Musical Instrument Glare

[wjastrow]

I recently had occassion to snap images of a school band (as a favor) using my Nikon D70 and a Nikon 70-300mm ED glass lense in an audituriom where I didn't have control over the lighting and wasn't able to use ANY flash.

I used automatic focus, with the setting of "dynamic area".

The results seemed erratic.

If I could "see" unobstructed faces, more center stage, they came out quite well, however, the D70 seemed very confused by the glare of brass instruments and produced a "blurred" image.

Was this my imagination alone or an unfortunate reality and if the latter, is there a practical work-around?

I'm perfectly willing to hear the issue is with me but would appreciate an explanation that would help me address this failing.

Thanks.

 

[craig]

My experience with the D1H is somewhat similar. I switch between Dynamic and Single area.