Using AF-On vs trigger button for auto focus

2

Comments

  • ChasCSChasCS Posts: 309Member
    Is this also the case with our D800 camera's? Thanks
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  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    edited December 2013
    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.
    Post edited by PB_PM on
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • Vipmediastar_JZVipmediastar_JZ Posts: 1,708Member
    Seems like the trap focus would really come in handy here.
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    edited December 2013
    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.
    Post edited by PB_PM on
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • ThomasHortonThomasHorton Posts: 323Member
    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. :(
    Gear: Camera obscura with an optical device which transmits and refracts light.
  • jimojimo Posts: 2,532Member
    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_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    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.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • WestEndBoyWestEndBoy Posts: 1,456Member
    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.
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    How on earth I missed this topic is beyond me. :-?
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    How on earth I missed this topic is beyond me. :-?
    here is Golf007sd link fro the fps thread


  • WestEndBoyWestEndBoy Posts: 1,456Member
    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.
  • tektradertektrader Posts: 58Member
    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_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    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.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    If you send it in for a CLA they will replace it
  • JakesGTJakesGT Posts: 38Member
    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_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    @JakesGT You can set the AF-L/AE-L button to AF-ON.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • AdeAde Posts: 1,071Member
    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...
  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    There is no AF-on button on the D7100, you have to reassign AE/AF-lock for this function.
  • AdeAde Posts: 1,071Member
    Wow I missed that by a mile!
  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    @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.
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  • michael66michael66 Posts: 231Member
    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.
  • JakesGTJakesGT Posts: 38Member
    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
  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    You can designate your "Fn" function button as an "AF-lock" button.
  • WestEndBoyWestEndBoy Posts: 1,456Member
    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".
  • CharmdesignCharmdesign Posts: 66Member
    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.
    Camera: Nikon D7000, Lenses: Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, 35mm 1.8G DX, Ai'd MF: 50mm 1.4, 28mm 1.4, 24-70mm
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