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.
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.