while video is being recorded.
• Record movies: If selected, you can press the OK button to stop or start recording video.

Now let’s see how to assign a setting to the OK button for when you are recording videos.

Figure 9.56A: Assigning a setting to the OK button for video

Use the following steps to assign a setting to the OK button for use while recording a movie:

1. 1. Choose g3 OK button from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.56A, image 1).
2. 2. Highlight one of the three available settings, referring to the previous list for a description of each option’s functionality. If you choose Select center focus point or Record movies, press the OK button or tap the option to use it and then skip step 3 (figure 9.56A, image 2).

Figure 9.56B: Zoom magnification levels

1. 3. If you select Zoom on/off you will need to choose a zoom magnification level. Sample zoom levels are shown in figure 9.56B—from Normal (no zoom) to 200%. This allows you to prepare the focus by examining a pixel-peeping closeup of your subject. To choose a zoom level, highlight it and press the OK button or tap the option with your fingertip.

Settings Recommendation: I set my camera to Zoom on/off at the 100% level. I have Select center focus point assigned to the Sub-selector joystick press function and prefer to use the joystick for all AF point movement in still photography and movie modes. I can then use the OK button to zoom in and make sure I have good focus set before I start the video recording session. The Zoom on/off setting will not work while a video is being recorded. Experiment with these three modes and see which works best for you.

Custom Setting g4: AF Speed

(User’s Manual: Page 148, Reference Manual: Page 286)

Use the AF speed function to choose how quickly the camera focuses on your subject when capturing a video and when not recording. Sometimes it can be jarring to have a subject snap into focus, such as when you are switching between two people in your video. You can control the speed with which the camera focuses on the new subject. Also, you can choose when the focus speed limitation applies:

• Always: The AF speed slider (−5 to +5) always controls how fast autofocus works during video recording and when not recording.
• Only while recording: The AF speed limitation works while you are recording a video only. When you are not recording a video the AF speed is equivalent to the +5 setting.

Let’s see how to use the AF speed control.

Figure 9.57: Using the AF speed control

Use the following steps to choose an AF speed and select when the AF speed limiter can control the AF speed:

1. 1. Choose g4 AF speed from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.57, image 1).
2. 2. Use the AF speed Slower/Faster slider control to set a focus speed (figure 9.57, image 2). Experiment with the speed (−5 to +5) and see which you like the best. Tap the little pointer controls on either side of the slider scale to move the yellow pointer (red arrow) to the left toward −5 or to the right toward +5. Press or touch OK to lock in the setting.
3. 3. If you want to limit when the AF speed control works, scroll down to When to apply and scroll to the right, or tap the When to apply setting with your fingertip (figure 9.57, image 3).
4. 4. Highlight Always or Only while recording and press the OK button or tap the option to lock it in (figure 9.57, image 4). See the previous list to help with your decision.

Settings Recommendation: I don’t shoot a lot of video where I need to control focus speed since I shoot mostly static nature videos. However, when working with people or multiple objects where I have to switch focus, I do prefer the less jarring look of a slower AF. This is very subjective and is governed by your needs. Experimentation is in order. I definitely use the Only while recording subsetting so that I can see faster AF results when I am setting up my video session initially. I leave the Slower/Faster slider set to 0 most of the time.

Custom Setting g5: AF Tracking Sensitivity

(User’s Manual: Page 148, Reference Manual: Page 287)

The AF tracking sensitivity function works in a similar manner to the Custom setting a3: Focus Tracking with Lock-On function (page 367) for still photography. The AF tracking sensitivity function controls how long the camera tries to maintain focus on your original subject when something passes between your camera and your subject. Let’s see how it works.

Figure 9.58: AF tracking sensitivity

Use the following steps to choose a time delay for changing focus away from your subject when an object comes between you and your subject:

1. 1. Choose g5 AF tracking sensitivity from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.58, image 1).
2. 2. You have seven settings on a sliding scale from 1 (High) to 7 (Low). The smaller numbers (High, or 1 to 3) force the camera to maintain its tracking focus on the subject for a longer period of time when something gets in the way. The larger numbers (Low, or 5 to 7) let the camera move focus to the intruding object more quickly, in a shorter period of time. Choose the setting you want by moving the yellow pointer (red arrow) toward High or Low by tapping the pointers at the ends of the scale (or scrolling with the Multi selector pad). This scale feels a little backward to me. Just remember that the bigger numbers (Low) mean faster timeouts (lock-on to your subject for a shorter time) and the smaller numbers (High) mean slower timeouts (lock-on to your subject for a longer time). When you have made your choice, press or touch OK to lock in the value.

