How are people using Group Focus on D750/D810?

Dyun27 said:

I use it in AF-C mode when I shoot portraits or when I'm tracking a bigger bird in flight. It works pretty well. I haven't quite figured out what it's BEST for, but for peoples' faces it seems to work better than selecting AF-C 9 points or single point.

I found an article from Photography Life describing the function of the Group area mode:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

"When pointed at a subject, all five focus points are activated simultaneously for the initial focus acquisition, with priority given to the closest subject. This differs from the the Dynamic 9 AF mode quite a bit, because D9 activates 8 focus points around the center focus point, with priority given to the chosen center focus point. If the camera fails to focus using the center focus point (not enough contrast), it attempts to do it with the other 8 focus points. Basically, the camera will always prioritize the central focus point and only fail-over to the other 8 if focus is not possible. In contrast, Group-area AF uses all 5 focus points simultaneously and will attempt to focus on the nearest subject, without giving preference to any of the 5 focus points."

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Humanoid said:

Dyun27 said:

I use it in AF-C mode when I shoot portraits or when I'm tracking a bigger bird in flight. It works pretty well. I haven't quite figured out what it's BEST for, but for peoples' faces it seems to work better than selecting AF-C 9 points or single point.

I found an article from Photography Life describing the function of the Group area mode:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

"When pointed at a subject, all five focus points are activated simultaneously for the initial focus acquisition, with priority given to the closest subject. This differs from the the Dynamic 9 AF mode quite a bit, because D9 activates 8 focus points around the center focus point, with priority given to the chosen center focus point. If the camera fails to focus using the center focus point (not enough contrast), it attempts to do it with the other 8 focus points. Basically, the camera will always prioritize the central focus point and only fail-over to the other 8 if focus is not possible. In contrast, Group-area AF uses all 5 focus points simultaneously and will attempt to focus on the nearest subject, without giving preference to any of the 5 focus points."

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billslatteryjr said:

while stubbornly trying to learn to live with a 5-6FPS rate without spending $3K+ to upgrade from a D4 to same MP D4S. It definitely adds to the number of in focus shots. No placebo effect.

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Humanoid said:

Dyun27 said:

I use it in AF-C mode when I shoot portraits or when I'm tracking a bigger bird in flight. It works pretty well. I haven't quite figured out what it's BEST for, but for peoples' faces it seems to work better than selecting AF-C 9 points or single point.

I found an article from Photography Life describing the function of the Group area mode:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

"When pointed at a subject, all five focus points are activated simultaneously for the initial focus acquisition, with priority given to the closest subject. This differs from the the Dynamic 9 AF mode quite a bit, because D9 activates 8 focus points around the center focus point, with priority given to the chosen center focus point. If the camera fails to focus using the center focus point (not enough contrast), it attempts to do it with the other 8 focus points. Basically, the camera will always prioritize the central focus point and only fail-over to the other 8 if focus is not possible. In contrast, Group-area AF uses all 5 focus points simultaneously and will attempt to focus on the nearest subject, without giving preference to any of the 5 focus points."

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpivkova/

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This is a good explanation above.

I found group area af to be vital in capturing any fast moving target with a high contrast background. Where other settings will shift focus to the higher contrast background group will less likely because the closest subect has priority.

In my testing with a D810 shooting pelicans darting up from below cliffs and the contrasty ocean in the background to ring neck ducks moving at light speed, group area beat any other af setting. Group area would acquire faster and maintain lock longer. Not by much but enough to get a sharp shot.

Caveat - Shooting with the D4s the differences may be a moot point, as the focus is so fast you may not see the difference unless your background shots are sharp.

In normal conditions for moving subjects 9pt dynamic is the better choice, as you can nail the center focus point on a birds eye where group area af will not usually choose the center focal point.

For shooting portraits single area would be my choice to make sure your focal point is spot on the eye of the subject.

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Humanoid said:

Bottom line is, use what works for you and experiment in non-critical situations.

cheers,

Ray

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BobWorrell said:

Humanoid said:

Dyun27 said:

I use it in AF-C mode when I shoot portraits or when I'm tracking a bigger bird in flight. It works pretty well. I haven't quite figured out what it's BEST for, but for peoples' faces it seems to work better than selecting AF-C 9 points or single point.

I found an article from Photography Life describing the function of the Group area mode:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

"When pointed at a subject, all five focus points are activated simultaneously for the initial focus acquisition, with priority given to the closest subject. This differs from the the Dynamic 9 AF mode quite a bit, because D9 activates 8 focus points around the center focus point, with priority given to the chosen center focus point. If the camera fails to focus using the center focus point (not enough contrast), it attempts to do it with the other 8 focus points. Basically, the camera will always prioritize the central focus point and only fail-over to the other 8 if focus is not possible. In contrast, Group-area AF uses all 5 focus points simultaneously and will attempt to focus on the nearest subject, without giving preference to any of the 5 focus points."

Click to expand...

