Neat little trick for Nikon DSLR users

[mh68]

I came across this by accident while looking on a Nikon forum,and tried it with my own cam (Fuji S2 Pro, based on a Nikon D100 body)and it works really well.
If your camera has an option to program autofocus to be operated by the exposure/AF lock button, instead of the shutter button, you can use this to prefocus on a specific spot, and by locking the shutter down anything coming into focus will trigger the shot.You can try it by setting AF as above, in the custom settings menu, then prefocussing on an object with the AE/AF lock button - focus will then be set and locked - then move the camera back slightly with the shutter button locked down constantly with a cable release. Move whatever object you`ve prefocussed on, back towards the cam slowly and as soon as it comes into focus the shot will be taken.It`s a neat little trick and could prove very useful during sit and wait photography, such as shooting birds at feeders or prebaited spots.I can think of one example where it will prove useful at a local reserve photographing for Kingfishers which use the same perch regularly - prefocussing on the perch then moving the camera slightly up so the subsequent perched bird is properly framed - as soon as the bird lands the camera will start shooting
It`s not something widely publicised so thought it worth posting

Mark H

[stephen p]

thats a pretty cool trick,
going to have try this one, we have just got our Blackcap back in the garden and he isnt the easiest to photograph so i will try it on a perch which he goes on and let you know the outcome

[pressld2]

Thanks for the tip Mark.

My D70 doesn't appear to have this option and even if it did there's no way to attach a cable release - it's strictly wireless remote only. But I'm getting very close to my D300, another couple of months should do it! It came down in price by £100 before Christmas and has dropped another £100 since. If it keeps that up it'll be under a grand soon and then I'll jump. Checking out this option will be one of the first things I do.

Dave P.

[mh68]

I`ll look forward to hearing whether it works for you Stephen

Dave, thats a shame.Fingers crossed when you get the new cam it allows this feature.Hope the prices continue to drop too, so you can get it soon. I`m still trying to scrape the cash together for a long lens for the Fuji

Mark H

[PMG]

Originally Posted by mh68

I came across this by accident while looking on a Nikon forum,and tried it with my own cam (Fuji S2 Pro, based on a Nikon D100 body)and it works really well.
If your camera has an option to program autofocus to be operated by the exposure/AF lock button, instead of the shutter button, you can use this to prefocus on a specific spot, and by locking the shutter down anything coming into focus will trigger the shot.You can try it by setting AF as above, in the custom settings menu, then prefocussing on an object with the AE/AF lock button - focus will then be set and locked - then move the camera back slightly with the shutter button locked down constantly with a cable release. Move whatever object you`ve prefocussed on, back towards the cam slowly and as soon as it comes into focus the shot will be taken.It`s a neat little trick and could prove very useful during sit and wait photography, such as shooting birds at feeders or prebaited spots.I can think of one example where it will prove useful at a local reserve photographing for Kingfishers which use the same perch regularly - prefocussing on the perch then moving the camera slightly up so the subsequent perched bird is properly framed - as soon as the bird lands the camera will start shooting
It`s not something widely publicised so thought it worth posting

Mark H

Does Canon do it too I wonder? Next time I get the camera out will have a look cos there is exposure lock AF lock and cable release which also has a lock feature on it........... Mmmmm - thanks Mark will look into that........

Pauline

[mh68]

I`m totally unfamiliar with Canon cameras Pauline unfortunately, but I would have thought it isnt restricted to Nikons as long as the AE/AF lock button can be programmed to operate the focussing.

Mark H

[mh68]

Originally Posted by pressld2

Thanks for the tip Mark.

My D70 doesn't appear to have this option and even if it did there's no way to attach a cable release - it's strictly wireless remote only. But I'm getting very close to my D300, another couple of months should do it! It came down in price by £100 before Christmas and has dropped another £100 since. If it keeps that up it'll be under a grand soon and then I'll jump. Checking out this option will be one of the first things I do.

Dave P.

Dave, I`ve just had a look at the pdf user manual for the D70, and you can indeed set the camera up in that way.Its custom setting 15, AF-ON. All you`d need to do then is to keep the shutter release button on your wireless remote pressed down, once focus is locked with the AF/AE lock button, and the shutter will fire once something comes into focus

Mark H

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by mh68

Dave, I`ve just had a look at the pdf user manual for the D70, and you can indeed set the camera up in that way.Its custom setting 15, AF-ON. All you`d need to do then is to keep the shutter release button on your wireless remote pressed down, once focus is locked with the AF/AE lock button, and the shutter will fire once something comes into focus

Mark H

So it is - well spotted! I re-read the focusing section of the manual which doesn't mention it.

I can get it to work using the camera's shutter release (with my finger - as mentioned there's no way to connect a cable release). I focus using the AF/AE lock button, back away from the subject, press down the shutter release all the way and move back in slowly. As soon as focus is achieved the shutter fires. Unfortunately, if I try the same trick with the wireless remote the shutter fires as soon as I press the button and it takes a blurred picture. I'm off now to re-read the "Using a Remote Control" chapter to see if it gives any clues...

Dave P.

[mh68]

I bookmarked the manual just in case, and from reading the section on remotes, it seems the remote triggers the shutter regardless. Only way I can think of is to put some sort of band round the cam body over the shutter button, and putting something underneath to hold the shutter down once its all setup (large bead or something)? It would be a bit fiddly but if using the method for sit and wait type shooting a minute or two to setup wont do much harm.

Mark H

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by PMG

Does Canon do it too I wonder? Next time I get the camera out will have a look cos there is exposure lock AF lock and cable release which also has a lock feature on it........... Mmmmm - thanks Mark will look into that........

Pauline

I think it do -at least on the 20/30/40D series but it is buried in the custom settings bit of the menu. I cant tell you exactly where as the manual is in the loft and i'm not going up there at this time of night

also note that the bog standard cable releases you buy in jessops and such wont fit a canon dslr - you need the much more expensive electronic release.