3-D Tracking with birds and birds in flight (BIF)

[James C.]

For Nikon users:
Have you found the "3D Tracking" function helpful when photographing birds, and birds in flight (BIF)?

 

[DRwyoming]

For Nikon users:
Have you found the "3D Tracking" function helpful when photographing birds, and birds in flight (BIF)?

Not really. I've had some luck using 3D Tracking for sports with well defined and high contrast colors like player's jerseys but haven't found it very useful for wildlife subjects.

 

[Warren D]

Only when against a clear blue sky with nothing else for it to grab onto.

 

[gbodave]

Never been worthwhile the odd time I checked it out of curiosity. I'm a confirmed single point AF user.

 

[Steve]

Sometimes it'll stick to the bird, sometimes it won't. When it does stick, it tends to be all over so you end up with tack sharp wings and tails and not eyes. Grp and smaller Dynamic areas are my go-to AF modes.

 

[Charles Loy]

For me, 3D tracking is much like the Program mode - ignored

 

[fcotterill]

I use Group or Auto mode not 3-D. I suspect Nikon designed that primarily for humans on the move, so it will be interesting to learn how it performs in the D6 in this respect.

 

[Steve W]

I’ve always found 3d to be more trouble than it’s worth. It’s probably useful to someone but I’ve never met them.....

 

[ruley74]

I first tried 3D tracking with mixed results have learnt to use group more and more with much better results, and I have one of the small/medium area modes as a backup.

 

[fcotterill]

The following interpretation is based on much experimenting. Getting to this distillation, it has been as vital to read widely, including Steve's magnus opus...

Each AF mode functions at the intersection of 3 variables:
1. Coverage of subject
2. Front-Focus Priority (tendency to ignore background objects)
3. Dynamic Coverage

These are constrained to a delimited domain with out boundaries prescribed by the AF sensor in a DSLR / AF pixel layout in the MILC sensor. Not all of available do #3. #1 is basically irrelevant for Single-Point in AFC (even tighter so in AFS Pinpoint) and moves around on manual (by thumb).

There is the increasing complexity injected by pattern recognition - Face and Eye recognition. The new D6 AF algorithm incorporates human face recognition into some of its AF modes.

'Out There' one seeks to focus on a specific subject, and often a precise part of the subject - often the eye(s). This is why many of us use Single-Point most of the time.
> Dynamic Area modes [a9, a25, a73 etc] expand the effective coverage of Single-Point (bit like a net to my mind). Obviously, widening the area incrementally.
> Group Area mode appears to maximize Front-Focus Priority (in most Nikon cameras but the Z7 IME lost this plot, although somewhat improved with firmware). This mode also still works at slower lens speeds > f5.6
> 3-D Mode seems to work effectively against neutral background and with sports action (implying designed for humans primarily).
> Auto-AF works well in minimal background and/or dominant subject. Only invoked for moving subjects. Auto lacks precision, as it tends to grab the most obvious surface of the subject (tends to miss the eye). This mode is not an option at lens speeds slower than f5.6.

In practice, using Df, D780, D7200, D500, D850 I have used single-point for most subjects, and over the past~3+ years with D500 and D859, my 2nd most common mode is probably a9 or a27 for wildlife: Group or Auto for active subjects. Auto is sometimes better for flying birds with no interfering clutter. In summary, choice of mode aims to maximize precision and accuracy for the subject, and particularly its motion (still, moving, erratic).

The above is biased to Nikon only.

One other variable - constraint rather - is the area of AF sensor points, and their coverage. This varies with lens speeds/cameras. The main thresholds are f4 and f5.6, and check Nikon's tech data as to which lenses.

 

[arbitrage]

I used a lot of Auto AF for BIF but never found 3D that useful. Otherwise I use Group if it is a larger, more predictable BIF. Auto AF is almost uncanny at focusing on whatever is moving.

 

[Clive57]

I’ve found 3D Tracking to be useless for fast flying birds,ie Peregrine Falcons. Looks ok for slow moving birds like swimming ducks.

 

[Ken Miracle]

@Steve hit my experience with 3 d tracking on the button. I keep it simple and have everything turned off except group and single point in my D500 and D850 and those I have set to switch back and forth to with a push of my preview button.

 

[ProperFrame]

The 3D is mostly just a disappointment that looks good on paper but not in the field. Group works best on BIF though it can grab the most frontal area too often.

 

[EricBowles]

I don't think 3D is intended for fast moving subjects - especially when they are small in the frame. The cases where I've seen it work well generally involve people when the person is easy to follow. 3D uses contrast and bright colors to find the subject.