Help! Which focus mode is it??

[behanana]

I'm going to agree with MissCream on this one, I've read through both my nikon manuals and I hate both of them. An example: I wanted to try to find out more about the CLS and commander mode on my D80 and how it relates to my SB-700, simple enough information to try to get, so I looked at the manuals of both and I was unable to find really any usefull information about it. It went over the general idea and such, but didn't go into any detail about how it works or ways to use it. So I go to the internet and search and search and search...eventually I find what I want to know, typically in a youtube video. I would ask here, but I would be told to look at my manual...which I did...and wasn't satisfied with! Then again, I'm not a pro that has been shooting forever so I'm still learning, a lot!

 

[SabrinaO]

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D5000_en.pdf

If you have a smartphone capable of running some sort of e-reader app, you should be able to download that PDF and transfer it to your phone. Then it's always with you.

If single-point focus is not working well enough, you can also try using dynamic-area focus, which will let you set a focus point and it will select something in that vicinity to focus on rather than what's right under the bracket. It's basically a blend of auto-area and single-point.

Another option to try is Nikon's 3D tracking, which attempts to track an object as it moves around in the frame, and will constantly update the focus point for you so you can see what it's choosing. In my experience, it works best with things that are moving somewhat predictably, unlike a kid running around at a party.

You are going to practice a lot before trying to use this for the actual shoot, right?

Thank you! And of course!

 

[SabrinaO]

Nikons don't come with manuals anymore?

Good one... I never saw that response before to someone looking to get information about something. How original. /sarcasm :er:
I guess no one ever thinks people could lose a manual or leave it somewhere... say at their studio??
So, whats the next best thing.... search google for about a half hour for the exact answer or ask a LIVE forum for the exact answer... hmmmmm

Wow! What an shrew. You know so little about your camera, and are to ignorant to understand you haven't gotten an exact answer yet.

The next best thing is found here: User's Manual - D5000 - Guide to Digital Photography

WOW you are so bitter. Please... take the stick out. You will feel so much better. You must be so blinded by YOUR ignorance that I already responded when I got the exact answer.

 

[SabrinaO]

Nikons don't come with manuals anymore?

Good one... I never saw that response before to someone looking to get information about something. How original. /sarcasm :er:
I guess no one ever thinks people could lose a manual or leave it somewhere... say at their studio??
So, whats the next best thing.... search google for about a half hour for the exact answer or ask a LIVE forum for the exact answer... hmmmmm

- I believe Nikon put their product manual online.

and?

 

[vtf]

Nikons don't come with manuals anymore?

Good one... I never saw that response before to someone looking to get information about something. How original. /sarcasm :er:
I guess no one ever thinks people could lose a manual or leave it somewhere... say at their studio??
So, whats the next best thing.... search google for about a half hour for the exact answer or ask a LIVE forum for the exact answer... hmmmmm

Wow! What an shrew. You know so little about your camera, and are to ignorant to understand you haven't gotten an exact answer yet.

The next best thing is found here: User's Manual - D5000 - Guide to Digital Photography

I found in 15 seconds. Canon user here.

 

[SabrinaO]

Another concern for me if i were using your camera is how good it will track a moving subject, can't wait to see the results

Thats what im wondering! I know single point focus is pin sharp. I just cant wait to see how sharp it will be with the tracking. How is it with your camera? Any big differences using the tracking?

AF-C with single-point focus will not "track" a subject, it will just keep focusing to try to keep whatever is "under" the focus bracket sharp. So, in that mode it would still be up to you to track the subject and keep the bracket on whatever you want to be "pin sharp".

To illustrate this, put your camera in AF-C mode and select single-point focus. Point your camera at something close and push the shutter halfway. While keeping the shutter pressed halfway, point the camera at something in the distance. The camera will refocus. So it didn't track your subject, it tracked the focus target.

Now try the same thing with 3D tracking instead of single-point focus. You still get to pick your focus point, but now if you press the shutter halfway and recompose, the focus target will stay on the subject. It's not perfect, but you should try them both to see what's going to work best for you.

There should be settings in your camera menu to change how long it waits before it tries to refocus while in AF-C mode, so if something is moving around quite a bit you might want to reduce that time.

