brendan_ferguson

<p>Thanks for both of your responses. It looks like the D7xxx would be a perfect fit. It would also be really nice to be able to use the older lenses & be able to focus more easily in manual. It would probably help with macro shots as well.</p> <p>Af for the release priority mode with back button set; it does not appear as though my D3100 is doing that, unless I have misconfigured the settings somehow to prevent it, which I would not discount as a possibility. As you can see from the last photo, with a single centre point focus, I had to switch the camera lens into manual focus in order for the shutter to release. I might be able to get use to where that switch is so I can turn it on or off while looking through the view finder, but for now, I need to look at the lens to find it. If I was trying to take a picture of a bid as it takes off into flight, I would certainly not be fast enough to catch it.<br> I recently checked my firmware as well, and I appear to be up to date, so there does not appear to be a bug that has been fixed. There is that third party nikon firmware. I wonder if that might be able to solve my issue, if nothing else becomes apparent (aside from a new camera)</p>

<p>Yes, I have the camera set to AF On mode, have the AE-L/AE-F button assigned to AF-C focus mode. The half way down button does something, but it no longer focuses the camera. I do really like this setup better. Thanks to your post I was able to search for release priority and found this forum: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2941788<br> They pretty much say what you guessed. No release priority. <br> They made other suggestions that didn't work. But now that I understand the issue better, I was able to find a setting called 3d-tracking that almost solves my issues. With 3d tracking enabled, I can use the AF-ON button to focus the camera, frame my shot and release. I did a little testing and it seems to be working all right. I will have to get some more experience with real shooting before I know if it will work for sure. Will 3d tracking keep up with birds as they take off? What happens if the bird leaves the frame for a second while I catch up to it....? <br> I am disappointed that I have reached the limits of my camera. I fell as though I hardly know how to use the thing and I am already running into limitations. I guess the next time I upgrade I will have to make sure the camera supports Release Priority.<br> Thanks for your help Pete. All you guys on this forum are awesome. It makes such a big difference to me in exploring the world of still capture.</p>

<p>I am having some issues taking photos with my new lens. I am just learning how to use my camera properly so this may be a really basic issue, but I can seem to find it in anywhere:<br> Settings & Hardware:<br> AF-C<br> Single Point AF<br> Metering: Matrix<br> D3100 33-300mm f4.4</p> <p>So what I am finding is that when shooting in AutoFocus, the AutoFocus point needs to be perhaps not in focus, but it can't be clearly out of focus, otherwise it will lock my shutter release button.<br> The three photos below show: 1. Can take pictures when object is in focus. 2. Can take photos when object is not clearly out of focus (in this case the sky) 3. Shutter release locked when centre focus point (selected one) is out of focus. I can take photos in the case of 3, if I tun off auto focus, or if I change the focus position.<br> Any help on how to remove the later two restrictions would be appreciated.<br> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18025053-lg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1000" /></p> <p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18025052-lg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1000" /><br> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18025051-lg.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1000" /></p>

Wow. Very helpful responses. I am trying to push my understanding of photography, and have been doing a little of my own metering and such, but it still makes my head hurt. Sometimes I just want to take a shot without thinking about it a whole lot. I will certainly look into the Tamron lens and look around at the other options. With the G type lenses not being able to control the aperture, I think I will opt for something that is able lend that control. My understanding if macro photog is however that one is often trying to get more light. I suppose if the lens works that it is only able to open the aperture fully, which would often be the setting one might choose. Anyhow. I thank you for your replies. I now feel confidant that I can make a good decision on what to purchase, and look forward to seeing all the options available.

<p>Hi,<br> I am fairly new to photography and am currently enjoying struggling with the basics.<br> Anyhow, I would love to start shooting macro with my Nikon D3100. I have already done a fair bit of research and will purchase some extension tubes, but understand that that is only part of the picture. A macro lens is really ideal for the best pictures. People tend to think a 100mm lens (or there about) is fairly good for general use, so I thought I would start there.<br> I am on a budget and really can't afford the Nikon Macro Lens up on the Nikon website right now, (about $500) But have heard that auto focus is not needed anyhow, and from my limited experience with macro, I do concur. Manual is IN!<br> So I don't want to loose metering and what ever else the lens is doing, but would like to know how to find these lenses on eBay, or what ever camera website I am looking at. http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3100/compatibility02.htm Has a list of compatible lenses, but I honestly have a hard time figuring out what ones will work.<br> When I try to understand this chart, type G or D lenses will work so long as they are AF compliant.... But I don't need an Auto Focus.... Can someone help me in understanding what less expensive lenses might work and how I can tell if they will maintain functionality aside from Auto Focus? Its not not clear to me if any other lenses other than G and D types will suffice. Some have footnotes and I don't really understand the implications of how it may effect my photography.<br> I do appreciate the help.<br> Brendan</p>