Cameras and Photography Explained

Yep, another book. As part of my recent work on trying to collect all your Z System firmware requests, I noticed that quite a lot of those were about customization. Moreover, a number of emails I got requesting a "feature" indicated that some of you weren't aware of how customization actually works, and what you can do with it already. 

I had already been grappling with how I might integrate customization more into my Complete Guides, but the more I thought about it, the more this seemed to me to be a subject that was less reference (e.g. Complete Guide) and more education (e.g. Mastering). 

Since I have a bunch of other commitments coming up this summer and I didn't want to delay this work, I put the petal to the metal and created the second book in my Mastering series: Mastering Nikon Customization.

While this book isn't camera specific, it is type of camera specific. The Mastering Nikon Customization book applies to Z System mirrorless cameras. All of them. True, the Zfc doesn't leave much room for customization, but that's actually a reason you need to better understand what is and isn't possible. More importantly, how you prioritize what functions you bring into the customization process for your camera.

Be forewarned, while this book is the shortest I've created recently (at 170 pages), it has some important homework assignments in it that you really need to perform if you want to get everything you can from the book. The book is another dense pack of useful information.

I also consider this book "preliminary," in that I can think of a number of things to add to it (and will) to make it as comprehensive as I'd like it to be. Therefore, if you buy the book while it's in this early form, I'm discounting the price to US$29.99. When I finish the additions, I'll update the book and adjust the price to the usual Mastering price of US$39.99. Those that bought the preliminary version will get the revision as a free update.

Wait, you don't know what "customization of a camera" is all about or what you can customize? Well, then you need Mastering Nikon Customization. Customization is about making a camera work the way you want it to—at least as best as Nikon allows us to—because that speeds up and gives you more control over the photographic process. If you're always taking your eye away from the viewfinder and doom-scrolling through the menus to find something you need to change, then your camera isn't customized (or you haven't learned to use the customizations you made). 

Mastering Nikon Customization tackles U# settings, Banks, i menu options, button and dial customizations. Each of those do a different thing and have a different purpose. I'll help you understand that and learn what to put where. I'll also discuss creating and saving a set of "base" settings you use for your work, and point to two options if you're tired of waiting for Nikon to provide named settings files. 

I should also point out that working intensely on this book gave me even more insight to what Nikon should be doing in updating firmware and functions in the various Nikon Z System cameras. I've been advocating behind the scenes for a number of changes, and writing this book helped me focus my thoughts. As part of the firmware update request process I started two months ago, I'm beginning the next step specifically centered around the customization process. You can read my article on that and help participate as soon as I post the next installment. 

You'll find Mastering Nikon Customization on the zsystemuser.com site today. If you're willing to spend US$29.99 to get the preliminary version, you can click here to get started.

And a bonus: Today I'm also updating Mastering Nikon JPEGs, including information some of you requested to be added. Check your email (including Junk/Spam folder) for your link to the update if you already own this book.

The book comes both as an ePub and PDF file. The PDF file is structured for printing (but can be read on your device, too).