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What are the best focus settings to use for subjects which are coming towards you, say a dog or kid running towards you? I always get mixed results, focus wise, with this situation. Every now and again I get a series in focus but more often or not I get a lot of out of focus images. (well the background is in focus at least )

I shoot on continuous, and have tried 51 points (3D Tracking) and normal spot focusing both with less than average strike rate. I thought 3D tracking would be best for subjects moving all over the place (like a dog or kid)?

Cheers,
Andrew

Andrew,

I haven't tried myself, but there some online videos floating around with the recommended settings.

http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d300/index.shtml

ATJ wrote:Andrew,

I haven't tried myself, but there some online videos floating around with the recommended settings. I'll see if I can find them.

Thanks...

I'll google it as well and see if I can find what your are referring to. I need something to improve my hit rate in this situation

Andrew,

I found them and added the link while you were posting. Select "Movies" and there's one on AF.

Thanks for the link.

The movies basically say what I already knew, use Continuous, Dynamic or 3D tracking for moving subjects. I find this is great if the subject is moving away from you or sideways but if the subject is coming directly towards you I find the camera does not focus quick enough so the focus is always slightly behind the subject.

Is this what everyone else finds?

As mentioned before, I might get one frame out of 10 in focus but I really want to get a quick (8fps) sequence in focus.

Andrew

G'day Andrew

Yup 51 points and 3D tracking is the book way to do it.

Make sure you have you got Custom setting a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On set to Off?

Otherwise if it's an AF-S lens try manual overide on the focussing, or just MF and lotsa practice?

BullcreekBob wrote:G'day Andrew

Yup 51 points and 3D tracking is the book way to do it.

Make sure you have you got Custom setting a4: Focus Tracking with Lock-On set to Off?

Otherwise if it's an AF-S lens try manual overide on the focussing, or just MF and lotsa practice?

OK, maybe that is it. I had a4: set to normal ( I think that is the default). I have switched it to off and will see how it goes tomorrow at my boys soccer (under 6's, they go ALL over the place!!!)

W00DY wrote: kid running towards you?

I generally find that the best way to handle this situation is just turn and run.

I found this article very informative for my D2x:

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources ... index.html

fozzie