Focussing preferences

[gremlin16]

quite a simple question really. I'm looking for advice.

I currently use spot focus for all my imagery, whether it is a landscape or portrait. My logic behind this is that I want the part I place my red dot on to be the sharpest point.

Should I be using the other modes too, and if so, what circumstances should I use other settings in your experience.

Thank you.

 

[Phil V]

This gets tricky because different cameras work slightly differently and more importantly have different names for what they do.

Then there's the fact that all modes would have a use, so it'd also depend on what you want to achieve. They're tools at the end of the day.

You've just said, 'hi I use a screwdriver, what other tools are available?'
I might recommend a hammer, someone else a spanner, but others would swear by a lawnmower.

Id start by saying, even if you rely on the camera for lots of things, it's rarely any use for picking a focus point. How would it know what your subject is?

 

[gremlin16]

Thanks for the reply,

Id start by saying, even if you rely on the camera for lots of things, it's rarely any use for picking a focus point. How would it know what your subject is?

I think you have misunderstood this part. I put my focussing point on the subject or the part of the composition I want. I don't let the camera choose! That would be ridiculous.

What I'm trying to say is of the three modes on my Nikon, should I stick with single point, as I do currently or are there benefits to using the other modes.

If there are benefits to the other modes, when would I be most likely to use them?

 

[Phil V]

Thanks for the reply,


I think you have misunderstood this part. I put my focussing point on the subject or the part of the composition I want. I don't let the camera choose! That would be ridiculous.

What I'm trying to say is of the three modes on my Nikon, should I stick with single point, as I do currently or are there benefits to using the other modes.

If there are benefits to the other modes, when would I be most likely to use them?

I didn't misunderstand, I never suggested you had let the camera choose. You read more into what I wrote.

I'll. e more blunt.

Each of your cameras modes is valid for someone to achieve something.

If you want to know if that'll be useful to you, we'd need to know what equipment you're using, what you're shooting and what you aim to achieve.

 

[gremlin16]

Ok I currently use single point for everything.

I use a D3300 with a mixture of lenses.

I guess what I'm trying to ask (badly) is, Does a certain style of shot shot a certain style of focussing mode?

 

[juggler]

Ok I currently use single point for everything.

I use a D3300 with a mixture of lenses.

I guess what I'm trying to ask (badly) is, Does a certain style of shot shot a certain style of focussing mode?

If you don't have time to pick a focus point then one of the multi-point modes could be useful. e.g. (maybe) a rapidly grabbed shot of a bird in flight.
A dog moving running towards you - one of the multi-point tracking modes might be useful
High speed street photography - prefocus, perhaps manually

etc etc

 

[BillN_33]

quite a simple question really. I'm looking for advice.

I currently use spot focus for all my imagery, whether it is a landscape or portrait. My logic behind this is that I want the part I place my red dot on to be the sharpest point.

Should I be using the other modes too, and if so, what circumstances should I use other settings in your experience.

Thank you.

I tend to use single cell most of the time but I shoot birds and similar

Sometimes a small group - but I agree with you I like to hit my chosen focus point with a single cell especially when using a wide stop

But as Phil said AF-S and AF-C and their 5 Nikon focusing modes are there for a reason and you may as well experiment with them, I have but always come back to single cell or small group for 99% on my shots ..... so I can see were you are coming from

 

[Phil V]

...

I guess what I'm trying to ask (badly) is, Does a certain style of shot shot a certain style of focussing mode?

Yes. (not style but conditions / subject)

There's a lot to learn about focussing, but (I'm trying) it'd really help if you gave some specific scenarios.
For instance there are entire threads discussing setting up the focussing of a single model of camera for one type of motorsport , like all things technical, the more you know, the more you realise you don't know.

 

[sk66]

IMO it's pretty simple. The easier the situation/subject, the fewer focus points you should use. I.e. for posing people/landscapes/static, single point placed exactly where you want it. Once things get more difficult (action) then it becomes a bit harder as it's somewhat camera specific. But the rule still applies... use as few points as you can manage.