D7000 AF-ON, Priority Selection, AF Point Illumination

I have read several D7000 custom settings posts that suggest setting the D7000 to AF-ON with RELEASE priority for both AF-C and AF-S.

I like to illuminate the focus point to ensure I am focusing where I would like to.

However, I've noticed that with the above settings....and with remote/tripod mode or continuous mode, some photos do not display a focus point. It'll skip a picture or two, then display a focus point, then skip a few more.

I set AF-C and AF-S to FOCUS priority, and a focus point is displayed on all pictures.

So that brings up a few questions:

1) If I am pressing AF-ON and rolling on the shutter with RELEASE priority in continuous mode....and one picture does not show an illuminated focus point....does the picture in question assume the focus point of the previous picture? I guess that's the purpose behind Focus Lock?

2) One reason for using RELEASE priority is to not have to wait for focus confirmation to take a quick shot. Is it really that effective?

Thanks for any help in advance....

berryct said:

I have read several D7000 custom settings posts that suggest setting the D7000 to AF-ON with RELEASE priority for both AF-C and AF-S.

I like to illuminate the focus point to ensure I am focusing where I would like to.

However, I've noticed that with the above settings....and with remote/tripod mode or continuous mode, some photos do not display a focus point. It'll skip a picture or two, then display a focus point, then skip a few more.

Click to expand...

Do you mean the focus box selected in the viewfinder is not visible or the red box in ViewNX2 on your computer?

berryct said:

I set AF-C and AF-S to FOCUS priority, and a focus point is displayed on all pictures.

Click to expand...

I'm assuming the red box in ViewNX2 so it will be absent if the AF-System never saw "focus" but yes, in release priority the picture will be taken anyways. Also remember the focus box in ViewNX2 does not show were the camera actually focused on but what auto focus sensor was primary at the time of shutter release. For example: Using Focus priority and AF-S focus on your shoe then recompose on your friends face and take the pic. ViewNX2 will show the focus box on your friends face but we know the camera actually focused on your shoe.

berryct said:

So that brings up a few questions:

1) If I am pressing AF-ON and rolling on the shutter with RELEASE priority in continuous mode....and one picture does not show an illuminated focus point....does the picture in question assume the focus point of the previous picture? I guess that's the purpose behind Focus Lock?

Click to expand...

No, it simply means the AF system didn't lock on to anything at the time of shutter release (no little green light in the lower left of the view finder). Also, using the AF-ON technique, when you release the back button you have basically "Focus Locked"

berryct said:

2) One reason for using RELEASE priority is to not have to wait for focus confirmation to take a quick shot. Is it really that effective?

Click to expand...

Sure but it greatly depends on the situation in terms of scene, subject, and photographers intentions. Good Luck and hope this was accurate and helpful.

berryct said:

I have read several D7000 custom settings posts that suggest setting the D7000 to AF-ON with RELEASE priority for both AF-C and AF-S.

I like to illuminate the focus point to ensure I am focusing where I would like to.

However, I've noticed that with the above settings....and with remote/tripod mode or continuous mode, some photos do not display a focus point. It'll skip a picture or two, then display a focus point, then skip a few more.

I set AF-C and AF-S to FOCUS priority, and a focus point is displayed on all pictures.

Click to expand...

In focus priority you must have a steady focus indicator for the shutter to release. To get a red focus box in ViewNX you must have a steady focus indicator when taking the shot. So focus priority shots always show red focus boxes while release priority shots may or may not show red focus boxes.

If you have an image where your subject is positioned at the focus point, and you were expecting your subject to be in focus but you don't have a red focus box, then that means that the subject was out of focus. At short distances the focus indicator is sensitive...movement of a few inches may be enough to lose the focus indicator.

berryct said:

2) One reason for using RELEASE priority is to not have to wait for focus confirmation to take a quick shot. Is it really that effective?

Click to expand...

There’s no reason to wait for focus confirmation. If your image is framed and your focus point is located on the area you want in focus, then just press the shutter all the way...there’s no need to wait at the half-press for the beep. If the focus is way off then the lens may take a one second to focus. That's fine...just hold your position and keep the shutter pressed. The shutter will fire the instant focus is achieved, ensuring the best possible focus. Usually, the focus isn't that far off, and if you've just taken a picture you'll find that subsequent pictures are taken immediately.

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Ok....thanks everyone. You confirmed what I was thinking was "supposed" to happen.

So basically I was trying to determine if it was "normal" to NOT have focus boxes in either ViewNX or in image review of the camera (I enabled that setting in my D7000).

