AF on D700

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Archive 2010 · AF on D700

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #1 · AF on D700

Been shooting D90 for a little over three years now. Just bought a D700, and used it to shoot a basketball game tonight coupled with a 70-200 sigma ver II. The only way I could get the camera to focus at a half descent speed with to use center weighted and 3D. Can anyone help me. I was counting on being able to shoot at very hight ISO and around at least 320ish, F3.2 for the games. I am not able to. Went in and changed all the focus vs release on the menu. Still not to much luck.
Is it the lens? thanks

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Jan 19, 2010 at 03:35 AM

Jammy Straub
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p.1 #2 · AF on D700

Don't use 3D 51pt tracking for very fast moving subjects like that, IMHO it can't keep up very well. Stick with something like 9pt dynamic area and turn off your AF tracking delay.

Bump your exposure up while you're at it.

Try those settings and see how it works, if you're still not getting what you desire, then the Sigma is limiting you.

Jan 19, 2010 at 05:27 AM

fusiongt
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p.1 #3 · AF on D700

3D auto tracking isn't so great for at least my D300 (which I assume the D90 is as good as... or almost as good as in focus speed). The only time I like it is shooting birds in the blue sky. It tracks well there but with anything else moving or busy (like grass) it gets lost.

You're better off just moving your camera to focus

Jan 19, 2010 at 05:47 AM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #4 · AF on D700

Probably the lens and some camera settings as previously mentioned. This was shot at f4, ISO2000, 1/250th and spot metering

f2.8 would have given you 1/500th, see the motion blur on her legs....then there's the whole WB thing. I prefer native
ISO's ie: 1600/3200. The D700 loves this stuff, so keep at it.

Jan 19, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Makten
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p.1 #5 · AF on D700

How is this picture an example of bad AF? The girl with the ball is in focus, right? She's blurred because of too low shutter speed, but that has nothing with AF accuracy to do.

Seems like someone needs to read the manual.

Jan 19, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Len Shepherd
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p.1 #6 · AF on D700

Makten wrote:
She's blurred because of too low shutter speed, but that has nothing with AF accuracy to do.

Adding to this shutter speeds of 1/320 or slower are unlikely to stop subject movement blur with action like this.
1/1000 of faster is better.

Jan 19, 2010 at 12:01 PM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #7 · AF on D700

I cant use 1/1000 without totally loosing any details in the face, etc. I tried that. But I will try and try again. thanks for all the assistance.

Jan 19, 2010 at 03:57 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #8 · AF on D700

Try 1/500th, ISO3200, f/2.8 as a starting point (320 is too slow to freeze most action) And 9point or something less. Also, your WB is way out of whack.

Jan 19, 2010 at 04:15 PM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #9 · AF on D700

OK will try. Understand WB issue. Working it. I had switched from N to Vivid and didnt realize it.

Jan 19, 2010 at 04:17 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #10 · AF on D700

I dont know what that has to do with your WB issue. Your WB is set too high (which is why it's too blue) probaby it's at sunshine or something when it should be either custom WB or at the very least fluoroscent...

Jan 19, 2010 at 04:20 PM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #11 · AF on D700

Correct. Just looked at settings. WB was set Auto but I had moved it to the left in the grid a bit too much. Thanks for the tips Avi. appreciate all assistance.

Jan 19, 2010 at 04:24 PM

Doug Weasner
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p.1 #12 · AF on D700

On my D90, my Sigma 70-200 HSM II AF's ok, but IQ is mush at f2.8. f4 is great to excellent. Haven't gotten around to sending it to Sigma.

Test the lens live view focused at f2.8, f4, and f5.6. If it looks ok at f4, but doesn't at f2.8, a trip to Sigma for optical adjustment is in order. If it looks ok at f2.8, then tweak AF to the best of your ability after study of the manual and info on the 'Net. If it still doesn't get it done, you can try the AF adjustment on your D700 and/or sending the lens (possibly with the body) to Sigma for calibration.

Jan 19, 2010 at 04:37 PM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #13 · AF on D700

Went at it again tonite trying to apply the suggestions given to me on the forum yesterday. No perfect by any means, but what do you think compared to yesterdays upload? thanx so much for all your mentoring. James

2012 © jamesdaniels21

NIKON D700 70 mm f/2.8 1/500 sec 3200 ISO 0.0 EV

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NIKON D700 200 mm f/2.8 1/500 sec 3200 ISO 0.0 EV

Jan 20, 2010 at 05:54 AM

ishootsports3
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p.1 #14 · AF on D700

Len Shepherd wrote:
Makten wrote:
She's blurred because of too low shutter speed, but that has nothing with AF accuracy to do.

Adding to this shutter speeds of 1/320 or slower are unlikely to stop subject movement blur with action like this.
1/1000 of faster is better.

1/1000 is far more than needed
i consider 1/500 to be the working shutter speed floor, and then work from there using your lens wide open and iso to get correct exposure

Jan 20, 2010 at 06:06 AM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #15 · AF on D700

So should I go even higher then 32oo with ISO to get shutter speed increased.

Jan 20, 2010 at 06:11 AM

ishootsports3
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p.1 #16 · AF on D700

like i said stick your shutter at 1/500 put the lens at 2.8 and go wherever the iso needs to go, i often use settings up to 6400 and have made sooc sales of shots around 5000ish

Jan 20, 2010 at 06:19 AM

daleroy
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p.1 #17 · AF on D700

You're still under exposed by a good stop. Either change metering modes or push the EV comp by a stop or so.

Jan 20, 2010 at 10:11 AM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #18 · AF on D700

thanks Dale. Will continue to work on it.

Jan 20, 2010 at 02:34 PM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #19 · AF on D700

Took another "whooping" in the gym last night. Hum, a physical whooping may have been better then a camera whooping. Anyway, had fun, and was able to use a couple remote strobes for the last quarter of the game. It was fun and I enjoyed trying something new. Posting a couple more pics for your reviews and comments. Still having hard time, but making baby steps. First pic was strobed. Other two available light.

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NIKON D700 92 mm f/2.8 1/320 sec 4000 ISO 0.0 EV

Jan 24, 2010 at 02:01 AM

jamesdaniels21
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p.1 #20 · AF on D700

Can you take a look at the recent pic posts and tell me what you think? thanks.

Jan 24, 2010 at 09:58 PM

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