dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

I don’t shoot action a lot, but when I do I am not sure which AF-area mode to choose for moving subjects.
My Nikon d5100 has Dynamic area and 3-D tracking. Nikon d200 has Group Dynamic. After reading manual and some reviews I am still confused on this. Does 3-D tracking have some advantages over Dynamic area mode? When to use it?
My action shooting is mostly chasing my grand kids on the playground.
Thank you for your input.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I would think Dynamic area and 3D tracking are similar in so far as they will alter focus as the main object moves towards you or away. Do you have 'Face recognition' turned on? On some cameras you can specify 'Which face' so that it can even track a person in a crowd (like the Bride at a wedding) seems like a good way to keep tabs on them grandkids.

No doubt some one will tell you which Nikon setting to use...

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

When you ran your tests in each mode, what differences did you notice, and what were the results?

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Like I said I don't have a lot of experience in shooting action, mostly use Dynamic area mode, I did try 3-d tracking, didn't notice a difference.
I remember while reading Ken Rockwell writing about d200 I came across his statement where he said never to use Dynamic Group mode. I though it would be interesting to know other opinions.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I recently began using 3D tracking AF on my D3300 and it can be interesting. In a good way.
I got my DSLR to photograph Grand Kids, and Humming Birds.
Both (as you know) move a LOT.

Watch this Youtube tutorial.

Or, closer to your particular model: D5200/5300 Focusing modes.

But, note that Michael talks about being in the P,S,A,M modes.
If you are in any of the other modes, the camera takes away your choices, and uses it's choices.
And that can get terribly confusing. It sure was for me. And the camera usually picked the wrong spot.
So watch, rewind, watch with camera in hand, pause while you find and set the camera.

In AF-C (continuous) Mode, with 3D tracking is what I'm using for soccer games and my birds now. So far, sooo good.
And in "P" (programed) Mode.

Gene posted a link to a most outstanding article about focusing modes explained.
http://photographylife.com/dslr-autofocus-modes-explained
I read through it, then picked up my camera and began applying it. When I had the camera set I went out and Bam!
Got the shot I wanted.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-279550-1.html

Good luck and don't be shy about asking questions. Your questions help me, and others learn as well. ;)

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Sonny, thank you for the info you provided. The video tutorial are good yet he didn't explain the difference between Dynamic and 3-D tracking. The article is very good, I have to read it again slowly. He does explain the difference, I just have to experiment with both modes and see which one works best for me. And your shot is very good.
Probably that's what I need to do, like you go out and shoot, more shooting-less reading. Thanks again.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Dandi,
A little less than half way down in the article there is an illustration that might help you to see the differences.

Here is also a valuable link to Nikon's own Glossary page. Just scroll down to 3D Focus Tracking (Right there near the top.)
And then hit the letter D and scroll down to Dynamic Area AF.
Click the lead and it opens the description of either, what it is for, and ways to use them.
Right from the Horse's mouth. ;)

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Glossary/index.page

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

Yes, I found it, here it is:
"If you compare 3D-Tracking to Dynamic AF-Area with a certain number of focus points selected, the 3D-Tracking method will use all available focus points on the camera to track your subject, while Dynamic AF-Area mode divides the focus points to “zones”, activating only the surrounding focus points (as many as you selected). For example, if you choose 9 focus points, subject tracking will only work within a zone of 9 total focus points that are surrounding the focus point you picked. If your subject moves away from all 9 focus points, the camera will not be able to focus on the subject anymore. In 3D-Tracking mode, the camera will continue tracking the subject (newly selected focus points will be displayed in the viewfinder), even if it significantly moves away from your initial focus point."

But I am not sure if there is significant difference for you and me since our cameras (d3300 & d5100) have only one choice of number of focus point - 11.

I liked the article and bookmarked it in case I upgrade to camera with more focus points :-) . Thank you.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

For me, less is more.
Less to cornfuze me. :lol:

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

I know what you mean.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Also, dandi, no matter what mode I might use,
I almost always try to center what my subject is.
Not always, but most times.

Yes, I suppose I am that simple minded. :lol: :roll: :lol: ;-)