Nikon Z9 Archives - Storyteller

The Benefit of 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 With 2X Converter Paired With Nikon Z9 For Football

by Stanley LearyJanuary 2, 2023June 27, 2023Nikon Z9 / Sports

[NIKON Z 9, 120-300mm f/2.8 + 2X converter, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/2000, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

The main benefit of using a 120-300mm f/2.8 lens with a 2x converter is that it offers a more excellent range of focal lengths than a fixed 400mm or 600mm lens. This can be especially useful if you can quickly adjust your focal length to suit the changing action and composition of the scene.

For example, if you are covering a football game and want a wide-field shot, you can use the 120mm end of the lens to capture a more comprehensive view. Then, if you get a close-up shot of a specific player or action, you can zoom in to the 300mm end of the lens and use the 2x converter to increase the magnification power to 600mm.

Constant aperture: The f/2.8 aperture is ongoing throughout the entire focal range of the lens, which means that you can maintain a consistent depth of field and low-light performance as you zoom in or out. With the 2X converter, the aperture changes to ƒ/5.6.

Fast aperture: The f/2.8 aperture allows you to capture images with a shallow depth of field, which can help isolate your subject and create a sense of depth in your pictures. It also allows you to shoot in lower light conditions, letting in more light than a slower aperture lens.

My Second Camera Had The Nikon 100-400mm

Using two Nikon Z9 cameras with different lenses can be a good setup for covering football because it allows you to quickly switch between different focal lengths and perspectives to suit the changing action and composition of the scene.

For example, you could use one camera with a wide-angle lens to capture a wide-field shot while using the other camera with a telephoto lens to get close-up shots of specific players or actions. This can give you a more comprehensive range of images and help you capture different aspects of the game more effectively.

Additionally, having two cameras with different lenses can allow you to work more efficiently. For example, you can set one camera up for wide shots and the other for close-ups and switch between them as needed. This can help you to be more responsive to the action and to capture more compelling images of the game.

Overall, using two Nikon Z9 cameras with different lenses can be a good setup for covering football, as it allows you to quickly switch between different focal lengths and perspectives to suit the changing action and composition of the scene.

I Did Switch To Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens When Necessary

I used the Z 24-120mm f/4 S during the pre-game and post-game events.

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens is a versatile, high-quality lens well-suited for various photography applications, including sports and action photography.

It has High image quality; the lens features high-quality optics and coatings that help to deliver sharp, detailed images with good contrast and color reproduction.

Benefits Of Multiple Cameras & Lenses

Having multiple lenses and cameras can be very helpful when covering a football game because it allows you to quickly switch between different focal lengths and perspectives to suit the changing action and composition of the scene. This can help you to capture a broader range of images and to be more responsive to the action on the field.

Additionally, having multiple cameras can allow you to work more efficiently, having one camera set up for wide shots and the other for close-ups and switching between them as needed. This can help you to be more responsive to the action and to capture more compelling images of the game.

Generally, having multiple lenses and cameras can be very helpful when covering a football game, as it allows you to quickly switch between different focal lengths and perspectives to suit the changing action and composition of the scene.

Overall, the Nikon Z9 is a high-end full-frame mirrorless camera well-suited for various photography applications, including sports and action photography. Its high-resolution sensor, fast continuous shooting speed, advanced autofocus system, and high-quality video capabilities make it a top choice for photographers looking to cover a football game.

Birds, Nikon Z9, & Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL

by Stanley LearyJanuary 20, 2022July 20, 2022Flambient / Flash / Lightroom / Nikon Z9 / studio strobes / Topaz Sharpen AI / wildlife photography

I have preached over and over on my blog about how Flash can improve the colors in your photos.

Flambient is even a new term you will see in photography that was being done long before. This is where the photographer blends available light with Flash.

No Flash [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 4000, 1/160, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 460)]

This is without a flash shot of birds on the bird feeder. I am shooting from one window of my house, and I put the Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL in another window about 15+ feet away, creating a triangle between camera, subject, and light.

Birds at Bird feeder using the Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 4000, 1/160, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 460)]

The hard part of doing this is balancing available light and the flash.

Birds at Birdfeeder Using the Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 16000, 1/500, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 380)]

This, to me, is a little too much flash. What you choose to do will be part of your style and approach.

Birds at Birdfeeder Using the Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 16000, 1/500, ƒ/8, (35mm = 600)]

Tip Don’t Use TTL

TTL Flash works by the flash doing a pre-flash, and then the camera takes a picture with the second flash. I think you could risk startling the subject and affecting the one with the actual moment.

Another problem is you will drain your battery for a flash much quicker, with it taking two seconds every time you take a photo.

