Nikon D750 & D780

MartinCornwall said:
Help. Do I have an intermittent focus problem on my D750.

I noticed recently that in any mode other than Auto the camera will only use the center focus spot. You can move that one spot around like in single spot mode. The camera will not use all 51 points and then I turned my camera back on just now and all 51points are being used and lighting whichever ones that get used. Changed back to S and back to 51 and it is now only using the single spot again. Is it me or is the camera faulty? Help please.
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On mine when using more than single focus point it only illuminates the single focus point when on using 9,21 or 51. If the illuminated spot isn't the highest point of contrast within the area of focus points (9,21,51 points) the camera will change the focus point used. You can see which focus point has been chosen on the LCD screen on one of the image play back screen (scroll up and down).

I've never used the auto mode, usually I have single focus point selected and move it around to where I want to focus. Only if there are points of high contrast with birds in flight do I use 51 point focus.

I forgot to ask are you using U1 or U2 rather than M, S or A modes on the top left dial?
 
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rob-nikon said:
On mine when using more than single focus point it only illuminates the single focus point when on using 9,21 or 51. If the illuminated spot isn't the highest point of contrast within the area of focus points (9,21,51 points) the camera will change the focus point used. You can see which focus point has been chosen on the LCD screen on one of the image play back screen (scroll up and down).

I've never used the auto mode, usually I have single focus point selected and move it around to where I want to focus. Only if there are points of high contrast with birds in flight do I use 51 point focus.

I forgot to ask are you using U1 or U2 rather than M, S or A modes on the top left dial?
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Thanks for the reply. It always just shows the focus point in the center and and no amount of moving the camera around will it choose another focus point. Only used Auto to see if it chose any point or a number of points and it does.

I have U1 and U2 set for different night time photography settings and everything is Manual including focus in those modes but it is the same when set to AutoFocus and d51 in those modes, always the center point.
 
MartinCornwall said:
Thanks for the reply. It always just shows the focus point in the center and and no amount of moving the camera around will it choose another focus point. Only used Auto to see if it chose any point or a number of points and it does.

I have U1 and U2 set for different night time photography settings and everything is Manual including focus in those modes but it is the same when set to AutoFocus and d51 in those modes, always the center point.
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Can you move the centre focus point? On mine it only shows the exact focus point chosen on the playback review screen. I've just tried auto focus and the focus point flashing all over the screen would be really annoying. I've tried a high contrast scene (shelving unit with deep shadow and strong highlights) with by auto and 51 points, it picks up roughly the same high contrast point on both.

If you are using U1or U2, if you change a setting and then turn the camera back it will revert back to u1/U2 stored settings. Only in M, A or S with it continue to use the last settings you used before turning the camera off. I was thinking this may be the reason behind the focusing changing when you turn the camera on and off.
 
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Sorry to butt in here with a D800 query as I can't seem to find a dedicated thread etc... Any original D800 shooters here...?....can the D800 still cut the mustard in terms of landscape photography? Any major benefits/improvements in the D800E?
Thanks in advance.

Mods, if your not happy with my post please remove it if needed, sorry to upset anyone here on this D750 thread.

Kind regards;
Peter
 
minnnt said:
Hi Peter.

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/nikon-d800.384828/
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You beat me to it!
macvisual said:
Sorry to butt in here with a D800 query as I can't seem to find a dedicated thread etc... Any original D800 shooters here...?....can the D800 still cut the mustard in terms of landscape photography? Any major benefits/improvements in the D800E?
Thanks in advance.

Mods, if your not happy with my post please remove it if needed, sorry to upset anyone here on this D750 thread.

Kind regards;
Peter
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There is sticky in the talk equipment section for all camera specific threads.D800 and d800E were released at the same time. Only difference is the Anti aliasing filter, the E version does have it. D800 is still a great camera, it's very good for landscapes. It may best to ask this on the d800 thread.
 
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rob-nikon said:
Can you move the centre focus point? On mine it only shows the exact focus point chosen on the playback review screen. I've just tried auto focus and the focus point flashing all over the screen would be really annoying. I've tried a high contrast scene (shelving unit with deep shadow and strong highlights) with by auto and 51 points, it picks up roughly the same high contrast point on both.

If you are using U1or U2, if you change a setting and then turn the camera back it will revert back to u1/U2 stored settings. Only in M, A or S with it continue to use the last settings you used before turning the camera off. I was thinking this may be the reason behind the focusing changing when you turn the camera on and off.
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Yes I can move the center focus point but in d51 mode this just seems like using Single spot. I understand U1/2 and the reason I said about turning the camera on and off was that sometimes it reverts back to choosing the optimal focus points in d51 with lots of points shown in M,A or S. They all flash in Auto mode and it chooses the point of most contrast. So just to clarify that our cameras do the same?

