Advanced autofocus tracking options

Not all Nikons feature all the options, but pick and choose from what’s available

2024-06-01 -

SINGLE POINT AF

Mid-range DSLRS including the D7500 and D780 have a 51-point phasedetection autofocus module, whereas it’s as much as 153 AF points for the D850. Z-system mirrorless cameras have between 209 and 493 AF points, spread out across most of the image sensor. However, single-point AF is only really suitable for tracking if the subject is moving slowly and very predictably.

3D TRACKING

This mode is similar to Dynamic-area AF tracking. However, whereas you can often change the size of the active area to suit the subject in Dynamic mode, 3D-tracking is based on advanced recognition of factors like colour and brightness to lock onto the selected subject. But you can encounter problems if the main subject is similar in colour and brightness to its surroundings.

AUTO AREA AF

This is a common option in both mirrorless cameras and DSLRS. The detection area for autofocus utilizes all of the available focus points and automatically selects the subject. If several subjects are ‘detected’, it will tend to autofocus on the closest. That can work well in many situations but is less suitable if you have a particular subject in mind that’s in the middle distance.

DYNAMIC AREA AF

Dynamic-area autofocus works much better than single-point for subjects moving erratically and, let’s face it, movement can be hard to predict at the best of times. You can still select the initial point on which you want to autofocus, but if the subject strays from its position in the image frame as you’re tracking it, the camera switches to surrounding AF points to keep focus locked on.

GROUP AREA AF

Group-area AF is featured in many DSLRS, rather than Z-system mirrorless cameras. You can select a ‘group’ of active autofocus points so cover a larger area than when using single-point AF. It can be useful when subjects are in motion, especially if they have areas of at, featureless surfaces. For mirrorless cameras, use the Wide-area AF option, with small and large areas available.

SUBJECT DETECTION AF

Z-system cameras oer benets over DSLRS for tracking specic subjects. You’ll get ‘intelligent’ detection and tracking of people and animals, which picks out the shape then renes the autofocus distance for faces and eyes. You can easily swap between dierent faces or eyes in the process. The Z 9, Z 8 and Z f extends the range for bicycles, motorbikes, cars, trains and aircraft.

?? ?? The fast-moving and jumping horse is a challenge but Dynamicarea AF tracks the horse’s head as it moves around within the image frame. — The fast-moving and jumping horse is a challenge but Dynamicarea AF tracks the horse’s head as it moves around within the image frame.

?? ?? In most cameras, you can change the size of the group of AF points used for tracking, to suit the subject. — In most cameras, you can change the size of the group of AF points used for tracking, to suit the subject.

?? ?? The ‘intelligent’ subjectdetection tracking system in the latest Z-system mirrorless cameras is great for people, animals and more besides. — The ‘intelligent’ subjectdetection tracking system in the latest Z-system mirrorless cameras is great for people, animals and more besides.

?? ?? It can be a problem if Auto-area AF picks up the wrong subject in the scene but it works well for aircraft against a relatively blank sky. — It can be a problem if Auto-area AF picks up the wrong subject in the scene but it works well for aircraft against a relatively blank sky.

?? ?? Single-point AF for this slow-gliding swan enables you to keep autofocus locked on the bird’s head. — Single-point AF for this slow-gliding swan enables you to keep autofocus locked on the bird’s head.

?? ?? Where the main subject has a di erent colour and pattern to the background, 3D-tracking comes into its own. — Where the main subject has a di erent colour and pattern to the background, 3D-tracking comes into its own.