D300 focusing problems

rhonddaboy

rhonddaboy

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Alan
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Hi all
I put this in the D300 owners thread but only had 1 reply, can anyone give me some help.

I take a lot of rallying photo's and I am having problems when taking a burst of photo's that at least 3 out of 5 would be oof, at first I thought it was my lens not auto focusing quick enough (Sigma 70-200 f2.8) so I bit the bullet and bought a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 but still have the same problem. What I would like to ask is what settings would be best in the menu for focusing?
Thanks
Alan
 
Assuming its the same as the D700, Afc mode and 21 focus points is a starter for 10!
 
AFC release and focus, now going to try release
AF-s priority selection Release
Dynamic AF ares 21 points
Focus tracking with lock on Normal
AF activation, shutter/ AF on
AF point selection 51 points
Single point AF
Spot metering

Cheers

Alan
 
If I read that right, it looks like you're using AF-S as opposed to AF-C (selector next to lens). AF-C allows the auto focus to keep tracking, where as AF-S will stop focussing once it locks, which could explain your issue.
 
Think I just found the problem,
Release mode was set on CL not CH
 
rhonddaboy said:
Think I just found the problem,
Release mode was set on CL not CH
Click to expand...

That shouldn't cause an issue if you're in AF-C. It'll just limit the number of shots that are taken when you just hold the shutter button down. Strange one this. Do you use back button focussing?
 
Ask someone else with a D300 who is happy how their AF performs in similar situations to save their settings and email the file to you so you can then load them onto your camera, if its still poor then its more likely a fault with the lens or the camera itself
 
what shutter speeds are you using ? may just be that your pushing the limits for the speed of the cars or could just be a panning issue..
 
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QUOTE=rhonddaboy;5713572]When shooting coming towards me I use 1/800 sec[/QUOTE]

way too slow The d300 will go up to 1/8000,sec so use it. Add a grip and get 7/8 shot per second
have the camera set on focus priority Menu a-1 AF-C priority focus right paddle and go down to Focus and do the same on a2. then the shutter wont work until subject is in focus

it increased my good shots by 80%
 
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up the shutter to 1/1250 and try that, is it only head on shots your having issues ? whats the light like dull grey days or is it happening in bright light too ? what sort of focal lengths 200mm ?
 
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rhonddaboy said:
AFC release and focus, now going to try release
AF-s priority selection Release
Dynamic AF ares 21 points
Focus tracking with lock on Normal
AF activation, shutter/ AF on
AF point selection 51 points
Single point AF
Spot metering

Cheers

Alan
Click to expand...
For a starter, you can't really have s.p. AF and dyn. AF :D

Then I would seperate AF-On from shutter button. Have come to like the freedom it gives...


Turn VR off on lens, and then I would use these settings:

CL (give it more time to breathe rather than spray'n'pray)
AF-C
AF-C priority "Release"
Dyn. Area with 9 points
Focus tracking "Short"

Try keeping subject in center part of viewer (more cross points here).

The other settings you mention, have no impact on focus speed.

Besides that, perhaps try searching for tips on bird shooting with the D300. A slow car really shouldn't be a problem for the speedy AF system in the D300.
It still amaze me, how quick and snappy it really is.


Best of luck! :thumbs:
 
Jan K. said:
For a starter, you can't really have s.p. AF and dyn. AF :D

Then I would seperate AF-On from shutter button. Have come to like the freedom it gives...


Turn VR off on lens, and then I would use these settings:

CL (give it more time to breathe rather than spray'n'pray)
AF-C
AF-C priority "Release"
Dyn. Area with 9 points
Focus tracking "Short"

Try keeping subject in center part of viewer (more cross points here).

The other settings you mention, have no impact on focus speed.

Besides that, perhaps try searching for tips on bird shooting with the D300. A slow car really shouldn't be a problem for the speedy AF system in the D300.
It still amaze me, how quick and snappy it really is.


Best of luck! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

using the release setting doesn't tell the camera to focus first. I suggest you press the ? button and read what it say
about release mode

Quote " The shutter can be released even when the camera is not in focus"


Now focus mode
Quote "The shutter can only be release once the camera has focused"

Your method is useless for what the OP is after, and I also wonder about your other camera setting suggestions as well

Example of how I do it



And you won't get much faster or closer than greyhounds at full race mode



or and owl heading right at you exif data on bird available, both taken with Sigma 70-200mm lens and D300
Don't do rally cars so can't give examples sorry
 
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realspeed said:
using the release setting doesn't tell the camera to focus first. I suggest you press the ? button and read what it say
about release mode

Quote " The shutter can be released even when the camera is not in focus"


Now focus mode
Quote "The shutter can only be release once the camera has focused"

Your method is useless for what the OP is after, and I also wonder about your other camera setting suggestions as well

And you won't get much faster or closer than greyhounds at full race mode
Click to expand...

Jan K's settings are exactly what I use for motorsport (and in fact everything else). I'm guessing many other back button focusers use these settings too. It gives you far more control. The AF-on button is used to track focus and as long as it finds a lock, you can fire in focus shots whenever you like. It's perfect for motorsport, particularly when panning.

Have had no issues whatsoever.
 
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No need to worry about if its in focus or not the way I do it. My examples prove my method works
 
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I suppose the other thing to mention (and apologies if this is granny egg sucking stuff) is that it's worth hunting out the areas of contrast on the car. I tend to try and pick up racing numbers or number plates etc... Something for the camera to get it's teeth into.
 
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