Global  Support  for  Professionals

Technical Solutions | D6 TIPS

Recommended AF Settings by Event: Details

Soccer

Photographing soccer matches involves quick changes of focus and subjects that may be briefly obscured by foreground objects. The following autofocus settings are recommended:

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 9-point dynamic-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [2]
Subject motion [Steady]
a5 Store points by orientation [Focus point]
a7 Single-point AF watch area [Normal]

Nine-point dynamic-area AF is recommended if you want to focus on a single athlete in a group of players. Note that the option selected for Custom Setting a7 [Single-point AF watch area] also applies during dynamic-area AF: if you choose [Wide], the camera will use data from surrounding areas to locate subjects slightly outside the selected focus point, making it easier to focus on fast-moving subjects (see this section).

Gymnastics

This section lists some suggested settings for gymnastics events.

Floor Exercises and Rhythmic Gymnastics

Auto-area AF is recommended if composition is a priority, but 49-point dynamic-area AF may be preferred if the background contains objects with regular, detailed patterns, as otherwise photos may not be in focus even if the in-focus indicator () is lit. To capture fast-moving subjects, choose group-area AF or a dynamic-area AF option with a comparatively high number of focus points.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Auto-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a11 Auto-area AF face detection [On]

Select [Focus point and AF-area mode] for Custom Setting a5 [Store points by orientation] to automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera (see this section). Choose [15 points] for Custom Setting a4 [Focus points used] to reduce the number of focus points for quicker selection (see this section).

105 points
27 points
15 points

Balance Beam

To automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera from "wide" to "tall" orientation, select [Focus point and AF-area mode] for Custom Setting a5 [Store points by orientation] (see this section). Choosing group-area AF (C1) with a 15 × 3 focus-point group for wide-orientation shots and group-area AF (C2) with a 7 × 7 group for tall-orientation shots will help deliver accurate focus in all orientations.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode
  • Wide: Group-area AF (C1), 15 × 3
  • Tall: Group-area AF (C2), 7 × 7
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a5 Store points by orientation [Focus point and AF-area mode]
a9 Group-area AF face detection [On]

Vault

If you find the subject hard to frame, selecting auto-area AF will allow you concentrate on composition while leaving the camera in charge of choosing the focus point. If you find that auto-area AF tends to focus on the vault, select [Enable] for Custom Setting a12 [Auto-area AF starting point] and choose a focus point before shooting (see this section).

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Auto-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Erratic]
a11 Auto-area AF face detection [On]
a12 Auto-area AF starting point [Enable]

If the camera is slow to refocus on the gymnast after focusing on the vault, choose a lower value for Custom Setting a3 [Focus tracking with lock-on] > [Blocked shot AF response].

Rings and Horizontal and Uneven Bars

3D-tracking is recommended for subjects that change posture and position frequently and often are near apparatus such as bars or rings.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 3D-tracking
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Erratic]
a8 3D-tracking face-detection [On]

Athletics

You may find these settings useful when photographing road-running or track-and-field events.

Sprints (Hand-Held, Single Runner, from the Front)

Choose 9-point dynamic-area AF when photographing approaching sprinters to help prevent the camera focusing on their hands, or custom group-area AF (C1 or C2) with a wide custom focus group (for example, 15 × 3) to focus on the closest subject when runners are lined up across the frame. Dynamic-area AF is recommended if the background features complex repeating patterns, as otherwise the in-focus indicator () may be displayed when the subject is not in focus.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 9-point dynamic-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a5 Store points by orientation [Focus point]
a7 Single-point AF watch area [Wide]

When photographing runners after they have crossed the finish line, select [Focus point and AF-area mode] for Custom Setting a5 [Store points by orientation] to automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera between "tall" (portrait) orientations and "wide" (landscape) orientation (see this section).

Instant AF-Area Mode Selection

For flexible AF-area mode selection when photographing approaching runners, select 9-point dynamic-area AF with the camera and assign [Group-area AF (C1)] to the focus function buttons using Custom Setting f3 [Custom controls] > [ Lens focus function buttons] > [AF-area mode] (see this section). You can then press a focus function button to select the custom group-area AF option when your subject is far away and release the button to instantly switch to 9-point dynamic-area AF as the runners approach, all without taking your eye from the viewfinder.

Group-area AF (C1)
(distant subject)
9-point dynamic-area AF
(runner approaching)

AF-area mode can also be assigned to the Pv, Fn1, Fn2, or AF-ON button, to the center of the sub-selector, or to the AF-ON button for vertical shooting (see this section).

Hurdles

The settings below let you refocus as needed if the camera focuses on the hurdles in the foreground while the race is being run. When photographing hurdlers who have crossed the finish line, select [Focus point and AF-area mode] for Custom Setting a5 [Store points by orientation] to automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera between "tall" (portrait) orientations and "wide" (landscape) orientation (see this section).

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 9-point dynamic-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a5 Store points by orientation [Focus point]
a7 Single-point AF watch area [Normal]

Sprints and Hurdles: Remote Photography

Choose custom group-area AF (C1 or C2) with a wide custom focus group (for example, 15 × 3) to focus on the closest subject when runners are lined up across the frame.

