D3 / Using 3D 51 Point Tracking for BIF

[Bob Lund]

Nikon D3 | 300mm 2.8 | TC-20EII Teleconverter | 3D 51 Point Tracking>>

Some Camera Settings
-Selection = 3D 51 Point Tracking
-Focus tracking with lock-on = Short
-Auto Focus Mode = Continuous
-AF-S priority selection = Focus
-Vibration reduction = Off
-Camera mounted on a tripod

Problem
I'm practicing BIF photography, and have been trying to make sense of the D3's '3D 51 Point Tracking' system. With my reasonably contrasty subject against a light sky, and using continuous auto focus mode, the focus point in the viewfinder seldom locks on the subject, but jumps around erratically.

Yesterday, on a friends suggestion I switched auto focus mode to 'single servo' and the locking process did somewhat better. I would think focus will be lost in single servo mode?

I’m curious what settings are best, and what others are using successfully with similar setups for BIF?

By the way, I love the D3, and feel blessed to have this great equipment and the time to be out taking pictures.

Your help is appreciated – Bob

[Alfred Forns]

HI Bob Your AF is just fine .... it is supposed to be jumping all over the place just trust it and fire away !!!

I have been using the 51 point 3D more and more As you get comfortable you will trust it more. One thing to note .... as you experiment don't use your 2X since it degrades the AF by 60% or more. Best to use the 1.4X or nothing at all even with your 2.8 lens. If you need more reach than the 1.4X go to the 1.7X AF performance is significantly better.

[Desmond Chan]

HI Bob Your AF is just fine .... it is supposed to be jumping all over the place just trust it and fire away !!!

I have been using the 51 point 3D more and more As you get comfortable you will trust it more. .

Al, which AF area mode do you use with the 51 point 3D?

Some guy posted on another forum and said he had got better keeper rates using the auto-area AF mode. He did not seem to be using 51 point 3D. He said the same thing you did, i.e., trust the camera. With auto-area AF mode, there is no AF sensor shown in the viewfinder either so he couldn't even focus but trust the camera. Seemingly it has been working for me well.

[Bob Lund]

Alfred - Thank you for your help! Practice, practice, practice . . . . Bob