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Nikon D850 auto focus quesiton.
Jun 25, 2020 21:19:35   #
Francisco Fernandez
 
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photographer since 35mm. times, so I’m not in the dark in digital photography. I mostly take pictures of people (family) and animals ( my pets). Recently, I have been interested in taking pictures of birds at flight. I do understand the Autofocus modes and areas in my D850, but what it’s still no clear to me is how the auto tracking system works when using the Group (grp), the dynamic and the 3D Focus areas. My specific question is: when using one of the tracking modes, do I have to move the focus points (whichever) I choose to track the bird with the joystick, or once that the focus points are on the target they will follow it automatically? I know this question might sound pretty obvious for some of you, so I apologize, but I would really appreciate your comments.

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Jun 25, 2020 21:23:54   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
The focus points in the frame will not move as you track if that is what you are asking. If you really want to understand how it works you might want to check out Steve Perry's ebook on Nikon autofocus and also his great videos. Do you use back button focusing. It's a must for birds in flight.

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Jun 25, 2020 21:43:25   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Francisco, you might contact Steve Perry. He's a very prominent bird photographer. He's also Nikon knowledgeable. He's also a UHH member.
--Bob
Francisco Fernandez wrote:
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photographer since 35mm. times, so I’m not in the dark in digital photography. I mostly take pictures of people (family) and animals ( my pets). Recently, I have been interested in taking pictures of birds at flight. I do understand the Autofocus modes and areas in my D850, but what it’s still no clear to me is how the auto tracking system works when using the Group (grp), the dynamic and the 3D Focus areas. My specific question is: when using one of the tracking modes, do I have to move the focus points (whichever) I choose to track the bird with the joystick, or once that the focus points are on the target they will follow it automatically? I know this question might sound pretty obvious for some of you, so I apologize, but I would really appreciate your comments.
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photograph... (show quote)

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Jun 25, 2020 22:04:51   #
CO
 
I have a D500 which has the same autofocus as the D850. Group-area AF uses five autofocus points that act as one. 3D tracking works in conjunction with color matrix metering. It stores color information of what is under and around the focus point when you initially lock on. It continues to use color information to help the tracking of the main subject.

You don't have to move the focus points to continue tracking the subject. The autofocus will hand off focusing duties to other autofocus points as the subject moves around.

Steve Perry's digital book is very comprehensive. It covers everything about Nikon AF systems.

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Jun 26, 2020 05:32:06   #
TerryVS
 
Francisco Fernandez wrote:
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photographer since 35mm. times, so I’m not in the dark in digital photography. I mostly take pictures of people (family) and animals ( my pets). Recently, I have been interested in taking pictures of birds at flight. I do understand the Autofocus modes and areas in my D850, but what it’s still no clear to me is how the auto tracking system works when using the Group (grp), the dynamic and the 3D Focus areas. My specific question is: when using one of the tracking modes, do I have to move the focus points (whichever) I choose to track the bird with the joystick, or once that the focus points are on the target they will follow it automatically? I know this question might sound pretty obvious for some of you, so I apologize, but I would really appreciate your comments.
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photograph... (show quote)


One more vote for Steve Perry at Back Country Gallery. Lots of good info in his YouTube videos and on his web site. Currently I'm working through his Ebook on the Nikon auto focus system and it's great. If you're jumping into bird or wildlife photography you can't find a better source of info.

Terry

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Jun 26, 2020 06:26:01   #
OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey
 
Francisco Fernandez wrote:
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photographer since 35mm. times, so I’m not in the dark in digital photography. I mostly take pictures of people (family) and animals ( my pets). Recently, I have been interested in taking pictures of birds at flight. I do understand the Autofocus modes and areas in my D850, but what it’s still no clear to me is how the auto tracking system works when using the Group (grp), the dynamic and the 3D Focus areas. My specific question is: when using one of the tracking modes, do I have to move the focus points (whichever) I choose to track the bird with the joystick, or once that the focus points are on the target they will follow it automatically? I know this question might sound pretty obvious for some of you, so I apologize, but I would really appreciate your comments.
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photograph... (show quote)


Check out Steve Perry's site. IMO, none better to learn BIF from. Especially if you're a Nikon owner. I do beleive he has a section specific to the D850 Auto focus. https://backcountrygallery.com/

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Jun 26, 2020 07:19:09   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Francisco Fernandez wrote:
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photographer since 35mm. times, so I’m not in the dark in digital photography. I mostly take pictures of people (family) and animals ( my pets). Recently, I have been interested in taking pictures of birds at flight. I do understand the Autofocus modes and areas in my D850, but what it’s still no clear to me is how the auto tracking system works when using the Group (grp), the dynamic and the 3D Focus areas. My specific question is: when using one of the tracking modes, do I have to move the focus points (whichever) I choose to track the bird with the joystick, or once that the focus points are on the target they will follow it automatically? I know this question might sound pretty obvious for some of you, so I apologize, but I would really appreciate your comments.
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photograph... (show quote)


