Most wildlife photographers have an idea of what Pre-Capture is but far fewer know how to actually use it to its maximum potential.
And let me tell you – you’re REALLY missing out!
In this new video, I break down how Pre-Capture really works, when to turn it on (and off), ideal recording times, autofocus considerations, and real field techniques that actually matter – no matter what brand of camera you use.
If you want to take your Pre-Capture shooting to the next level you gotta check out this video!
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books and video workshops! Thousands of pages and hours of videos filled with tips, tricks, and techniques – all my best content! Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look).

Great tutorial – thanks! If Nikon wants the Z cameras to appeal to wildlife photographers, it would be such a great, great change to have precapture raw shooting! Even DX raw or HE* would be much better than full-frame jpeg.
Hi Steve,
great tutorial. As always a love the examples and the field experiences.
I find the remark that Pre-Capture has no impact on quality a bit misleading though.
Yes, Pre-Capture has the same quality as individual pictures taken with the same settings.
But for example for the Nikon Z6III Pre-Capture works only with the C speed settings, which come with some restrictions. For example compression JPEG fine* is not supported.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for another great video. I may have missed it but does pre-capture mode capture images at the same frame rate that you’ve chosen on your camera (I’m a Z8 shooter)?
Hi Steve,
Thank you so much for the great video unfortunately pre capture is not available on my Nikon Z7 ii
My Z8 – all good