**Processed in Lightroom and Topaz AI Sharpen** Birds at Birdfeeder Using the Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 8000, 1/250, ƒ/8, (35mm = 600)] Flash set to 1/16 power.

I think you dial in the best settings to take the photo without the flash and then add the sparkle. I suggest having the flash -1 EV of the location you have before.

Birds at Birdfeeder Using the Flashpoint XPlor 600 HSS TTL [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 5000, 1/250, ƒ/8, (35mm = 600)] Flash set to 1/16 power

My Nikon Z9 Sports Settings

by Stanley LearyJanuary 1, 2022July 20, 2022AF Settings / Nikon Z9 / Photography

This is what I have found works for me. You may find different results with other settings.

Here are some shots from my coverage of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl that I mixed in to show my results.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/3200, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

These are the settings that I use on my Nikon Z9 for shooting most all sports action. Nikon has made it pleasant to allow photographers to save these settings, so they do not have to remember every little scene they like to use for a style of shooting.

If you go to Menu and under the camera icon, pick the first item, “Shooting menu bank.” I have chosen B, which is my sports menu.

If you toggle into the “Shooting menu bank,” you can rename those settings. Once you choose one of these settings, everything you do to change the menu will be saved in that menu bank. I recommend going ahead and trying all my settings and then tweaking them to your preferences.

When shooting sports, it is widespread for the lighting conditions to change instantly. While the football player runs toward you, they may go from shade into direct sunlight. For this reason, I let the camera do some of my thinking.

Go to the camera icon and look for “ISO sensitivity settings.” Select this, and you will then see this menu:

I turn on the “Auto ISO sensitivity control.” Then I set the minimum shutter speed to 1/4000. You could pick something else. I used to shoot at 1/2000. The ISO setting is what you see in the smaller window below the menu. I set this to ISO 100 and the “Maximum sensitivity” to ISO 25600.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/4000, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

Why 1/4000? Well, when you are shooting football from the end zone to the other end of the field with a 600mm, you may want to crop. I do crop to get even closer. Therefore this is more like shooting with a 1200mm lens or longer. The longer the lens [CROPPING needs to be factored in], the higher the shutter speed. If you are shooting a 200mm, then shooting at 1/200 shutter speed works pretty well for stationary objects. Following the football field action means your camera moves a lot.

I have found that my photos looked even better at 1/4000 than they did at 1/2000. I am moving the camera, and the player is moving–we are not always in sync. They may Zig while I Zag. That is, they are going opposite my movement, which accentuates the action.

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh [NIKON Z 9, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/4000, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 160)]

While I am in Aperture Mode shooting, the camera will always pick 1/4000 shutter speed. If in sunlight I am at ƒ/4, the shutter speed may go as high as 1/8000 at ISO 100, but as the scene changes and the athlete is now in the shade, the camera will automatically drop to 1/4000 @ ƒ/4, and then change also the ISO up until I can still shoot at 1/4000.

The only time the shutter speed will dip below 1/4000 is if the ISO peaks out at 25600. If my aperture is wide open, the camera is doing everything I would have done manually, but faster than I could ever adjust the camera. That is how you get more shots than the guy next to you.

Next, select the Pencil on the menu and go into the Custom settings bank.

Again just like the Photo Shooting Menu, create a Sports Menu as I have done here.

Next, choose Autofocus in the menu.

Then choose the Focus tracking with lock-on.

I change the “Focus tracking with lock-on” from Normal to 4. What happens when I do this is the delay for the lens to refocus if something occurs between the camera and subject (like a referee). While I am following someone, the camera will not refocus right away. This is something you need to try and pick what you like. You may want the lens to be more responsive and therefore go to set one, letting the lens refocus instantly.

Focus Settings

You want to pick Autofocus Continuous mode for sports.

In the menu, Pencil selections, pick AF Activation under the Autofocus settings.

Then choose the AF-ON only. This will mean when you push the shutter release, it will not focus but fire the shutter to take a photo.

By changing these settings, you will notice the camera will stay in focus and shoot faster frame rate. Great for following a baseball player sliding into a plate and another player trying to tag them, or maybe a football player is running towards you to score. You will find more photos tack sharp in a series.

I generally put my focus point dead center and lock it, so I don’t bump it. I am trying to get photos of moving subjects, and off-center is too tricky. I may crop later for a better composition, but I want the issue to focus first.

Now, this gets a little complicated so pay attention to the highlighted text above.

Here are the selections again with more explanation

Turn off VR on your lens. The simple fact is that VR is a solution to a problem, and if you don’t have that problem using VR can become a problem of its own. VR should generally be off if your shutter speed is over 1/1000.

After doing my findings, someone shared that Nikon came out with their guide for shooting sports. Here is that PDF for you.