I would like to know what Auto Focus Area Mode you use for birds in fight. What one works the best. Thanks for any help.
Levi
Levi
Nikon Z8 Auto Focus Area Mode
- Thread starter Levi
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Big question but for starters, what camera? Are you talking about a Z8/Z9 or Z6 III or something like a D500 or D850 or similar?
There’s not one AF Area mode to rule them all when it comes to what works best for birds in flight. The photographer’s skill level, camera & lens, distance to subject, type of bird, environmental conditions, etc, all play a role.
Generally speaking, I use wide-large or auto area, sometimes with handoff to 3D tracking. Occasionally I’ll use a custom sized area to accommodate the bird behavior I’m seeing at a certain distance. Often I’ll do a bit of experimenting to see what’s working best at that time of day. My use of a particular AF area may change as light levels change. From time to time I may use single point because it’s working best. And, except for single point, I use Bird subject detection on my Z8 & Z9. Animal subject detection on my Z6III.
i just started using the Z8. As a start, I‘ve been using wide small and it has been working well. But all the shots have been without a busy background. I’m sure that as I progress I’ll be trying other modes Including handoffs to auto af. Subject detection in on.
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Oops, missed it 
I mostly use the area which covers everything but I also have two wide-areas configured (one practically as small as a spot AF and the other very large, which I move around over a bird's head or the whole bird if the all-area AF does not find the bird.
To cycle through them quickly, I've programmed the video button.
This idea is taken from Steve's book for the Z8/Z9. I think Steve uses different AF areas but the idea is the same.
Most of the time the all-area AF finds a bird very well and I am super happy with the AF of the Z8 but sometimes selecting a smaller area is helpful.
To cycle through them quickly, I've programmed the video button.
This idea is taken from Steve's book for the Z8/Z9. I think Steve uses different AF areas but the idea is the same.
Most of the time the all-area AF finds a bird very well and I am super happy with the AF of the Z8 but sometimes selecting a smaller area is helpful.
ajrmd
Well-known member
You may not like the answer though the AF settings really depend on the circumstances (light, target, distance, background, etc.) In my hands, the Z8/Z9 requires more user input than either Sony/Canon though it works well with a high keeper rate most of the time. There are plenty of videos and information out there which are worth watching including Steve's E-book/videos which cover not only the AF areas but settings (important). In general, Auto Area works well for large targets against the sky and vertically diving birds (think pelicans). It works less well for smaller subjects against busy backgrounds where a Wide Area (S/L) might be more appropriate. In most situations, SD is reasonably good, though in scenarios where the subject may be "blasting off" or flying directly towards the camera, it is a hindrance, and the camera seems to better with it off. Understanding all of the settings is important and is crucial to one's success. Again, I would encourage you to watch the videos, read Steve's book (and these forums), and experiment.
jpgrove
Member
Nikon have given us so many choices with much higher control. I don’t think one mode works better than another, rather you may want to go out to a local nature reserve and play around with the modes and see which one suits your use case better. Steve has done some great videos, along with Hudson Henry. I would use them as a guide taking into account their respective comments. I would recommend Steve’s books on AF as it’s a great starting point from years of AF use.
Either way don’t fret, it’ll take a while to learn how the cameras AF system works, and then what part of it works best for you, with the new Nikon cameras being so configurable you can fully personalise your camera.
I have started using Auto Area AF with subject detection for birds and found it works really well, for other subjects this mode can be hit and miss. But a good starting point.
The above advice is great, I'll only add that most of the time I start with a use Auto AF with Subject Detection (Bird), but only if it's working well (usually does). However, as others have pointed out, there are times you need to work with other AF areas for optimum results - usually Wide with a handoff to 3D or Auto. (Or just Wide)
Thanks everyone for your help and advice. I have been rereading Steve’s book and have set up my z8 for birds in flight and will give it a try tomorrow. I will be using 3d, wide and auto. I also have the camera set to handoff the focus mode. I will see what works for me and what doesn’t.
Thanks again,
Levi
Thanks again,
Levi
fcotterill
Well-known member
I find it helpful to understand how the Autofocus modes work. AutoAF and 3D are 100% camera controlled. 3D uses colour information and tones to identify and track the subject. Subject Detection empowers both these modes greatly , when it is working accurately.