I only use GROUP and SINGLE SPOT focusing on all of my Nikon camera's. My default is GROUP AUTO FOCUS and I use the REAR BUTTON for SINGLE SPOT FOCUSING for when my bird is in the bush.
Group auto focus is designed to use 16 focus points held withing the 4 that show as squares in the middle of your viewfinder. Group is designed to ignore the background and keep your focus on the bird. As long as one of the four dots is on the bird, your birds eye will be in focus, HOW COOL IS THAT.
You can reposition the four dots almost anywhere in the viewfinder but I find the center position works well for birds in flight.
The only other focusing system that is excellent for tracking birds in flight is the Sony TRACKING EXPAND FLEXIBLE SPOT focusing system.
Below are a few examples of Nikon's GROUP AUTO FOCUS.







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Jun 26, 2020 07:41:25   #
uhaas2009
 
Jason P. Odell-bird photography with the Nikon system
Steve Perry have a book about Nikon Focus

Jason Odell gave gave me the wow moments

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Jun 26, 2020 08:26:31   #
Steve V Loc: New Jersey
 
billnikon wrote:
I only use GROUP and SINGLE SPOT focusing on all of my Nikon camera's. My default is GROUP AUTO FOCUS and I use the REAR BUTTON for SINGLE SPOT FOCUSING for when my bird is in the bush.
Group auto focus is designed to use 16 focus points held withing the 4 that show as squares in the middle of your viewfinder. Group is designed to ignore the background and keep your focus on the bird. As long as one of the four dots is on the bird, your birds eye will be in focus, HOW COOL IS THAT.
You can reposition the four dots almost anywhere in the viewfinder but I find the center position works well for birds in flight.
The only other focusing system that is excellent for tracking birds in flight is the Sony TRACKING EXPAND FLEXIBLE SPOT focusing system.
Below are a few examples of Nikon's GROUP AUTO FOCUS.
I only use GROUP and SINGLE SPOT focusing on all o... (show quote)


Great shots and info.

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Jun 26, 2020 10:11:34   #
photoman43
 
I do birds in flight a lot. On my D850 (and D500) I set Group when the bird is flying towards me or in other situations where I want the focus to be on what is in the front. It will focus on the front portion of what it senses. For other birds like on a nest, I use D9 (or D25 for other bodies). If the bird is stationary I switch to S. All in AF-C. I use back button focusing and auto ISO in aperture priority.

I still try and move the focus square to the best part of the viewfinder for what I am shooting. For most birds in flight I may use the center focus square.

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Jun 26, 2020 14:33:04   #
Francisco Fernandez
 
Thank you very much to you all for your replies. Now I know I should check on Steve Perry’s book.

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Jun 26, 2020 14:37:48   #
photoman43
 
Steve's book and videos are great. Get the book on AF and wildlife photography.

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Jun 26, 2020 22:49:17   #
rrozema Loc: Sacramento, California
 
I second, Steve Perry's book on Nikon Autofocus is great and reasonably priced.

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Jun 27, 2020 11:31:20   #
Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA
 
Francisco Fernandez wrote:
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photographer since 35mm. times, so I’m not in the dark in digital photography. I mostly take pictures of people (family) and animals ( my pets). Recently, I have been interested in taking pictures of birds at flight. I do understand the Autofocus modes and areas in my D850, but what it’s still no clear to me is how the auto tracking system works when using the Group (grp), the dynamic and the 3D Focus areas. My specific question is: when using one of the tracking modes, do I have to move the focus points (whichever) I choose to track the bird with the joystick, or once that the focus points are on the target they will follow it automatically? I know this question might sound pretty obvious for some of you, so I apologize, but I would really appreciate your comments.
Hello everybody! I have been an amateur photograph... (show quote)

Mark Smith or Steve Perry on YouTube can give you information on setting up the d850 for birds in flight, they made it very easy for me to understand, check them out & hopefully this will help you

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Jul 1, 2020 18:00:34   #
The Capt.
 
What you need is the book "Mastering the Nikon D850" by Darrell Young.
Group-area AF mode gives 9 focus points to help prevent the camera from focusing on the background.
Using AF-C
and
Group-area AF
Focus on your subject using the back button (or press the shutter release button half way down) and continue to hold the button down as you track your subject.

Ther is a considerable amount of additional in formation on this mode as well as the others in "Mastering the Nikon D850". It is 656 pages long not including the preface or appendix and does an excellent job of explaining the D850.

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