Single point focus or 3D tracking for live music?

[Niz]

Which would be better for shooting live music?

 

[tirediron]

If you want to capture music, than I would suggest a microphone. If however you want to photograph people performing, than it would depend. If it's a show where there's not a lot of jumping about, than I would definitely go with single-point. If it's a show where there's a LOT of movement, than predictive might be best.

 

[Niz]

Haha yeah I should of been more specific, I guess there would be alot of sudden movements so tracking might be a good bet?

 

[Kerbouchard]

Setting the AF to single point is among the first sweep of changes I make when I get a new DSLR. It never gets changed afterwards.

That includes weddings, sports, family photos, landscapes, etc. Simply no reason for me to have to guess where my camera is going to guess I want focus. I'd rather just tell it myself.

 

[KmH]

That will depend what camera model you have.

Nikon's entry-level cameras don't do 3-D tracking very well, but their prosumer cameras do.

A solid understanding of how auto focus works, and what it's limitations are, is always helpful.

 

[Derrel]

That will depend what camera model you have.

Nikon's entry-level cameras don't do 3-D tracking very well, but their prosumer cameras do.

A solid understanding of how auto focus works, and what it's limitations are, is always helpful.

I agree with KmH's comments, 100%.

 

[Big Mike]

I'm not all that familiar with Nikon's 3D focus...does that have to do focus points/area or tracking a subject or both.

Typically, there are the AF points (manually choosing or letting the camera choose) and the focus mode...which are separate things.
I believe that choosing a specific focus point (or area, on some cameras) is the way to go. If you let the camera choose the focus point for you, it may not choose what it you want it to.
As for the focus mode, there are two basic modes; still subject or moving subject. (AF-S & AF-C on a Nikon). In still subject mode, once the focus is reached, it stops and locks the focus. It also won't take the shot until it has achieved focus. In moving subject mode, it constantly re-focuses and lets you snap the shot at any time. Both can work well if you know how to use them and are comfortable with them.
Most cameras will have a hybrid mode that locks the focus like still subject mode, but will try to track the subject & refocus if it thinks the subject is moving.
And some cameras have some more complicated features that I'm not too familiar with....so RTM.

One thing that would influence my decision in this case, is that (with Canon cameras at least) the AF assist light only works when in still subject mode.

 

[KmH]

As an example, Nikon's D300/D300s/D700/D3/D3s/D3x Multi-CAM 3500FX/DX AF Sensor Module only does 3-D tracking when the camera is in the Dynamic-area AF mode, and it uses all 51 focus points:

Nikon | Imaging Products | Nikon D Technology THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

If the OP has the D7000, which has the newer Multi-CAM 4800DX AF Sensor module, it may work as well as the Multi-CAM 3500FX/DX AF Sensor Module for 3-D tracking.

 

[Niz]

So i guess my Nikon d90 11pt tracking would be far inferior to the models mentioned for it?
I can always try it and see but by the sounds of things i might stick with the AF-C

 

[KmH]

So i guess my Nikon d90 11pt tracking would be far inferior to the models mentioned for it?

Yep! The D90 has the Multi-CAM 1000 DX AF Sensor module.