Z9 Firmware 4.10 Bird Detection: Real World Test

What are you shooting with? W a TC at 5.6 or f8 and at DX? That’s not an ideal case to show AF performance!

I think bird auto focus with wide are large mode could give better result.

Thank you for the real world test. I have also noticed an improvement ! What do you use to record the EVF?

Love watching your tests even though I rarely photograph birds in flight. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and to share it.

Just used it today, I found it to be a noticeable improvement at hanging onto birds in flight and sticking to the eye when they’re big enough

Great video David. I was anxious to see your take on it. :)

I use large area wide when shooting birds in flight, I noticed that on a few video reviews, yours included that you are using auto area--is this a better combination.

Some of those shots look like the would be incredibly difficult for any camera detection system. I doubt the A1 would be able to detect those ducks in the mud. 

Not even I could make them out. :D

I use large area AF then when a subject is found, I keep it tracked using 3D Tracking+AF On using a custom button assignment. Works like a charm, even on 4.01. Cannot wait to try out the new AF.

Good, objective review! Great video of the focus spots moving. Do you have an external recording monitor to catch that action (e.g. Atomos)?

Nice, I can't wait to see this on the Z8.

Great video! The Auto Area AF mode is where it's at with Bird SD mode. 3D needs some more tweaks for this Bird SD mode. It also could be just a limitation to the 3D algorithm and Auto may just always be the best AF mode for the Bird SD mode. Will need to wait for the next FW update that improves this Bird SD mode. If Nikon looks to do so specifically.

The issue I see where you mention it's not magic I see the bird is way to far out to crazy distances, so that part I feel is expected and the same of any of the other brands like the Sony a! and Canon R5/3

Good info

That has to be the best test ever of a firmware. I have the Z9 and the Z8 and can't wait to see the difference shooting birds here in SW Florida. I was happy with the older firmware but knew the difference in AF from shooting both Sony and Canon as well. I was pretty successful using Wide Large with Animal detect with the old firmware. This looks to be head a shoulders over the last version. I suspect that any day now Sony will be releasing a new high end camera with AF like a machine gun!