Be sure the selected group does not contain hurdles or other obstructions.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Group-area AF (C1), 15 × 3
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a9 Group-area AF face detection [On]

Marathons (from a Vehicle)

When shooting from a moving vehicle, choose 9-point dynamic-area AF to keep specific runners in focus as they change position in the pack, auto-area AF if you find it hard to keep your subject in the focus point. If your lens supports SPORT or ACTIVE vibration reduction, these options can be used to reduce camera blur.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 9-point dynamic-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a5 Store points by orientation [Focus point]
a7 Single-point AF watch area [Normal]

Shot Put, Discus, and Hammer Throw (from the Front, at a Distance)

Choose group-area AF for more reliable focus when photographing these events from the front at long ranges.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Group-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [5]
Subject motion [Steady]
a9 Group-area AF face detection [On]

Javelin (from the Front, at a Distance)

For long shots of javelin competitions, choose custom group-area AF (C1 or C2) and select a focus group just big enough to cover the athlete's upper body. This helps the camera focus on faces instead of hands or foreground objects.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Group-area AF (C1), 7 × 7
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Erratic]
a9 Group-area AF face detection [On]

Long Jump and Triple Jump (Facing Oncoming Jumpers)

Auto-area AF is recommended for subjects that rapidly change posture and position. Selecting [On] for Custom Setting a11 [Auto-area AF face detection] helps the camera focus on the athlete's face, while selecting [Erratic] for Custom Setting a3 [Focus tracking with lock-on] > [Subject motion] helps the camera focus when the subject slows abruptly.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Auto-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Erratic]
a11 Auto-area AF face detection [On]

High Jump

To help the camera focus on faces of subjects that are undergoing rapid changes of posture and position, choose custom group-area AF (C1 or C2) and select a focus group just big enough to cover the athlete's upper body.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Group-area AF (C1), 3 × 5
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Erratic]
a9 Group-area AF face detection [On]

Pole Vault

Auto-area AF is recommended for subjects that rapidly change posture and position. Selecting [On] for Custom Setting a11 [Auto-area AF face detection] helps the camera focus on the athlete's face rather than on the pole or mat, while selecting [Erratic] for Custom Setting a3 [Focus tracking with lock-on] > [Subject motion] helps the camera focus when the subject slows abruptly.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Auto-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Erratic]
a11 Auto-area AF face detection [On]

Aquatics

Here are some settings you may find helpful when photographing aquatic events.

Swimming

Choosing 9-point dynamic-area AF helps prevent the camera focusing on splashes while letting you instantly refocus on the main subject as needed. To quickly switch focus from one swimmer to another, choose lower values for Custom Setting a3 [Focus tracking with lock-on] > [Blocked shot AF response].

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 9-point dynamic-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [2]
Subject motion [Steady]
a7 Single-point AF watch area [Normal]

Instant AF-Area Mode Selection

For flexible AF-area mode selection when photographing the start of a race, select 9-point dynamic-area AF with the camera and assign [Group-area AF] to the focus function buttons using Custom Setting f3 [Custom control] > [ Lens focus function buttons] > [AF-area mode] (see this section). You can then press a focus function button to select group-area AF when your subject is diving from the starting block and release the button to instantly switch to 9-point dynamic-area AF once the swimmer is in the water, all without taking your eye from the viewfinder.

Group-area AF
(distant subject diving)
9-point dynamic-area AF
(subject swimming)

AF-area mode can also be assigned to the Pv, Fn1, Fn2, or AF-ON button, to the center of the sub-selector, or to the AF-ON button for vertical shooting (see this section).

Diving

When photographing divers against low-contrast, undifferentiated backgrounds, 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 diver, letting you concentrate on composition.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 3D-tracking
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a8 3D-tracking face-detection [On]

When photographing divers against the stands, billboards, and other high-contrast backgrounds, select 105-point dynamic-area AF.

Artistic Swimming

For events such as artistic swimming (also known as synchronized swimming), where your subjects change pose with dizzying speed and focus constantly switches from one subject to another, we recommend the ever-adaptable 9-point dynamic-area AF.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode 9-point dynamic-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a7 Single-point AF watch area [Normal]

Table Tennis

Using custom group-area AF (C1 or C2) helps you frame shots with the net in the foreground.

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Group-area AF (C1), 3 × 7
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [4]
Subject motion [Steady]
a9 Group-area AF face detection [On]

BMX and Skateboarding

If you find the subject hard to frame, selecting auto-area AF will allow you concentrate on composition while leaving the camera in charge of choosing the focus point. If you find that auto-area AF tends to focus on ramps or other foreground objects, select [Enable] for Custom Setting a12 [Auto-area AF starting point] and choose a focus point before shooting (see this section).

Autofoccus mode AF-C
AF-area mode Auto-area AF
Custom Settings a1 AF-C priority selection [Release]
a3 Focus tracking
with lock-on
Blocked shot AF response [3]
Subject motion [Steady]
a5 Store points by orientation [Focus point]
a11 Auto-area AF face detection [On]
a12 Auto-area AF starting point [Enable]