Group Area modes tighten the search area within which the camera should search for the subject. They also have closest focus priority algorithms, but their operation is weaker in Mirrorless cameras compared to DSLRs. Like D6, Nikon's 3rd generation MILCs have Custom Area modes, which are extremely useful eg small or long, narrow search rectangles, even 1*1 Dot. These all use subject detection.
AutoAF mode extends the CFP (closest focus priority) of the Group Area modes across the entire AF search area. As in the Pro DSLRs (D6, D5 Triumvirate), AutoAF is very useful in the Z9 and Z8 family of cameras to track an erratic subject against distant backgrounds, open water etc
AutoAF: clutter in the scene, including twigs etc, will often discombobulate AutoAF off the subject, although the Z9 subject detection buffers this tendency somewhat. But subject detection has its limits, obviously. However, when it works, Auto is stickier on subjects closer to frame borders, compared to 3D;
3D Tracking: works better in the Z9 at tracking the subject within/against clutter, especially with Subject Detection. IME the D6 AF modes follow this general rule, although D6 subject detection is weaker, its AF modes are far less likely to grab the background (thanks to the full set of cross-type sensors).
So as a rough rule, the background/habitat structure determines whether to Hand off from a tighter AF mode (I use a Custom Area) to AutoAF or 3D or vice versa.
Any AF mode will struggle if the subject is too small in the frame
Group Area modes tighten the search area within which the camera should search for the subject. They also have closest focus priority algorithms, but their operation is weaker in Mirrorless cameras compared to DSLRs. Like D6, Nikon's 3rd generation MILCs have Custom Area modes, which are extremely useful eg small or long, narrow search rectangles, even 1*1 Dot. These all use subject detection.
AutoAF mode extends the CFP (closest focus priority) of the Group Area modes across the entire AF search area. As in the Pro DSLRs (D6, D5 Triumvirate), AutoAF is very useful in the Z9 and Z8 family of cameras to track an erratic subject against distant backgrounds, open water etc
AutoAF: clutter in the scene, including twigs etc, will often discombobulate AutoAF off the subject, although the Z9 subject detection buffers this tendency somewhat. But subject detection has its limits, obviously. However, when it works, Auto is stickier on subjects closer to frame borders, compared to 3D;
3D Tracking: works better in the Z9 at tracking the subject within/against clutter, especially with Subject Detection. IME the D6 AF modes follow this general rule, although D6 subject detection is weaker, its AF modes are far less likely to grab the background (thanks to the full set of cross-type sensors).
So as a rough rule, the background/habitat structure determines whether to Hand off from a tighter AF mode (I use a Custom Area) to AutoAF or 3D or vice versa.
Any AF mode will struggle if the subject is too small in the frame
2112ricky
New member
Hi guys! also new Z8 user, coming from a d500 Kind of got a related question didnt want to start a thread if its related. I'm kind of confused with the AF modes. I normally use BBAF, is the lets say wide AF area supposed to focus and lock by itself? and I just press the shutter or do i have to press the BBAF for it to actually focus. I see like the white box and it follows the subject but wasnt sure if it is the correct way it works or should I press the BBAF. AF-c and sibject detection settings
ajrmd
Well-known member
Excellent summary, though I would add a point about 3D which Steve has repeatedly mentioned. If one is using 3D tracking and it loses the subject, the small size of the tracking point is unlikely to regain the subject unlike AA.
ajrmd
Well-known member
Whether one uses BBAF doesn't really influence the AF modes per se other than how one has the shutter button programmed. This is set under a6 of the customs settings menu. One can leave the shutter to Shutter/AF-on programmed to one AF area and assign the BBAF button to "override" with a different AF area. It's largely a setting of preference and after years of use, I still move back and forth. Currently, I have my Shutter set to OFF, i.e. AF-On only (which is kind of deceptive as it just sets exposure if necessary and activates the shutter) and I use BBAF for AF.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| [Shutter/AF-ON] | The camera focuses when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. |
| [AF-ON only] | The camera does not focus when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. |
- Highlighting [AF-ON only] and pressing 2 displays [Out-of-focus release] options.
Option Description [Enable] Photos can be taken whenever the shutter-release button is pressed (release priority). [Disable] - Photos can be taken only when the camera is in focus (focus priority).
- Focus using the AF-ON button or other controls to which AF-ON has been assigned.
RickL
New member
I dominantly use wide angle, I rarely use single focus.