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Technical Solutions | Z 9 TIPS

Controls and Displays

The settings discussed in this section affect video controls and displays.

Timecode

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

To record time codes giving the hour, minute, second, and frame number for each frame when shooting videos, select [On] or [On (with HDMI output)] for [Timecode] > [Record timecodes] in the video recording menu. Time codes help you keep track of the current playback and edit position when editing video.

[Record timecodes]
  • [On]: Record time codes. The time code appears in the shooting display.
  • [On (with HDMI output)]: Time codes will be included with footage saved to external recorders connected to the camera via an HDMI cable. The camera supports Atomos SHOGUN, NINJA, and SUMO-series Monitor recorders
  • [Off]: Time codes are not recorded.
[Count-up method]
  • [Record run]: Time codes are incremented only while recording is in progress.
  • [Free run]: Time codes are incremented continuously. Time codes continue to be incremented while the camera is off.
[Timecode origin]
  • [Reset]: Reset the time code to 00:00:00.00.
  • [Enter manually]: Enter the hour, minute, second, and frame number manually.
  • [Current time]: Set the time code to the current time as reported by the camera clock. Before proceeding, select [Time zone and date] in the setup menu and make sure that the camera clock is set to the correct time and date.
[Drop frame] Select [ON] to compensate for discrepancies between the frame count and the actual recording time at frame rates of 30 and 60 fps.

Click here for the image optimized for small screens. (JPG 136KB).

Time Codes

Time codes are not included in videos shot with [H.264 8-bit (MP4)] selected for [Video file type] in the video recording menu.

The Time Code Display

The values for frame number vary with the currently-selected frame rate:

  • 30, 60, or 120 fps: 00-29
  • 25, 50, or 100 fps: 00-24
  • 24 fps: 00-23

Reverse Ring for Focus

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose whether to reverse the direction of rotation for lens focus or control rings during manual focus.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting f8 [Reverse ring for focus]. Select [ON] to reverse the ring rotation direction for manual focus.

  • This setting is available when a Z mount lens is attached. It does not apply to F mount lenses connected via an FTZ II or FTZ mount adapter.
  • Certain Z mount lenses that can only be focused manually are not supported.

Focus Ring Rotation Range

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose how far lens focus or control rings must be rotated to go all the way from the minimum focus distance to infinity.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting f9 [Focus ring rotation range].

[Non-linear] The focus distance changes by a large amount when the ring is rotated rapidly and by a small amount when the ring is rotated slowly, without regard to how far the ring is rotated.
[90°]–[720°] Choose how far the ring must be rotated to go all the way from the minimum focus distance to infinity.
[Max.] Taking focus from the minimum focus distance to infinity requires rotating the ring the maximum distance permitted at current lens settings.
  • To take focus from the minimum distance to infinity when, for example, [90°] is selected, the ring need only be rotated 90°. Larger values permit finer adjustments.

Toward minimum

Toward infinity

  • If the lens does not support rotation range selection, [Focus ring rotation range] will be fixed at [Non-linear].

Control Ring Response

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose how responsive the lens control ring is when assigned the [Aperture], [Power aperture], [Exposure compensation], or [ISO sensitivity].

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting f10 [Control ring response]; choose from [High] and [Low].

  • The function performed by the lens control ring can be selected using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls].

Customize Menu

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose the items listed in the menu displayed when the button is pressed in video mode.

1 Highlight Custom Setting g1 [Customize menu] and press .

2 Highlight the position you want to change and press .

  • A list of the items available for the selected position will be displayed.

3 Highlight the desired item and press .

  • The item will be assigned to the selected position and the options shown in Step 2 will be displayed.
  • Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as desired.

4 Press the MENU button..

Changes will be saved and the Custom Settings menu will be displayed.

The Still Photography Menu

The items displayed in the photo-mode menu can be chosen using Custom Setting f1 [Customize menu].

Items That Can Be Assigned to the Menu

The following items can be assigned to the menu for video mode.

