D90 autofocus options: help please

[Logo10heli]

What would be the better AF setting for shooting airplanes or birds in flight ? I've been using AF-C with single point. Would AF-C and 3D Tracking be better for moving subjects ? Thanks.

[TCav]

Originally Posted by Logo10heli

What would be the better AF setting for shooting airplanes or birds in flight ? I've been using AF-C with single point. Would AF-C and 3D Tracking be better for moving subjects ?

My experience when shooting birds or aircraft in flight is that I've got the sky (infinity) as the background, so AF-C and Dynamic Area is fine. I use 3D Tracking when the background (or another object) is closer to the subject.

I've selected the center focus point, and locked the selection

I also have the center focus point set to Wide Area.

[Wingman]

I have both my D90 and my D300s set at AF-C and 3D tracking for aviation photograpahy. I only change it if I am photographing aircraft that are parked. A fast focusing lens helps too!

Jehan

[Logo10heli]

Thank you TCav and Wingman. I'll give those settings a try on my next outing.

[simple]

Originally Posted by TCav

I've selected the center focus point, and locked the selection

I also have the center focus point set to Wide Area.

+1 .... me too

[Logo10heli]

Thanks simple. I'm already seeing improvement with these settings. I'm also experimenting with Dynamic Area and 3D.

[deadshot]

I'm going off Dynamic area somewhat, because in the heat of the moment I sometimes touch the control pad which moves the focus point, which I then fail to notice, thereby missing my focus completely.
Sounds stupid I know but there you go.
At least with a fixed point it stays put.I wish Nikon made the focus point a bit more obvious like my old film Canon had (a bright red dot) I couldn't miss it.
It is possible my eyes are not what they were.

[TCav]

Have you tried selecting, and then locking the focus point? That's what I've done. I've locked the center focus point, and used either Dynamic or 3D to track the subject when either it moves or I pan.

[DigMe]

Originally Posted by deadshot

I'm going off Dynamic area somewhat, because in the heat of the moment I sometimes touch the control pad which moves the focus point, which I then fail to notice, thereby missing my focus completely.
Sounds stupid I know but there you go.
At least with a fixed point it stays put.I wish Nikon made the focus point a bit more obvious like my old film Canon had (a bright red dot) I couldn't miss it

The D5100 does have a bright red dot at the focus point. I don't know about the D7000 or all the rest of the newer gen.

brad

[TCav]

Originally Posted by TCav

Have you tried selecting, and then locking the focus point? That's what I've done. I've locked the center focus point, and used either Dynamic or 3D to track the subject when either it moves or I pan.

Sorry. The D90 has a Focus Selector Lock that lets you lock your choice of a focus point after you've selected one using the multi selector. The D5000 doesn't have one.