Nikon D500 Setting Guide(Sports AF Edition)

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Setting Guide

— Sports AF Edition —

Revision 1.0

Sports AF: Autofocus Basics ..................... 3

• AF Mode: AF‑C ..................................................................................3

• AF‑Area Mode: 25‑Point Dynamic‑Area AF ............................... 3

• Focus Tracking with Lock‑On ........................................................4

• The Standby Timer...........................................................................5

AF-Area Mode ...................................................................... 6

• Custom Settings ..................................................8

Focus Points ......................................................................... 9

• Cross Sensors ..................................................................................10

• Teleconverters and Available Focus Points .............................11

Sports AF: Custom Settings.............................................15

• a1: AF‑C Priority Selection ...........................................................16

• a3: Focus Tracking with Lock‑On................................................18

• a6: Number of Focus Points ........................................................20

• a7: Store by Orientation ...............................................................20

• a8: AF Activation ............................................................................22

• a9: Limit AF‑Area Mode Selection .............................................23

• a10: Autofocus Mode Restrictions .............................................23

• a11: Focus Point Wrap‑Around ...................................................23

Sports AF: Custom Control Assignments

• Focus‑Related Control Assignments .........................................24

• Lens Focus Function Buttons ......................................................26

Auto AF Fine-Tuning ................................ 27

Recommended AF Settings by Event ............................ 30

• Overview: Settings by Event .......................................................30

• Soccer ...............................................................................................34

• Winter Sports ..................................................................................35

• Gymnastics ......................................................................................46

• Athletics ...........................................................................................52

• Aquatics ...........................................................................................57

... 24

Sports AF: Autofocus Basics

The following settings are suitable for most sports:

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 2 Subject motion: Normal

 a10 Autofocus mode restrictions: AF-C  c2 Standby timer: 1 min

AF Mode: AF‑C

Focus is adjusted continuously while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway or the AF-ON button is pressed.

AF‑Area Mode: 25‑Point Dynamic‑Area AF

If your subject briey leaves the selected focus point, the camera will focus based on information from surrounding focus points. The following indicators are displayed while the AF-mode button is pressed.

Control panel Focus-point

display

Viewnder

Focus Tracking with Lock‑On

Custom Setting a3 (Focus tracking with lock-on) controls how autofo-

cus responds to changes in the distance to the subject.

Blocked Shot AF Response: 2

Increasing the speed with which the autofocus system reacts to blocked shots ensures that focus responds quickly to frequent subject changes.

Subject Motion

Position the slider according to how your subject moves. The default (“normal”) position, midway between Erratic and Steady, is suited to a wide variety of subjects.

The Standby Timer

Choose long standby times to keep the timer active and avoid the delay that occurs when it is reactivated (note that this increases the drain on the battery). If you’re at a soccer match and the default six-second timer expires while you’re waiting for a player to line up a corner kick, the delay may make you miss the golden moment following the kick. In situations like these, we suggest setting the timer to a minute or more.

See pages 30–61 for the recommended AF settings for dierent sporting events.

AF-Area Mode

Choose an AF-area mode according to your subject.

AF-area mode Control panel Viewnder

Single-point

25-point

dynamic-area

72-point

dynamic-area

153-point

dynamic-area

3D-tracking

Group-area

Auto-area AF

Focus-point display

The focus point is selected manually. The camera focuses on the sub-

DescriptionSelection Shooting

ject in the selected focus point only. Choose for subjects you can keep framed in the selected focus point. The focus point is selected manually. The camera focuses on the subject in the selected focus point when autofocus is initiated, but if the subject later leaves the selected point for brief periods, the camera will focus based on information from surrounding points (the edges of the area surrounding the selected focus point are shown by small dots, but all 25, 72, or 153 focus points in the area are used for focus). Choose for low-contrast subjects if the camera has diﬃculty focusing or for active subjects that are hard to keep framed in a single point, and increase the number of points if the subject is moving unpredictably or occupies a large area of the frame. Choose a setting one level higher for subjects at the edge of the frame. The initial focus point is selected manually. While the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the camera uses color information to track subjects that leave the selected focus point and selects new focus points as required. The camera focuses using all the focus points in a group around the point selected by the user, reducing the risk of the camera focusing on the background. Choose for subjects that are diﬃcult to photograph using a single focus point. The camera automatically detects the subject and selects the focus point. Priority is given to the faces of any portrait subjects detected.

AF-Area Mode

Custom Settings

For faster AF-area mode selection, you can:

• Assign specic AF-area modes to buttons

using Custom S etting f1 (Custom control assignment, page 24): If you assign

72-point dynamic-area AF to the Pv button and group-area AF to the lens focus function buttons, for example, and then select 25-point dynamic-area AF with the AF-mode button and sub-command dial, you can keep the Pv button pressed to take pictures with 72-point dynamic-area AF, keep a lens focus function button pressed to take pictures with group-area AF, or release both buttons to take pictures with 25-point dynamic-area AF.

