The

Photo

Experience

   

Equipment

Intro 

    

      

To Home
  

What's New

 

     

Photo Equipment

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

  LEGACY EQUIPMENT    

   

 

Sigma 300-800 F5.6

Nikkor 1200 F11 AIS  

400 F5.6 Nikkor P

 

Vivitar 800 F8

Contax IIIA   

Nippon Kogaku

 

 

18 F4 Nikkor

200 F4 Nikkor Q

  

 

 

 

   

   

 

 

  KITS    

 

    

   Summary
 

 

     Kit 1:  Landscape:

                       Z7 + 100-400 S

                       Z7II + 24-120 S

                       Z7 + 14- 30      Options:  Laowa 10 MM  /  Venus 60 MM 2x

                       RX 100II Infrared

     Kit 2:   BIF:

                       Z8 + 180-600 + 1.4x (opt.)

     Kit 3:   Low Res Sports

                       Z6III + 28-400  (crop factor 40-560)

 

 
 
Landscape Landscape - Lite Wildlife

 

     (CRJ+)     Wt.
 Think Tank Commuter    5.5
 Z7II + 100-400 Z    3.8
 Z7 + 24-120 Z    3.25
 Z7 + 14-30 Z    3.25
 Ext Tube Z    0.5
   
        (Actual wt.)   19.6

 

     (CRJ)     Wt.
 Think Tank Antidote 2    3.5
 Z7II + 70-180 F2.8    3.3
 Z7 + 24-120 Z    3.25
 Nikon 14-30    1.07
 TC 1.4x    0.8
 Ext Tube Z    0.5
        (Actual wt.)   xx.x
     (737)     Wt.
 Think Tank Accelerator    5.5
 Z7II + 180-600 Z    xxx
 Z7 + 24-120 Z    3.25
     xxx
 Ext Tube Z    0.5
   
        (Actual wt.)   19.6

 
 
Surfing - Wedge

Birds

 Football - Sidelines

 

      (na)     Wt.
 Think Tank Glass Limo     --
 D850 with Grip     --
 Tamron 150-600 G2     --
     
    
        (Actual wt.)   12.6

 

     (na)     Wt.
 Think Tank Glass Limo    --
 Z8 + Grip    --
 Nikon 180-600    --
     
    
        (Actual wt.)   12.1
        Wt.
 Lowepro    
 D500    
 Nikon 80-400    
     
     
        (Actual wt.)   00.0

 
 
Unique

xxx

 xxx

 

      (na)     Wt.
 Cecilia     --
 Z7 + 10 AF FF Laowa     --
 Z7 + 28-400     --
     
    
        (Actual wt.)   12.6

 

        Wt.
     --
     --
     --
     
    
        (Actual wt.)    
        Wt.
     
     
     
     
     
        (Actual wt.)   00.0

 
    

   Bags & Tripods
 
Bags Tripods

 

      (Airlines 22"x14"x9")

   

Think Tank
Accelerator

737

CRJ

CRJ +

 Antidote

 20.5" 17" 18"
Commuter 14" 12" 12.5"

 

      

 Glass Limo

      

Tamrac 787

      

 

         

 

 Sirui ST124

 Leo VH 30RUS
 Benro A1190 T

 Acratech Ball
 Gitzo G1127  RRS BH-40 Ball
 Gitzo G1227  RRS BH-55 Ball
 Gitzo G0012  Kaiser Ball
   
 

  

 

 

    

   Side Bag -   (Think Tank Press Pass 20)
    
Front Side iPhone

Surface 9 Equip

Back Side

 

  Bonine

  

  

  Hand Heat Packs

  Suntan Wipes  

  Deet 30 Wipes - Repel

  Sight Savers

  Aloe Wipes for Sunburn

   

 

  iPhone Power Baggie

           110 Plug to USB / USB-C

         Wireless Charger

  iPhone Pouch

        iPhone Earbuds

        Airline Earbuds

  Mini Power Bank

        USB-C chord USB-C

 

 

  Surface 9 Power Baggie

          Surface 9 Power Adapter

  Surface 9 Pouch 

         Hub with SDXC card

       Mouse 

       USB to USB-C  Adapters

        XQD & SD Card Readers

       Thumb Drive

     

