Neat little trick for Nikon DSLR users

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by GW

[font="Arial"]I am using a D200 with an 80-200 2.8, I can select the aF button part but it's getting the shutter to lock down that is the prob. Whenever i press the shutter button it fires the shot.

Is it taking the shot without focusing? If so you may have the wrong focus mode set. In continuous focus mode the shutter will fire even if focus has not been achieved but in single servo mode it won't. So for this technique you need to be in single servo autofocus.

However, if the camera is not only taking the shot but is autofocusing as well then you need to find a menu setting that turns off the autofocus on the shutter release button. On the D300 it's menu setting "a5 AF activation" which should be set to "AF-ON only" instead of the default "Shutter/AF-ON". There should be a similar menu option somewhere on the D200.

Good luck - hope the hair survives!

Dave P.

[GW]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Is it taking the shot without focusing? If so you may have the wrong focus mode set. In continuous focus mode the shutter will fire even if focus has not been achieved but in single servo mode it won't. So for this technique you need to be in single servo autofocus.

However, if the camera is not only taking the shot but is autofocusing as well then you need to find a menu setting that turns off the autofocus on the shutter release button. On the D300 it's menu setting "a5 AF activation" which should be set to "AF-ON only" instead of the default "Shutter/AF-ON". There should be a similar menu option somewhere on the D200.

Good luck - hope the hair survives!

Dave P.

Dave

Thanks for that info, have found the correct part in the AF menue and reset as you suggested and it worked. Must now try in daylight on a proper subject. Hair now begining to grow back!!

Regards

GW

[pressld2]

Excellent! Make sure you post some results here.

I haven't tried it for real myself yet but am planning to have a go at blue tits in flight with this method very soon.

Welcome to WAB by the way!

Dave P.

[DuncanE]

I have tried this technique on my D80, but only getting my wife to stick her hand into the frame with hit and miss results. I'll have to try it in a couple of weeks when I can get a chance in the field. (Albeit a mainland European one.)