D2X/Hs users, do you wish they could focus like D2h?

[skfoo]

If you do.....well you are not alone!

Read the following thread:

http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=4925&forum=DCForumID71&viewmode=threaded

Cheers! :)

[wkcheah76]

That's what I thought! Was rather taken aback when I tried the D2Hs/D2X with a legendary 200-400 on little hovering white birds. Just cannot lock! It seems the canon setup completely blows the new Nikon bodies away. Not intended to flame, but I do respect Nikon a lot in the past, ut it has time and time again disappointed.

[glennyong]

when i tested the 2Hs, the focusing is a lil faster den the 2H. but why are we hoping that the 2Hs focus like the 2h... hahaha.... i still think 2Hs performed better den the 2H..

[skfoo]

when i tested the 2Hs, the focusing is a lil faster den the 2H. but why are we hoping that the 2Hs focus like the 2h... hahaha.... i still think 2Hs performed better den the 2H..

Good for you! :)

[skfoo]

That's what I thought! Was rather taken aback when I tried the D2Hs/D2X with a legendary 200-400 on little hovering white birds. Just cannot lock! It seems the canon setup completely blows the new Nikon bodies away. Not intended to flame, but I do respect Nikon a lot in the past, ut it has time and time again disappointed.

Every camera has its own set of limitations, pros and cons, regardless of brand. It takes awhile for us to get to know our cameras. Don't lose heart yet, the solution may well be a simple one like changing of menu item or firmware update.... :)

[glennyong]

oR a better lens or body! ahahahaha..... :blah:

[Sree]

Further to the original Nikonians thread, here is another thread worth looking at: http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID71/4952.html#1

[skfoo]

Sree,

The thread on the new Multi-CAM 2000 autofocus module found on D2X and Hs is interesting! :)

[Sree]

That's what I thought! Was rather taken aback when I tried the D2Hs/D2X with a legendary 200-400 on little hovering white birds. Just cannot lock! It seems the canon setup completely blows the new Nikon bodies away. Not intended to flame, but I do respect Nikon a lot in the past, ut it has time and time again disappointed.

WK a few of us have similar experiences with our 2X or 2Hs. After digesting the new article (see the URL I posted), I did some experiments yesterday with flying birds. (Generally following the recommendations of the article including setting A4 on).

I found that I could not lock focus with Dynamic Area AF even when it was just the bird against the sky. However when I moved to Group Dynamic AF, it locked on instantly every time .. and was sharp as well. Back to Dynamic Area AF and no lock again ... Group Dynamic AF and instant lock-on.

For me this seems counter-intiutive but then the new pro cameras are so much more complicated. Individual situations may not always match the general guidelines. Try it the next time you use the 2X or 2Hs for flight/hovering shots.

SK glad you found the article interesting. Now you know why I was shooting the birds in the hot noon day sun when it was harsh. I simply had to see if my newer (improved) understanding of the new Nikon Multi-CAM 2000 and software would increase my success rate for flight/hovering shots.

[eagleeye]

Sree Says"
I found that I could not lock focus with Dynamic Area AF even when it was just the bird against the sky. However when I moved to Group Dynamic AF, it locked on instantly every time .. and was sharp as well. Back to Dynamic Area AF and no lock again ... Group Dynamic AF and instant lock-on.
"
Hi
It was a great link!

Darrell suggest that A4 MUST be ON when using Group Dynamic AF-C mode.
A reader commented that it is better to be OFF in certain situations.

"It will prevent the AF to refocus on objects briefly going through frame. Great, but if there is nothing obscuring my main subject I simply don't need this feature. Turning lock-on off makes the AF apprear much faster and snappier in general. It feels like the AF performance has been increased dramatically. "

It may be good to test this on Butterflies with the appropriate AF-S lens
and set the camera to CH and just fire away and see what happens :)

I tried this combo with a 70-200 lens but it failed to focus on
birds flying toward me. The birds are pigeons which fly toward
my balcony every evening. However , it does lock on quite fast on
birds flying across my view and away from me.

I also removed FOCUS priority because with AFC for it to determine
focus on a flying subject is way too slow. I think this particular
tweak depends on the amount of available light..

Darrell also says that the D2X/2hS focus system is unmatched?
I hope this is true...

Eagleeye

[Sree]

Hi
It was a great link!

Darrell suggest that A4 MUST be ON when using Group Dynamic AF-C mode.
A reader commented that it is better to be OFF in certain situations.

It may be good to test this on Butterflies with the appropriate AF-S lens
and set the camera to CH and just fire away and see what happens :)

I tried this combo with a 70-200 lens but it failed to focus on
birds flying toward me. The birds are pigeons which fly toward
my balcony every evening. However , it does lock on quite fast on
birds flying across my view and away from me.

I also removed FOCUS priority because with AFC for it to determine
focus on a flying subject is way too slow. I think this particular
tweak depends on the amount of available light..

Darrell also says that the D2X/2hS focus system is unmatched?
I hope this is true...

Eagleeye


Maybe I must come over to your place to try out with the pigeons :D Trying it on butterflies for testing sounds interesting too.

Yeah, it is always easier to lock-on when subject flies across us. It is the ones heading towards us that is the problem.

[eagleeye]

** New notes on Nikonians.org says that Nikon knows about the focus
problems on D2X.

** Also note that when using Telephoto lens closest subject should
not be used IF you have problems

Eagleeye
:)

[Oblivious]

You guys are just way to spoiled!
Gawd...