 

   EN-EL 15 Charger

   Kirk Mount

  Spare/Sun Glasses

  Liner Gloves 

  Croakies 

  Skull Cap

  Poop Bags

  Pens  

   

       
    

   Field Bag -   (Place in Camera Bag)
 

  
  Knee Pads
  Liner Gloves
  Rag
  Pad 

 

 

  Gaffers Tape / Rubber Bands
  Spare Kirk Mount
 
 

 

  Head Lamp
  Gortex Hat
  Water Bottle
  Totes Umbrella      

 

 

 

 

 

 MIRRORLESS SETTINGS 

 

Z7 

    1st Time Setup:

 
Hardware Software Z7 Settings of Note
(Chg. battery / format mem. card) Back LCD - stay on 5 sec.    A6     AF Activation                     Off
   View "highlights".      A7     Limit AF Area Select         Single Pt
Install hard, back LCD cover. View "Histogram".    A12   Manual Focus Ring            Enable
Install generic camera strap. Meter Mode - Multi Segment  
Gaffer tape over front ID. Drive Mode: H    B3     Center Weighted Area      12 mm
Install auto twist & release plate. Auto Focus- single point  
Place body ID label on prism. Auto Focus - Continuous    C1     Shutter Release                 Off
Place owner ID label somewhere. Turn image rotation off        C2     Self Timer Delay                2 sec.
Add bubble level to hot shoe. Focus Peaking      C3     Power Off Delay                5 min.
Record serial number.  Define FN2 button as DOF Preview   
Install L-Bracket Pencil ... shooting mode ... 100%      D6     Extended Shutter Speeds  On
Copyright 2020 Michael F Dougherty All rights reserved. Histogram in Live View       D10   Framing Grid Display         On
    (LV ... OK ... INFO)   1st time only    D11   Focus Peaking                   On

 

 

 

 

Z7II

   Initial Setup:                                                             06/15/25
 
Settings of Note

Assign Exp. Bkt to Fn1 Button

 Assign Preview to Fn2 Button

       

  PHOTO SHOOTING MENU

      ISO Sensitivity Settings - Auto ISO

  CUSTOM SETTING MENU

     a3 - Focus Tracking with Lock On
     a4 - Eye Detection
     c2 - Self-timer

  SETUP MENU  (Wrench)

     Format / Clean / Date

   

  Custom Setting Menu
  F - Controls
  F2 - Custom Control Assignment
  Fn1 Button   (top left)
  Bkt

  

   
   

  Custom Setting Menu
  F - Controls
  F2 - Custom Control Assignment
  Fn2 Button   (top right)
  Preview

  

   
   

   

Z7 II

      Cheat Sheet   -   (Landscape)                              06/15/25
 

       iMenu Setup:               CSM:    (F1)  F-Controls  /  Customize iMenu  

 

 

   

  

 

  

ISO

64

Metering

Matrix / Highlight

Release Mode

 High / .2 Delay

AF Area Mode

Single Pt / Auto Area

Auto Bracketing

On / Off

Focus Peaking

Settings

Quality

Raw + JPG Fine *

Size

Raw L + Jpeg L

Vibration

On / Off

Expose Delay

Use Release Mode)

Multiple Expose

10

HDR

xxx

 

 

 

 PSM

   Photo Shoot

   Menu

 

 CSM  (a, b, ...)

  Custom

  Settings

   Menu

 

 Playback Menu

 

 Setup Menu

   (wrench)

 

 

           Aperture Priority:             ISO 64 (base)  /  F8  /  camera selects shutter speed

     

           MANUAL AUTO ISO:       Hold down ISO button and turn right front top dial - AUTO ISO

                                                        Upper left dial:  "M"  /  adjust shutter speed and aperture to suit 

   

          Time Zone  & Date:             CSM:         

           Back Button AF:                CSM:       (A6)        AF Activation  /  AF ON only          

           Crop Frame:                        PSM:       Image Area  /  Choose  /  DX

           Metering:                              PSM:       Matrix  or  Highlight Weighted *

           Release Mode:                   PSM:       Release mode ...  Continuous High (extended) / Single Frame / C120

