Focus tracking with lock-on - birds

[tele_tele]

<p>What is your experience with using this setting (Focus tracking with lock-on) on D300 (D700, D3) body?</p>

<p>I am particulary interested in what setting makes better tracking of birds when they move fast either across or towards the photographer.</p>

<p>Does setting this to OFF or SHORT speeds up focusing/tracking, especialy when bird is moving towards photographer?</p>

<p>What are your experiences?</p>

 

[raym]

<p>Hi Tele,<br>

I have a D300 and D3 and usually leave focus tracking set to short when panning with 21pt dynamic area AF, AF-C, CLH. If you use dynamic area AF and are able to keep the focus sensors on the target while tracking then setting lock to short or normal should be fine.</p>

<p>Make sure that when you start to track the subject and you start to focus the subject should be within your 9,21 or 51 point area of focus you have chosen or you will track the background etc.</p>

<p>If you have problems keeping the focal sensors on the target or use single area AF then it may be a good idea to turn it off. The reason is once the target has been acquired and should you lose the target it will take a little longer to lock back on to it. Thus, you get a slight delay that could cost you the shot. </p>

<p>If the subject is coming at you or is extremely eradic in movement then off would be a good choice IMO.</p>

<p>Experiement and see what works for you.</p>

<p>All the best!<br>

Ray</p>

 

[hawkman]

<p>The best setting for MULTICAM 3500FX when tracking birds is:<br>

AF-C, dynamic 9-point, choose from any of the 15 cross type points, release+focus priority, Lock-on set to short or off (this depends on your skills). Lock-on delay determines how long the camera waits to change focus distance if it loses the subject, I prefer no lock on delay but I have trained myself to pump the shutter button as soon as I feel the camera might lock on BG, short works well too. I have had very good results with the above settings here is one example of rather difficult situation tracking erratic raptor against high contrast foliage. </p>

<p><img src="http://www.stanford.edu/~ahazeghi/Photos/birds/harrier%20in%20flight%20bpn.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[tele_tele]

<p>Does focus mode (focus, release+focus, release) also affect the speed at which it refocuses/tracks?</p>

[kevin_delson]

<p>I disagree with using 9 point AF. Probably only because I find it difficult to keep a fast flying avian friend centered; so I prefer 21 points and short duration lock on.</p>

<p>(Focus & release) or (Release & Focus) seems silly to even have this option.<br>

I always set this function to (Focus & Release)<br>

If someone can offer a logical reason to use (Release & Focus), I'm listening. ;)</p>

<p>I can't see the point in having the first 2 to 4 frames OOF when using (Release & Focus)<br>

Sure; you will get max frame rates, but who cares if they are OOF.<br>

I've tried this and tested it extensively.</p>

<p>...and no, it does not affect the speed that the AF locks in.</p>

[hawkman]

<blockquote>

<p>Does focus mode (focus, release+focus, release) also affect the speed at which it refocuses/tracks?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>No ,but it affects the speed at which you can fire. It is the delay before shooting when camera has changed focus distance </p>

[raym]

<p>I don't feel there is a "best" setting. Each photog has his/her own style. It does matter if your using FF or crop sensor. Focus tracking is more robust with my D3 than my D300 and I can get away with sloppy technique. When shooting with the D300 its quite the opposite.</p>

<p>Shooting BIF is not a problem with the settings I mentioned in my post above with the D3 or D300. I do have a few images here at pnet if you want to check them out.</p>

<p>Technique is very important along with proper settings and fast glass. Maintaining a shutter speed that will stop motion blur and an aperture that yields sufficient DOF is critical. I prefer 1/1600 shutter speed and some like 1/1000. It's whatever works for you.</p>

<p>I mentioned in my above post, if you're able to keep the subject in the viewfinder with the focus points you've chosen then Tracking with lock-on is fine at short or even normal regardless of the amount of focal pts. However, the more points selected the easier it will be to track but, the processor is working harder. The only caveat I can see is for birds that are flying erraticly or are tiny and maintaining lock is next to impossible AF Tracking with Lock set to off is more responsive.</p>

<p>As for AF-C Priority - focus, release + focus , release its a preference. Are your eyes good enough to tell the subject is in focus when you look through the viewfinder? If so, then Release will work just fine. As mentioned above, it helps you to get the max number of fps without delay. When shooting hummingbirds if I waited for the camera to decide if the subject was focused or not I would miss the shot. If you use a converter the delay is even more noticeable.</p>

<p>Do you use AF-ON to acquire focus or do you use the half press of the shutter button? I switched to AF-ON a couple years ago and have not looked back. It does take a little while to get use to but its worth it IMO.</p>

<p>Ray</p>

<p> </p>

[tele_tele]

<p>Yes, I use AF-ON, much better! :-)</p>

<p>I wanted to hear some opinions, and af tracking off with single point is one such good idea to try when things are tough (smaller birds, difficult background) as well as others.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>