AF choices

Have done a lot of research on the AF but would now like to ask you guys- which choices do you make when you shoot action, still life and colors? Looking forward to your knowledgeable replies! Paul

If you want to learn a ton on the Nikon Auto Focus system, you should check out Steve Perry's "Secrets to the Nikon Auto Focus System." I purchased it and found it incredibly helpful in understanding the ins and outs of auto focus.

https://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/

Your best bet is to experiment and see what you like. Digital film is cheap (compared to the old analog film days). What Joe may like, you may hate. Also, I don't see how color can affect AF mode except when the subject color matches the background color, and if this happens, you may need to do manual focus anyway. You can have bright or subdued colors on an action players uniform or bright or subdued colors in a still life and the colors will normally not affect an AF mode.

Brent:
I read in mastering the 7100 and he spoke of setting AF to 3D would correct color, especially with action pics. Paul

tea2085 said:

Brent:
I read in mastering the 7100 and he spoke of setting AF to 3D would correct color, especially with action pics. Paul

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I believe you are mistaken in your understanding, Paul. The AF doesn't have anything to do with rendering color. What Brent was saying is that the 3D mode uses color to isolate the subject for tracking. BUT when you are in a situation where there are many similar colors in the background, it doesn't work very well.

In this Steve Perry video, advance to 9:07. That's where he describes the 3D AF. Make sure to watch all of it. It's very informative.

tea2085 said:

Have done a lot of research on the AF but would now like to ask you guys- which choices do you make when you shoot action, still life and colors? Looking forward to your knowledgeable replies! Paul

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My rule of thumb is... The faster, more erratic the action, the more focus points I use and, to an extent, the more control I'll surrender to the camera to maintain focus and tracking of the subject. If I think I can track my subject consistently and well then I'll do so, but I've got no problem letting the auto-focus take a crack at it first.

I think what's critical to understand is that the AF Mode determines HOW the auto-focus system focuses. The AF Area-mode determines WHERE the auto-focus system focuses.

I use AF-S for stationary objects, especially when I know that I will not move. For the rest AF-S. All with single point focus. The problem that I have faced with auto or dynamic focus is that most of the time the camera picks up wrong objects, like the tree in background instead of foreground or the wrong person in a group.