I thought about switching to Canon...

[nerwin]

@nerwin you have a D610 now, and some nice lenses.
what were you thinking of switching to if you DID go canon? and what lenses were you looking at in canon mount that are lacking in nikon?

Oh boy, I really dunno. The only camera I see that is equivalent is the 6D and Canon maybe replacing that line with a full frame mirrorless, so that could be interesting.

For lenses, probably the 24-105, 16-35 2.8, 40 2.8 & 50 1.4, 100 2.8L and not sure about telephoto. I honestly don't know much about Canon lenses but these are few that have interest in that I find to better than Nikon's equivalents. But I don't know.

Can't forget about Canon's 28 1.8. Nikon has one yes, but it's quite large while Canon's is compact and that seems to be the trend. Nikon lenses seem to be oversized whereas Canon's counterparts are more compact and I'm not sure why that is.

At this point, I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. I feel dirty. lol

 

[nerwin]

Ok, so if the problem is the AF system, then I'd recommend you reexamine how your using the AF system.

I shoot the D600 - and I rarely if ever have any issues with the AF system. The reason for that, I take control of the AF myself. Instead of giving the camera every focal point imaginable to choose from and relying on the tiny onboard computer to determine the best point of focus, I reduce the focus points to 1 and chose the one I want myself. If I'm in challenging lighting conditions or shooting stuff that's moving faster, I'll go to 9. Sometimes I might go higher, but only if I were tracking an erratically moving target against a relatively clear background, such as say a fast moving bird in flight against a blue sky.

I have shot a couple of Canon's here and there, I wouldn't say their AF system is really any better or worse than Nikon - about the same really if your intention is to allow the camera to pick the point of focus.

As to lenses, about the only advantage there on the Canon side would be that they have more options available in the 400mm range, and that's not really a huge advantage for most.

So unless you were going to be doing video production and making money from it, I just don't see a switchover to be all that beneficial. Much like I wouldn't advise most Canon owners to dump all their gear and switch over to Nikon. It's a lot of time, hassle and expense and frankly the benefits either way are negligible.

I use single point AF as well.

The issue arises when the light is low. When there is plenty of light, I don't have any problems. I'm just getting a little tired of the camera taking forever or seems to anyways to find focus even when using single point AF, I often have to switch to manual to achieve focus and when its dark (not pitch black lol) its kind of hard to exactly see what I'm focusing on. From my understand the D750 does a lot better at focusing in low light than the D610.

If the camera is struggling to focus in lower light, it means there isn't enough contrast provided by your focal point. Expand to 9 point or move your point of focus slightly to find a spot of high enough contrast to allow the camera to focus properly.

Canon or Nikon wouldn't make any difference there.

How would 9 point make a difference when using single point?

 

[robbins.photo]

How would 9 point make a difference when using single point?

If you increase the number of points the camera has to choose from, from 1 to 9, then if any of those 9 points have high enough contrast the camera will pick that as it's point of focus and the shutter will fire. If you are using only one in very low light, then if your point of focus doesn't have enough contrast the camera's AF system won't be able to lock. So by increasing to 9 you will normally avoid this problem completely. If you prefer to stick with just one then if the AF won't lock, move your focal point slightly until you get it onto an area with high enough contrast.

 

[nerwin]

How would 9 point make a difference when using single point?

If you increase the number of points the camera has to choose from, from 1 to 9, then if any of those 9 points have high enough contrast the camera will pick that as it's point of focus and the shutter will fire. If you are using only one in very low light, then if your point of focus doesn't have enough contrast the camera's AF system won't be able to lock. So by increasing to 9 you will normally avoid this problem completely. If you prefer to stick with just one then if the AF won't lock, move your focal point slightly until you get it onto an area with high enough contrast.

Wouldn't that mean I have to be to be in AF-C though?

 

[robbins.photo]

How would 9 point make a difference when using single point?

If you increase the number of points the camera has to choose from, from 1 to 9, then if any of those 9 points have high enough contrast the camera will pick that as it's point of focus and the shutter will fire. If you are using only one in very low light, then if your point of focus doesn't have enough contrast the camera's AF system won't be able to lock. So by increasing to 9 you will normally avoid this problem completely. If you prefer to stick with just one then if the AF won't lock, move your focal point slightly until you get it onto an area with high enough contrast.

Wouldn't that mean I have to be to be in AF-C though?

Yes, AF-C with either 9 points or 1 point selected.

 

[astroNikon]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

 

[nerwin]

How would 9 point make a difference when using single point?

If you increase the number of points the camera has to choose from, from 1 to 9, then if any of those 9 points have high enough contrast the camera will pick that as it's point of focus and the shutter will fire. If you are using only one in very low light, then if your point of focus doesn't have enough contrast the camera's AF system won't be able to lock. So by increasing to 9 you will normally avoid this problem completely. If you prefer to stick with just one then if the AF won't lock, move your focal point slightly until you get it onto an area with high enough contrast.

Wouldn't that mean I have to be to be in AF-C though?

Yes, AF-C with either 9 points or 1 point selected.

I guess I'm a little confused of the AF-C with 9 points. So I can change the focus point anywhere I want like I can in single point AF-S but if the camera can't find focus, it will automatically use one of the 9 focus around it to find focus automatically?

I'm so use to using AF-S and hearing the beep because I know I locked focus, It will be really hard to adjust haha. But I'm willing to try it and see if it helps.

