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Hello folks, can you please recommend a site or a book that thoroughly explains how to use the D700's complex AF system? I read the manual and quite frankly, though it contains very good information, I ended up craving a little bit more.


I was a 5DC/MII owner and all I had to do is use the center AF point lol. With the D700 having 51 useable AF points, when do you guys normally use it?


Also, this body also has various types of focus modes (M,S &C). Is it better leaving this on S (auto) mode even when using manual focus lenses and rather just flip the manual adjustment setting on the lens itself? I don't understand the point of having a manual focus mode on the body and another Manual focus option on the lens (of course that's my inadequacy, not necessarily Nikon's lol)


I must say I'm a bit confused right now, but I was expecting this and I promised myself to read the rest of the manual diligently for the next few days (Admittedly, I skipped the first few pages and went directly to the AF section). I have to say though, I'm just blown away by the D700's feature. Its really IMO above and beyond the 5DMII which I thought was the best non pro FF camera before I switched to D700. Makes you really wonder why Canon decided to stick to a 5 year old AF system to go head to head against Nikon's affordable FF format, but I guess the bottomline for them is profit, and Canon's 5DMII has been a tremendous success for them.

I just got the 14-24 today, I am literally pooping at the sharpness.
To above: I don't usually use all 51, I use 11 point selection because 51 is too much, I just focus/recompose if I need to. I set it to C (continuous) and use the rear AF-ON button so it basically acts as single. The M is mostly for AF-D lenses that don't have a focus switch on the lens, so you have to turn it off in the body.

dudemanppl wrote in post #11267656
I just got the 14-24 today, I am literally pooping at the sharpness.
To above: I don't usually use all 51, I use 11 point selection because 51 is too much, I just focus/recompose if I need to. I set it to C (continuous) and use the rear AF-ON button so it basically acts as single. The M is mostly for AF-D lenses that don't have a focus switch on the lens, so you have to turn it off in the body.

Ahh, gotcha!

BTW for lets say, walk around shooting I would think its much more convenient to leave this at Continous -servo AF?


Anyone wants to share a situation when is it useful to use the 51 AF points? I would imagine shooting sports or moving objects?

Little update on my 70-300 VR from a few pages back. Looks like the VR on it is indeed pooched (faulty) so I have to send er away and hope that it comes back a fully functional unit. Seemed to be pretty awesome even when the VR didn't work but I'd rather have my moneys worth of a lens.

nicksan wrote in post #11265319
Hey, I'm special that way.

nicksan wrote in post #11266504
Might as well ask this here.

Going to be in Italy between 11/20-11/30. Rome->Florence->Venice.

Yep, you guess it. Lenses? Lenses? Lenses?

What's set in stone:
D700
SB-900
Tripod

OK, so on to lenses. 3 lenses would be ideal, especially if they are going to be the heavier ones. 4 lenses would be the absolute max.

I'm thinking the 14-24 would be cool for architectural shots. 85G for the length. 24G might be nice for low light stuff. 24-70 is a good "safety net" lens and it's a GREAT lens to have on vacations. 50 f1.4 is a nice gap lens between 24 and 85.

Pool of candidate lenses:
14-24
24-70
24G
Sigma 50
85G

Staying home for sure:
105VR
70-200VRII

What say you?

tim wrote in post #11266610
Ta I didn't say it, it's 10 seconds in Photoshop.

Just work, really. Photographing a wedding today though.

14-24, 24-70, and a compact camera that fits in your pocket. You're on holiday, not a photo shoot, primes to me are for portraits.

Then again a D700 without grip and a small prime is a little less imposing, and maybe less likely to be stolen. Don't take a brand new camera bag, it's a beacon saying "rob me".

Make doubly sure your insurance covers theft from hotels and being mugged.

nicksan wrote in post #11266944
A lot of times a tripod isn't allowed, especially in these historical sites in Italy. I actually was bringing the tripod for night shooting if I have the time. I want to take some long exposures at Venice with some of the water in the frame, etc.

For indoors, actually a short prime like the 24G would be decent since the DOF is inherently wide but I get your meaning. The 14-24 at 14mm and f2.8 the far limit of DOF becomes infinity at about 8 feet so that's also an ideal lens.

Anyways, yeah, I think I'll take the 24-70 and leave the Sigma home.

Nick, my take you know I love UWA and since you really want the 85mm and you really love using prime

If I am in your shoes, I would bring the 14-24mm, 24mm G and 85mm G.

but if its me travelling, I would bring the 14-24mm and 24-70mm + 85mm if you really want to bring that taking the 24mm G would make it redundant, 3 lens at 24mm

you are on vacation, remember

Travis Forsyth wrote in post #11267938
Little update on my 70-300 VR from a few pages back. Looks like the VR on it is indeed pooched (faulty) so I have to send er away and hope that it comes back a fully functional unit. Seemed to be pretty awesome even when the VR didn't work but I'd rather have my moneys worth of a lens.

I just checked my 70-300mm and while continuously pressing the AF-ON button everytime I press the shutter button I hear ang click, I guess that is the VR working, every single time I half press the shutter button I hear a click.

monk3y wrote in post #11268361
I just checked my 70-300mm and while continuously pressing the AF-ON button everytime I press the shutter button I hear ang click, I guess that is the VR working, every single time I half press the shutter button I hear a click.