Edit I think they only work in auto, just panned in AFC Auto and they tracked across the points. So it seems like AFA d51 is no different from Single point or am I confused :confused:
 
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MartinCornwall said:
Help. Do I have an intermittent focus problem on my D750.

I noticed recently that in any mode other than Auto the camera will only use the center focus spot. You can move that one spot around like in single spot mode. The camera will not use all 51 points and then I turned my camera back on just now and all 51points are being used and lighting whichever ones that get used. Changed back to S and back to 51 and it is now only using the single spot again. Is it me or is the camera faulty? Help please.
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Not sure what you mean by this, are you saying that in any other focus mode (group etc) it only uses a single point, the only time it appears to use more is in auto?
 
MartinCornwall said:
Yes I can move the center focus point but in d51 mode this just seems like using Single spot. I understand U1/2 and the reason I said about turning the camera on and off was that sometimes it reverts back to choosing the optimal focus points in d51 with lots of points shown in M,A or S. They all flash in Auto mode and it chooses the point of most contrast. So just to clarify that our cameras do the same?

Edit I think they only work in auto, just panned in AFC Auto and they tracked across the points. So it seems like AFA d51 is no different from Single point or am I confused :confused:
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Martin the small button on the LHS, (looking from the back) near the bottom, plus the control wheels changes this
 
MartinCornwall said:
Yes I can move the center focus point but in d51 mode this just seems like using Single spot. I understand U1/2 and the reason I said about turning the camera on and off was that sometimes it reverts back to choosing the optimal focus points in d51 with lots of points shown in M,A or S. They all flash in Auto mode and it chooses the point of most contrast. So just to clarify that our cameras do the same?
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It's hard to compare without them being together. I hardly ever use 51 point so I haven't used it enough to notice this. In the viewfinder when I use 51 points the illuminated focus point doesn't change, it's only after viewing the image on the LCD screen I can see ithe camera has chosen a different focus point to the illuminated one in the viewfinder. When I turn my camera on and off the viewfinder display stays the same. The only reason I asked about u1/U2 was because I had a similar thing once where I made changed then turned the camera off only to find it had reverted back to the saved settings (this wasn't on a d750).

It may be best to get it checked at the shop you bought it from or say where you are as someone may be close to where you live with a d750 you can test it against.
 
rob-nikon said:
In the viewfinder when I use 51 points the illuminated focus point doesn't change, it's only after viewing the image on the LCD screen I can see ithe camera has chosen a different focus point to the illuminated one in the viewfinder.
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That doesn't sound right, the focus point selected on mine is always the one that shows up when reviewing the image. Likewise when I use the 1:1 playback it always zooms 1:1 on the FP. (although I've never used auto so don't know about that ;))
 
MartinCornwall said:
Edit I think they only work in auto, just panned in AFC Auto and they tracked across the points. So it seems like AFA d51 is no different from Single point or am I confused :confused:
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I've just tried auto on a high contrast subject and the illuminated focus moves across the viewfinder as I pan without taking an image. If I do this in 51 points the illuminated focus point stays in the position I have chosen when I pan but if I take images continuously as I pan in image view on the LCD screen I can see the camera has chosen a different focus point (interestingly one of the points where the illuminated ad points scrolled across the viewfinder) the point shown in the viewfinder. Have you had a look at the image review on the LCD (scroll up or down to find the focus point selected highlight screen)
 
snerkler said:
That doesn't sound right, the focus point selected on mine is always the one that shows up when reviewing the image. Likewise when I use the 1:1 playback it always zooms 1:1 on the FP. (although I've never used auto so don't know about that ;))
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On 51 point area? there needs to be a higher point of contrast compared to the focus point you selected for it to change the focus point used. If there is not a higher contrast point it won't change.
 
snerkler said:
That doesn't sound right, the focus point selected on mine is always the one that shows up when reviewing the image. Likewise when I use the 1:1 playback it always zooms 1:1 on the FP. (although I've never used auto so don't know about that ;))
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In the viewfinder I had the central focus point illuminated, in image review on the LCD screen its shown the camera has chosen a high point of contrast on a focus point 2 up, 1 right of the central point. That point is higher contrast than the illuminated centre point in the viewfinder.