But what concerns me is when I'm using a tripod in remote/mirror-up mode. I'll hit the AF-ON back button to ensure the focus point and then hit the remote button twice to capture the image. Sometimes I get a red focus box....sometimes I don't....and nothing has moved

Any ideas there?

And another thought that I wanted to keep on a seperate post....

I can see why there would be occasional misses on focus while panning with AF-ON pressed, Release Priority, AF-C, and Continuous Release mode. Small changes that would cause the camera to lose focus...especially with up to 6 fps...Is this reasoning correct?

So am I misusing AF-ON? Is it necessary to keep it pressed while pressing the shutter button? If the motion is constant, do I hit AF-ON to lock the focus point once, let go, and fire away?

I thought I had a handle on all of this, and then poof....I'm confused.....

The reason why the focus box is important to me now is that I am working on my composition -- i.e. focusing on subject's eye. Sometimes I forget, and when I review the images, I like seeing the focus box as a reminder -- either I composed properly, or I forgot again.

berryct said:

Ok....thanks everyone. You confirmed what I was thinking was "supposed" to happen.

So basically I was trying to determine if it was "normal" to NOT have focus boxes in either ViewNX or in image review of the camera (I enabled that setting in my D7000).

But what concerns me is when I'm using a tripod in remote/mirror-up mode. I'll hit the AF-ON back button to ensure the focus point

Click to expand...

Did you see a "green dot" focus confirmation in the viewfinder at that point.......If not, no red box

Yes....before letting go of AF-ON, I ensured the green dot in the lower left hand corner of the viewfinder.

berryct said:

And another thought that I wanted to keep on a seperate post....

I can see why there would be occasional misses on focus while panning with AF-ON pressed, Release Priority, AF-C, and Continuous Release mode. Small changes that would cause the camera to lose focus...especially with up to 6 fps...Is this reasoning correct?

So am I misusing AF-ON? Is it necessary to keep it pressed while pressing the shutter button?

Click to expand...

When you release the button the camera stops attempting to focus.....if you or the subject moves after that point then the subject will not be in focus.

berryct said:

If the motion is constant, do I hit AF-ON to lock the focus point once, let go, and fire away?

Click to expand...

Only if the focus point does not change...example girl friend walks slowly towards you and you hold the Back button "on" to focus while you shoot. AS she gets closer you let go the button but she keeps getting closer....every shot after you let go will be out of focus....untill you hit/hold the back button to focus again.

Hope this helps and I'm not misunderstanding the question.

berryct said:

The reason why the focus box is important to me now is that I am working on my composition -- i.e. focusing on subject's eye. Sometimes I forget, and when I review the images, I like seeing the focus box as a reminder -- either I composed properly, or I forgot again.

Click to expand...

Remember, the red focus box doesn't tell you really what you focused on but what AF-sensor was selected as primary when the shutter was released.

berryct said:

Yes....before letting go of AF-ON, I ensured the green dot in the lower left hand corner of the viewfinder.

Click to expand...

But in AF-ON and AF-C (not sure about AF-S) as soon as you let go the Back button the green dot goes out so no red box.......as when the shutter releases the green dot was out. Try this AF-C AF-ON....keep the button pressed notice the green dot take a pic you get a red box, yes? Take same pic but let go the back button first (notice green dot goes out) take a pic no red box, yes?

Mako2011 said:

But in AF-ON and AF-C (not sure about AF-S) as soon as you let go the Back button the green dot goes out so no red box.......as when the shutter releases the green dot was out. Try this AF-C AF-ON....keep the button pressed notice the green dot take a pic you get a red box, yes? Take same pic but let go the back button first (notice green dot goes out) take a pic no red box, yes?

Click to expand...

I've tried this test in the past, either letting go or holding AF-ON button...On single shots while holding AF-ON, the red box is ALWAYS there. After letting go of AF-ON, the red box is SOMETIMES there. Weird huh?

Maybe this is an anomoly that I should just let go?

berryct said:

Mako2011 said:

But in AF-ON and AF-C (not sure about AF-S) as soon as you let go the Back button the green dot goes out so no red box.......as when the shutter releases the green dot was out. Try this AF-C AF-ON....keep the button pressed notice the green dot take a pic you get a red box, yes? Take same pic but let go the back button first (notice green dot goes out) take a pic no red box, yes?

Click to expand...

I've tried this test in the past, either letting go or holding AF-ON button...On single shots while holding AF-ON, the red box is ALWAYS there. After letting go of AF-ON, the red box is SOMETIMES there.

Click to expand...

