Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
arbitrage wrote: bs kite wrote:
> I only use S and Auto AF. Of course, I must also have AFC selected so AF is continuous if I want it to be.
S is used for stationary subjects, or nearly stationary or very slow subjects. I used it on the beaver head. It is the most precise AF option, but only if you can hold the single AF square on the point you want to focus on. A number of us would like it if Nikon would make that square even smaller and maybe a blue color.
> When I actually go to focus, I only use the AF-ON button. My shutter release button is disabled as a focusing option; i.e. I do not focus at all with the shutter release button. This means that once focus is acquired, it cannot be changed during the release of the shutter. That means that the subject can be QUICKLY reframed or moved within the frame, and the focusing distance will not be changed when the shutter is released.
Of course one has to refocus if the subject moves.
If I press and RELEASE the AF-ON button, the focus is locked at that distance. However, if I want focus to be continuous, I must press the AF-ON button and keep it pressed in during the continuous focusing.
To engage AUTO AF: In order to continually focus on flying subjects (BIF) or fast moving subjects, I must continually hold the AF-ON button in while continually holding the Preview button in. In other words, when I am acquiring and following a flying bird, I have both the AF-ON and Preview button pressed in simultaneously. This is not a problem because it is of a short duration.
Whew!
After all that is said, I will be testing this during this season and may adopt some slight variation.
Please feel free to PM me if you do not understand anything. Don’t feel bad, because stuff is not simple to understand.
Thank you.
And others may have some input here too. This subject has gotten so much attention over the years. But that is understandable. It took me a very long time to settle into a technique. I always like to give credit when due: Arbitrage (Geoff) was the person who recommended AUTO AF to me.
For BIF,........I like AUTO AF period!
Have you tried using the button on the lens (for lenses that have them like the 500PF) to engage Auto AF instead of the Pv button? I've always found the Pv button awkward to hit. I used to use Pv for Single point but now use Single Point as my main AF mode and then have Group AF on my lens button and Auto AF on the joystick push. I find the Lens Button to be my second favourite button after the AF-ON button. Of course my 300PF and my (now sold) 200-500 don't have that button so that complicates switching to other lenses. But the only lens I use these days is the 500PF so that takes care of that
Read your suggestions/post early this morn; have been thinking about each component of it.
This sounds like it could all (or most of it) be a significant improvement for me. I must test.
Yes, the PV button is also awkward (but useable) for me.
Seems as though that joystick might be the perfect AUTO AF button.
Single point (S) is also my main AF mode; i.e. if I can get away with it, I use it for its “exactness”, “fineness” (if you will).
Being new to the 500PF I am not as familiar with the location of those lens-barrel buttons. I play (fool with) the keyboard some (no roadie you understand , nor endeavor to be!). But I think I am discovering an interesting phenom: Seems it may be better (more exacting?) to practice "key-location" if the eyes are closed. I wonder if Ray Charles knew this or those around him saw it.
I've had difficulty quickly relocating that left hand lens-barrel button. But with practice all things comes. I think I’ll close my eyes and practice finding it so it becomes quick and natural for me too. Yes, I can see how that button could be a favorite along with the AF-ON.
That joystick is one I did not consider.
Thank you much and later.
May 23, 2020 at 07:41 AM
Previous versions of bs kite's message #15235254 « "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread »
, nor endeavor to be!). But I think I am discovering an interesting phenom: Seems it may be better (more exacting?) to practice "key-location" if the eyes are closed. I wonder if Ray Charles knew this or those around him saw it. 