Recommended AF Settings
This section offers some advice on adjusting autofocus-related settings for different gymnastic sporting events.
Floor Exercises
To capture fast-moving subjects, choose a dynamic-area AF option with a comparatively high number of focus points ( ).
| Autofocus mode |
AF-C |
| AF-area mode |
9- or 21-point dynamic-area AF |
| Custom Settings |
| a1 AF‑C priority selection |
Release |
| a3 Focus tracking with lock-on |
3 (Normal) |
a5 Focus point illumination
> Dynamic-area AF display |
On |
| a10 Store by orientation |
Focus point |
|
Select Focus point and AF-area mode for Custom Setting a10 (Store by orientation) to automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera between "tall" (portrait) orientation with the camera rotated 90° clockwise, tall orientation with the camera rotated 90° counterclockwise, and "wide" (landscape) orientation. If you find yourself frequently changing focus points, choose 11 points for Custom Setting a7 (Number of focus points) to reduce the number of focus points for quicker selection.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
For events with apparatuses, choose 3D-tracking, position the focus area over your subject (for best results, choose the uniform or another area of the subject that is a different color from the background), and press and hold the AF-ON button or keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway. The camera will automatically track the subject, letting you concentrate on composition. If you find that the camera has trouble tracking athletes against the stands, billboards, and other varied backgrounds, switch to 9- or 21-point dynamic-area AF.
| Autofocus mode |
AF-C |
| AF-area mode |
9- or 21-point dynamic-area AF or 3D-tracking |
| Custom Settings |
| a1 AF‑C priority selection |
Release |
| a3 Focus tracking with lock-on |
3 (Normal) |
a5 Focus point illumination
> Dynamic-area AF display |
On |
| a10 Store by orientation |
Focus point |
|
Select Focus point and AF-area mode for Custom Setting a10 (Store by orientation) to automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera between "tall" (portrait) orientation with the camera rotated 90° clockwise, tall orientation with the camera rotated 90° counterclockwise, and "wide" (landscape) orientation. If you find yourself frequently changing focus points when using dynamic-area AF, choose 11 points for Custom Setting a7 (Number of focus points) to reduce the number of focus points for quicker selection.
Balance Beam
When photographing events with frequent jumps or changes of direction, choose 3-D tracking, position the focus area over your subject (for best results, choose the uniform or another area of the subject that is a
different color from the background), and press and hold the AF-ON button or keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway. The camera will automatically track the subject, letting you concentrate on composition. If you find that the camera has trouble tracking athletes against the stands, billboards, and other varied backgrounds, switch to 9- or 21-point dynamic-area AF.
| Autofocus mode |
AF-C |
| AF-area mode |
9- or 21-point dynamic-area or 3D-tracking |
| Custom Settings |
| a1 AF‑C priority selection |
Release |
| a3 Focus tracking with lock-on |
3 (Normal) |
a5 Focus point illumination
> Dynamic-area AF display |
On |
|
Vault
If you find it difficult to keep the subject in the frame, choose a dynamic-area AF mode with more focus points
( ) or select auto-area AF. Auto-area AF in particular lets you concentrate on composition while leaving the camera in charge of choosing the focus point.
| Autofocus mode |
AF-C |
| AF-area mode |
9- or 21-point dynamic-area or auto-area AF |
| Custom Settings |
| a1 AF‑C priority selection |
Release |
| a3 Focus tracking with lock-on |
3 (Normal) |
a5 Focus point illumination
> Dynamic-area AF display |
On |
|
If you are unable to see the athlete on their approach, focus on the vault and then refocus when the athlete comes into view.
Rings and Horizontal Bar
If you find the subject hard to frame using 9-point dynamic-area AF, choose a mode with more focus points
( ).
| Autofocus mode |
AF-C |
| AF-area mode |
9- or 21-point dynamic-area AF |
| Custom Settings |
| a1 AF‑C priority selection |
Release |
| a3 Focus tracking with lock-on |
3 (Normal) |
a5 Focus point illumination
> Dynamic-area AF display |
On |
|
