Focusing & High ISO with Nikon Z6

by Stanley LearyPhotography
First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 51200, ƒ/3.5, 1/50]

The main reason I bought the Nikon Z6 over the Z7 was to have the extra stop for higher ISO and lower noise at higher ISO.

On Christmas Eve, I photographed our church’s service. I was shooting at ISO 51200 at times.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 51200, ƒ/4.2, 1/20]

The Nikon Z6 has “Single-AF” as well as “Point-AF,” and this week, I discovered it is best not to use the “Point-AF” when trying to lock on people.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 51200, ƒ/3.5, 1/30]
Marina Tanjga [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

While shooting in the studio, I quickly got 20% out-of-focus photos using the “Point-AF.” By switching the “Single-AF,” I improved the number of in-focus images.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 4500, ƒ/5.3, 1/100]

I prefer the “Single-AF” over the group setting for accurate focusing.

For every camera I have owned, there is a learning curve. You need to learn all the menu settings and find what works best for your way of shooting.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 5600, ƒ/5.3, 1/100]

Hopefully, these photos will give you a peek at my learning of the Nikon Z6.