Nikon Z8 and Z9 Cameras: In-Depth Features
with Lindsay Silverman
December 1 – 10, 2026
Course Description
Nikon’s full-frame Z8 and Z9 mirrorless cameras offer top-tier performance and cutting-edge technology for all types of photographers—landscape, portrait, wildlife, sports, and more. With frequent firmware updates, these cameras continue to evolve, providing powerful features and customization options.
This four-session online workshop, led by Lindsay Silverman—a Nikon team member and expert in the Z Series—helps you harness the full potential of the Z8/Z9. Whether you’re new to mirrorless technology or already own one of these cameras, you learn how to optimize settings, program buttons and dials, and navigate the camera’s powerful features.
Lindsay guides you through customizing i-Menu and My Menu, followed by an in-depth session on AF settings, including the latest highly regarded firmware updates for the Z9 and Z8. These updates enhance autofocus performance with improved, stickier subject tracking for wildlife, athletes, and more. Lindsay also shows you how to maximize Custom Settings to tailor the Z8 or Z9 to your personal shooting style. Additional topics include Pixel Shift and Focus Shift shooting, as well as the advantages of using NIKKOR Z lenses.
Throughout the workshop, you gain practical knowledge to confidently use your camera in any situation—from high-action sports to detailed landscapes. By the end of the workshop, you gain the skills to elevate your Nikon Z8/Z9 photography and maximize its capabilities.
Session 1:
- Review Z8 and Z9 technologies and features
- Firmware upgrades: not just bug fixes, but new features that expand your photographic capabilities
- How to perform a firmware upgrade
Session 2:
- Auto Focus Settings
- AF Area Modes and Subject Detection
- Menu settings for maximizing AF
- Customizing Z8 and Z9 AF settings
- Understanding and incorporating Z8 and Z9’s AF firmware upgrades
Session 3:
- Customizing the i-Menu: features to make using the Z8 and Z9 quicker
- Customizing the My Menu option: create a list of up to 20 frequently used menu options for photo shooting, movie shooting, playback, and more
Session 4:
- Set Up Menu Breakdown
- Photo Shooting Menu Overview
- Custom Settings Menu Overview
- Playback Menu Overview
- Photo and Shooting Menu Banks
Additional Information
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
What You Should Know:
This program is designed and intended for current owners of a Nikon Z8 and/or Z9 or those interested in learning more about this mirrorless camera system. A working knowledge of basic camera operations is required.
Special Notes:
Class will meet 9:30 – 11:30 am (Mountain Time) on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting December 1 and ending December 10 (four online group sessions). Enrollment is limited to 14 participants.
Zoom Video Conferencing software (available for no charge from Zoom.com) will be used to facilitate the class sessions. Further details will be emailed to registrants.
These live online sessions take place in the standard Zoom meeting format. Students can use their microphone and camera, see and hear the instructor and other students, and participate in live discussion and interaction throughout the sessions.
Santa Fe Workshops always aims to produce a high-quality experience for our online attendees. That said, variables including regional and local internet provider speeds, traffic on Zoom's servers, and your own computing hardware can contribute to a less than ideal streaming event. While we do our best to minimize the impact of these variables, they are outside the control of Santa Fe Workshops.
Policies:
View Cancellation and Transfer Policies for online programs.
Recording class sessions using personal devices or third-party tools is not permitted. Session recordings are provided by Santa Fe Workshops and are available to enrolled students for two months after the class. This policy helps protect the intellectual property and privacy of both instructors and students.
about
Lindsay Silverman was General Manager of Nikon House where he was responsible for managing and training the staff, hosting gallery shows and working collaboratively with various PR and advertising agencies from 1986 – 1993. Nikon House gave Silverman the chance to rub shoulders and learn from some of the most iconic and legendary names in the photo industry; Jay Maisel, Eddie Adams, Bill Eppridge, Galen Rowell, John Shaw, Joe McNally just to name a few. Even today, those encounters continue to inspire and motivate his work.
He has also held the following positions: General Manager of 35mm professional Systems and Accessories, Manager of NIKKOR Lenses and Nikon Speedlights, Senior Technical Manager and as the Sr. Product Manager for DSLR, NIKKOR, Speedlight and Nikon’s Z System mirrorless products. In his capacity as a professional photographer, Lindsay was a contributing editor and photographer for Nikon World magazine for more than sixteen years with his column: Hands On. Lindsay retired from Nikon in February of 2019 after 34 years to further his commitment to promoting photography.
Website: lindsaysilverman.smugmg.com
Instagram: @Lindsayspix