[Shooting menu bank]
[Select custom settings bank]
[Choose image area]
[Choose image area]
[Destination]
[Exposure compensation]
[ISO sensitivity settings]
[White balance]
[Set Picture Control]
[HLG quality]
[Active D-Lighting]
[Metering]
[Focus mode]
[AF-area mode/subj. detection]
[Vibration reduction]
[Electronic VR]
[Microphone sensitivity]
[Attenuator]
[Frequency response]
[Wind noise reduction]
[Headphone volume]
[Silent mode]
[Custom controls]
[Focus peaking]
[Zebra pattern]
[Monitor/viewfinder brightness]
[Airplane mode]
[Multi-selector power aperture]
[Multi selector exposure comp.]
[Warm display colors]
[View video info]

Multi-Selector Power Aperture

Choose whether the multi selector can be used for power aperture. Enabling this option allows aperture to be adjusted using the multi selector, helping prevent the clicking sounds made by the command dials being recorded with videos. The adjustment is smooth and continuous, as are the resulting changes to depth of field and the like during filming.

1 Assign [Multi-selector power aperture] to the desired position using Custom Setting g1 [Customize menu].

2 With the camera in video mode, press the button and then highlight [Multi-selector power aperture] and press .

  • Options will be displayed.
  • You can also select an option using the command dials before pressing the button.

3 Press or to highlight the desired option and press to select.

  • To exit to the shooting display, press the button again.
  • When [Enable] is selected, holding widens the aperture. Holding narrows the aperture.
Power Aperture
  • Power aperture is available only in modes A and M.
  • The display may flicker while aperture is adjusted.
  • Power aperture can also be assigned to a control using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] (see this section).

Multi-Selector Exposure Compensation: Multi Selector Exposure Comp.

Choose whether the multi selector can be used to adjust exposure compensation. Enabling this option allows exposure compensation to be adjusted using the multi selector, helping prevent the clicking sounds made by the command dials being recorded with videos.

1 Assign [Multi selector exposure comp.] to the desired position using Custom Setting g1 [Customize menu].

2 With the camera in video mode, press the button and then highlight [Multi selector exposure comp.] and press .

  • Options will be displayed.
  • You can also select an option using the command dials before pressing the button.

3 Press or to highlight the desired option and press to select.

  • To exit to the shooting display, press the button again.
  • Selecting [Enable] allows exposure compensation to be set by pressing or .
Exposure Compensation

Exposure compensation can also be assigned to a control using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] (see this section).

View Video Info

View video recording settings. This option can be used to view but not to change the option selected.

Custom Controls

  • -button menu :
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Use Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] to choose the roles played by camera controls during filming.

1 Highlight Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] and press .

  • A list of controls will be displayed.

2 Highlight a control and press .

3 Highlight the desired function and press .

Customizable Camera Controls

You can choose the roles played by the following controls:

[Fn1 button]
[Fn2 button]
[Fn3 button]
[Fn button for vertical shooting]
[Focus mode button]
[AF-ON button]
[Protect/Fn4 button]
[OK button]
[Sub-selector center]
[QUAL button]
[Audio button]
[AF-ON button for vertical shooting]
[Vertical multi selector center]
[Command dials]
[Shutter-release button]
[Lens Fn2 button]
[Lens Fn button]
[Lens control ring]
[Lens Fn ring (clockwise)]
[Lens Fn ring (counterclockwise)]
[Lens memory set button]

Roles That Can Be Assigned to Camera Controls

The roles that can be assigned to these controls are listed below.

[Preset focus point]
[Select center focus point]
[Save focus position]
[Recall focus position]
[AF-ON]
[Fast AF-ON]
[AF lock only]
[AE lock (Hold)]
[AWB lock (Hold)]
[AE/AWB lock (hold)]
[AE lock only]
[AE/AF lock]
[Silent mode]
[Live view info display off]
[Framing grid]
[Zoom on/off]
[Virtual horizon]
[Focus peaking display]
[MY MENU]
[Access top item in MY MENU]
[Playback]
[Filtered playback]
[Power aperture (open)]
[Power aperture (close)]
[Exposure compensation +]
[Exposure compensation -]
[ISO sensitivity (increase)]
[ISO sensitivity (decrease)]
[Pattern tone range]
[Record videos]
[Same as AF-ON button]
[Shooting menu bank]
[Shooting mode]
[Choose image area]
[Set Picture Control]
[Active D-Lighting]
[Metering]
[Focus mode/AF-area mode]
[Control lock]
[Microphone sensitivity]
[Focus (M/A)]
[Power aperture]
[Exposure compensation]
[ISO sensitivity]
[Exposure setting]
[Focus/AF-area mode selection]
[Sub-command dial zoom role]
[None]

Click here for the image optimized for small screens. (JPG 324KB).

Power Aperture
  • Power aperture is available only in modes A and M.
  • The display may flicker while aperture is adjusted.

Control Lock

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls :
  • Other menus :

Lock exposure settings or focus-point selection during filming.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting g3 [Control lock].

