auto focus area mode which one?

[thefonz78]

I've finally upgraded my d40x and got myself a d5100. I am so so happy what an amazing little camera it is. The high iso performance is blowing my mind. To get the noise levels of the d40x at 400 iso i need to bump the d5100 to 3200 iso amazing! I've got it set at auto iso in the house when catching quick shots of the little one.

I only had 3 focus points on my d40x so i used the 'dynamic area AF' Now i got 11 points i'm thinking maybe i'm better off using '3d tracking' or 'auto-area AF'. Watch the general consensus here? What are you guys using?

[MattUK]

General use use Auto.
For planned shots, use single point.

3D tracking is only really for moving objects (horses running, cars on a track etc).

Check this (should still apply to the D5100): http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000/af-settings.htm

[markgozz]

Hi thefonz

I have the D90 and as the manual says 3D tracking is really designed for recomposing your shots and not for tracking fast moving objects , tried it a couple of times with my white Jack Russell in a large meadow in very good light . I used the centre focus point to get a good lock on him and as soon as he ran off I panned the camera to follow him and the camera remained locked on the patch off grass that he was standing on but if I focused on a stationary object and moved the camera around you can see in the view finder each focus point picking up the lock as the object passed by .
If your going to ask me why it's called 3D tracking I'm afraid I haven't got the foggiest
However the dynamic area A/F combined with A/F C and high speed continuous shooting is amazing , I promise you it will put a smile on your face when you see how well it works
I do use auto ISO and usually app priority but unless I'm doing something like macro work I use the dynamic and AF C setup .
I know the 5100 has a much newer system than the 90 so you may have better luck with the 3D than I did , I had read reports that the 300s with its better metering and more numerous focus points would track successfully using the 3D so I would be very interested in your experiences .

Good luck

Mark

[thefonz78]

I've been playing with the 3d today im pretty impressed with it.

[markgozz]

Hope you don't mind me asking ,

What conditions are you shooting in , what is the subject , background and what set up are you using .
I'm interested in finding out if it's down to the upgrades of the 5100 or if I just didn't give it a proper go .

Mark

[wintermute]

I've been using 3D tracking on my D90 for recomposing static subjects as the manual suggests, but after deciding that single is probably more reliable I just move the AF point after I've composed. I found 3D a bit annoying how it flicked around between points when recomposing.
I haven't done much shooting of moving subjects so don't yet know what I would do in that situation!

[markgozz]

Originally Posted by wintermute

I've been using 3D tracking on my D90 for recomposing static subjects as the manual suggests, but after deciding that single is probably more reliable I just move the AF point after I've composed. I found 3D a bit annoying how it flicked around between points when recomposing.
I haven't done much shooting of moving subjects so don't yet know what I would do in that situation!

I wish it did work like the name suggests but your experience sounds identical to mine .

The other question I forgot to ask is what lenses both of you are using , I was using the Sigma 18 – 250 but don't know if a better faster lens would make any difference

Mark

[MattUK]

You're welcome.

[thefonz78]

I'm usually using a 50mm f1.4 when indoors. I've started using the single mode again. Auto if shooting a face doesn't seem to lock on to the eyes.

[jay-cee]

Hi there, very new to DSLR although back in the late 70's used Nikon F1 and F2's so know a bit about SLR in general.
However the numerous AF settings are mind blowing! I use either 'S' or 'A' priority what would you suggest for everyday pictures 'Landscapes' Portrait's' any help would be appreciated