Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Reccomended BIF settings for Nikon D3 and D300s

  1. #1
    Charles Mills
    Guest

    Default Reccomended BIF settings for Nikon D3 and D300s

    I have thus far been unable to successfully structure a search for prior recommendations for BIF settings for the Nikon D3 and D300s. So, I'll just have to pose the question again. What are your reccomended BIF settings for a Nikon D3 and D300s?

    Charles Mills
    Ogden AR 71853

  2. #2
    BPN Member Bill Jobes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,275
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Charles,

    Here's what I use successfully with my D3:

    AF-C Priority: Release + Focus
    AF-S Priority: Release
    Dynamic AF Area: 21 (With cluttered backgrounds, I reduce it to 9 points)
    (Some like the 3D 51-point tracking; I find it to be too slow)
    Focus Tracking With Lock on: 1 (Short) (There are other opinions about this one)
    AF Point Selection: 51 Points
    I use the center-point crosshairs position on the three-way focus select switch on the back.

    These work most reliably for me. Whenever I experiment with changes, I always come back to these settings.
    Bill Jobes



    www.billjobes.com

    My BPN Gallery

    Walk Softly and Carry a Big Lens

  3. #3
    Charles Mills
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks for your input Bill.

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Jamesville, NY
    Posts
    151
    Threads
    11
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    If the bird is darker compared with the sky (usually it is), I use +0.3 to +0.5 ev compensation to brighten the bird.

  5. #5
    Co-Founder James Shadle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Valrico, Fl
    Posts
    5,108
    Threads
    1,419
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    11

    Default

    AF-C Priority: Release + Focus
    Dynamic AF Area: 9 point or 51 point 3D, always starting with the center sensor.
    Focus Tracking With Lock on: Long
    AF Point Selection: 51 Points
    AF activated with shutter release.

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Warrington, UK
    Posts
    285
    Threads
    57
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi James,

    Could I ask why you prefer AF activation with shutter release. I've read alot of users prefer the AF-on button for focus lock.

    kind regards.
    Stu.

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    2,940
    Threads
    288
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by James Shadle View Post
    Dynamic AF Area: 9 point or 51 point 3D, always starting with the center sensor.
    Hey James, I didn't know that the "51 point 3D" actually works :) and so I never if not rarely used it. I think I'd give it a try.

    Does it have to be coupled with these
    Focus Tracking With Lock on: Long
    AF Point Selection: 51 Points
    to work well?

    Under what kind of situations you've found it work better than other options?

    I don't use the AF button on the back as I like to be able to hold on to the camera as securedly as I can (shoot hand-held most of the time especially for BIF).
    Last edited by Desmond Chan; 12-05-2010 at 03:43 PM.

  8. #8
    Co-Founder James Shadle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Valrico, Fl
    Posts
    5,108
    Threads
    1,419
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    11

    Default

    Stuart: I use the shutter release so my thumb is available to change my exposure. If the tonality of my subject or there the light changes (I shoot manual exposure) I can acquire focus with the shutter release and adjust the exposure at the same time. Trigger finger never comes off the shutter release.

    Desmond: I use 51 point 3D when I have good contrast between my background and subject.
    What was a killer for most cameras, actually improves 51 point 3D AF.
    Tracking a Roseate Spoonbill in front of a busy stand of mangroves or the sky is a great time to use 3D.

    That said, if the Roseate Spoonbill flies over water, switch to 9 or 21 point ASAP.
    The AF will likely pick up the reflection in 3D.

    I have the function button programed so I can switch AF modes on the fly.

  9. #9
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Merritt Island, FL
    Posts
    4
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by James Shadle View Post
    AF-C Priority: Release + Focus
    Dynamic AF Area: 9 point or 51 point 3D, always starting with the center sensor.
    Focus Tracking With Lock on: Long
    AF Point Selection: 51 Points
    AF activated with shutter release.
    These are the settings I use on the D300s. On tripod I use the AF-on button, but that is rare. I find that handheld using the AF-on button my thumb will change the shutter speed wheel without me noticing. Shooting manual that can make you screw up a lot of shots.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics