So, you got a new Z System camera for Christmas. Now what?
This really boils down into somewhat different tasks for two different groups: (a) those new to the Nikon Z System; and (b) those upgrading within the Nikon Z System.
Those Upgrading Within the Z System
Let's deal with the upgraders first, because that's easy enough to get out of the way.
- Buy a (or some) new card(s). Really. Cards don't last forever, and it's likely that your new camera really wants state-of-the-art cards to perform at high frame rates or in top video categories. The longer you've used a card, the more likely it has NAND gates that are being redistributed (losing capacity) and it is getting closer to cell failures impacting data capture. I retire cards with cameras, and thus almost never have card issues. Some pros I know don't retire cards, and they have many more card issues than I've ever encountered.
- Make sure you're USB Power Delivery capable. All the Z System cameras now use USB PD, and typically at higher voltages (15w, 27w) than the lowest common denominator wall warts (5w). Serious photographers have a way to charge their cameras from larger batteries, from their car, and in their homes or room while traveling. Get a multi-outlet wall wart with high enough voltage to support both your computer and camera charging simultaneously (e.g. 100w multi-port), and make sure you have cables that support that. (And if you're bemoaning the fact that Nikon no longer supplies chargers, thank Europe. The mandates there basically forced all electronic makers hands, even Apple.)
- Update and rationalize your accessories. Batteries change, direct chargers change, connector types change (and thus cables need to change), remotes change, and even things like hot shoe covers change. Look for all the accessory points that changed for you and make sure you're up-to-speed with everything for your new camera.
- It's likely you moved to the Z9 generation. Moving from the first generation Z's (Zfc, Z30, Z50, Z5, Z6, Z6II, Z7, and Z7II) to the current Z9 generation Z's (Z50II, Zf, Z5II, Z6III, Z8, and Z9) is mostly good news and a relatively easy transition with two exceptions: (1) autofocus; and (2) customization. Z9 generation cameras have very different autofocus systems, even though on first appearance they seem much the same as before. They're not. If you really want the better focus these new cameras provide, you're going to have to study and master the new system (I explain that in detail in my book for your camera). But the mastering part also tends to require that you dig deeper into the customization side of your new camera (and yes, I've got a book that explains that, too). Some features you didn't have before (such as pre-capture) may be present, but it's really autofocus and customization study that will bring the greatest result for your time spent.
That's pretty much it for upgraders. That's one of the nice things about Nikon's legacy focus: a lot of things don't change, or don't change enough that you can't understand them quickly.
Those Just Starting with the Z System
I put the upgrade advice first because you, too, should be doing all those things (new cards, USB PD accessories, new accessories, and studying the autofocus and customization options). If you're having trouble understanding the first three of those, check the accessories section on this site and drop me an email if you still have questions. If you're having trouble with the last two, I'm not surprised, and again, my books offer deep, wide, and understandable information that can help you get going.
Still, there's a couple of things that are unique to your new gear and your journey in using it:
- Learn and embrace Nikonian lingo. Nikon has had a truly long history with almost all their technologies. I was just working on a film SLR book the other day, and it was amazing to me how many of the terms we Nikon users now take for granted originated in the 1970's, 80's, or 90's. Even the things that might seem odd, such as lenses that mount or zoom in the opposite direction and displays that are the opposite of what you expect all have their origin in film. Nikon doesn't change its naming or orientations without a super clear reason to do so, and that happens rarely (as in when Nikon was getting a number of former Canon users switching to the system and complaining about the exposure metering bar being backwards [you can now customize it to be either Canon or Nikon legacy orientation]). (In writing the preceding, I realize I probably should have an article about this; consider it in the queue somewhere ;~)
- Start with Auto. Your new Z camera has autofocus, auto exposure, auto white balance, auto Picture Controls, Auto ISO, and much more. But don't start with the green Auto icon on the Mode dial, if it has one. Instead, use P (for Program exposure mode). Having been working at this for decades, Nikon's choices in all-automatic use are generally reasonable. They might not do everything the way you want to, but they'll give you a good chance at getting usable images from day one. Which brings us to:
- As you discover things that don't seem to work the way you want, fix that. Every one of those auto functions has override capability. Start with some easy ones: Exposure Compensation can change exposures if you don't like what Nikon is choosing. Turning off Auto ISO lets you be in control of that variable (and there's likely a dedicated button for that). You can override focus via the focus ring on the lens, even if the focus is being done automatically (that's a little trickier than the foregoing implies, but again, you can take control over automation). Pick one thing that's not working as you'd expect and then learn how you can take control of it and adjust to your desired setting. Master each item before moving onto another thing. That's because the combinations and permutations of trying to change everything simultaneously start to get out of control. So pick one problem, research it through the manual, my books, or online, and get control of it before moving on to another.
- Embrace Button+Dial. In the previous step you'll probably have found that virtually you did involved pressing a button, or holding a button and turning a dial. This is how Nikon cameras have worked since the N8008 in the 1960's. The only thing that's changed in all those years is the number of options you have in button+dial. That's where my Mastering Nikon Customization book comes into play: each of us have our cameras set up a little differently, but those differences are all about customizing the buttons and dials.
- Don't forget to connect. You'll want to load SnapBridge on your mobile device, and with most Z9 generation cameras you'll want to sign up to Nikon Imaging Cloud. While both of those still have some funky setup bits, in terms of actual operation once set up, this gives you the ability to move images to your mobile device for use on social media, controlling the camera from your mobile device, and even automatically downloading images to your computer or cloud system. There's even a not-much-talked about ability to share files via the free Nikon Image Space. Finally, most of the Z9 generation cameras also have built-in UAV/UAC ability to serve as Web cams, if you want to connect that way.
- Don't ignore free software. Nikon NX Studio allows you to process raw files and to create new JPEG looks you can load onto your camera. Nikon NX Tether allows you to connect the camera to your computer and both control and capture from the computer. If you post lots of photos somewhere via FTP, Nikon NX Mobile Air should be on your mobile device.
Again, if something is still confusing you, check the other articles on this site and my books, then drop me a line with your specific problem if that doesn't solve things for you.