I'll be on my way to get my camera soon. Thank you SO MUCH for explaining this!

 

[SabrinaO]

Lol I almost never read my manual and when I do I usually don't understand it anyway. It's a lot easier to ask people on here to get a better explanation and an opinion to accompany it! While I don't disagree that you should read the manual, sometimes it's just not practical.

I agree with this. I have read my manual and I keep it in my camera bag. Just some things you want other peoples opinions and experience on. People are so quick to say "read your manual". My question to them is what do they think the purpose of this forum is? We can't ask questions here??
There are people that help here (and they are appreciated!) and their are people that just like to troll the forums with snide and sarcastic remarks. So you'll get that right back from me. But maybe I shouldn't feed the trolls because some of them seem to get off on creating drama, or get that self satisfaction of getting over on someone.. pathetic.

 

[Dao]

Good one... I never saw that response before to someone looking to get information about something. How original. /sarcasm :er:
I guess no one ever thinks people could lose a manual or leave it somewhere... say at their studio??
So, whats the next best thing.... search google for about a half hour for the exact answer or ask a LIVE forum for the exact answer... hmmmmm

- I believe Nikon put their product manual online.

and?

That means you are a person that like to be spoon fed.

"Why should I bother do my own research, when I ask, somebody is going to find me the answer."

 

[photocist]

Why not just increase your fstop and use manual focus? 35mm lenses have a fairly large DOF range, even at f5-8.

 

[Dao]

There are people that help here (and they are appreciated!) and their are people that just like to troll the forums with snide and sarcastic remarks. So you'll get that right back from me. But maybe I shouldn't feed the trolls because some of them seem to get off on creating drama, or get that self satisfaction of getting over on someone.. pathetic.

Have you ever wonder why it always happens to you here?

Did you notice that a lot of people, as a beginner, do ask questions here and never have any issue?

 

[Gaerek]

This is why I have a love/hate relationship with online forums. I like the opinions, the critiques, etc. However, I absolutely detest people who ask other people to do research for them. There's a reason RTFM has become an acronym used on the Internet. For those who've never seen it, it stands for "Read the F****ng Manual." Even on the beginner's forum, there should be a basic level of understanding how your camera works. Here's how I recommend every beginner learns how to use their camera:

1. RTFM
2. If there's something you don't understand, look it up. I guarantee someone has asked the same question somewhere, or someone has explained it already.
3. RTFM again
4. Go practice on your camera
5. ????????
6. Profit

Camera's come with a manual for a reason, and it's not for toilet paper. Everything you need to know about your camera can be found in those pages. Utilize that awesome, free, resource.

 

[OrionsByte]

There's a difference between asking, "Could someone please tell me what the focus modes in my camera are?" versus, "Could someone please help clarify the difference between continuous single point autofocus and 3D tracking?" The first question implies that you didn't even check the manual first, which can make you appear lazy, which can be off-putting to people who worked hard to obtain the knowledge they have. The second question implies you just need help understanding what the manual said, and would generally gather more helpful responses. Perhaps the difference is mostly semantic, but on an Internet forum, semantics are generally all we have to determine the context of a question or statement.

Also, getting snippy and sarcastic with people who treat you that way "first" doesn't only alienate the people you're being snippy to, it also alienates the people who would otherwise actually try to be helpful. Keep your attitude to yourself and you'll see a completely different response.

The Golden Rule is no less valid today than it was 2000 years ago.

 

[KmH]

There is also a difference between members that also partisipate in other peoples threads and help others.

Then there are people like the OP that seem to rarely partisipate in other threads, basically just taking and never giving back.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Consulting fees!
They add up quick!

 

[SabrinaO]

- I believe Nikon put their product manual online.

and?

That means you are a person that like to be spoon fed.

"Why should I bother do my own research, when I ask, somebody is going to find me the answer."

Spoon fed? I didn't ask "can someone find me the answer to..." Basically I just asked if anyone knows... you know... like at the top of their head?
I mean if someone asked a question on this board and I knew the answer to it damn right i'll give them the answer. And i have done that many many times.
If I didn't know the answer i'm not gonna search the internet for the answer, then come back to whine and ***** about how I had to waste my time in finding and posting link for you and tell you "you should read the manual".
JUST DON'T RESPOND! It's so simple...