Settings Recommendation: It has been my experience that when tracking a moving subject, it is best to ask the camera to maintain the focus on your subject for a longer period of time (High, or 1 to 3). Otherwise, an object that temporarily gets in between you and your subject may pull the focus away from your subject. For my style of static nature video capture, I leave my camera set to High (1) most of the time. However, if you are videoing multiple people and want to switch to a subject closer to the camera, a Low (7) setting may allow you to do so more quickly. Experiment with this setting so that you will be prepared to use it well.

Custom Setting g6: Highlight Display

(User’s Manual: Page 148, Reference Manual: Page 288)

The Highlight display function allows you to control the look and sensitivity of the Highlight “zebra stripes” display. When enabled, the Highlight display allows your Nikon Z7 to use zebra stripes to warn you about overexposed areas while you are shooting a movie. You can also check for overexposure before the video recording starts by entering the Movie mode and pointing the camera at your subject. If zebra stripes appear anywhere on your subject before or during the recording, it is an indication that the striped area does not have detail (it is overexposed).

Figure 9.59A: Zebra stripes examples: Display Pattern 1 (left) and Display Pattern 2 (right).

You can see the Highlight display (zebra stripes) in the background of my camera’s Live view screen in figure 9.59A. On the left is Pattern 1, which has zebra stripes that lean to the right. On the right is Pattern 2, which has strips that lean left.

If your camera’s g6 Highlight display function is grayed out and unavailable, it likely means that you have enabled focus Peaking in Custom Setting d10: Peaking Highlights (page 409). Focus Peaking and Highlight display are mutually exclusive. One cannot be enabled unless the other is disabled (firmware version C1.02).

Let’s examine how to choose one of the stripe patterns.

Figure 9.59B: Setting the Highlight display stripe pattern

Use the following steps to choose a Display pattern (direction in which the zebra stripes lean):

1. 1. Choose g6 Highlight display from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.59B, image 1).
2. 2. Select Display pattern and scroll to the right or tap the option to select it (figure 9.59B, image 2).
3. 3. Highlight one of the two patterns (Pattern 1 or Pattern 2) or set it to Off (figure 9.59B, image 2). Refer to figure 9.59A to select the pattern you prefer. Press the OK button or tap the option to select the pattern.

Next, you can adjust the sensitivity of the Highlight display by selecting a Highlight display threshold in a range from 180 to 255. The lower the number, the more sensitive the Highlight display. Let’s see how to set the Highlight display threshold and then we’ll enable the Highlight display.

Figure 9.59C: Setting the Highlight display threshold

Use the following steps to set a Highlight display threshold:

1. 1. Choose g6 Highlight display from the g Movie menu and scroll to the right (figure 9.59C, image 1).
2. 2. Select Highlight display threshold and scroll to the right or tap the option with your fingertip (figure 9.59C, image 2).
3. 3. Highlight one of the values on the list (figure 9.59C, image 3). You can choose from 180 to 255. The lower the Highlight display threshold number, the sooner the zebra stripes will appear. Basically, by setting 255, the camera will show zebra stripes only in areas that are fully blown out to pure white (no detail). A number lower than that will enable zebra stripes for less and less detail loss. The camera defaults to 248, which allows a zebra stripe warning to appear just before all detail is lost (at 255). To understand what these numbers mean, study the histogram on page 69. Press the OK button or tap the option to lock in your Highlight display threshold number.

Settings Recommendation: I like the zebra stripes display. I generally set my camera to 248 or 235, just so that I can get a warning when I am approaching data loss due to overexposure (when light reaches 255, see histogram on page 70). This Highlight display is a great feature for videographers. Learn to use it!

Author’s Conclusion

Your Z7 can change the way it shoots on the fly, in much less time than it takes to talk about it, by switching to a different User setting (U1, U2, or U3) on your camera’s Mode dial. Now that you’ve read this chapter over and configured the camera for a particular style of photography, save the configuration to one of the User settings (page 474). Then reconfigure the camera and set up the other two User settings. Think of the ways you most often take pictures and configure your Z7 for each of those ways. Your camera will be customized to you!

Now let’s move into the next menu system—the Setup Menu—and configure the camera’s basic setup. The Setup Menu is very important for initial camera configuration, but only a few of its functions are used after initial setup.