Hello, using a d3 for a surf contest ( back up that is) I am shooting and wanted to ask the best focus setting for action shots. I am going to shoot most of the event with my d300 and 600mm as i am working and do not want to use a unfamiliar camera for the event. (nps just got it to me today due to a shipping delay) Should I try the 51 point option? I usually do not with the d300 but the d3 seems to have a pretty high keeper rate on the birds I practiced on tonight. Any thoughts tonight or early in the morning would be great.
Thanks, Brent
well, I might not be the most appropriate person to give you an answer...
I am still a bit struggling with AF myself (after a year). I tend to choose 9 or 21 points for increased performance, sometimes 3d tracking, but only when the system cannot be confused by several moving targets. Don't forget that the sensors are concentrated in the middle and that you can easily lose focus when the action is fast. I miss the sensor coverage of the DX cameras and the group dynamic mode, much more intuitive than the D3's AF. Even if you don't know the camera, you shouldn't be too much worried, the behaviour will be similar to the D300, the only practical difference in action is the way you change settings like ISO, WB, metering...
Thanks Guy, everything else so far is pretty close to the d300, not sure if I like the grouping on the af sensors. I think I will give 21 point a shot and see what I get. Thanks for the info. I will follow this throughout the day just incase anyone else wants to share.
If you're shooting a subject that fills the frame well as opposed to a distant subject, I've had very impressive keeper rates just using single point selectable 11-point AF. Keep things simple and the camera works at its quickest. I use a D700 but it shares the AF system with the D3.
I also keep the AF lock-on to long, which keeps the AF system from hunting other unwanted targets when you slip off the subject temporarily.
I use 51pt. 3D and shoot CH when doing surfing. Given the movement of a surfer in the frame, it seems to work best. Shooting in burst allows you to get those key moments, such as the board shooting in the air, and you will get a high keeper rate.
James R wrote:
I use 51pt. 3D and shoot CH when doing surfing. Given the movement of a surfer in the frame, it seems to work best. Shooting in burst allows you to get those key moments, such as the board shooting in the air, and you will get a high keeper rate.
What lens are you using?
Good luck.
Surfing does seem like an ideal situation for 3D tracking. The surfer is probably going to stick out from the blue/teal ocean like a sore thumb and shouldn't be moving perpendicular to the camera too quickly. (it just struck me as an perfect situation and I thought it was kinda cool)
Jammy Straub wrote:
Surfing does seem like an ideal situation for 3D tracking. The surfer is probably going to stick out from the blue/teal ocean like a sore thumb and shouldn't be moving perpendicular to the camera too quickly. (it just struck me as an perfect situation and I thought it was kinda cool)
Good call.
I was lucky to be standing next to Dave Black, who gave me the tip. The man knows how to shoot sports.
