BillA

I am a bird photographer and just acquired a Nikon D500. I am trying to find a fast way to switch from single focus point to group focus point to set an in focus image of a perching bird when he flies.

I have read forums and watched YouTube videos until I am dizzy - has anyone figured out how to do this?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and good birding.

Bill_de Loc: US

Custom controls - custom control assignments. If not on YouTube, details are in the owner's manual.

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mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Agree!

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I have the Df , I press the AF/MF button on the front left side near the base of the lens mount, then same time turn the "main control dial" to set it on AFc (continues AF mode) and keep press on the AF/MF button and turn the "Sub-dial" to change to AF area.

I think the D500 will be the same. Try it, good luck!

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

This is what you are looking for
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkxs41rnAic

CO

I have a D500. You can assign Group AF-area mode and Group AF-area mode + AF-ON to the Fn1 button on the front of the camera. It's a very fast way to activate it. The only drawback is that you have to keep the button pushed in. It reverts back to the the previous focus point setting when take your finger off the button. Navigate through these menus.

Custom Setting Menu
f Controls
f1 Custom control assignment
Fn1
AF-area mode (or select AF-area mode + AF-ON)

There's another setting that's very handy. The video record button behind and to the left of the shutter button can be re-programmed to execute mode. Mode is in the group of four buttons on the top left of the camera but it's much more convenient to have it next to the shutter button. I don't shoot video, so I re-programmed mine.

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

I use group auto focus as a default setting. I use the AF-ON button (what most amateur's assign to rear button shutter release) on the D500 set to "single point focus". So, if my bird fly's into the bush, I can simple push the AF-ON button and get single point focus. Look to page 301 of your manual. Or go to the Custom Setting Menu, f controls, then F1, custom control assignment. There you can assign the AF-ON button to single focus point. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

DirkWill Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico

I use the method described above in the youtube video given to us by Jim-Pops. I learned it from a Lynda.com video. It is good, short and clear. I use the modes reversed from what's demonstrated but that's beside the point... I am curious about others' experience with this set up. When I depress the subselector to shift from the default to my choice of modes, the subselector has to be pressed directly down or it will not activate. Frequently, I find myself jamming away on the subselector and it "misses" several times until I hit it precisely at the correct direction of pressure point. Needless to say, the shot is long gone by the time I've got it activated correctly. I love this feature on the D500! It is fantastic and one of the features I most value on the camera. I am very interested if others have experienced and solved this problem. Please share if that's the case. Thanks in advance!

pahtspix

Check out Steve Perry..he's got a GREAT TUT for this. He also has a GREAT e-book on the Nikon Autofocus system..Very inexpensive download.. http://www.backcountrygallery.com

DirkWill Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico

You are right! I’m a big Steve Perry fan and have his books and love them! Maybe I missed , but my problem is in the excecution of activating the subselector...it seems to require a very precise depressing of subselector or it will not activate...Steve?

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

There is a quick push button on the back which you can program to any other focus mode through the custom menu. Look at forum member Steve Perry's you tube video for exactly how to do it.

throughrhettseyes Loc: Rowlett, TX

That's easy. Most bird photographers that use the D500 (me included) say to set up the shutter button as group focus. Then program the back AF button to single point. Always use continuous AF setting also when shooting anything that moves quickly. You also have 3 more buttons to program to do anything you want. The back joystick button I set to AE-Lock and the front top button to single point AE spot metering. Because I always shoot in Matrix Metering mode. Then if you want to lock a scene to a single point AE and then Lock it with AE-lock so you can then shoot the subject with a speed flash to balance the background with the subject with out blowing out the background. I suggest you watch the Angry Photographer's YouTube channel on the D500. He has a lot of videos on it about setting up the D500. Also watch Mark Smith he is a biologist and wildlife photographer. Great stuff! I spent the last year learning the D500 with these guys. Also get the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens and a really sturdy tripod. I also own the Nikon 16-80 f2.8 lens for pretty much anything else. I am saving for the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 lens to complete my wildlife / landscape equipment. These lenses are fast and sharp and will keep up with the fast focus system on the D500. Steve Perry and Dave Marrow are great photographers.

Angry Photographer
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVcxJ9k14bi__-uA1cGkEcA

Mark Smith
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGYUrC2IvaHWoX6dwEsrMA

Steve Perry
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUi5Gm8w-S_d6dS31cFCnQ

Dave Marrow
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenJzYxc4NS2RJ5jz13IoWQ

I attached a couple of my birds in flight.

Bill_de Loc: US

I don't know how you know what most bird photographers do ... that seems like a stretch.

Having the shutter button set to focus in addition to the back button would defeat what many claim to be an advantage of BBF, locking focus when you take your finger off the button.

You may want to poll most bird photographers one more time.

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nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

throughrhettseyes Loc: Rowlett, TX

BBF in continuous mode allows the focus to track moving objects without the front shutter button resetting everything each time you shot. You can also lock in the focus setting by releasing the BBF rear function button and shot without the shutter button interfering with your shot.