Nikon Bird / Plane Shooters, Focus Techniques

[dmcantrell]

Hello,

I've been really working on my moving-object focus technique lately, but I want to see what you all do.

Here are the pertinent variables in play (for my D300):

Focus mode : S, C, M
AF Area mode : Single-point, Dynamic-Area, Auto-Area
Custom Settings (Focus) :
a1 : AF-C Priority Selection : Release, Release + focus, Focus
a3 : Dynamic AF Area : 9-points, 21 points, 51 points, 51-points 3D Tracking
a4 : Focus Tracking with lock-on : Long, Normal, Short, Off
a5 : AF Activation : Shutter AF-ON, AF-ON only

Currently I have these set as :
Continuous mode
Single-Point
a1, Release + focus
a3, 9-points
a4, Normal
a5, AF-ON only

Here's my questions :

1) For birds that are coming at you, do you ever change the a4 setting to 'off'? Is there really time for that?
2) Can someone describe to me the differences between the "AF Area Modes", the "Dynamic AF Area Settings", and the interaction of the two? I've read the manual over and over again and there are some subtle nuances that I just can't grasp. I had a long conversation with Wil about this at the meetup but I still don't understand it fully.

[KenJulio]

I'm not sure if I could explain it, maybe nikon? The following url is to Nikon's summary/explanation of their sensor and AF functions

Nikon Imaging | Nikon D Technology THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

[dmcantrell]

wow, ask and ye shall receive. Thanks for the link, I'll read it and reply as necessary.

[dmcantrell]

After reading that, I am left with one remaining question.

In the article, there are visual examples of the 9-point and 21-point Dynamic AF Area settings. Should I expect to see the non-activated focus points be greyed out like that, or is that merely for example purposes?

[firenut]

Thanks Ken. That is a great resourse.


OK....now back to your regular program!

[humminboid]

I use the "C" for continuous focus setting, choose the central image sensor marking, and don't worry about it all day! Shooting the recent air show at Davis Monthan AFB, and a fast little hummingbird on the patio, racing cars, or kids, it has failed me very few times, and when it did, it was because I was not as centered (paying attention to business) as I should have been.