No, in AF-ON and AF-C if you let go the back button there is no green dot and no red box.....Unless, and I just figured this out, when you half press the shutter and the lens happens to be focused in the same range as the current target. Try this and you will see. Using AF-ON and AF-C focus on something far and get the green dot. Let go the Back Button (green dot goes out) now, pointed at the same subject, half press the shutter...the green dot comes back on. Keeping the shutter release half pressed (no back button on) move the camera to something closer and watch the green dot go out indicting that you are out of the focus range set when you released the Back Button AF-ON. Bottom line, if the green dot is off when the shutter releases..no red box

OK. That makes sense. I briefly played around with that half-press combo and got mixed results...and I couldn't figure out how to repeat it.

I think my setup gave slightly skewed results because my image subject was a foot away with little contrast...I'll try it again later with a distant subject with lots of contrast.

berryct said:

So am I misusing AF-ON? Is it necessary to keep it pressed while pressing the shutter button? If the motion is constant, do I hit AF-ON to lock the focus point once, let go, and fire away?

I thought I had a handle on all of this, and then poof....I'm confused.....

Click to expand...

If the subject is moving, then you must continue to press the AF-On button all the way through the point of pressing the shutter release to ensure focus. If the button is not being pressed, the camera is not focusing. This works on a static object that doesn't move after you press the AF-On button to initially focus, but obviously will not work on an object that moves unless you keep the AF-On button continually pressed and the selected AF point stays on the subject.

Keep in mind that using the AF-On button doesn't create some sort of third autofocus mode. It is simply the equivalent of AF-C mode when the AF-On button is continuously pressed, and the equivalent of AF-S mode when you focus and then release the AF-On button. You still need to understand both AF-C and AF-S mode and when it is advantageous to use each mode.

So is it "normal" to NOT have a focus point enabled when using AF-ON with Release Priority?

I have looked at some of the other AF custom settings. Do any of these make the AF less sensitive to slight changes in subject -- to the point where an autofocus point is used in every image when using high continuous mode?

I have read that the "Focus Tracking with Lock On" has been suggested to be set "OFF". Now I can play with that setting more, but what is the disadvantage to setting that to "NORMAL." Slower camera reaction time when bounching around on subjects?

Thanks again....

berryct said:

So is it "normal" to NOT have a focus point enabled when using AF-ON with Release Priority?

I have looked at some of the other AF custom settings. Do any of these make the AF less sensitive to slight changes in subject -- to the point where an autofocus point is used in every image when using high continuous mode?

I have read that the "Focus Tracking with Lock On" has been suggested to be set "OFF". Now I can play with that setting more, but what is the disadvantage to setting that to "NORMAL." Slower camera reaction time when bounching around on subjects?

Click to expand...

Setting menu a3 to anything other than "off" can cause unneeded delays in the AF-C focus process. This may prevent AF to change based on subject moment and cause your subject to be out of focus. a3 is designed to delay focus when someone walks between the camera and a stationary subject.

I would suggest the Thom Hogan guide. It can greatly improve your understanding of the D7000's systems rapidly.

berryct said:

So is it "normal" to NOT have a focus point enabled when using AF-ON with Release Priority?

Click to expand...

If you are talking about the focus point you can move around prior to the camera taking the picture which represents the location the camera is going to focus, then the answer is "maybe...." :0

I think the only time you cannot choose your own focus point is if you use the 3-D auto-focus mode. In 3D focus mode, there is no focus point represented because it is hoping around all over the place. I do not use, nor do I suggest people use that mode. So in all the other focus modes, yes you will have a focus point enabled which marks the location where the camera is going to focus.

Where you place that auto-focus point is based on what you are shooting and your own personal preferences. Many times I have it in the center focus point selection when I shoot sports. The action changes too fast to try and shift the auto-focus point around IMHO, so I use the center point. If I know where the action is going (like in baseball running to a base), then I will often prefocus on the spot using the center focus point, release the AF-On button and then recompose the shot better - perhaps placing the base in a "rule of thirds" line. Then I can wait on the action (often just a second or two) and take the picture without having to worry about focusing again.

If you are talking about after the picture is taken and you are looking back through the pictures and looking for an auto-focus point, then yes it is quite common NOT to have a focus point shown.

Lets take my base running focus point example again. I originally focused with the center focus point on the base, but then recomposed my shot and the center focus point is not going to be on the base anymore. When I take the shot, the base is still in focus (because I have not touched the AF-On button and therefore the camera has not changed focus at all), but the camera will not show a focus point embedded in the picture because according to the camera the picture wasn't focused where the center focus point was located when the picture was actually taken. Of course I know that the picture is in focus, but the camera doesn't understand that I recomposed the picture.