I need some help with D4 AF

Steven Sax wrote:

I've read my manual 5 times, and more on the AF. I have gotten some very nice pictures of my band  try to do better.

This band (tribute band to Tool, called Toology,, they're really quite good, esp if you're under 30; I've 57, but the bassist is a radiologist with me at Methodist Hospital in Houston) does not run around much or jump. What would you recommend I use for autofocus.

I'll be using mostly 14-24 and 24-70; it's a small venue, the stage is 25 feet in depth, and I've got access to backstage and sidestage. I am planning on stopping shooting 10+ frames/second, and shooting maybe 3-4? so that I can allow the AF to work better. Of course, it is a D4 so shouldn't the AF work better? I've checked and adjusted my focus on each lens, which is quite close to perfect, with slight backfocusing on my 70-200, which I'm leaving at home tonight (maybe).

I am switching to:

a1:AF-C release + focus; I used to have it on release, but have gotten way to many unfocussed images.

a2: AF-S is on focus.

a3: focus tracking : 4

a4: Af activation: off (I use the AF-ON button to focus)

a5: focus point illumination is

manual mode: on, continuous mode: on, focus point brightness: 1 (high), dynamic area AF display: on

a6: focus point wrap-around: on

A7: number of focus points: AF51

a8: assign AF_ON BUTTON: AF ON button

a9: assign AF-ON button (vertical): AF ON button

a10: store points by orientation: ON

use spot metering (because of the extremely variable lighting), and use shutter priority 1/3 of the time, aperture priority 2/3 of the time, and manual very uncommonly

I use 6400 iso 20%, 12800 50% and variable iso from 320- 11400....I DO NOT USE AUTO ISO; is this a mistake? If I do use auto iso, do I set it for 12800?

I know some or all of this should be second nature, but I'm just trying to get better. I would really appreciate some helpful advice. Thanks, Steve