Technical Solutions | Z 9 TIPS

Choose wide-area AF (C1) with a wide custom focus area (for example, 19 × 3 or 13 × 3) to focus on the closest subject when shooting with the camera in "wide" (landscape) orientation and runners lined up across the frame. We also recommend choosing [Auto] or [People] for [AF subject detection options] in the photo shooting menu. Dynamic-area AF (S) is recommended for photos of runners on a distant starting line.

The settings below let you refocus as needed if the camera focuses on the hurdles in the foreground while the race is being run. If desired, you can select wide-area AF (C1) and choose a focus area with proportions and dimensions tailored to avoid focusing on the hurdles altogether. 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).

When shooting from a moving vehicle, choose dynamic-area AF (S) to keep specific runners in focus as they change position in the pack.

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.

Auto-area AF is recommended for subjects that rapidly change posture and position. For moments when the jumper will occupy an area of the frame with known proportions and dimensions, choose wide-area AF (C1) and tailor the focus area to fit.

Wide-area AF (L) is recommended for events in which the subject's face may be momentarily hidden from view. In the case of the high jump, focus will continue to track subjects without being affected by bars or poles in the foreground, even if the jumpers briefly turn away from the camera.

To ensure that the camera focuses on the swimmer's face rather than on splashes, either (a) restrict focus to a smaller area by choosing wide-area AF (C1) and selecting a small custom area such as 1 × 1, or (b) select dynamic-area AF (S). You may also find it helpful to choose [Auto] or [People] for [AF subject detection options] in the photo shooting menu. 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].

Choosing auto-area AF lets you concentrate on composition when photographing divers and other hard-to-frame subjects. Focus will automatically track the subject while the AF-ON button is pressed or the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. For moments when the diver will occupy an area of the frame with known proportions and dimensions, choose wide-area AF (C1) and tailor the focus area to fit.

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 wide-area AF (S).