Best D300 Autofocus setting for BIF (1 Viewer)

[alvise]

Dear all,
I wonder which is the best AF setting to photograph flying birds...
I assume that the main set should be without doubt the AF-C, but I've read so many opinion and experiences in several forums about the setting for the CSM a1, a3 and a4. Some people set the priority to the release, other to release+focus. Someone uses 9-dynamic area, other 51-3D (that, AFAIK, serves another aim, i.e. tracking erratically moving subjects inside the af sensors area).

Could some one give her/his experience about which she/he feels to be the best af setting for BIF ?

thanks a lot

Alvise

 

[Duke Leto]

Ahh the age old question of the "golden settings" . I've tried many combos and they all have there uses,
I always have the shutter release set to focus and release and after that anything else goes, if it's a large subject I stick to single point af, smaller subjects I will use 9 or 21. Never found 51 or 51 3d to be effective, if birds are flying parallel to me such as on a river I normally have the focus lock set to short.

Looking forward to others suggestions

 

[Fozzybear]

I tend to use 9 point AF, continuous. A1 set to release and A4 set to short. I find that for me 9 point is a pretty good compromise as it's pretty fast responding but gives a reasonable size area to aim for. I've tried 21 and 51 point with and without 3d and didn't get on with those as well.

I think it's worth experimenting with the settings, maybe go somewhere local where gulls are flying or something similar and just play around and get a feel for what suits you best.

 

[RJM]

For walking around pics, I think stopping down the lens to F8 to insure adequate depth of field makes the biggest difference.

Rick

 

[Helios]

I used the 51 point dynamic focus for the Kite shots that I've taken recently (see gallery). It allows me to concentrate on the framing without worrying about the focus. The focal point jumps around a bit on the bird, depending on what has the most contrast at that particular instant. Just wait until it catches the head, then press down the shutter release. I always use continuous shooting, as BIF is very much a hit or miss affair. Remember to bring plenty of memory cards!

 

[alvise]

Thanks guys for describing your experience
Helios, did you mean 51 point 3D or just 51 point ?

 

[ikw101]

For BIF the following settings work well.

Settings:
a3 -> 21 points
a4 -> off
Front button (focus mode selector) to C - continuous focus

Dynamic area - "middle option" in the AF-area mode selector in the back of camera

a1 -> release
Lock initial focus point to central point (w/ the focus lock selector )

To use:
1- Just press AF-ON to focus;
2- Keep pressing while you want to continuous focus and shoot at will
3- If you want to recompose, just lift your thumb and the focus will lock then recompose and shoot.
4- For manual focus dont touch the AF-ON button

 

[Option1]

I use pretty much the same as ikw101, but then I tend to use those settings for just about everything.

Neil

 

[Helios]

I was using 51 point 3D. Works pretty well with large subjects like Kites. Havn't tried 21 or 9 points so they may well be more effective as others suggest.