hi all, as a fairly recent newbie,, i am really struggling with getting sharp shots of my local barn owl in flight. i am using a D300. with 200-400VR,, selected restricted Focus (inf>6m). using 51 point 3D focus tracking. and i have tried using single servo and continuous servo, with both focus modes.
would be greatful for some advice and help with what settings people have found best on a D300/D700 for BIF shots
mark
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 29, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Mark - first thing to look at is your AF tracking lock-on - menu item a4.
Basically, if the bird is against the sky turn it to OFF, but if there is a background to the subject it's best to have it turned ON - the more contrast in the background, eg, sky behind trees etc: the longer you need the AF lock-on to operate.
What I find is that the AF response is quicker with a4 OFF, but is only really good for BiF against a flat sky - there's no temptation for the AF to look for something else to switch to.
But tracking against water or trees without a4 turned on can be very problematic.
I'd try 21point Dynamic if I were you - the 51point 3D will be wasting time looking for something to focus on, unless you've got plenty of light and a good subject in a blue sky.
Also, I very rarely shoot the 200-400 with the VR on as the lens won't AF until the image is settled in the viewfinder.
And it's not blinding in the AF accuracy stakes when the light gets low - at least not on a D300 it's not - on a D3 the performance is noticeably better - wonder why
Hope this helps Mark
Posted by Brian Davis on March 29, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Discussion
2 replieswould be greatful for some advice and help with what settings people have found best on a D300/D700 for BIF shots
mark
Basically, if the bird is against the sky turn it to OFF, but if there is a background to the subject it's best to have it turned ON - the more contrast in the background, eg, sky behind trees etc: the longer you need the AF lock-on to operate.
What I find is that the AF response is quicker with a4 OFF, but is only really good for BiF against a flat sky - there's no temptation for the AF to look for something else to switch to.
But tracking against water or trees without a4 turned on can be very problematic.
I'd try 21point Dynamic if I were you - the 51point 3D will be wasting time looking for something to focus on, unless you've got plenty of light and a good subject in a blue sky.
Also, I very rarely shoot the 200-400 with the VR on as the lens won't AF until the image is settled in the viewfinder.
And it's not blinding in the AF accuracy stakes when the light gets low - at least not on a D300 it's not - on a D3 the performance is noticeably better - wonder why
Hope this helps Mark