Rapid flash pulse for auto focus assist

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paul_b

Senior Member
I want to buy Nikon again (D5300). My old Canon DSLR and speedlight had a good method for helping auto focus in low light. The camera and speedlight fired a rapid flash pulse for auto focus assist.

Does Nikon have the same feature? More specifically is the D5300 capable?

Many thanks.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
paul_b said:
I want to buy Nikon again (D5300). My old Canon DSLR and speedlight had a good method for helping auto focus in low light. The camera and speedlight fired a rapid flash pulse for auto focus assist.

Does Nikon have the same feature? More specifically is the D5300 capable?

Many thanks.
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The D5300 does have a white LED that functions as an auto-focus assist lamp. It's not much, but it's something.

Beyond that, a good flash, say the Yongnuo 565EX, will emit it's own auto-focus assist beam that helps the camera body acquire focus-lock.
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pforsell

Senior Member
paul_b said:
Hi pforsell.

Can i ask you about the dedicated autofocus light. Are you talking about the AF assist lamp (LED) on the body?
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Yes, that one. I have a couple of cameras with the AF assist light, but I have turned it off. My motto is: when in doubt, use manual focus.
 
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paul_b

Senior Member
pforsell said:
Yes, that one. I have a couple of cameras with the AF assist light, but I have turned it off. My motto is: when in doubt, use manual focus.
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Yes, i understand manual focus is much more accurate. However, at wide apertures and chasing my hyperactive child around the home (and her never sitting still) i rarely have time to use manual focus. That's why autofocus is better for me. I know some speedlights emit the red focus assist pattern, but i was asking if Nikon do something similar to the Rapid flash pulse for auto focus assist like the Canons have (normal white flash light).
 
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spb_stan

Senior Member
Paul, most better flash units have Red light/Infrared emitters that created a cross hatch light pattern that really helps the AF system by providing bars of light that have high contrast edges. The white light emitter on the body is not as effective and it causes a person's irises to close, and it distracts them and changed their expression. The flash mounted assist light turns off the body focusing assist lamp. In dark conditions, very good focusing can be done with the AF that is impossible to manual focus accurately in the dark.

Much of my shooting in performances, dance clubs and other shooing conditions that requires focusing assist. I never use the body white assist light, nor do I ever use a pop up flash. I have 3 SB900 flash and 3 Yongnuo YN-568ex flash. The red+infrared focus assist light on the YN-568's is brighter and has more cross bars, but both type are very effective in focusing in the dark.
Back when shooting film, manual focus was a dream...assuming decent light using the micro mesh focusing screen, and only in the center of the frame.
 
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