Merry Christmas first of all. Am looking forward to seeing some of your shots soon
Something that is bothering me is that the D700 doesn't focus as quickly as I thought. The 24-70 on my D80 was stunningly fast. But I think I have the settings too conservative.
Currently I have it to only take a photo when focus is attained. Instead of it being able to take a shot when bit properly focus. Is that what you use?
I also set it to one focus point (not in auto or dynamic mode). I thought that would be quicker. I also use the centre focus point most of the time also.
I have obviously used it a lot over Xmas and have realised it's not as snappy as I have heard
note this is in all conditions (ie it's not slow in other lighting conditions)
thanks!
__________________ Panasonic LX3 Nikon D700/D80Nikkor 50mmf/1.8 AF Nikon 24-70mm AF-S f/2.8G ED Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG SB-600
Well, if its slow in all conditions then either your D700's motor isn't very strong, or maybe you just had very high hopes for the AF performance (based on what everyone else says about this camera) and you were let down a bit.
In my opinion, my 24-70 and D700 combo is pretty darn snappy, especially when there is either plenty of light, or when using the SB600's little grid pattern for focusing (not sure what that is called, AF illumination or something?).
I think the main problem was that I set the priority to attain focus before firing. I changed that to a little less rigorous option (the title escapes me now) and its blisteringly fast again.
There was another option I set to "off" but will have to post back tomorrow with the official menu items. Not much use otherwise!
__________________ Panasonic LX3 Nikon D700/D80Nikkor 50mmf/1.8 AF Nikon 24-70mm AF-S f/2.8G ED Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG SB-600
I think I learnt a lot about the D700 these last few days taking photos of my cousins kids. They move quick...way too quick for the 50mm (f1.8).
I think I should have used continuous focus rather than single shot. That might have given me more of an edge...but then I was also watching they
didnt twat me round the head with Thomas the tank engine, or rub my camera with a pre salivated finger....
__________________ Panasonic LX3 Nikon D700/D80Nikkor 50mmf/1.8 AF Nikon 24-70mm AF-S f/2.8G ED Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG SB-600
I think I learnt a lot about the D700 these last few days taking photos of my cousins kids. They move quick...way too quick for the 50mm (f1.8).
now you know why i harp on about af-s so much and get the shits with older nikkor primes. the d700 with set to af-c with the 24-70 or 14-24 is very fast, the 70-200VRI is blistering and the 300/2.8 is on another level again. the lens plays a crucial role in AF speed.
as for the AF modes, i'm always in C mode. single shot is near impossible for erratically moving kids.
__________________ D700 l D60 IR l MB-D10 l SU-800 l SB-900 - 800 - 400 - 28 - R1 l TC-14/17 l 14-24 f2.8 l 24-70 f2.8 l 50 f1.4 G l 85 f1.4 G l 105 f2.8 VR l 300 f2.8 VR flickr
a1 - AF-C priority selection - Changed from "focus" to "release and focus"
a2 - AF-S priority selection - Changed from "Focus" to "release"
a4 - Focus tracking with lock on - Changed from "normal" to "off".
Although this is quicker, it doesnt put a priority on focussing...just rattling out the shots as and when...which is pointless IMO. So I have now changed it back to achieving focus as a priority.
I have set shooting bank presets for portraits, landscape and action. For the former two I think getting focus right is paramount, so have changed it back for those. For action, I have set "release and focus" (when in AF-C) mode which will put greater priority on focus when shooting continuously.
What do you guys have your focus settings set to?
Quite a beast to learn....need to get a hold of Thom Hogans book!!
(FWIW - Ken Rockwell calls the three positions for the AF Sensor Mode switch "There are three positions. From top to bottom, I call them the Big White Rectangle, the Crosshair, and the Tit" - marvelous....)
__________________ Panasonic LX3 Nikon D700/D80Nikkor 50mmf/1.8 AF Nikon 24-70mm AF-S f/2.8G ED Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG SB-600
now you know why i harp on about af-s so much and get the shits with older nikkor primes. the d700 with set to af-c with the 24-70 or 14-24 is very fast, the 70-200VRI is blistering and the 300/2.8 is on another level again. the lens plays a crucial role in AF speed.
as for the AF modes, i'm always in C mode. single shot is near impossible for erratically moving kids.
There is faster AF than the 24-70?!!! Any quicker and it will focus before you press the button!
__________________ Panasonic LX3 Nikon D700/D80Nikkor 50mmf/1.8 AF Nikon 24-70mm AF-S f/2.8G ED Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG SB-600
now you know why i harp on about af-s so much and get the shits with older nikkor primes. the d700 with set to af-c with the 24-70 or 14-24 is very fast, the 70-200VRI is blistering and the 300/2.8 is on another level again. the lens plays a crucial role in AF speed.
as for the AF modes, i'm always in C mode. single shot is near impossible for erratically moving kids.
Roozy- If you were really concerned about AF speed you'd upgrade that D700 of yours to a D3 With your ever growing collection of great glass I'm having to resort to bodies to bust on you these days.
D700 users - autofocus slowish?
With your ever growing collection of great glass I'm having to resort to bodies to bust on you these days.
Linear Mode
