“Which AF mode should I use?” This is a real common question and one that I wrestled with when the new AF modes (or correctly stated, sensor patterns) came about years ago. The AF system in our Nikons is really good, really sophisticated and can be real confusing. I RELY on the AF system in my photography because it permits my mind to concentrate on more important things like storytelling since I KNOW the AF system will get the subject sharp. I have no illusions, that AF is why my photography is successful. So, which AF Mode do I use? Here’s how I think of it, how I compartmentalize the AF mode’s jobs in my photography. Moving = Auto Area AF, Non-moving = Group Area AF (or D21 if Grp not available) in AF-C. Let me explain.
In both of these visual examples, the subject is very much moving. That’s not what I’m talking about in how I determine which AF mode to use. In the top photographic example of the Cub going by, the CAMERA is moving as its pans to keep pace with the Cub as it flies by. When the camera is moving, I’m in Auto Area AF or what I call AAA. In the bottom photo, while that T6 is very much flying, flying right down the lens barrel, the CAMERA is NOT moving! Not moving I’m in Group Area AF. The camera is pointing straight ahead, could have been planted on a tripod because it’s not moving. This is the very simplistic but very fast way I know which AF mode I will select prior to the action to get the element of the subject sharp that needs to be sharp.
Is there more to it than this? There is if you explore the technical aspects of these two modes. For example, AAA the entire viewfinder is one big AF sensor where with Group Area AF, there are Five AF sensors working for you. AAA you have Closest Subject Priority that you don’t have with Group Area AF. But with both, it is essential one remembers that the AF system requires, no matter the mode you select, Contrast AND a STRONG diagonal/vertical line to work its best and fastest. How did I come to using just two AF modes and these two? One helluva lot of shooting and what I found works for me day in and day out. And yes, I use Manual Focus when it’s called for. I can still go “old school.” This is a real common question and hopefully these thoughts will help you when if comes to answering which AF mode.