image by Rob Cain, on Flickr
 
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MartinCornwall said:
Edit I think they only work in auto, just panned in AFC Auto and they tracked across the points. So it seems like AFA d51 is no different from Single point or am I confused :confused:
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Ok in auto area AF the AF point will select what it thinks is the subject, which is often whatever is closest to the camera. The AF point will move around accordingly. In dynamic AF it is essentially single point but may momentarily move to another point if it thinks the subject you are focussing on moves away from the single point. If you're panning I'm not sure how well or if the AF points will necessarily moves across the frame. Group focus is similar to dynamic but will only move to those points directly adjacent to the selected point (I don't think it highlights the point if it temporarily moves off the original tbh but it's a while since I used it. Will try it tomorrow out of curiosity ;)). In single point the point selected will never move, and in 3D tracking the AF point will move with the subject as it moves across the frame. Does this help?
 
rob-nikon said:
On 51 point area? there needs to be a higher point of contrast compared to the focus point you selected for it to change the focus point used. If there is not a higher contrast point it won't change.
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Tbh it wasn't clear which mode was being used as any mode can use 51 point. I assume you're meaning dynamic area AF? I don't believe it just moves to an area of higher contrast, the camera recognises your subject once you first lock on and should stick with it the best it can (at least that's how I understand it ;))
 
snerkler said:
Ok in auto area AF the AF point will select what it thinks is the subject, which is often whatever is closest to the camera. The AF point will move around accordingly. In dynamic AF it is essentially single point but may momentarily move to another point if it thinks the subject you are focussing on moves away from the single point. If you're panning I'm not sure how well or if the AF points will necessarily moves across the frame. Group focus is similar to dynamic but will only move to those points directly adjacent to the selected point (I don't think it highlights the point if it temporarily moves off the original tbh but it's a while since I used it. Will try it tomorrow out of curiosity ;)). In single point the point selected will never move, and in 3D tracking the AF point will move with the subject as it moves across the frame. Does this help?
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Does the illuminated focus point change in the viewfinder on yours as it doesn't change on mine. As far as I was aware AF points work by contrast so are looking for the highest point of contrast across the selected AF area. Its not very option I use Dynamic 51 AF area as I like to ensure I know where I'm focusing (usually on or between the eyes). One of the one times I use Dynamic 51 point AF is shooting backlit barn owls as the highest point of contrast with be the edge where the white of the barn owl changes to the darker background.
 
rob-nikon said:
Does the illuminated focus point change in the viewfinder on yours as it doesn't change on mine. As far as I was aware AF points work by contrast so are looking for the highest point of contrast across the selected AF area. Its not very option I use Dynamic 51 AF area as I like to ensure I know where I'm focusing (usually on or between the eyes). One of the one times I use Dynamic 51 point AF is shooting backlit barn owls as the highest point of contrast with be the edge where the white of the barn owl changes to the darker background.
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Tbh I can't remember as use single point 99.9% of the time, will try it tomorrow. In the custom menu under the pencil icon do you have dynamic area AF display set to ON?

Whilst cameras use contrast to focus it's not just a case of focussing on whatever has the most contrast otherwise it'd focus on random stuff half the time. Auto AF generally focuses on whatever's closest and/or largest in the frame (but more to it than that obviously) but when you select a 'tracking' mode such as dynamic, group, 3D then there's some voodoo magic happens and the camera has the ability to recognise what you originally focussed on and keep the focus on it. Obviously there's limitations on this, and you can choose how long you want the focus point to stay on a specific subject before it moves onto something else. But if something with more contrast appears in your frame it won't suddenly jump to that, it will stay on your subject the best it can (and depending how 'sticky' you've made the AF point).
 
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snerkler said:
Tbh it wasn't clear which mode was being used as any mode can use 51 point. I assume you're meaning dynamic area AF? I don't believe it just moves to an area of higher contrast, the camera recognises your subject once you first lock on and should stick with it the best it can (at least that's how I understand it ;))
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I was using AF-C (continuous), Dynamic 51 Point AF area leaving the single illuminated point in the viewfinder as the centre point. I don't use Dynamic 51 point AF area often (Even 9 and 21 point AF area are not used often) as I like to know where the focus point is so I usually use single point and move it to where I want it to focus. Reading up on photographylife.com it seems you are right it does initially check the point where you initially focus to find the subject but looks at the surrounding AF points to track the subject movement.

