AF Assist Beam

[DevC]

Hey all,
I got a somewhat random question about the AF assist beam on Nikon Cameras. It seems the beam will only turn on on certain requirements. For example, i believe it only works on single servo AF mode. Why can it not work on AF-C mode? I like to use back button focusing so i usually leave my camera in AF-C mode. When shooting in very dim locations (nightclubs for certain), the AF assist beam either from the Camera body or from a YN Flash trigger/ Flash really comes in handy. there isn't much movement (albeit quite some with dancers), so switching to AF-S is not the end of the world for me. I do understand putting it on AF-C, the light may not do much for focusing, but I cannot seem to understand "Why not just let it light eitherway?". I mean there is a menu option to turn the light on and off.

 

[Dave442]

I also stay in AF-C most the time, but specifically for what you noted I will go to AF-S and use the AF assist on the flash and have the function button set to keep from firing the flash (so only using the flash for focus assist).