Digital SLR's different AF points.

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rayonline

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#236181 22-May-2018 13:38

My Nikon D600 only has the middle center points that is cross type which are more quicker and more accurate. With the camera club I did some studio portraits using the side AF point to focus on the eyes, they were OK, but when you zoom in they weren't tack sharp. I usually use the middle one and recompose since I shoot off a tripod doing landscapes I have all the time in the world.

Which points do you use and does it matter if they are not the sharpest? It's not like I am cropping heavily. Things like street photography you can use depth of field to cover your bacon right but street style you don't take your sweet time to focus right.

Cheers.

Batman

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#2020421 22-May-2018 14:42

that's why you buy a dslr with crosstype AF points everywhere. D750 onwards is what I'd recommend.

rayonline

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#2020434 22-May-2018 15:15

Batman:

that's why you buy a dslr with crosstype AF points everywhere. D750 onwards is what I'd recommend.

Doesn't only the D500/850 and the D5 have most of them ..

The D750 only seems to have 15 in the middle ... end of the 3rd paragraph.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/products-and-innovation/51-point-autofocus-system.html

This confirms it
https://digital-photography-school.com/understanding-normal-and-cross-type-focusing-points/

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#2020497 22-May-2018 17:03

very sorry! yes you must be right!

me run canon 5d mk 3

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#2020498 22-May-2018 17:04

also depends on the lens. some lenses focus very well, some lenses don't focus properly. i presume you are using a kit lens, they are a bit unreliable in terms of nailing focus, the canon ones at least. not sure about nikon. reviews are your friend.

rayonline

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#2020521 22-May-2018 17:42

Batman:

also depends on the lens. some lenses focus very well, some lenses don't focus properly. i presume you are using a kit lens, they are a bit unreliable in terms of nailing focus, the canon ones at least. not sure about nikon. reviews are your friend.

Nope Nikon 70-200 f4 vr. I was trying to focus on person's eye in a studio setting with continuous lights.

My D600 is a entry full frame, like the Canon 6D that has also just the crosstype in the center :)

jarledb

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#2020530 22-May-2018 18:01

rayonline:
Nope Nikon 70-200 f4 vr. I was trying to focus on person's eye in a studio setting with continuous lights.

Might want to look at shooting with deeper/larger depth of field (Thats to say, a larger f-number).

More about depth of field here

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rayonline

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#2020542 22-May-2018 18:19

jarledb:

rayonline:
Nope Nikon 70-200 f4 vr. I was trying to focus on person's eye in a studio setting with continuous lights.

Might want to look at shooting with deeper/larger depth of field (Thats to say, a larger f-number).

More about depth of field here

The semi pro bodies have better focus points yup. I was shooting at F4 and still at ISO 400. Before it was tack sharp with the instructor / demonstrator. Then he said switch to the side AF points.... I usually do landscapes so I have always just used the centre AF point.

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#2020544 22-May-2018 18:19

I have owned many lenses. This is with reference to Canon 5d mk3 using only cross type focus points.

two older sigma lenses don't nail focus.

One new gen high f stop Tamron lens always nails focus.
One new gen Tamron large aperture lens don't nail focus at infinity.

All my Canon non L lens don't always nail focus.

One Canon L lens don't nail focus past 5m distance.

One Canon L lens that cost more than people's cars with small fstop always nails focus.

One Canon non L lens that cost less than a McDonald's meal always nails focus (the nifty fifty!).
Don't be too disappointed.

I'm waiting for all the pros to come after me and accuse me of not knowing what I'm doing. That would be incorrect.