           Focus Mode:    (at bottom)   PSM:       Focus Mode  /  AF-C Continuous /  AF-S Single / MF Manual

                                                                                (Single Point does not support Subject Detection)

           AF Area Mode:                   PSM:       Auto Area AF  /  Single Pt. / Wide Area AF (C1) 9x7 /  3D

           Subject Detection:            PSM:       AF/MF Subject Detection  /  Auto / People / Animal / Vehicle / Airplanes  

           Multiple Exposure:           PSM:       Multiple Exp. Mode / ON / OFF   (silent must be off)

                                        

           Self Timer:                          CSM:        (C2)    Timers/AE Lock  /  Self Timer  /  Self Timer Delay  (2 sec.)

           Focus Peaking:                CSM:        (D10)   Peaking  3 / Red       (turn manual focus ring to activate)

   

   

 

   

Z7II

    FN Button Assignments         CSM:     (F2)     Custom Controls (Shooting)
 

 

  

              FN1    Single Point AF                     select top left ... Focus Mode ... Single Point

                              (Use when in Wide Area AF (C1) 9x7)

              FN2    Auto Bracketing

    

 

 

Z6III    

     Cheat Sheet    -   (Football)
 

       iMenu Setup:               CSM:    (F1)  F-Controls  /  Customize iMenu  

 

    

       

 

 

 PSM

   Photo Shoot

   Menu

 

 CSM  (a, b, ...)

  Custom

  Settings

   Menu

 

 Playback Menu

 

 Setup Menu

   (wrench)

 

ISO

64

Metering

Matrix / Highlight

Release Mode

 High / .2 Delay

AF Area Mode

Single Pt / Auto Area

Auto Bracketing

On / Off

Focus Peaking

On / Off

Quality

Raw + JPG Fine *

Size

Raw L + Jpeg L

Vibration

On / Off

Silent Mode

On / Off

Choose Image Area

FX / DX

Pre Release

Seconds

                        

           Aperture Priority:             ISO 64 (base)  /  F8  /  camera selects shutter speed

     

           MANUAL AUTO ISO:   Hold down ISO button and turn right front top dial - AUTO ISO

                                                        Upper left dial:  "M"  /  adjust shutter speed and aperture to suit 

   

           Back Button AF:                CSM:       (A6)        AF Activation  /  AF ON only          

           Crop Frame:                        PSM:       Image Area  /  Choose  /  DX

           Metering:                              PSM:       Matrix  or  Highlight Weighted *

           Release Mode:                   PSM:       Release mode ...  Continuous High (extended) / Single Frame / C120

           Focus Mode:    (at bottom)   PSM:       Focus Mode  /  AF-C Continuous /  AF-S Single / MF Manual

                                                                                (Single Point does not support Subject Detection)

           AF Area Mode:                   PSM:       Auto Area AF  /  Single Pt. / Wide Area AF (C1) 9x7 /  3D

           Subject Detection:            PSM:       AF/MF Subject Detection  /  Auto / People / Animal / Vehicle / Airplanes  

           Shutter Type:                     CSM:        (D6)       Shooting/Display  /  Shutter type  /  Electronic shutter   (20 FPS?) 

           High FPS View Display:  CSM         (D21)     Shooting/Display  /  High FPS ... ON     (allows view finder 120 FPS)

           Electronic Shutter:         Setup:        Silent Mode  /     OFF (14 FPS)        ON (20 FPS)    

           Multiple Exposure:           PSM:       Multiple Exp. Mode / ON / OFF   (silent must be off)

                                        

           Self Timer:                          CSM:        (C2)    Timers/AE Lock  /  Self Timer  /  Self Timer Delay  (2 sec.)

