fbpx

Autofocus Settings and Lens Recommendations for Nikon D5

Best Autofocus Settings for Nikon D5

Nikon D5 is a high-performance DSLR built for speed, accuracy, and reliability—ideal for press photography. Here’s how to get the best autofocus performance with your 24-70mm, 58mm, 70-200mm, 80-400mm, and 16-35mm lenses in different shooting scenarios.

📸 Press & General Event Photography (Fast-Paced, Unpredictable Scenes)

✔ AF Mode: AF-C (Continuous Servo AF)
✔ AF-Area Mode: Dynamic 25 or 72 Points (best for tracking moving subjects in crowds).
✔ Custom Setting a3 (Focus Tracking with Lock-On): Set to Short (faster response time for unpredictable subjects).
✔ Back-Button Focus (BBF): Assign AF to the AF-ON button for better control.

 

Best Lens: 24-70mm f/2.8 (versatile, fast AF for press work).

🏃 Sports & Action Photography

✔ AF Mode: AF-C (Continuous Servo AF)
✔ AF-Area Mode: 3D Tracking (best for following fast-moving subjects).
✔ Focus Tracking (a3 Setting): Set to Short for quick response.
✔ High-Speed Burst Mode: Use CH (Continuous High) at 12 FPS for action sequences.

 

Best Lens: 70-200mm f/2.8 (fast AF and great for isolating athletes).

🎭 Low-Light & Indoor Events (Concerts, Political Events, Night Press Photography)

✔ AF Mode: AF-C (Continuous Servo AF) or AF-S (Single AF) for static subjects.
✔ AF-Area Mode: Group-Area AF (reduces focus hunting in low light).
✔ ISO Sensitivity: Use Auto ISO with a max of 6400 or 12800 for cleaner images.
✔ Enable AF Assist Light (helps in extreme low-light conditions).

 

Best Lens: 58mm f/1.4 (superb in low light for natural-looking images).

🌍 Wide Shots & Environmental Portraits (Street, Landscape, Large Events)

✔ AF Mode: AF-S (Single AF)
✔ AF-Area Mode: Single-Point AF (for precise control over focus).
✔ Use Live View: If shooting still subjects, switch to Live View AF for more accurate manual adjustments.

 

Best Lens: 16-35mm f/4 (wide shots, storytelling images).

🦅 Wildlife & Long-Distance Journalism (Protests, Large Events, Wildlife Photography)

✔ AF Mode: AF-C (Continuous AF)
✔ AF-Area Mode: Group-Area AF or Dynamic 25 Points for tracking moving subjects.
✔ Use VR (Vibration Reduction): Helps stabilise longer focal lengths.
✔ High-Speed Burst Mode: Enable for action shots.

 

Best Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 (long reach, great for distant subjects).

Final Tips for Faster Autofocus on Nikon D5

✔ Fine-Tune AF for Each Lens: Use AF Fine-Tune in-camera for sharper results.
✔ Update Firmware: Nikon regularly improves AF performance with updates.
✔ Pre-Focus on Anticipated Subjects: Helps lock focus before action starts.
✔ Use Back-Button Focus: More control over focus tracking in fast-paced events.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Autofocus Settings and Lens

Download PDF version here

Autofocus Settings and Lens Recommendations for Nikon D5

download

learn more 📸 join our facebook group dedicated to helping you with your brand photography business:
🔗 link below

NEW FB Group for Photographers

Tools That Truely Matter

NEW courses for photographers

Tools That Truely Matter
Resources
Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Monthly Newsletter

No spam, notifications only about new blogs & updates.

Picture of Hi I'm Monique

Hi I'm Monique

Personal and business brand photographer and educator, super passionate about empowering business women and men to have a positive self perception, with the right tools and guidance so they can share their gifts with the world.

connect for updates and new Blog info

Related Posts

error: Content is protected !!