D4s Question: I asked this yesterday on the Sports topic and got no answers so I'm asking again here. Does anyone who uses the D4s for sports with a long prime, such as the 400/2.8 or...

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I asked this yesterday on the Sports topic and got no answers so I'm asking again here. Does anyone who uses the D4s for sports with a long prime, such as the 400/2.8 or 500/4, have experience with the new Group auto focus? Your comments?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Few folks here can afford the rig you describe so... personal experience with it?

That maybe why you do not get any answer.

Good luck, I certainly do not have this gear.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

cjc2 wrote:

I asked this yesterday on the Sports topic and got no answers so I'm asking again here. Does anyone who uses the D4s for sports with a long prime, such as the 400/2.8 or 500/4, have experience with the new Group auto focus? Your comments?

Th only pro sports shooter on the Hog is Mongoose and he uses the d4s primarily with the 400 2.8, but he's also getting into his busy season since pro football has started. Maybe he'll find his way here. Good luck!
SS

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

SharpShooter wrote:

Th only pro sports shooter on the Hog is Mongoose and he uses the d4s primarily with the 400 2.8, but he's also getting into his busy season since pro football has started. Maybe he'll find his way here. Good luck!
SS

CJC2 could PM him.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

doduce wrote:

CJC2 could PM him.

Just looked up all the "Mongoose" Hogs. Looks like mongoose777 is the sports photographer.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

doduce wrote:

Just looked up all the "Mongoose" Hogs. Looks like mongoose777 is the sports photographer.

Yes, by all means he could be PM'd.
I just haven't seen him give any comments for a few weeks, leading me to believe he isn't checking in very often, that's all.
There are a few others using a D4s, just not sure any are doing sports, seeing that nobody has responded.
CJC2 should also call Nikon Tech and talk to them about it. I'm sure someone here can give him the # if he is not a Nikon shooter! Good luck CJC2. ;-)
SS

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

cjc2 wrote:

I asked this yesterday on the Sports topic and got no answers so I'm asking again here. Does anyone who uses the D4s for sports with a long prime, such as the 400/2.8 or 500/4, have experience with the new Group auto focus? Your comments?

T would think it would be great with the D4s or the D810. The group focus feature is an enhancement and has drawn praise from everyone out there. Is there a concern? If it works well with other lenses why would it not be super with the primes?

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

If Mongoose can't help you, which I doubt, you might try posting on Fred Miranda.com

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/

wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

I have a Nikon D4s and various long Nikon lenses (600mm f/4, 200-400 f/4 and the 80-400 (updated version). My main use of the D4s is wildlife photography especially birds in flight and other fast moving animals. I have tried the group autofocus but so far have not used it much. For most wildlife shots I use 21 point, continuous autofocus which works well.

I would be interested in hearing other peoples opinion of group autofocus and under what conditions it is especially useful.

Walt Custer

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

cjc2 wrote:

I asked this yesterday on the Sports topic and got no answers so I'm asking again here. Does anyone who uses the D4s for sports with a long prime, such as the 400/2.8 or 500/4, have experience with the new Group auto focus? Your comments?

You might find some good info here:

http://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4aRSZaDRq8

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/05/10/using-the-nikon-d4s-for-wildlife-photography-by-aaron-baggenstos.aspx/

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Yes, D4S with 600mm F4 and 400mm F2.8 and a 2x teleconverter. Latest was at a water sports event (wind surfing, kiting). We also had a D4 with the same lenses.

Group autofocus is a definite plus over the old D4, hence the arguing over who got to use the new body. It improves the ability to hold focus point on a moving subject significantly. And that was even with a teleconverter on the 400mm. If you have a situation where your target focus point is being obscured while moving, such as with water splashing over the subject, the improvement in AF performance was very noticeable.

Having used the D4S over a period of about three weeks now I find it to be a significant improvement on the D4. Every time I use it I find something else to add to that impression.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Thank you for you reply David, that was what I wanted to hear. I am considering moving to the D4s for that feature. I'll be shooting football, soccer, field hockey and cross country and I was curious if this would be helpful, as it seems it would. And thanks to the others for their suggestions.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

cjc2 wrote:

Thank you for you reply David, that was what I wanted to hear. I am considering moving to the D4s for that feature. I'll be shooting football, soccer, field hockey and cross country and I was curious if this would be helpful, as it seems it would. And thanks to the others for their suggestions.

Personally I have no doubt you will find the D4S an improvement over the D4 for that type of work. The AF system is faster to lock on and noticeably better in focus tracking than the D4.

Also the low light performance (e.g. when it is pouring with rain) is significantly better.

There has been some argument as to the single point AF compared to the D4; here we found little difference. But with the group autofocus as good as it now is single point AF is not used anything like as frequently as with the D4.

I use Canon as well; I think they have some way to go on the 1DX to match the D4S.

mongoose777 Loc: Frisco Texas

Group focus is the way to go in most cases.
What exactly are you shooting?
The further away the subject is from you, I would prefer to
use 9 point focus.

mongoose777 Loc: Frisco Texas

Cant Help?
Show the brother some love. :lol:
The answer is very simple.
What is he shooting and GRP focusing on the D4s
is the best setting for most gigs.