Using Group Area Focus: Hi all - when using Nikon Group Area mode with the 4 small squares arranged in a square pattern, is the subject, like a bird head or eye, supposed to be in...

mikedent Loc: Florida

Hi all - when using Nikon Group Area mode with the 4 small squares arranged in a square pattern, is the subject, like a bird head or eye, supposed to be in focus only when in one of the small squares, or anywhere within the larger square pattern area? Trying my hand at flying birds and had read that this Group Area is a good way to setup, along with continuous AF and shutter releases but not sure on this point. Any other suggestions are welcome too-Thanks!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

ALL of my BIFs are done using GRP! If it's within the larger square area it will be in focus! Single spot would work too, but I would have great difficulty keeping that one small point where it needs to be, on small birds. And I've tried! If you could figure out how to do that, more power to you!
Back button focus is a good thing too!

mikedent Loc: Florida

Thanks! Yes originally I tried single point focus but it for sure is very hard to stay on target. Now I understand better how to use Group Area- thanks!

gmar3180 Loc: Waxahachie, TX

mikedent wrote:

Hi all - when using Nikon Group Area mode with the 4 small squares arranged in a square pattern, is the subject, like a bird head or eye, supposed to be in focus only when in one of the small squares, or anywhere within the larger square pattern area? Trying my hand at flying birds and had read that this Group Area is a good way to setup, along with continuous AF and shutter releases but not sure on this point. Any other suggestions are welcome too-Thanks!

Group Area Mode is a group of autofocus points acting as one big Single Point focus area. No individual AF point has priority over the others, the camera simply uses the entire group -
selecting and switching the AF point. Although it does prioritize the closest subject under the af area. Your subject should be in focus if you keep it anywhere in those boxes.

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

mikedent wrote:

Hi all - when using Nikon Group Area mode with the 4 small squares arranged in a square pattern, is the subject, like a bird head or eye, supposed to be in focus only when in one of the small squares, or anywhere within the larger square pattern area? Trying my hand at flying birds and had read that this Group Area is a good way to setup, along with continuous AF and shutter releases but not sure on this point. Any other suggestions are welcome too-Thanks!

Very good question. The answer is, as long as the eye of the bird is within the 4 dot area the birds eye should be in focus. When I shot the D500 and D850, Group Auto Focus is what I always shot. And the birds eye was always in focus, always.

mikedent Loc: Florida

Thanks all- now I have to get my technique better...

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I have my D500 BBF set up for both, the AE for single point and the Joy stick for group.
All you have to do is move your tumb for a static or fast moving subject.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

Bultaco wrote:

I have my D500 BBF set up for both, the AE for single point and the Joy stick for group.
All you have to do is move your tumb for a static or fast moving subject.

I use FN1 for Group on both my D500 and D850.

JerryN

I have a D500 and use GrpAF. The D500, and D850, have focusing points arranged across the sensor. Once the camera, using GrpAF, gets a focus lock it will track the subject no matter where it falls on the sensor. I start with single point, then once I get good focus I switch to GrpAP. I have two buttons setup, AE for single point and joy stick for GrpAF.

Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

mikedent wrote:

Hi all - when using Nikon Group Area mode with the 4 small squares arranged in a square pattern, is the subject, like a bird head or eye, supposed to be in focus only when in one of the small squares, or anywhere within the larger square pattern area? Trying my hand at flying birds and had read that this Group Area is a good way to setup, along with continuous AF and shutter releases but not sure on this point. Any other suggestions are welcome too-Thanks!

I too love and use Group Area Focus when shooting burst mode with my Nikon D850. Some of the pros seem to prefer 3D with the Z9 and Z8. My D850 also has 3D but again, I've used both and prefer Group with my D850. And when outdoors not using flash, I do usually use burst mode and then when culling, I'll select the best of the burst.

Bill_de Loc: US

This is one of the most useful threads in a long time.

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PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

Bill_de wrote:

This is one of the most useful threads in a long time.

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haha....I was literally just thinking the same thing, Bill! I shoot with a Canon, but I find it interesting that you can assign two different buttons to use different focus groups. I never thought about it, but after reading this thread, I need to see if I can do that on my camera!

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

PattyW60 wrote:

haha....I was literally just thinking the same thing, Bill! I shoot with a Canon, but I find it interesting that you can assign two different buttons to use different focus groups. I never thought about it, but after reading this thread, I need to see if I can do that on my camera!

Actually, you’re using 1 button to toggle between 2 choices.

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

Rick from NY wrote:

Actually, you’re using 1 button to toggle between 2 choices.

Ah...thanks, Rick. Basically, you're just narrowing down to only two choices for focusing. I think I have 3 or 4 choices activated right now, but I use center point most of the time, and sometimes 4 points. I'll change my settings. Thank you for the tip!

Patty

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

PattyW60 wrote:

Ah...thanks, Rick. Basically, you're just narrowing down to only two choices for focusing. I think I have 3 or 4 choices activated right now, but I use center point most of the time, and sometimes 4 points. I'll change my settings. Thank you for the tip!

Patty

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