[Shutter speed lock] Select [ON] to lock shutter speed at its current value in mode M.
  • icons appear in the shooting display and control panel when shutter-speed lock is in effect.
[Aperture lock] Select [ON] to lock aperture at its current value in modes A and M.
  • icons appear in the shooting display and control panel when aperture lock is in effect.
[Focus-point lock] Select [ON] to lock focus-point selection on the currently-selected focus point.
  • Focus point lock does not apply when [Auto-area AF] is selected for AF-area mode.
  • When [Subject-tracking AF] is selected, the focus point will track subject motion.

Fine ISO Control (Mode M)

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose the increments used for adjustments to ISO sensitivity during video recording in mode M.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting g8 [Fine ISO control (mode M)]. Selecting [On (1/6 EV)] allows ISO sensitivity for videos to be adjusted in increments of 1/6 EV.

  • The selected setting applies only in mode M.
  • The range in which ISO sensitivity can be adjusted in increments of 1/6 EV is ISO 64 to 25600.

View Assist

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Preview the effects of the [HLG] and [N-Log] tone modes during recording using simplified colors for enhanced contrast.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting g10 [View assist]. Select [ON] to preview the effect using simplified colors.

  • Colors in the actual recorded footage are unaffected.
  • Contrast is also enhanced when HLG or N-Log footage is viewed on the camera.

View assist off

View assist on

Zebra Pattern

  • -button menu :
  • Camera controls :
  • Other menus :

Choose whether a zebra pattern is used to indicate selected tone ranges.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting g11 [Zebra pattern].

[Pattern tone range] Choose the tone range shown by the zebra pattern.
  • [Highlights]: Highlights (the brightest portions of the image) are shown by a zebra pattern. Highlights can be defined using [Highlight threshold].
  • [Mid-tones]: Mid-tones (areas of middling brightness) are shown by a zebra pattern. Mid-tones can be defined using [Mid-tone range].
  • [Zebra pattern off]: Turn off the zebra pattern display.
[Pattern] Choose a zebra stripe pattern ([Pattern 1] or [Pattern 2]).

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

[Highlight threshold] Choose the brightness needed to trigger the zebra display when [Highlights] is selected for [Pattern tone range].
  • Choose from values of from 120 to 255. The lower the value, the greater the range of brightnesses that will be shown as highlights.
  • If 255 is selected, the display will show only areas that are potentially overexposed.
[Mid-tone range] Choose the brightness needed to trigger the zebra display when [Mid-tones] is selected for [Pattern tone range].
  • The [Value] around which the mid-tone range is defined can be anywhere from 0 to 255. [Range] is the range of brightnesses around this value.
  • Press or to highlight items and press or to change.

Click here for the image optimized for small screens. (JPG 187KB).

Caution: Zebra Pattern

If both the zebra display and focus peaking are enabled in manual focus mode, only focus peaking will take effect. To view the zebra display in manual focus mode, select [OFF] for Custom Setting a13 [Focus peaking] > [Focus peaking display].

Turning the Zebra Display On and Off Using Camera Controls
  • Zebra pattern can be assigned to a control using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls]. Pressing the control to which [Pattern tone range] is assigned cycles the zebra pattern display in the order [Highlights], [Mid-tones], and [Zebra pattern off].
  • The tone ranges displayed can be restricted using Custom Setting g12 [Limit zebra pattern tone range]. If [Highlights] or [Mid-tones] is selected, pressing the control to which [Pattern tone range] is assigned will display a zebra pattern only over areas in the selected tone range; pressing the control a second time hides the zebra pattern.

Grid Type

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose a framing grid for video mode.

The grid can be selected using Custom Setting g13 [Grid type]. It is displayed either by:

  • pressing a control to which [Framing grid] has been assigned using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] or
  • placing a check () next to in the Custom Setting g15 [Custom monitor shooting display] or g16 [Custom viewfinder shooting display] list.

Brightness Information Display

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose how the camera displays brightness information in video mode.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting g14 [Brightness information display]. Brightness information is displayed when (brightness information) is selected () for Custom Setting g15 [Custom monitor shooting display] or g16 [Custom viewfinder shooting display].

[Histogram] Brightness information is displayed as an RGB histogram.
[Wave-form monitor] Brightness information is displayed as a wave-form monitor. The monitor can be displayed at either of two different sizes.
[Wave-form monitor (large)]

Click here for the image optimized for small screens. (JPG 67.6KB).

