V1.02
Thom Hogan’s Complete Guide to the Nikon D300
Page 522
when subject is dark or there is low
contrast under the AF sensor
Focus
Shutter activated only when focus is
achieved
Recommendations:
1. If you use other Nikon bodies, especially ones that don’t
allow you to override this function, consider leaving this
setting at its default for consistency.
2. It’s a subtle thing
125
, but some people prefer to have
Custom Setting #A1 set to
Focus
(it’s the way the camera
normally works in Single Servo AF and they want things to
stay consistent across all focus methods). If you’re not
photographing fast action, perhaps that is the right choice,
as it insures that not only is the subject in focus, but it will
be in focus even if it starts moving after the shutter release
is held partway down. Personally, however, I don’t like
this, as it introduces a potential shutter lag into a camera
that, at the default settings, has almost none. Generally
you’re using Continuous Servo AF for action, and thus I
suggest that you leave the default setting in place lest you
risk missing the picture.
125
Go back and re-read the autofocus section if that didn’t make sense. The key
element you’re looking for is what happens when a subject is initially not in motion
and then begins to move after focus was initially sought and found. Continuous Servo
AF and Single Servo AF work differently in this respect, but they also work differently
in respect to when the shutter is opened and the picture is taken. This Custom Setting
and the next one, as well, give you some option for changing
part
of that behavior.
It’s the fact that only part of the behavior is changed that makes this a subtle change
that’s easily misunderstood.
