Nikon Settings

[Robert Amoruso]

I would be interested in your AF settings for Nikon D300 cameras and up for Birds in Flight. Thanks in advance.

[arash_hazeghi]

You mean AF settings?

[david cramer]

My settings for D300 bif are CH, Continuous Focus, single point with 21 or 51 depending on busy backgrounds (21) or sky shots (51). I also shoot both single and continuous in Release Mode. ISO is usually set to 400 until light fades, then I'll go to 800. I use the same on D300 and D3, except of course I'll raise ISO much higher on D3. In general, I find the D3 has about a 1/3 better keeper rate with these settings.

[Robert Amoruso]

You mean AF settings?

Yes. I amended the question. Thanks for catching that.

[arash_hazeghi]

Rob,
Here is the setting I use with D700, I think D300 is similar

mode: AF-C
CF-a1: Release + Focus
CF-s3: 9 points for foliage 21 points for sky
CF-a4: Lock-on: OFF or short
CF-a5: Shutter/AF-ON
CF-a6: Auto
CF-a7: wrap
CF-a8: 51 points
CF-a9: Assist: OFF

rear AF switch is in dynamic area AF mode (middle position)

[Scott Grant]

echoing Arash's settings.

[Jeff Donald]

Thanks, these will come in handy for my students with Nikons.

[Robert Amoruso]

Thanks Arash. THe person I sold my D300 to was interested and I could not recall how James set it up for me. I was interested in how persons was setting up the other new Nikons too.

[Jim Fenton]

My D300s setting are the same as I used on my D300 bodies:

AFC, release plus focus, 9 points, lock on set to short typically. If I'm shooting blue skies with no clouds and single subjects, 51 pt 3D works fine, especially if the subject is large in the field.

For subjects flying against the water, I use single point.

I always use the AF on button only for AF activation.

[Deborah Harrison]

On my 300S when shooing BIF in RAW I have found that, regardless of other settings, 12 bit is MUCH faster and accurate for rapid image capture, if set to 14 bit it really slows things down. Also, I'm using 21 point as my basic setting.