D7000 dynamic area focus

[MyName]

Hi,

I have my camera set to 9-point dynamic auto focus but not sure if it's working as it should. All documentation I have read says the focus should detect the subject moving to nearby points, but it really doesn't seem like it's working. What's people's opinions on this? Does it work or am I doing it wrong?

If my cat leaves the centre point, it just focuses on the back wall...

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

Get a new cat that doesn't move.









The camera will use the surrounding points for information and adjust focus to what it thinks is correct. The focus point won't move.

Try the 3D tracking if you want the point to move with the subject.

 

[snerkler]

Hi,

I have my camera set to 9-point dynamic auto focus but not sure if it's working as it should. All documentation I have read says the focus should detect the subject moving to nearby points, but it really doesn't seem like it's working. What's people's opinions on this? Does it work or am I doing it wrong?

If my cat leaves the centre point, it just focuses on the back wall...

Thanks

It's a while since I used this AF but IIRC it does follow the target but only for so long, if you keep the designated AF point on something else for a while it will move onto the new target, in your case the wall. It's inly supposed to help if the target briefly moves off the designated AF point. On some (maybe all) models you can select how 'sticky' the AF is, ie how long it will 'hold onto' the subject before moving onto another. If you want the AF point to track the subject you need to select 3d tracking.

I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will be along to correct me, I tend to only use single point AF-C or 3d for moving subjects.

 

[gramps]

If you want the AF point to track the subject you need to select 3d tracking.

Which will lead to the next question, "Why does the focus point move to anywhere except where the cat is when I use 3D Tracking?".

The principle works well in theory but in practice rarely

 

[snerkler]

Which will lead to the next question, "Why does the focus point move to anywhere except where the cat is when I use 3D Tracking?".

The principle works well in theory but in practice rarely

Dunno, tracks well on my D750. My only gripe is that it doesn't stick to the face of runners etc and likes to track the torso

 

[mikew]

Which will lead to the next question, "Why does the focus point move to anywhere except where the cat is when I use 3D Tracking?".

The principle works well in theory but in practice rarely

Yes i gave up using it with BIF after it showed me how many times it could put the focus point in the wrong place.

 

[MyName]

I don't get on with 3D tracking, it's all over the place and mostly wrong. I was just wondering if the 9-point dynamic was a bit better to use, but maybe I will use single point instead.

 

[snerkler]

I don't get on with 3D tracking, it's all over the place and mostly wrong. I was just wondering if the 9-point dynamic was a bit better to use, but maybe I will use single point instead.

What camera's this on?

 

[MyName]

What camera's this on?

Nikon D7000 (It's in the title)

I think my not getting on is purely due to focus points being too far apart to accurately stay on what I am focusing on. If shooting indoors at f/1.4 and the cat moves, there wont' ever be another focus point right on the eye and it then starts focusing on ears and noses. Not really the camera's fault I suppose.

 

[snerkler]

Nikon D7000 (It's in the title)

I think my not getting on is purely due to focus points being too far apart to accurately stay on what I am focusing on. If shooting indoors at f/1.4 and the cat moves, there wont' ever be another focus point right on the eye and it then starts focusing on ears and noses. Not really the camera's fault I suppose.

Ahh yes you're the OP aren't you lol.

I think you're asking a bit too much from the camera if you expect focus to remain on the eye tbh. It's designed to follow a subject but not really a specific point on the subject (unless you're filling the frame and that point is sufficiently large enough.