Custom Shooting Displays

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose the shooting displays accessible by pressing the DISP button in video mode. The displays can be tailored to different conditions.

The monitor and viewfinder displays can be customized using Custom Settings g15 [Custom monitor shooting display] and g16 [Custom viewfinder shooting display], respectively.

  • Highlight items ([Display 2] through [Display 4], or in the case of Custom Setting g16, [Display 2] through [Display 3]) and press to select () or deselect (). Only displays marked with a check () can be accessed by pressing the DISP button during shooting. [Display 1] cannot be deselected ().

Customizing the Displays

To choose indicators that appear in displays [Display 1] through [Display 4] (or in the case of Custom Setting g16, [Display 1] through [Display 3]), highlight the corresponding option and press . You can then highlight options and press to select () or deselect ().

  • Press MENU when changes are complete.
SIMPLE [Basic shooting info] View the shooting mode, shutter speed, aperture, and other basic shooting info.
DETAIL [Detailed shooting info] View the focus mode, AF-area mode, white balance, and other detailed shooting info.
[Touch controls] View options that can be accessed via touch controls, including touch AF and the menu.
  • This option cannot be accessed via Custom Setting g16 [Custom viewfinder shooting display].
[Virtual horizon] Enable the virtual horizon. The display type can be selected using Custom Setting d17 [Virtual horizon type].
[Brightness information] View an RGB histogram or wave-form monitor.
[Framing grid] Enable the framing grid.
[Center indicator] Display crosshairs at the center of the frame.

Click here for the image optimized for small screens. (JPG 103KB).

Brightness Information

Selecting () [Brightness information] displays brightness information. The display type can be selected using Custom Setting g14 [Brightness information display] (see this section).

Framing Grid

Selecting () [Framing grid] displays a framing grid. The type of grid can be selected using Custom Setting g13 [Grid type] (see this section).

Center Indicator

Selecting () [Center indicator] displays crosshairs at the center of the frame.

Red REC frame indicator

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

Choose whether a red border appears around the shooting display while video recording is in progress.

Settings can be adjusted using Custom Setting g17 [Red REC frame indicator]. When [ON] is selected, a red border will appear around the shooting display while video recording is in progress, helping prevent missed shots by alerting you when recording is in progress.

Auto Temperature Cutout

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls : —
  • Other menus :

The level at which the camera will turn off automatically as its internal temperature rises can be selected from [Standard] and [High].

Settings can be adjusted using [Auto temperature cutout] in the setup menu.

  • When [Standard] is selected, the camera will display first a and then a icon as its internal temperature rises, switching to a count-down timer if the temperature increases still further.
  • When [High] is selected, the camera will display , , and icons as its internal temperature rises, switching to a count-down timer if the temperature increases still further.
  • When the count-down timer reaches zero, the shooting display will turn off and the camera will power down after saving the current footage to the memory card.
Caution: "High"

Although selecting [High] gives you more time before the camera shuts down, the camera may become hot to the touch. We recommend using a tripod or other equipment to reduce the time spent touching the camera.

Cautions: When the Camera Is Hot
  • In some cases, the count-down timer may be displayed the moment the camera is turned on, even when [High] is selected.
  • Image quality may drop when the camera is hot.
  • Memory cards inserted in a hot camera may also become hot. Wait for the temperature to drop before handling the camera or memory cards.

Monitor Mode

  • -button menu : —
  • Camera controls :
  • Other menus : —

Press the (monitor mode) button to cycle between viewfinder and monitor displays. The choice of modes can be restricted if desired.

Press the button to cycle through the displays as follows.

[Automatic display switch]: The camera automatically switches between the viewfinder and monitor displays based on information from the eye sensor.

  • In video mode, the eye sensor will not trigger the viewfinder while the monitor is tilted.

[Viewfinder only]: The monitor remains blank. The viewfinder is used for shooting, menus, and playback.

[Monitor only]: The monitor is used for shooting, menus, and playback. The viewfinder display will remain blank even if you put your eye to the viewfinder.

[Prioritize viewfinder]: In photo mode, placing your eye to the viewfinder turns the viewfinder on; the monitor remains off after you take your eye away. In video mode, this option functions in the same way as [Automatic display switch].

Limit Monitor Mode Selection

You can limit the choice of monitor modes available using the [Limit monitor mode selection] item in the setup menu. Highlight options and press or to select () or deselect (). Options marked with a check () can be selected via the monitor mode button.