Nikon Z9

Z mountMirrorlessFull frame

Can FoCal calibrate my Z9?

Yes: FoCal finds the best AF Fine-Tune value for each lens.

The Z9 doesn’t let FoCal change AF Fine-Tune over USB, so FoCal tells you the value to set on the camera when it needs it (User Assisted Mode), with separate wide and telephoto values for zoom lenses.

And FoCal can check the rest of your kit.

Supported in FoCal 3.2 and later (File Mode from FoCal 3.1), over USB-C or Wi-Fi. Tests: Calibration Check, AF Consistency, Aperture Sharpness, MultiTest, Stabilisation Test and Dust Analysis.

15%

Tuning a Z9 would improve 1 in 7 lenses.

Mirrorless cameras need calibrating less often than DSLRs, but 1 in 7 lenses on a Z9 is noticeably out.

From FoCal IQ: see the figures

Significant0.8%
Noticeable14.2%
Minimal50%
What you can do

Seven tests for the Z9

Focus Calibration

Finds the best AF Fine-Tune value for each lens. The camera won’t let FoCal set it over USB, so you change it when FoCal asks.

Available

Calibration Check

A one-click check of your Z9 and lens. In a minute or so it shows whether your kit is working as it should.

Available

AF Consistency

How repeatable is the Z9’s autofocus? Defocus between shots in one or both directions and see.

Available

Aperture Sharpness

What happens to sharpness as you change aperture, and which aperture is the sharpest.

Available

MultiTest

A two-dimensional view of the lens: focus position across the aperture range, showing any focus shift.

Available

Stabilisation Test

How much does stabilisation really help? See the quality change as the shutter speed slows.

Available

Dust Analysis

Count the dust spots on the sensor and see how much they matter, before you decide on a clean.

Available

Snapshots

Save hundreds of the Z9’s settings in one go, then restore or share them: a library of set-ups for different kinds of shooting.

Available

Calibration Check (AF System Check) is free in FoCal Mobile.

FoCal IQ statistics

Tuning a Z9 would improve 1 in 7 lenses

Mirrorless cameras need calibrating less often than DSLRs, but 1 in 7 lenses on a Z9 is noticeably out.

From calibration results FoCal users have shared with FoCal IQ: how far each Z9 and lens was from the best AF Fine-Tune value before FoCal tuned it.

With Z-mount lenses

15%

of Z-mount lenses would benefit noticeably from FoCal calibration, and 0.8% would improve significantly.

Significant0.8%
Noticeable14.2%
Minimal50%

Source: FoCal IQ: Z9 (Z mount), 772 results.

With F-mount lenses

60.9%

of F-mount lenses would benefit noticeably from FoCal calibration, and 13.1% would improve significantly.

Significant13.1%
Noticeable47.8%
Minimal25.3%

Source: FoCal IQ: Z9 (F mount), 890 results.

Significant: 4 or more AF Fine-Tune units. Noticeable: 2 or 3 units. Minimal: no more than 1 unit.
Why your Z9 needs it · an illustrated guideYes, mirrorless autofocus needs calibrating tooNo separate AF sensor, so no need to calibrate? Not quite. The sensor, the lens and the AF processor, one at a time.Read the guide
How to set it up

Setting up your Z9 for FoCal

Connecting the cameraUSB-C or Wi-Fi
  1. Use a good USB-C cable

    FoCal controls the Z9 over USB. Use the cable that came with the camera or a good-quality one, and avoid extension cables: a poor cable is the first thing we suggest changing if FoCal is unreliable.

  2. Set the USB connection to MTP/PTP

    Press MENU, open the NETWORK MENU and set USB data connection to MTP/PTP. Otherwise FoCal won’t find the camera.

  3. Or connect over Wi-Fi

    FoCal can also use the Z9’s Wi-Fi. Turn on the Wi-Fi option for Nikon in FoCal’s settings first, then see Connecting over Wi-Fi.

Permissions on macOSfirst connection

When you first connect, allow access to the Photos Library and to Removable Media. FoCal needs both to talk to the camera.

  1. If a permission shows as Denied

    In FoCal, open Help then Settings, expand Advanced and click Reset Application Permissions. Restart FoCal and it will ask again.

Connecting over Wi-Ficamera network

First: turn on the Nikon Wi-Fi option in FoCal (Help › Settings, General tab), or FoCal won’t find the camera.

  1. Connect to smart device

    On the camera, open the NETWORK menu and choose Connect to smart device.

    The camera menu with Connect to smart device selected
  2. Start the Wi-Fi connection

    Choose Wi-Fi connection, then Establish Wi-Fi connection.

    The Wi-Fi connection optionThe Establish Wi-Fi connection option
  3. Join the camera’s network

    After a few seconds the camera shows its network name (SSID) and password. Connect your computer or phone to that network with the password.

    The camera showing its network name and password
  4. Connect in FoCal

    The camera now shows up in FoCal, ready to connect.

More on hotspot (“easy”) and infrastructure connections in the camera network help.

AF Fine-Tune on the Z9where to find it
  1. Open AF fine-tune

    Press MENU, open the SETUP menu and choose AF fine-tune. The picture may be from a different camera.

