Posted Nov. I recently made the decision to move almost exclusively over to all Nikon FX bodies. In this post I want to cover my experience with an equally important feature I rely on heavily β Predictive Focus Tracking. I specify Predictive Focus Tracking since virtually any camera made today produces quality autofocus images of subjects not moving.
Annie on a dead run for the tennis ball. My real world approach is easy for photographers to try themselves and more applicable to nature and action-oriented shooters. So what is my technique? First I recruit a fast dog, preferably a younger lab or retriever. The key to getting the best results is lining the pooch up AND getting the master to throw the ball in a straight line. I find getting the dog lined up is the easier of the two requirements.
In fact, during this most recent test, my good friend Bill Buckley, world-renowned hook and bullet shooter, was almost useless as a thrower. Annie and I held a meeting after the shoot and decided even though Bill was throwing like a girl we were able to pull off a sufficient test. Annie sits by his side, labrador enthusiasm pulsing through her veins as her master does a few circle swings warming his aging throwing arm.
He eventually fires and Annie comes sprinting towards the camera. All jokes aside, the key to this test is to get your camera on the fast moving dog heading straight into the viewfinder. This is where the camera either succeeds or fails. The camera was set to 9 Point Dynamic area-AF. Motor drive was set to Continues High and the AF sensor was set to the dead center, middle square. These are the settings that should give me the fastest Predictive Focus Tracking possible.
Nikon has numerous AF-Area Mode settings. AF-Area Mode is selected via a little mini lever on the front lower left side of the lens flange.
