Single point vs Dynamic area Auto focus?

4 years 3 months ago #670582 by Matt Nguyen
So I've been meaning to ask this for a little while.  On my Z6 I have 5 different autofocus settings I can use. 

1. Single point
2. Dynamic area
3. Wide Area S
4. Wide Area L
5. Auto Area

When do you use each of these?  Rather which do you use most of the time?


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4 years 3 months ago #670583 by Nikon Shooter
On all cameras, it is single point, nothing else… ever.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 3 months ago #670584 by effron

Nikon Shooter wrote: On all cameras, it is single point, nothing else… ever.


This....
IMHO anyway.

Why so serious?
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4 years 3 months ago #670590 by Matt Nguyen

Nikon Shooter wrote: On all cameras, it is single point, nothing else… ever.


Just to clarify, you are saying you use only 'Single Point'?  


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4 years 3 months ago #670604 by Nikon Shooter

Matt Nguyen wrote: Just to clarify, you are saying you use only 'Single Point'?  


Ooooh yes!  I didn't think my English is so bad!

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 3 months ago - 4 years 3 months ago #670610 by effron
Well, I agreed but will at very rare times use 3D tracking for a subject like hummingbirds, or other fast moving culprits. Static shots and single point is all I want....

Why so serious?
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4 years 3 months ago #670674 by garyrhook

Matt Nguyen wrote: So I've been meaning to ask this for a little while.  On my Z6 I have 5 different autofocus settings I can use. 

1. Single point
2. Dynamic area
3. Wide Area S
4. Wide Area L
5. Auto Area

When do you use each of these?  Rather which do you use most of the time?


You need to figure out how each of these works, and whether they apply to you.

I, also, (mostly) use a single point, placed where I want it. I will use a 9-point area for dancers on stage, due to lighting challenges. But mostly SP.

The only reason for wide areas is if you have multiple people (or other subjects) at differing distances from the camera, and you want them all equally in (or out) of focus. Aside from group shots, I have no use for the camera deciding my focal point, thankyouverymuch.


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4 years 3 months ago #670846 by Travis Brunson
For me and my shooting, always single point.  But as already pointed out, learn what each of these do.  There are tons of video's that break down what and how each is used.  


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4 years 3 months ago #670916 by Garbo
+1 single point.  I want the control and accuracy, so for my style this is what my cameras are set with most of the time. 

Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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