Recently, I had the chance to test the new NX Field system, announced by Nikon in June. In this post I briefly introduce the advantages and the main features of NX Field. I’m writing about the typical usage scenarios and the potential users as well. And of course, I will also give my first impressions.
What is NX Field?
NX Field is Nikon’s latest innovation in synchronized multiple remote shooting, realizing reliable synchronized shutter release and fast image transfer. The system is capable of controlling and releasing up to 10 remote cameras using a single master camera. The images can be transferred immediately to your computer or to the editorial staff, using FTP or SFTP. In addition, you can check or change the settings of the remote cameras through the NX Field application, using a compatible smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. You can find all the details checking Nikon’s dedicated NX Field site.
What’s new here?
We already have solutions to control remote cameras (focus, shutter release, transfer photos, check and change settings), but NX Field offers all these functions integrated in one system. There is no doubt that wireless transmitters and transceivers also have advantages (I intend to compare them in this blog later), but as far I know, there is no other solution in the market (considering the biggest brands) offering the same function set in one system. This is the biggest advantage and strength of NX Field. The system is designed to use wired connections, which is also a new approach. This brings reliability, speed, and stability into focus.
Compatibility
At the moment, only Nikon D5 and Nikon D6 bodies are supported. Later the Nikon Z 6(II) and Nikon Z 7(II) bodies with the Nikon WT-7 wireless transmitter will fully or partly be compatible, and likely the Nikon Z 9 will also be supported. It is important to know that these bodies need a custom firmware to make these functions and menus available. At the mobile application side, only a group of Apple smart devices are able to run the NX Field application, Android is not supported yet. This is a big minus, and hopefully will change soon, but I couldn’t find any official communication on it.
Users, fields of use
It must be emphasized that you need appropriate network infrastructure to enjoy the benefits of NX Field. Wired connections greatly increase the robustness of the system, but it takes time and money to install all the cables and set up the network. For this reason, setting up the system will worth the effort only in some specific cases, where reliability is more important than expenses, or when you can use the system for a longer period. It can also be useful for special situations, where no other solutions are feasible. Considering this, the number of the NX Field users won’t be high. The advantages of NX Field make this system tempting for only a small group of photographers, but these professionals will find this solution essential.
Obviously, for a solution like this, the forthcoming Summer Olympic Games is the perfect time to shine. Of course, other world competitions can be also considered, such as the UEFA European Football Championship, finished a few days ago, where this system was used under real circumstances in a top sport event. But as another example, a basketball arena for a local team can be also a potential place to use NX Field, because the installed network would be usable for a long time, since there is no need to install and remove all the cables game to game.
Special situations may also occur, when the photographer can’t be in the perfect spot in person. This situation basically can happen because of two reasons. For safety, or because the photographer needs to take shots from multiple spots at the same time.
In relation to safety, the first thing what you are probably thinking of, the safety of the photographer. On a racetrack you can’t reach every corner of the track during the race, but it might be possible to safely install and leave remote cameras in these spots before the races starts. The other option may be the safety of the subject. In some cases VIPs are heavily protected, and none or only a few selected photographers are allowed to work closely. If you can’t be close enough to the subject when you need to take your photo, a remote camera (installed earlier) can do the job (if it was allowed by the security). In these situations radio triggering does not always work, because possible radio jamming.
If you need photos from different spots at the same time, the solution looks simple: Put a photographer to each spot to have different crops and angles. But media do not always have the chance to work with as many accredited photographers as they wish. During the pandemic, these restrictions are even tighter. In these situations the only option to make the images more diverse, is to use remote cameras.
It is clear that NX Field has been made for news and photo agencies. But this professional solution can be useful for photographers working regularly at the same location, as well as for those enthusiastic ones who are ready to spend many hours or even days for the preparation of a unique shot.
First impressions
In lack of any Apple device, I didn’t have the chance yet to try the application, but I was able to test the connection between the cameras, synchronized remote shutter release and photo sending through FTP. I connected three D5 bodies through a dedicated LAN, using one camera as master, and the other two for remote. And my first impressions were absolutely positive! I made some mistakes during the configuration (it is worth to check the user manual on the official website), but after I set up everything by the book, the system worked flawlessly. The connection between the cameras was stable and reliable, and the upload of the photos was quick and smooth. There are not too many available features without the application, but if the cameras are properly set, you can work very effectively using the master camera only, with which there is an option to turn the remote connection to each camera on and off, as well the synchronized release option. In addition, some basic information are also available about the actual state of the remote cameras: You can check remotely (using your master camera only) the number of images to upload, FTP status, battery charge, and number of exposures remaining. I recommend to synchronize camera clocks before start, because each entries in the remote camera list will show the time of your latest shot. During the post processing it is also useful, if you have the option to sort your photos, taken with different cameras, by creation date.
Future plans
During the Nikon Professional Day in Fotoplus professional camera store in Budapest next week (21 July 2021), everyone can check and try the features of NX Field. But this system won’t be the only Nikon stuff in spotlight, many other Nikon products (bodies, lenses) will be available for touch and try as well. As for me, I can’t wait to use NX Field under real conditions during the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in August.