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Humanoid said:

BobWorrell said:

Humanoid said:

Dyun27 said:

I use it in AF-C mode when I shoot portraits or when I'm tracking a bigger bird in flight. It works pretty well. I haven't quite figured out what it's BEST for, but for peoples' faces it seems to work better than selecting AF-C 9 points or single point.

I found an article from Photography Life describing the function of the Group area mode:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

"When pointed at a subject, all five focus points are activated simultaneously for the initial focus acquisition, with priority given to the closest subject. This differs from the the Dynamic 9 AF mode quite a bit, because D9 activates 8 focus points around the center focus point, with priority given to the chosen center focus point. If the camera fails to focus using the center focus point (not enough contrast), it attempts to do it with the other 8 focus points. Basically, the camera will always prioritize the central focus point and only fail-over to the other 8 if focus is not possible. In contrast, Group-area AF uses all 5 focus points simultaneously and will attempt to focus on the nearest subject, without giving preference to any of the 5 focus points."

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpivkova/

Click to expand...

This is a good explanation above.

I found group area af to be vital in capturing any fast moving target with a high contrast background. Where other settings will shift focus to the higher contrast background group will less likely because the closest subect has priority.

In my testing with a D810 shooting pelicans darting up from below cliffs and the contrasty ocean in the background to ring neck ducks moving at light speed, group area beat any other af setting. Group area would acquire faster and maintain lock longer. Not by much but enough to get a sharp shot.

Caveat - Shooting with the D4s the differences may be a moot point, as the focus is so fast you may not see the difference unless your background shots are sharp.

In normal conditions for moving subjects 9pt dynamic is the better choice, as you can nail the center focus point on a birds eye where group area af will not usually choose the center focal point.

For shooting portraits single area would be my choice to make sure your focal point is spot on the eye of the subject.

Click to expand...

You can use face detection with group, that might override the closest point focus.

Humanoid said:

Bottom line is, use what works for you and experiment in non-critical situations.

cheers,

Ray

Click to expand...

I haven't seen much difference for BIF with AF-C 9 pt or GRP. from what I understand 9pt is more for tracking and grp gives a little more margin on the focus position/target.

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I noticed quite a bit of difference in extreme af challenges with group and 9 pt af. It was the difference of a sharp image vs. a missed image. Agreed 9 pt is more for eradic movements of the subject and could carry to more focal points if one needs them while taxing the processesor, however, group is capable of capturing eradic movements, but wouldn't be the first choice for eradic movments. I seldom use more then 9 pts. Never used face detection.

Seems like many may have dust on the AF sensor, as their systems are not responsive. Could also be others require af fine tune or their af fine tuning is a hair off that will slow af down too.

Ray

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Dyun27 said:

I use it in AF-C mode when I shoot portraits or when I'm tracking a bigger bird in flight. It works pretty well. I haven't quite figured out what it's BEST for, but for peoples' faces it seems to work better than selecting AF-C 9 points or single point.

I found an article from Photography Life describing the function of the Group area mode:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-group-area-af-mode

"When pointed at a subject, all five focus points are activated simultaneously for the initial focus acquisition, with priority given to the closest subject. This differs from the the Dynamic 9 AF mode quite a bit, because D9 activates 8 focus points around the center focus point, with priority given to the chosen center focus point. If the camera fails to focus using the center focus point (not enough contrast), it attempts to do it with the other 8 focus points. Basically, the camera will always prioritize the central focus point and only fail-over to the other 8 if focus is not possible. In contrast, Group-area AF uses all 5 focus points simultaneously and will attempt to focus on the nearest subject, without giving preference to any of the 5 focus points."

Click to expand...

T O Shooter said:

billslatteryjr said:

while stubbornly trying to learn to live with a 5-6FPS rate without spending $3K+ to upgrade from a D4 to same MP D4S. It definitely adds to the number of in focus shots. No placebo effect.

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Hard to tell what you're saying here. Am I right in assuming that you either shot with a D810, D750 to avail yourself of a body with group AF ("trying to learn to live with a 5-6FPS") rather than upgrade your current D4?? to a D4s? And are you saying that the D810 or D750 with group gave you more keepers than a D4 with 9 pt?

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JJ10 said:

amobi said:

I used it once in a wedding and stopped. It did nothing for me except that I missed a lot of shots. I used it both in procession and first dace. I'm back to Af-C single point 100%. I do not shoot sport or BIF. If I do who knows.

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That is interesting, in what way did you miss a lot of shots? Failed to nail focus or some other problem?

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JJ10 said:

I would be interested in learning how and if people are using Group Focus on your camera? How have you found it in general or is it just a option like the scene modes etc that lots of us never use.

How would it go at events for example, with flash, and will Flash Lock work correctly with Group Focus?

I note when the D7200 was released lots of people said the lack of group focus was a deal breaker for them so it would be good to see how people are finding it.

I have the D750 and was thinking of trying it with flash at an event I will be attending soon.

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