Dynamic AF-Area Mode
In “Dynamic” (Nikon) or “AF Point Expansion” (Canon) AF-Area Mode, you still choose one focus point and the camera will initially acquire focus on that particular focus point. However, once focus is acquired, if your subject moves, the camera will utilize the surrounding focus points to track subject movement and keep focus on your subject. You are expected to track the subject by panning the camera along with the subject and making sure that the subject stays close to the initially selected focus point. If camera selects a surrounding/different AF point, it will not be directly visible inside the viewfinder, but will be visible after the image is taken.

https://photographylife.com/dslr-autofocus-modes-explained

Martin, if you think there is a problem with your camera its difficult to diagnose over a forum. It best to take back to where you bought it, take it to somewhere like Fixation or phone Nikon Customer Services. Sorry I could be more help.
 
rob-nikon said:
I was using AF-C (continuous), Dynamic 51 Point AF area leaving the single illuminated point in the viewfinder as the centre point. I don't use Dynamic 51 point AF area often (Even 9 and 21 point AF area are not used often) as I like to know where the focus point is so I usually use single point and move it to where I want it to focus. Reading up on photographylife.com it seems you are right it does initially check the point where you initially focus to find the subject but looks at the surrounding AF points to track the subject movement.

Dynamic AF-Area Mode
In “Dynamic” (Nikon) or “AF Point Expansion” (Canon) AF-Area Mode, you still choose one focus point and the camera will initially acquire focus on that particular focus point. However, once focus is acquired, if your subject moves, the camera will utilize the surrounding focus points to track subject movement and keep focus on your subject. You are expected to track the subject by panning the camera along with the subject and making sure that the subject stays close to the initially selected focus point. If camera selects a surrounding/different AF point, it will not be directly visible inside the viewfinder, but will be visible after the image is taken.

https://photographylife.com/dslr-autofocus-modes-explained

Martin, if you think there is a problem with your camera its difficult to diagnose over a forum. It best to take back to where you bought it, take it to somewhere like Fixation or phone Nikon Customer Services. Sorry I could be more help.
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I just edited my post above in the first paragraph re setting the dynamic area AF display. If you let me know your setting I'll try mine tomorrow and see if it illuminates other points.
 
snerkler said:
Tbh I can't remember as use single point 99.9% of the time, will try it tomorrow. In the custom menu under the pencil icon do you have dynamic area AF display set to ON?

Whilst cameras use contrast to focus it's not just a case of focussing on whatever has the most contrast otherwise it'd focus on random stuff half the time. Auto AF generally focuses on whatever's closest and/or largest in the frame (but more to it than that obviously) but when you select a 'tracking' mode such as dynamic, group, 3D then there's some voodoo magic happens and the camera has the ability to recognise what you originally focussed on and keep the focus on it. Obviously there's limitations on this, and you can choose how long you want the focus point to stay on a specific subject before it moves onto something else. But if something with more contrast appears in your frame it won't suddenly jump to that, it will stay on your subject the best it can (and depending how 'sticky' you've made the AF point).
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Thats my understanding too except I didn't explain as well. I stay way from the larger AF areas as I want to choose where it focuses rather then the camera so I only use AF-C (continuous) and single point AF. The rare times I use the larger AF Focus areas then I still move the focus point to where I want it to be in the frame and try to track the subject with that focus point. If the subject moves out of the selected focus point the camera try to find it again using the rest of the focus points for that focus area. I was told by a pro about using 51 point AF Area for backlit barn owls, the second time I went my in-focus keepers increased dramatically as the camera was tracking the Barn owl and choosing the highest point of contrast that was similar to the initial focus point within the AF area.

In my example about its hard to find a moving subject in a house at 10pm so I tried to create one by panning (not the best way I know). If the subject is static once you have focused on it the camera doesn't chose another focus point.
 
snerkler said:
I just edited my post above in the first paragraph re setting the dynamic area AF display. If you let me know your setting I'll try mine tomorrow and see if it illuminates other points.
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It may be best to ask Martin as it was his initial question whether his camera is faulty or not, sadly I'm out of ideas to work out going on over a forum.
 
MartinCornwall said:
Help. Do I have an intermittent focus problem on my D750.

I noticed recently that in any mode other than Auto the camera will only use the center focus spot. You can move that one spot around like in single spot mode. The camera will not use all 51 points and then I turned my camera back on just now and all 51points are being used and lighting whichever ones that get used. Changed back to S and back to 51 and it is now only using the single spot again. Is it me or is the camera faulty? Help please.
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So if you set it up in 9 Spot AF, it only shows the central point, and you can move that around?

Working as intended. It uses the surrounding 8 points to help it get focus on the centre point, if it can't focus on the centre point, then it will focus on one of the outer ones. It just doesn't display the whole active grid.
 
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