D200 AUTO FOCUS MODES

[JGP]

I have been shooting the D200 for 3 mos now, primarily for motorsports, drag racing and motox.

I am still perplexed as to what auto focus mode I should use, my results are still not consistent. If I get a pin sharp shot it is more the exception rather than the rule.

As you know you have, "DYNAMIC AREA" autofocus and "GROUPDYNAMIC" autofocus.

I am still at a loss as to the benefit of one over the other, to me they are one in the same, but obviously not.

The same goes for when I should use 11 AF areas v 7 AF areas.

To me 7 should be more exacting, easier to keep subject in the AF range, but maybe not.

My point is, Im not getting consistently good results in either of these modes or combinations.

I am using the 70-200 2.8 VR and the 18-200 3.5-5.6 Vr.

I just think that my images should be sharper on a more consistent basis.

Does anybody know exactly what the correct focus modes for these particualr sports should be?

Here are some examples of some of my shots

http://jgphotography.smugmug.com

As you can see most pretty decent, but that tack sharpness is still eluding me most of the time, especially on some of the panning shots. My panning form is decent, probablly could be perfected but...

Anyone that has a handle on the difference and utility of these modes please enlighten me better than the NIKON manual

Thanx

[gooseberry]

JGP, not sure if you have read this article on nikonians regarding the various focus modes on the D200, might be useful.

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

[apsilon]

Thanks for the link, it was a good read.

[JGP]

Thanx, I did find it last night.

In the final analysis, I am using the AF modes and combinations that he is talking about.

So, Im still not happy. I was hoping for a , "OH YEAH" moment where I adjust another setting.

Possibly lens focus problems, but not both lenses.

Perlaps it is in the technique more than the camera.

Thanx again.

[shutterbug]

maybe time for a new lust D2Xs or D2Hs

[JGP]

NAHH NAHH dont EVEN go there. Enough money spent for now.

It took me a while to nail my D70 down, it will be the same with this camera.

So maybe a setting tweak here and there but a most definite need to be a more disciplined tachnique person.

Overall, my pictures are pretty good, I just want more sharpness consistency. I want to be able to read the LOGOS and SPONSORS names on the sides of these cars like I was looking at a billboard. I know Im shooting something and panning a subject at 130-140 mph, but with the glass that I am using and the body I have, I should be able to consistently get better sharper shots.

[Geoff]

Gooseberry - thanks for this link! EXCELLENT!

[birddog114]

Get a Thom Hogan ebook, it contents more infos than you can see and ask.

[Suri]

Have to back Baddog up on this one.
Thom Hogan writes the best manuals that I know of for getting to know your Nikon camera, and he covers most current models.

Having just returned from 3weeks in NZ shoting exclusively (generally landscapes) with our new D200 I have to say that " it was a steep learning curve ".

It is an uncompromising camera that really requires a good deal of SLR experience to handle for optimum results. I read, and re-read the Nikonians essay on the autofocus system before employing the camera in the field, and this planing combined with the luxury of holiday time was extremely helpfull in minimising unintended results.

As stated above this camera requires alot of work to achieve results similar to the predictable ease of use and reliability of the D70 - but the offset is that a "keeper" is a REALLY GOOD "keeper".