Camera to Print, episode 2, is taking our carefully crafted Nikon Electronic File into ACR. In ACR, we create the preset that brings to life our Picture Control and our photograph. The key is, this is just how I finish my camera captures. It is not, by any means, “the” way to do it.

Camera to Print, this is a question that often comes up, especially with the release of the Z 9 5.3 firmware. This is the first episode, laying the groundwork to working with and making the most of the Nikon Electonic File and its Raw data. A little prewarning, content is a bit dry so purdy pics added to get through those moments. The key is, this is just how I finish my camera captures. It is not, by any means, “the” way to do it. The videos are a very long winded way to answer the questions, “how do I …” Enjoy

If you’re like me, you might think the PZ-28-135 is just for video. That’s partially correct and that’s definitely its intended application. Let me share what I’ve learned. First, the PZ stands for Power Zoom. Yes, you can manually zoom and focus with the PZ28-135. You can also zoom and focus automatically with a button on the camera. While the balance point alters slightly, the big advantage of the PZ is your ability to use your hand for other operations / proper hand-holding. For example, I did an A2A with it this past weekend, where you hold onto your camera for dear life. Moving your hand around the lens barrel as you zoom seems risky at best. With the PZ28-135, you simply depress a button to zoom in or out. The focal length is perfect for doing “interview” type videos. It’s brilliant for A2A! Yes, the lens is heavier than your basic zoom but in the air, I welcome that extra weight. After all those attributes, what’s left? Its sharpness which is staggering! Doing my normal MO, I borrowed the PZ28-135 for my initial testing and appraisal. Looking at the results, I’ve now started to connive how I can add it to the locker. The PZ28-135 is not what I expected!

Just dropped, a giant update Firmware 5.03 to the venerable Z 9! You can download it here but check this update out! Here are my settings for Firmware 5.3 :-)

Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, and “Network” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.

Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.

■ Still Photography

• Subject detection is now available when [Single-point AF], [Dynamic-area AF (S)], [Dynamic-area AF (M)], or [Dynamic-area AF (L)] is selected for [AF-area mode].
• Extended the dimensions of focus areas available with [Wide-area AF (C1)] and [Wide-area AF (C2)] AF-area modes.
• Added [Flat Monochrome] and [Deep Tone Monochrome] Picture Controls. Also added support for “Flexible Color” Picture Controls.
• Added [Reset focus after shooting] to [Auto capture]. Also added [Face] to subject detection type options.

■ Video Recording

• Subject detection is now available when [Single-point AF] is selected for [AF-area mode].
• Extended the dimensions of focus areas available with [Wide-area AF (C1)] and [Wide-area AF (C2)] AF-area modes.
• Added [Flat Monochrome] and [Deep Tone Monochrome] Picture Controls. Also added support for “Flexible Color” Picture Controls.
• Added [Reset focus after shooting] to [Auto capture]. Also added [Face] to subject detection type options.
• Selecting [ON] for [Hi-Res Zoom] in the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU] now displays a focus point on the detected subject in the shooting display.

■ Playback

• Added [Date] to [Filtered playback criteria] in playback menu and playback “i” menu.
• Added [Loop playback] in the video playback “i” menu.
• Added [Auto-rotate during playback] to the playback menu.

■ Controls

• Added an [Active subject detection options] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions of a10 and g6.
• The a14 [Max. aperture Lv during MF] item is now a15 [Maximum aperture Lv] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Added a [Focus limiter setting] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a17.
• [Focus limiter] and [Cycle subject detection options] are added to the roles assignable via f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] and g2 [Custom controls] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] and separate settings can now be saved to [Recall shooting functions] and [Recall shooting functions (hold)]. In addition, a magnification option of [400%] has been added to [Zoom on/off].
• Added [Jump to the source image] as an assignable role to f3 [Custom controls (playback)] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Added a [Cycle image area using built-in TC] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of f11.

■ Network

• You can now add descriptive text to existing network profiles using [Connect to FTP server] in [NETWORK MENU].
• Added [Sync date and time with NTP server] to [Connect to FTP server] > [Options] in [NETWORK MENU].
• Added [Overwrite copyright info] to [Connect to other cameras] in the [NETWORK MENU].
• The master camera can now detect and connect to remote cameras on the same network.
• Added [USB streaming (UVC/UAC)] to [USB] in the [NETWORK MENU].

■ Other Changes

• Made improvements to the autofocus operation and its reliability including subject acquisition during still photography.
• Direct measurement of white balance is now available also for still photography via applications, such as NX Tether.
• Voice memo recording is now available with external microphones.
• Changed the specifications for uninterrupted video output to HDMI devices such as external monitors when recording ended.
• The headphone volume level can now be adjusted in the “i” menu during video recording.
• Videos no longer rotate automatically with the camera when [Auto-rotate pictures] is set to [ON] in the [PLAYBACK MENU].
• Added [Flat Monochrome] and [Deep Tone Monochrome] Picture Control options to [RAW processing (current picture)] / [RAW processing (multiple pictures)] in the [Retouch] menu. Also added support for “Flexible Color” Picture Controls.
• The speed at which the camera cycles through focus points using the multi selector or sub-selector no longer slows down when changing direction.
• The tonal characteristics have been changed when [ON] is selected for Custom Setting g14 [View assist] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Fixed typos in the monitor display when pressing a control to which [Shooting menu bank] had been assigned using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] while either [Histogram] or [Wave-form monitor] was displayed during video recording.

WOWZERS!! Well done Nikon!!!

Keeping them fingers toasty is back to the top of the list this winter. I have all sorts of gloves in the closet, but the beginning of NFL season brought a new idea to my mind. The players have muffs they tuck their hands into between plays to keep them warm. That got me to thinking, so I went looking. Then I found they make these muffs for hunters and then the light bulb went on. There are times when shooting, that gloves just don’t work, normally when I’m shooting stills and video back to back. Bare fingers work the controls faster, surer. The muff seemed like a good solution so I got the Moxule Muff. I found it very comfortable, I could shoot / drive / walk around with it without any discomfort. It has a front pocket you can put electric hand warmers (my favorite ones) in or a teleconverter. You can easily slip your hands in the muff, keep them warm, slip them out to shoot and then back in again. It’s a simple, elegant solution to toasty digits, Moxule!!

Yellowstone is a spectacular location in Wyoming / Montana for vast landscapes and amazing critter! In this short video, I go through some of the basics of when, where, and why you want to shoot at this location. Enjoy!