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D300 and Focus.

Discussion in 'Sports Photography' started by Otter, Sep 20, 2008.

  1. Otter

    Otter

    2,435
    Aug 14, 2007
    Western Suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.
    I just shot a bunch of XC this morning and soccer this afternoon for the first time with my D300 and 300 f4.

    I'm very surprised by the number of OOF shots. I don't get nearly as many with my D200.

    I was using AF-C, A mode, SS were 1/5000 (give or take), monopod, and AF-C priority selection set to Release.

    I just changed 'Release' to 'Release+Focus'. I seem to remember Randy saying he has better luck with that.

    Anybody have any focus issues or tricks?

    Thanks.
     
    Otter, Sep 20, 2008
    #1
  2. Tim White

    Tim White Guest

    In my experience the D300 and AF-S 300 f/4 are a pretty quick pair, even with a TC14 sitting between them. My 70-200 f/2.8, for example, doesn't track as well.

    Are you using the full auto 51-point system (white rectangle)? It's slow. Very slow. I use single-point or 9-point dynamic.

    I usually use focus-priority release too. Works well.
     
    Tim White, Sep 20, 2008
    #2
  3. Otter

    Otter

    2,435
    Aug 14, 2007
    Western Suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.
    Yes, reaction of the lens seems to be very fast, just doesn't seem to have proper focus. Guess I need to read about this more and/or test it.

    In fact, using CaptureNX with the "show Focus Point" turned on I can see for example the focus spot isn't the spot that really appears in focus in a lot of the images.

    I only ever use single point.

    Thanks.
     
    Otter, Sep 20, 2008
    #3
  4. vz223

    vz223

    973
    Dec 7, 2007
    NJ
    Joe,
    "AF on" button. Works for me like a charm and others have suggested it as well.
     
    vz223, Sep 20, 2008
    #4
  5. Tim White

    Tim White Guest

    Makes no difference at all. It's just alternate way of activating the same AF system.
     
    Tim White, Sep 21, 2008
    #5
  6. Chris_B

    Chris_B

    2,156
    Mar 12, 2006
    Arlington, VA
    Show us some of the shots.
     
    Chris_B, Sep 21, 2008
    #6
  7. xenonsupra

    xenonsupra

    2,075
    Jul 26, 2008
    San Diego, CA
    When I shoot sports I use the following as recommended to me by a pro football photographer.

    AF-C (obviously)
    Release and Focus
    Dynamic Focus Mode (the middle switch on the body)
    9 Point AF (uses 9 points around your focus point to track your object)
     
    xenonsupra, Sep 21, 2008
    #7
  8. vz223

    vz223

    973
    Dec 7, 2007
    NJ
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 15, 2017
    vz223, Sep 21, 2008
    #8
  9. Otter

    Otter

    2,435
    Aug 14, 2007
    Western Suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.
    Thanks guys. After looking at some pics more closely, I believe the problem is me and not the D300...:redface:

    I jumped to conclusions too quickly.

    Thanks for the feedback.
     
    Otter, Sep 21, 2008
    #9
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