           Focus Peaking:                CSM:        (D12)   Peaking          (In manual Focus Only)

              

     

Z6III

   FN Button Assignments         CSM:     (F2)     Custom Controls (Shooting)
 

    

              FN1    Single Point AF                     select top left ... Focus Mode ... Single Point

                              (Use when in Wide Area AF (C1) 9x7)

              FN2    3D AF Area Mode

    

 

 

 

Z8

   Initial Setup:
 
    1.  Set Time & Date     Setup Menu:    Enter Time Zone & Date

    2.  Image Quality

    

  Photo Shooting Menu:    RAW + JPG  (Lossless Compressed)     

    3.  AF Activation a6   Custom Setting Menu:   AF Activation  /  OFF
    4.  AF Wrap Around a10   Custom Setting Menu:  Auto Focus Wrap Around  /  ON
    5.  Focus Point Display a11   AF-C  /  ON
    6.  Focus Pt Sel. Speed a14   Shooting Display  /  HIGH
    7.  Ext. Shutter Speed d5   ON

    8.  High FPS Finder

d19

  120 FPS
    9.  Sensor Shield     Setup Menu:   Sensor Shield  /  ON
    10. Sound     Setup Menu:

  

Z8

     Cheat Sheet   -  (Birds)
 

       iMenu Setup:               CSM:    (F1)  F-Controls  /  Customize iMenu  

 

 

 PSM

   Photo Shoot

   Menu

 

 CSM  (a, b, ...)

  Custom

  Settings

   Menu

 

 Playback Menu

 

 Setup Menu

   (wrench)

 

                        

                    

 

ISO

64

Metering

Matrix / Highlight

Release Mode

 High / .2 Delay

AF Area Mode

Single Pt / Auto Area

Auto Bracketing

On / Off

Focus Peaking

On / Off

Quality

Raw + JPG Fine *

Size

Raw L + Jpeg L

Vibration

On / Off

Silent Mode

On / Off

Choose Image Area

FX / DX

Pre Release

Seconds

        

           Aperture Priority:             ISO 64 (base)  /  F8  /  camera selects shutter speed

     

           MANUAL AUTO ISO:   Hold down ISO button and turn right front top dial - AUTO ISO

                                                        Upper left dial:  "M"  /  adjust shutter speed and aperture to suit 

   

           Back Button AF:                CSM:       (A6)        AF Activation  /  AF ON only          

           Crop Frame:                        PSM:       Image Area  /  Choose  /  DX

           Metering:                              PSM:       Matrix  or  Highlight Weighted *

           Release Mode:                   PSM:       Release mode ...  Continuous High (extended) / Single Frame / C120

           Focus Mode:    (at bottom)   PSM:       Focus Mode  /  AF-C Continuous /  AF-S Single / MF Manual

                                                                                (Single Point does not support Subject Detection)

           AF Area Mode:                   PSM:       Auto Area AF  /  Single Pt. / Wide Area AF (C1) 9x7 /  3D

           Subject Detection:            PSM:       AF/MF Subject Detection  /  Auto / People / Animal / Vehicle / Airplanes  

           Shutter Type:                     CSM:        (D6)       Shooting/Display  /  Shutter type  /  Electronic shutter   (20 FPS?) 

           High FPS View Display:  CSM         (D21)     Shooting/Display  /  High FPS ... ON     (allows view finder 120 FPS)

           Electronic Shutter:         Setup:        Silent Mode  /     OFF (14 FPS)        ON (20 FPS)    

           Multiple Exposure:           PSM:       Multiple Exp. Mode / ON / OFF   (silent must be off)

                                        

           Self Timer:                          CSM:        (C2)    Timers/AE Lock  /  Self Timer  /  Self Timer Delay  (2 sec.)

           Focus Peaking:                CSM:        (D12)   Peaking          (In manual Focus Only)

                     

 

Z8

     Cheat Sheet   -  (Surfing)
 

 

       Setup:    MANUAL  (Auto ISO)

                       Aperture:     F11

    

ISO

1000

Metering

Highlight Wtd.

Release Mode

 30

AF Area Mode

3D

Auto Bracketing

Off

Focus Peaking

Off

Quality

Fine

Image Size

Jpeg Large

Vibration

On

Silent Mode

Off

 Image Area

FX

Pre Release

.3 / 1 Sec.

