Dynamic-Area AF Summary     Back to Nikon D300 Menu Hierarchy
by Makoto Honda     February 13, 2008   

AF area mode     selector   (camera back)	Focus mode     selector   (camera front)	Description
Single-point AF	Single AF  Continuous AF	The currently selected focus point will be used for focus. Any of the 51 focus points can be selected using Multi-selector. For a quicker pick, the selection can be narrowed down to only 11 focus points (see a8: AF point selection).
Dynamic-area AF	Single AF        Continuous AF	If Single AF, it is the same as Single-point AF (see above) 9 points : The 8 points surrounding the focus point participate in AF decision-making. Use this when the subject is moving in a linear fashion. 21 points : The 20 points surrounding the focus point participate in AF decision-making. Use this if the subject is moving unpredictably. 51 points : The 50 points surrounding the focus point participate in AF decision-making. Use this if the subject is moving really violently. 51 points with 3D-tracking : In this mode, AF system attempts to keep the focused subject in focus by tracking the subject's motion and changing the focus point accordingly. Useful to shoot a fast-moving tennis player, for instance.
Auto-area AF	Single AF  Continuous AF	The object closest to the camera that falls on any of the 51 focus points will be in focus. In Single AF mode, the used focus points will briefly light up (red) if Light-up mode is on (a6: AF point illumination).