Nikon D300 recommended settings for BIF?

[Eric Chi]

Hi, I'm really glad to find this web site. Lots of information/images to read and to learn.

I have a Nikon D300 and would like get back to shoot BIFs.

1. I'll mainly use Nikon 300 f4 AFS together with Nikon 1.4 and 1.7 TCs. The D300 is really a function rich camera. What would be a good setting for D300 for BIF?

2. Any tips for AF tracking with D300?

3. I don't have MB-D10. Will adding MB-D10 significantly enhanced the success rate for BIF?

Thanks very much.

Eric.

[Alfred Forns]

Big Warm Welcome Eric !!!

Great camera fof BIF It does have an efficient AF system!!!

The settings will vary according to the bg. For very cluttered bg I like using the center point only and with clear skies 51 point color tracking dynamic. The real trick is setting the in betweens and I hope you keep changing and comparing. There is not one setting that will work best.

Will do an update when I get home Best to list looking at the menus !!!

[Robert O'Toole]

Hi eric,

In addition to Alfreds tips, which I agree with, try to learn to re-aquire if the AF drops focus off the the target. This means you life your front finger if the AF drops.

Also make sure your Diopter adjustment is set perfectly for your vision. You must the image clearly and sharply to recognize when the AF drops focus.

Robert

[Eric Chi]

Alfred,

Thanks very much. Do you always start the initial focus acquisition with tehcenter AF point?

Eric.

Big Warm Welcome Eric !!!

Great camera fof BIF It does have an efficient AF system!!!

The settings will vary according to the bg. For very cluttered bg I like using the center point only and with clear skies 51 point color tracking dynamic. The real trick is setting the in betweens and I hope you keep changing and comparing. There is not one setting that will work best.

Will do an update when I get home Best to list looking at the menus !!!

[Eric Chi]

Robert,

Thx very much.

May I ask, do you use the shutter button to activate the AF or use the AF-On button? I practiced shooting BIF a few weeks ago and some images blurry even with my 70-200 VR. So I was wondering whether I need to keep half-press the shutter button to keep VR/IS engaged and use the AF-On button to activate AF. If this theory is valid, then I need to change my habit for my fingers.

I also read an article in Author's web site. He recommend to set a personal function to turn off AF search when the camera cannot lock AF. This way he can just press AF button to re-acquire focus. I think my D300 does not have such a function. So I turned my "a4:Focus tracking with lock-on " custom function to "long". Does this make sense?

Eric.

Hi eric,

In addition to Alfreds tips, which I agree with, try to learn to re-aquire if the AF drops focus off the the target. This means you life your front finger if the AF drops.

Also make sure your Diopter adjustment is set perfectly for your vision. You must the image clearly and sharply to recognize when the AF drops focus.

Robert

[Shellie Dallas]

Hi Eric, I also have a D300 and had some of the same questions so I am glad that you have asked and I anxiously await the wonderful feedback that this site offers!!:)

[Alfred Forns]

Got some settings for you !!!

Go to AF

a1 release
a2 foucs
a3 dynamic area I used all setting according to conditions Do favor 21 point and 51 point 3D For very congested bg try the 9 point
a4 This one I have recently changed to the first choice Long Got the idea from James and have gotten great results
a5 shutter af on
a6 auto
a7 no wrap
a8 51 point selection

In camera there are three settings The middle is dynamic which I use a lot even with cluttered bt Will also use the bottom setting for tracking with the center point Do use this a lot for large birds for precise focusing point. The top setting I never use

You also have a choice on how to activate the AF ....with shutter button or rear. Robert O uses the rear to focus all the time I tried for four months but have returned to the conventional way. The focus lock button is conveniently placed so its not big deal for me.

When the light is harsh you might want to experiment with different AF settings Don't get into the habit of keeping/using one setting !!!

[Eric Chi]

Alfred,

Thanks very much. I'll experiment with your suggested settings.

Eric.

[Desmond Chan]

Thanks Al for sharing the settings. Got a couple of questions for you though:

Got some settings for you !!!

Go to AF

a1 release

Why "release" and not "focus" or "release/focus"? My understanding is choosing "release" means photos can be taken even the target is not in focus. Wouldn't "release" possibly result in all shots out of focus?

In camera there are three settings The middle is dynamic which I use a lot even with cluttered bt Will also use the bottom setting for tracking with the center point Do use this a lot for large birds for precise focusing point. The top setting I never use

Are you referring to the three AF-area modes here?

Thanks!

[Eric Chi]

I went to Bayland park in Palo Alto to exercise the tips learned here. I 'd like to share with you all my first BIF image that have the bird across the whole frame: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=14830

The Nikon D300 indeed focus very fast, even with my Nikon 1.4TC. And with the setting as Alfred suggested, I didn't experience any AF search which miss many time I had experienced before.

Again, thx all very much.

Eric. :)