 

      Notes:    1)  Pre Release in JPEG only

                      2)  Pre Release mode requires a minimum 30 FPS

 

 
   

Z8

    FN Button Assignments         CSM:     (F2)     Custom Controls (Shooting)
 
FN1 FN2 DISP

Spot AF

 Wide Area AF

3D Tracking
  F2 - Custom Controls Shooting   F2 - Custom Controls Shooting   F2 - Custom Controls Shooting

  Select FN1 - enter

  Select FN2 - enter

  Select DISP - enter
  AF - Area Mode + AF ON   AF - Area Mode + AF ON   AF - Area Mode + AF ON

  Single Point AF ..... enter

  Wide Area AF (C1)..... enter

  3D ..... enter
        

 

 

 

 

D850

    D850  Default Settings:
 

       

   1) DEFAULT:

   2) AUTO EXP. BRACKET:   

   3) AUTO ISO:

   4) 2 SECOND DELAY: 

   5) HIGHLIGHT WTD:

   

  Front top left dia- Mode:    M  /  F11  /  ISO 160

  Press small button on left side of prism.

  Hold down ISO while turning SUB Command Dial 

  Main Menu ..... D5 to shoot 

  i ..... press matrix meter button top left (spot with asterisk)

    Auto ISO - D850

    MENU ... SHOOTING MENU ...

    ISO SENSITIVITY SETTING ...

    Auto ISO Control:  ON

    MODE BUTTON ...  "Manual" ...          

    Dial shutter to 1,000 

    Dial F stop to F8   (manual becomes automatic)

    When Done:    Auto ISO to OFF     

 

 

 

 

 

     RX100 & P1000  Setup:
 
RX 100II IR P1000 Setup (birds)

P1000 (macros)

   

    - Place camera in P (red) mode
         MENU
    - Image size:  L:20M
    - Quality: Fine

    - Focus mode: single shot AF

    - ISO: ISO Auto

    - White Balance: Auto WB

    - Picture Effect: High Contrast Mono

   

 

  

  (Turn  MODE DIAL to "S" (Shutter priority)

  Image Quality ... RAW + F

  Image Size ... 16m

  Metering ... matrix

  Continuous ... S (Single)

  AF Area Mode ... Subject Tracking

  AF-F  (Full Time Autofocus)

  Startup Zoom Position ... 135

  Use Viewfinder to change SHUTTER SPEED

 

  

   (Turn  MODE DIAL to SCENE)

   Menu ... Scene ... Close Up ... NORM Single

       Shot

          Scene ... Image Quality ... Fine

          Scene ...  Image Size ... 16m 

 

    Menu ... Wrench ... Format Card

 

 

 

 

 

  HISTORICAL TIMELINES    

 

    

  Nikon Sensor Sizes
 

 

 

 

MP

Own

2002

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

2004

D2H

crop

4.1

 

2005

D2X

crop

12.4

 

2006

 D200

crop

10.2

 

2007

D300

crop

12.3

 

2008

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

2010

D7000

crop

16.2

 

2011

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

2013

D7100

crop

 24.1

 

2014

D810

FF

36.3

 

2015

D7200

crop

24.2

 

2016

D500 (2)

crop

20.9

yes

2016

 D750

FF

24.3

yes

2017

D850 (2)

FF

45.6

yes

2018

Z7 (2)

FF

45.6

yes

2019

 

 

 

 

2020

Z7 II

FF

45.6

yes

2021

 

 

 

 

2022

Z9

FF

 45.6

 

2023

Z8

FF

45.6

 

2024

 

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

  Nikon Bodies                           Z-Mount Lenses
 

 

DX

DX

DX

Other

 

FX

FX

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

D2H

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

D2X

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

D200

 

 

 

 

2007

 

D300

D200

 

 

 

 

2008

 

D700

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

D2000

D2000

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

A580

A77

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

A57

 

D800

 

2013

 

D7100

D7100

A77 II

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

A77 II

 

D810

 

2015

 D7200

 D7200

 

P900

 

 

 

2016

D500

 

 

RX100

 

D750

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

D850

D850

2018

 

 

 

P1000

 

Z7

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

Z7

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

Z7II

 

2022

D500

(used)

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

Z8

 

2024

 

 

 

 

 

Z6III

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FX

FX

FX

FX

2002

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

2020

 Z 14-30

 Z 24-200

 

 

2020

 Z MC 105

 Z 50 F1.8

 Z 85 F1.8

 

2021

 Z 24-120

 Z 100-400

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

2023

 Z 180-600

 

 

 

2024

 Z 28-400

 Laowa 10

 

 

2025

 

 

 

 

2026