The
Nikon D2X AF System Revisited
- Editors note
This
in-depth review by seasoned Nikonian Ed Erkes, shares with
you his findings about the multiple autofocus options available
with the D2X. He provides further understanding on how these
combined options work, adding to the excellent work on the
subject by Digital Darrell: Understanding
the Nikon Multi-CAM 2000 AF Module.
If
you are the proud owner of a Nikon D2X, D2Xs, D2H, D2Hs, or
Nikon F6, and getting tired of spending endless long nights
trying to decrypt the manual, this article is for you. It
serves as another complementary addition to our "in-the-field"
proven group of custom settings to suit your shooting needs,
fully illustrated with example images.
-
Nikon
D2X AF System Revisited
The
Nikon D2X contains Nikon's most advanced and complicated autofocus
system. It offers an unprecedented number of focusing system
options that can be accessed through a series of buttons,
levers, and custom menu settings, to cater to all amateurs
and professionals specific shooting situations and personal
styles.
This
Multi-CAM 2000 Autofocus (AF) sensor module is also present
in the Nikon
D2Xs, Nikon
D2H, D2Hs,
and the Nikon
F6.
The
various combinations of choices can create a confusing number
of AF possibilities. Unfortunately, Nikon's instruction manual
is not particularly well written and (in my opinion) makes
things even more confusing. I also found Thom Hogan's D2X
eBook confusing in its description of focus modes —
although it does explain very well some aspects of the AF
system that are not discussed in the instruction manual.
The
best source to learn about this AF system by far is Digital
Darrell's article: "Understanding
Nikon Multi-CAM 2000 Autofocus Module," previously
published here in the Nikon
articles of the Resources. His article is a "Must
Read" for anyone wanting to better understand the Nikon
D2X AF capabilities (or those of the D2H, D2Hs, F6 and now
the D2Xs).
This
review is my attempt to organize the different AF options
in an understandable manner (for me). It initially began as
a simple outline with notes, but in the spirit of sharing
with others, has been expanded. By carefully considering the
various options, how they interact, and one's own shooting
style, one can eliminate many of the combinations and narrow
down the options for specific shooting situations. I'll discuss
the various options as well as the rationale for my own preferences.
To
better understand my personal choices, it would probably be
useful to discuss my photography style.
I've
been a serious amateur photographer since 1982. I do not specialize
in sports or weddings and events photography, preferring to
concentrate on scenic and nature photography. For the last
seven years, photographing birds with telephoto lenses has
been my favorite activity. I have been using an autofocus
telephoto lens (the 200-400mm f/4G ED IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor)
for a little over a year. Some of my images can be seen here.
Overview
The
Nikon D2X/D2Xs autofocus options include: two AF activation
methods, three Focus Modes (two autofocus and one manual),
four AF Area Modes and control over the Lock-On Predictive
Focusing. Your choices from these numerous options combine
to determine how the camera's autofocus system functions.
