Focus issue with D850 w/ 500 PF+VR on

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Jerry-M

Jerry-M

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I use a D850 w/ 500 PF to shoot wildlife, often handheld. For perched birds, I use single point AF. I place the focus point on the bird's eye, press AF-On and the VR function freezes the image in the viewfinder. That all sounds like it should yield perfect focus on the eye.

However, with a 500mm lens, it is impossible to handhold the camera perfectly still. So even though the VR freezes the focus point on the eye, in reality there is constant movement of the lens. It only takes the slightest movement of the lens to move the real point of focus because of the distance to the subject. This becomes obvious when the image review shows where the focus point really was.

This problem is made worse when taking a burst of shots due to the kickback from the shutter. It makes it that much harder to keep the focus point right where you want it.

The only solution I've found is to turn off VR and use a fast enough shutter speed to compensate for slight movement of the lens. That way, I know where the focus point really is. It requires a burst of shots to make sure at least one of them is on the eye.

Has anyone else noticed this, and if so, come up with a better solution when handholding the gear? Thanks in advance.
 
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Where are you when this issue arises. Is it impossible to have some support like tripod or monopod.

A lot of people don't realise that a long lens only needs to move a fraction at the back end to have a significant knock on effect at the front end. Whilst hand holding my answer is a fast shutter speed and burst mode.
 
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I use my 500pf for handheld shots and I seem to have my best luck with sport VR. I also shoot lots of burst with re-focus inbetween. I think it was one of Steve's videos that also suggests manually taking it out of focus so that it has to lock on again in difficult circumstances.
 
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The VR group "floats" the image on the sensor a bit to compensate for movement and this makes the AF point, as you know, appear to jump around a little. The best bet is what Charlie says above -try using Sport. The main reason for Sport VR is to minimize that VR floating and AF point jumping problem. Of course your viewfinder won't be as stable either, but the AF position will be more accurate. At any rate, it's not perfect, but it is better. :)
 
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I too use my D850/D500 with the 500mm PF and did notice the AF point shift during handheld photography. As per Steve's advise I moved the VR to Sports mode and plus I even sometimes use the monopod for shooting. Anything below 1/1000 I normally shut the VR off. Hope this helps.:)
 
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