    The SETUP menu with AF fine-tune selected
  2. Turn it on (once)

    It’s OFF to start with. Change it to ON: you only need to do this once.

    AF fine-tune switched to ON
  3. Choose “Saved value”

    Select Saved value (or Fine-tune and save lens): this sets the value for the lens on the camera now. Don’t change Default from 0, because that changes every lens.

    The AF fine-tune menu with the saved value option selected
  4. Set the value

    For a prime lens, change the value on the screen.

    The fine-tune scale for a prime lens

    For a zoom lens, select WIDE or TELE with up and down, as FoCal asks, then change the value with left and right.

    The fine-tune screen for a zoom lens, with WIDE and TELE values
  5. Save it

    Press OK. You’re back on the previous screen: check that Saved value shows the value you set.

    The AF fine-tune menu showing the saved value
  6. Tell FoCal you’re done

    Use the camera hotkey: see User Assisted Mode.

About User Assisted Modechanging the value

FoCal controls almost every setting it needs on the Z9, but the camera doesn’t let it change AF Fine-Tune over USB. During calibration or MultiTest, FoCal asks you to change it a few times.

FoCal asking for the AF adjustment value to be changed on the camera
  1. Listen for the value

    While FoCal’s request is on screen, the camera controls work. Voice prompts are on to start with, so your computer reads out the change you need.

  2. Change it on the camera

    Press MENU to open the menu, OK to select AF fine-tune and OK for Saved value. Set the value and press OK.

    The menu remembers where you were, so after the first time it’s quick.

  3. Use the camera hotkey

    Half-press the shutter button to go back to shooting, then turn the aperture or shutter speed dial by one click. FoCal sees the change, waits a moment for the camera to settle, puts the setting back and carries on.

    The dial to turn on a Nikon camera to use the hotkey
Your test space5 steps
  1. Choose a solid floor

    Ground-floor rooms vibrate less when people move about or traffic passes, and vibration affects the results.

  2. Fix the target to a wall at lens height

    Keep it flat so it can’t move. A FoCal Hard Target is what we use for all our development and testing.

  3. Light it well and steadily

    Avoid fluorescent and LED lights, which can flicker in a way you can’t see but the camera can, and changeable daylight. FoCal copes with small changes in light, not big ones.

  4. Use a sturdy tripod

    If your tripod has a hook under the centre column, hang something heavy from it. With big lenses, mount the lens’s tripod collar, not the camera.

  5. Set the right distance

    The Target Distance Tool in FoCal tells you how far from the target to be, with or without the camera connected.

Target Setup, FoCal’s guided setup, checks the position, light and settings before a test. More in the FoCal help.

Camera set-up3 steps
  1. Charge the battery to at least half

    Low batteries can make tests fail or the camera behave strangely.

  2. Take off any battery grip

    Grips add vibration on a tripod.

  3. Aim the centre focus point at the target

    Roughly is fine: Target Setup confirms the position.

Camera settings8 steps
  1. Photo mode

    If the Z9 has a photo/video switch, set it to Photo.

  2. Wi-Fi off for USB

    If you’re connecting by USB, turn the Z9’s Wi-Fi off: it can interfere.

  3. Remove any mode limits

    If the camera lets you limit its options, allow Aperture Priority and Manual, Spot and Matrix/Evaluative metering, and all apertures, shutter speeds and ISO values.

  4. Aperture Priority

    Most FoCal tests use it. FoCal asks if a test needs something else.

  5. AF-S autofocus

    Set the autofocus mode to AF-S: a half-press of the shutter button locks focus and then stops.

  6. A single, centre focus point

    No automatic point selection: you should see one fixed AF point, in the centre.

  7. Focus limiter off

    FoCal may use the lens’s whole focus range, so set any focus limiter on the lens to off or the full range.

  8. Stabilisation off

    Turn off stabilisation on the lens and the Z9’s in-body stabilisation: it can make the results less accurate.

Specifications

Nikon Z9 specifications

Camera model
Z9
Manufacturer
Nikon
FoCal versions
FoCal 3.2 and later (File Mode from FoCal 3.1)
USB type
USB-C
Diffraction-limited aperture
f/7
Sensor size
Full frame: 35.9 × 23.9 mm (858.0 mm²)
Sensor resolution
8256 × 5504 pixels (45.4 MP)
Pixel size
4.3µm
Sensor type
Bayer
Lens mount
Z mount
Base ISO
64
Processor
Expeed 7
Released
December 2021
In-body stabilisation
Yes
Products

FoCal for the Z9

With the Z9, FoCal Plus gives you autofocus calibration and Calibration Check. FoCal Pro adds the rest of the Kit Health Check, with trends over time.

FoCal Plus

Quick and simple autofocus tuning.

  • Autofocus calibration
  • Calibration Check
  • Not included: AF Consistency, Aperture Sharpness, MultiTest, Stabilisation Test and Dust Analysis
  • Not included: Reports, History and trends
FoCal Plus prices

FoCal Pro

Tune, analyse and compare. Everything you need for a Kit Health Check.

  • Everything in FoCal Plus
  • AF Consistency, Aperture Sharpness, MultiTest, Stabilisation Test and Dust Analysis
  • Reports, History and Analysis trends
  • Snapshots
FoCal Pro prices