Using AF-On vs trigger button for auto focus

ChasCS

Is this also the case with our D800 camera's? Thanks

PB_PM

Yes. You can set the camera the same way as say a D700 or D300, but the AF will not behave the same way, as the latter two, when using the AF-ON button.

Vipmediastar_JZ

Seems like the trap focus would really come in handy here.

PB_PM

Which is exactly what we are talking about. Trap focus does not work on the newer bodies, at least not in AF-C, the way it did on the pre-D4/D800 bodies.

Even if I set the D800 to focus priority it will snap away until the buffer is full, without focus confirmation in AF-C. On the other hand, my D700 will not fire a shot without focus confirmation, when using the same settings.

ThomasHorton

It is as shame that trap focusing does not work. It is a technique that is not used often, but when you need it, nothing else will do.

jimo

I started using the AF-ON button on my D4. Like it so well that I configured my D600 to use it too. I have had no issues with the D600 AF-ON button.

PB_PM

There is nothing wrong with the AF-ON button itself. All that has changed is that trap focus no longer works with the AF-ON button, which it once did.

WestEndBoy

I am going to take the video's advice and switch it to AF-ON for a couple of weeks and see how it goes.

Golf007sd

How on earth I missed this topic is beyond me. :-?

sevencrossing

How on earth I missed this topic is beyond me. :-?

here is Golf007sd link fro the fps thread

WestEndBoy

How on earth I missed this topic is beyond me. :-?

here is Golf007sd link fro the fps thread

Seven crossing, thanks for providing this link that ties the two threads together. I should have done that.

tektrader

I have been using AF-on button with AF-c for a few years. Now if Nikon would figure out how to stop the printing on the AF-on button printing from rubbing off it would really be a winner.... 8-|

How hard can it be ???

PB_PM

You must have acidic sweat. The AF-ON button on my D700 (over two years old) is just as well painted as the day I bought it.

Ironheart

If you send it in for a CLA they will replace it

JakesGT

The only complaint with my 7100 is that it doesn't have a real AF-on like my f5 . Sometimes I wanna set focus and lock it. And the AF-on button is just better than half pressing

PB_PM

@JakesGT You can set the AF-L/AE-L button to AF-ON.

Ade

I'm not sure it's necessary? The D7100's AF-ON should behave the same as on the F5:

- In AF-S mode, pressing and holding AF-ON locks the focus.

- In AF-S and AF-C mode, focus is locked when AF-ON is released, useful if the shutter half-press focus is disabled (Custom Setting 4 on the F5, or Custom Setting a4 on the D7100).

Unless I'm missing something...

Ironheart

There is no AF-on button on the D7100, you have to reassign AE/AF-lock for this function.

Ade

Wow I missed that by a mile!

Photobug

@JakesGT You can set the AF-L/AE-L button to AF-ON.

+1...PB_PM you beat me to the suggestion to change the configuration for the AF-L/AE-L button.

michael66

There is no AF-on button on the D7100, you have to reassign AE/AF-lock for this function.

You can do the same thing for video mode; g3 will get you there. Its f4 for stills. I am ashamed to admit how many times I munged up a video pressing the shutter release a tad too far.

JakesGT

Sorry for the confusion. I already set it when I first got it to act as AF-on, but there are occasions where I want to use the AF lock button too. So it's nice to have the designated AF-on

Ironheart

You can designate your "Fn" function button as an "AF-lock" button.

WestEndBoy

You can designate your "Fn" function button as an "AF-lock" button.

Mine is set that way and it works well. Not sure how much I will use it now that I am using "AF-On".

Charmdesign

Can someone who has used AF-On with both a d7000 and a d800 tell me if it is easier having that dedicated button, ergonomics wise? My first impression when I rented was that it was a more natural movement to get my finger on that dedicated button.

I experimented with both methods and I like the AF method so far it just feels right. My biggest reason is that my finger gets tired / I don't like concentrating on half pressing the shutter button.

I am intrigued to hear that wildlife photographer use this and there are lenses with a similar function built in. This bolsters my opinion of the method.