Thats the noise! I am a little sad that I have to stuff this lens in a box and send it away. At least this issue wasn't as bad as something that would render it completely unusable!

That's normal VR noise.
Also, have you read about the whole thing about the VR only being engaged when half pressing the shutter button? It will not engage with the AF-ON button, unlike Canon.

I just saw the Slingshot 202. I knew it came out earlier this year but since I have the 200 I didn't really bother until now. I like my 200. Of course my TT lens changer 3 is being used on the regular now for weddings and local shooting, but the 200 is my go-to travel bag. The 202 adds a bigger upper compartment and more importantly a tripod holder. PERFECT for my upcoming trip and any other trek that requires a tripod. Going to get it!

nicksan wrote in post #11265061
Ryan. Nice work. I like the Osaka Jo photo the best. Osaka is where I was born!

I got fond memories of Osaka as well :P
Nick are you one of these pretty young japanese photographers

70-200mm VR1

eye2i wrote in post #11267554
Hello folks, can you please recommend a site or a book that thoroughly explains how to use the D700's complex AF system? I read the manual and quite frankly, though it contains very good information, I ended up craving a little bit more.

I was a 5DC/MII owner and all I had to do is use the center AF point lol. With the D700 having 51 useable AF points, when do you guys normally use it?

Also, this body also has various types of focus modes (M,S &C). Is it better leaving this on S (auto) mode even when using manual focus lenses and rather just flip the manual adjustment setting on the lens itself? I don't understand the point of having a manual focus mode on the body and another Manual focus option on the lens (of course that's my inadequacy, not necessarily Nikon's lol)

I must say I'm a bit confused right now, but I was expecting this and I promised myself to read the rest of the manual diligently for the next few days (Admittedly, I skipped the first few pages and went directly to the AF section). I have to say though, I'm just blown away by the D700's feature. Its really IMO above and beyond the 5DMII which I thought was the best non pro FF camera before I switched to D700. Makes you really wonder why Canon decided to stick to a 5 year old AF system to go head to head against Nikon's affordable FF format, but I guess the bottomline for them is profit, and Canon's 5DMII has been a tremendous success for them.

I choose the focus point, not the camera... you have to drive your equipment. I tend to use the single centre focus point, but I do use the little joystick and other focus points if I feel like it, individually. Honestly I don't feel this focus system needs much of a manual. Choose your focus point, put it over you subject, shoot, photos look good.

I use S mode, and I have it set up somewhere in the massive menu system to focus priority. That just means single shot mode, and focus before it takes the photo. You can use C mode if you like, I use it for brides walking up the aisle. I have no idea why there's an M option on the C/S/M switch, it's pretty much useless and causes all kinds of problems when you knock it.

I rate the D700 as a pro body. It's a D3 in a less robust shell, but the D3 (and 1D) are mental - you can hammer a nail in with them if you really want to. D700 is plenty robust, focuses great, and just makes fantastic images.

nicksan wrote in post #11268869
That's normal VR noise.
Also, have you read about the whole thing about the VR only being engaged when half pressing the shutter button? It will not engage with the AF-ON button, unlike Canon.

Yes sir I am aware it only engages at half press. My problem is it will not engage at all in most cases but I if I let the camera fall asleep and wake it with the shutter button it will kick in or give me a little 3-4 buzz sequence as if its trying to spin up but can't.

RyanTan wrote in post #11269999
I got fond memories of Osaka as well :P
Nick are you one of these pretty young japanese photographers

Nikon 85mm PC

Nikon 12-24mm DX
A dancer practices by the side of the canal.

Btw it is pretty amazing to maintain a nice friendly Nikon thread on a Canon-centric forum. Threads of such nature in local forums turn sour by the minute and after much inflammation they get closed rather quickly. Nice work dudes :P

I learned much of my basics from my old D80 / F100 before i got over to Canon

Ryan

Love these last two shots of yours!

*Notice: Im a Canon user but appreciate what other brands can do. Thats why i love POTN. Unlike anyother forum out there

I played around a little w/ the D700 too and must admit that I was pretty impressed with its AF system. I have the 40D and when taking portraits, I try to compose in such a way that one of the focus points in on one of the eyes. On D700, when I focused it appeared as if the camera automatically detected the eyes. I could see two red squares light up in front of the eyes! So there was no need to try to compose in a way where you align the focus point with the eye. The camera does that for you!

Appears as if D700 has some sort of face detection technology.

retour wrote in post #11271063
I played around a little w/ the D700 too and must admit that I was pretty impressed with its AF system. I have the 40D and when taking portraits, I try to compose in such a way that one of the focus points in on one of the eyes. On D700, when I focused it appeared as if the camera automatically detected the eyes. I could see two red squares light up in front of the eyes! So there was no need to try to compose in a way where you align the focus point with the eye. The camera does that for you!

Appears as if D700 has some sort of face detection technology.

Sounds like you were letting the camera decide which focus point to choose on the D700. That's a big no-go, at least IMO.