Technical Solutions
| D4 TIPS

Settings by Subject

In addition to the changes described above under "Improving Camera Response", you can fine-tune settings to improve response for specific subjects.

Most team sports (e.g., soccer/rugby)

Choose these basic settings if subjects are often partially obscured by other objects or focus shifts quickly between nearby and distant subjects.

AF-C Priority Selection
Release
AF-Area Mode
Dynamic Area AF (9 points)
Focus Tracking with lock-on
3 (Normal)

Subjects are often obscured by other athletes (e.g., track events)

Select a long lock-on to maintain focus on your subject.

AF-C Priority Selection
Release or Focus + release
AF-Area Mode
Dynamic Area AF (9 points)
Focus Tracking with lock-on
3 (Normal)to5(long)

Subjects appear suddenly or are hard to track (e.g., diving/ski-jumping)

Increasing number of dynamic-area focus points ensures that camera will focus based on information from surrounding focus points if subject briefly leaves selected focus point.
Most effective where there is separation between subject and background.

AF-C Priority Selection
Release
AF-Area Mode
Dynamic Area AF (21 points)
Focus Tracking with lock-on
3 (Normal)

Outer focus points are used (e.g., speed skating)

Increase number of dynamic-area focus points by one level when framing pictures in "tall" (portrait) orientation.
Choose Focus + release for improved focus when photographing ball sports and in other situations in which precise timing is not a priority.

AF-C Priority Selection
Focus + release
AF-Area Mode
Dynamic Area AF (21 points)
Focus Tracking with lock-on
3 (Normal)

Subjects move rapidly; camera orientation changes often (e.g., figure skating)

Increase number of dynamic-area focus points. Increase lock-on times for pairs events, where subjects are often obscured by partner and camera may focus background in gap between subjects.
For improved framing, choose Yes for Custom Setting a10 (Store points by orientation).

AF-C Priority Selection
Release
AF-Area Mode
Dynamic Area AF (9 or 21 points)
Focus Tracking with lock-on
3 (Normal) or 5 (Long)

Subjects move and/or change rapidly (e.g., hockey or when alternately framing the pitcher and a runner when shooting from the bench in baseball)

Reduce lock-on times for improved response in situations that call for rapid changes of subject.

AF-C Priority Selection
Release
AF-Area Mode
Dynamic Area AF (9points)or single-point AF
Focus Tracking with lock-on
OFF or 1(short)

Time between focus and shooting is short and there are obstacles between autofocus target and camera (e.g., volleyball or swimming)

Use single-point AF to prevent camera focusing on obstacles such as volleyball net or splashes, and set standby timer to 1 minute or longer for improved shutter response.

AF-C Priority Selection
Release
AF-Area Mode
Singe-point AF
Focus Tracking with lock-on
3 (Normal)