 

[nerwin]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

 

[pixmedic]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

turned off?!?
damn son...AF assist beam works fantastic in lower light!
almost as good as using a flash's AF assist grid.

 

[nerwin]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

turned off?!?
damn son...AF assist beam works fantastic in lower light!
almost as good as using a flash's AF assist grid.

When the lens or lens hood blocks the light, what's the difference if it's on or off?

Also, if I use AF-C 9 point, then it's disabled anyways.

 

[pixmedic]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

turned off?!?
damn son...AF assist beam works fantastic in lower light!
almost as good as using a flash's AF assist grid.

When the lens or lens hood blocks the light, what's the difference if it's on or off?

Also, if I use AF-C 9 point, then it's disabled anyways.

do you always use the same lens?
in low light, if im not using a flash, ill throw on my radio trigger. even with no flash to trigger it will still use the IR AF assist grid.

it sounds like your already convinced that canon will be a better system for you...
just go do it and stop worrying about random online peoples opinions on it.

 

[nerwin]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

turned off?!?
damn son...AF assist beam works fantastic in lower light!
almost as good as using a flash's AF assist grid.

When the lens or lens hood blocks the light, what's the difference if it's on or off?

Also, if I use AF-C 9 point, then it's disabled anyways.

do you always use the same lens?
in low light, if im not using a flash, ill throw on my radio trigger. even with no flash to trigger it will still use the IR AF assist grid.

it sounds like your already convinced that canon will be a better system for you...
just go do it and stop worrying about random online peoples opinions on it.

No I don't always use the same lens. The only lens that doesn't block the AF lamp is the 50 1.8G. Everything else does. The Tamron 28-75 is narrow enough where it does illuminate the center of the focus points but everything to the left is left in the dark.

I certainly am not convinced yet.

 

[robbins.photo]

I guess I'm a little confused of the AF-C with 9 points. So I can change the focus point anywhere I want like I can in single point AF-S but if the camera can't find focus, it will automatically use one of the 9 focus around it to find focus automatically?

I'm so use to using AF-S and hearing the beep because I know I locked focus, It will be really hard to adjust haha. But I'm willing to try it and see if it helps.

Your camera will pick the focus point based on a sufficient level of contrast as the focal point to use based on how many points you give it to select from. By limiting those number of points to 1 or 9 then the camera will be forced to pick a focus point that you want, or one very close to it. In lower light situations going to 9 will usually give the camera at least one point that has enough contrast that it can lock focus and fire.

You can move this grouping of focus points in AF-C mode if you wish, to focus on pretty much anything you want in the frame.

You don't need the beep. In AF-C when the camera locks focus and assuming you have the shutter fully depressed, the shutter fires.

 

[astroNikon]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

Actually there were plenty of low light videos out there comparing a Nikon to Canon. The Canon won in AF low light until you use the illuminator (which is a small flashlight).

How many times have ppl mentioned to use a flashlight to get AF?
Nikon has one built-in.
Put a SU800 or flash on top and use the IR AF grid - or radio trigger as Pixmedic states.
Take your lens hood off.
If you are too close, then these solutions won't work.

here's a link. But that guy did videos on the subject.
Canon 6D vs 5Diii vs 5Dii vs Nikon D600 - Low Light Focus Speed Comparison - Michael Andrew Photography Blog

 

[nerwin]

you could also try
turning ON your AF Assist Illuminator. Unless the subject is far away.

That is true. I have is disabled because it always turned on when I didn't need it. Also, the lenses block it most of the time anyways. Just seemed like a gimmick to me. I mean Canon doesn't even have one...I think anyways.

Actually there were plenty of low light videos out there comparing a Nikon to Canon. The Canon won in AF low light until you use the illuminator (which is a small flashlight).

How many times have ppl mentioned to use a flashlight to get AF?
Nikon has one built-in.
Put a SU800 or flash on top and use the IR AF grid - or radio trigger as Pixmedic states.
Take your lens hood off.
If you are too close, then these solutions won't work.

here's a link. But that guy did videos on the subject.
Canon 6D vs 5Diii vs 5Dii vs Nikon D600 - Low Light Focus Speed Comparison - Michael Andrew Photography Blog

That's pretty interesting really. Like he says in the article, the AF lamp may not be appropriate for every place though. There is a time and place for it but not all the time.

I loved using the IR AF grid of the SB-700, it was fantastic. Maybe I should just buy one again.

I guess I'm a little confused of the AF-C with 9 points. So I can change the focus point anywhere I want like I can in single point AF-S but if the camera can't find focus, it will automatically use one of the 9 focus around it to find focus automatically?

I'm so use to using AF-S and hearing the beep because I know I locked focus, It will be really hard to adjust haha. But I'm willing to try it and see if it helps.

Your camera will pick the focus point based on a sufficient level of contrast as the focal point to use based on how many points you give it to select from. By limiting those number of points to 1 or 9 then the camera will be forced to pick a focus point that you want, or one very close to it. In lower light situations going to 9 will usually give the camera at least one point that has enough contrast that it can lock focus and fire.

You can move this grouping of focus points in AF-C mode if you wish, to focus on pretty much anything you want in the frame.

You don't need the beep. In AF-C when the camera locks focus and assuming you have the shutter fully depressed, the shutter fires.

The thing I don't like about AF-C is the fact I can't focus on what I want and then recompose like I do when using AF-S. That's how I always shoot and maybe that is wrong. I'll have to get really used to moving the AF point around a lot I guess.