RahulKhosla

Hi
What AF settings should I use for my D850 to properly track subjects that are moving (wildlife, birds) and get tack sharp photos instead of the focus point / area being in the ‘wrong’ place as the subject moves? For still shots I use back button focus via the AF-ON button programmed to single point focus. My camera is set to AF-C.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Look in to Steve Perry at backcountrygallery. He has a great ebook on understanding the Nikon AF system. I believe he is also on UHH.

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

I agree. Steve Perry’s book on the Nikon autofocus system is an excellent resource.

Bill_de Loc: US

Here is a Steve Perry 12 minute video on the subject. It is informative but just touches on what the book includes. Once you watch it you will most likely order the book.

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


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speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I would suggest reading the manual to start and then go from there (what you like best)!

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Your already on the right track using BB focus in AF-C mode, why not use it for moving subjects. You mention moving subjects in wrong Focus Area when you try to photograph, but this is user related, not the camera. If you're using a single point, this must be over the subject to capture it in focus as it begins to move. If the focus point is not centered in the viewer when you try to focus on subject you need to press shutter button, which wakes up camera then toggle the single focus point to center of the viewer or over the subject. { There is No Auto Focus Option for Moving Subjects, You Must Tell the Camera Where To Focus Via the Focus Point} You also have the option of Assigning more focus points to help Track the subject that is moving. I assign the nine focus points around the center point to help follow and track the subject. As mentioned Steve Perry has an excellent book out on the subject and is worth the purchase. If your use to the older Nikons focusing system the newer models, D500 and D850 are different and will not perform as well if set up the same. Steve's book takes all of the trial and error out to begin with then you can adjust to your style of shooting once learned.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

GROUP AUTO FOCUS is all I use and my keep rate is almost 99%. I assign the rear focus button to single spot focus for when my subjects are in the branches and I want to make sure the branches do not effect the focus point.
GROUP AUTO FOCUS is outstanding for keeping the eyes in focus, as long as one of the four focus squares that show in the middle of the viewfinder is on the bird, it will be in focus. Group auto focus was designed to ignore the back ground and keep focus on your subject. Keeping all four spots on the subject is even better. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Shown below, Green Heron, Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Grab shoot using Group Auto Focus

dhroberts Loc: Boston, MA, USA

That is an outstanding image. Am I correct that you could not crop it to leave some more space in front of the bird because it is a full frame?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Image did get some post, it was cropped and background was de-focused.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Your settings are correct and your camera will track. Check out Steve Perry's YouTube video on Nikon auto focus settings.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Nice shot. I see you blurred the background but I would tone that background down too. It really detracts.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

If you really want to learn, and understand, Nikon's AF system, BUY STEVE PERRY's book. I've been doing this for 51 years and I learned things, more than enough to make the small investment worthwhile. Best of luck.

dbfrancy

Steve Perry's book on autofocus is great. Mark Smith (Florida) also has a ebook specifically on setting up the D850 for bird photography. Not as extensive as Steve Perry's, but to the point, and excellent.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Great suggestions, Steve Perry's book.

DMF

Several responses reference Steve Perry's book on Nikon Autofocus System. Is a hard copy available? I travel a lot, hard copy is more convenient. Doug