• Match AF-area mode to camera orientation using Custom Setting a7

(Store by orientation, page 20): Select Focus point and AF-area mode to link AF-area mode selection to camera orienta-

tion.

• Restrict AF-area mode selection using Cus-

tom Setting a9 (Limit AF-area mode selection, page 23).

Focus Points

The camera focuses using 153 focus points, of which the 55 shown in red at right can be selected by the user. The available cross sensors and focus points vary with the lens or teleconverter used (pages 10–14).

Focus-Point Selection

The center focus point can be selected by pressing the center of the multi selector. See page 20 for information on choosing the number of focus points available, page 23 for information on conguring focus-area selection to “wrap around”.

1.3× (18×12)

The focus points at the left and right edges of the display are not available when 1.3× (18× 12) is selected for Choose image area. Instead, the camera focuses using 117 focus points, of which 45 can be selected by the user. If another focus point is active when 1.3× (18× 12) is selected, focus will move to the closest available point. The previous selection will be restored if the user chooses another image area option without changing the focus point.

Cross Sensors

The focus points with cross sensors are highlighted in green. All other focus points use line sensors.

Lens Cross sensors

AF-S lenses other than those listed below with maximum apertures of f/4 or faster

• AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12–24 mm f/4G IF-ED

• AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60 mm f/2.8G ED

• AF-S NIKKOR 600 mm f/4G ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 600 mm f/4E FL ED VR

• AF-S Nikkor 600 mm f/4D IF-ED II

• AF-S Nikkor 600 mm f/4D IF-ED

• AF-S NIKKOR 200–400 mm f/4G ED VR II

• AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200–400 mm f/4G IF-ED

• AF-S NIKKOR 500 mm f/4G ED VR

• AF-S Nikkor 500 mm f/4D IF-ED II

• AF-S Nikkor 500 mm f/4D IF-ED

• AF-S lenses with maximum apertures slower than f/4

*

• Non–AF-S lenses

* At maximum zoom, in the case of zoom lenses.

*

99 cross sensors

63 cross sensors

45 cross sensors

Focus Points

Teleconverters and Available Focus Points

The focus points shown below are available for autofocus and electronic rangending when a teleconverter is used. Cross-sensor focus points are highlighted in green.

Max. lens

Teleconverter

aperture Focus points

• TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII

• TC-17EII

• TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII

TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII f/2.8

• TC-17EII

• TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII

TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII f/4

f/2

153 (55 selectable);

99 cross sensors

f/2.8

153 (55 selectable);

45 cross sensors

TC-17EII f/4

2

37 (17 selectable);

25 cross sensors

15 (9 selectable);

5 cross sensors

1

TC-800-1.25EED f/5.6

TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII f/4

TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII f/5.6

2

1. Points shown in gray support autofocus under some conditions.

2. With support for a combined aperture of f/8.

The focus points available for autofocus and electronic rangending when teleconverters are used in combination with dierent lenses are shown below (data are current as of April 2016).

AF-S NIKKOR 400 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR and 70–200 mm f/2.8G ED VR II

• Alone or with TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII: 153 (55 selectable); 99 cross sensors

• With TC-17EII or TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII: 153 (55 selectable); 45 cross sensors

AF-S NIKKOR 500 mm f/4E FL ED VR

• Alone: 153 (55 selectable); 99 cross sensors

• With TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII: 153 (55 selectable); 45 cross sensors

• With TC-17EII: 37 (17 selectable); 25 cross sensors

• With TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII: 15 (9 selectable); 5 cross sensors with support for a combined aperture of f/8

AF-S NIKKOR 600 mm f/4E FL ED VR

• Alone: 153 (55 selectable); 63 cross sensors

• With TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII: 153 (55 selectable); 45 cross sensors

• With TC-17EII: 37 (17 selectable); 25 cross sensors

• With TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII: 15 (9 selectable); 5 cross sensors with support for a combined aperture of f/8

AF-S NIKKOR 200–400 mm f/4G ED VR II

• Alone or with TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII: 153 (55 selectable); 45 cross sensors

• With TC-17EII: 37 (17 selectable); 25 cross sensors

• With TC-20E/TC-20EII/TC-20EIII: 15 (9 selectable); 5 cross sensors with support for a combined aperture of f/8

Focus Points

AF-S NIKKOR 80–400 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR

• Alone: 153 (55 selectable); 45 cross sensors

• With TC-14E/TC-14EII/TC-14EIII: 15 (9 selectable); 5 cross sensors with support for a combined aperture of f/8

Sports AF: Custom Settings

The following options are available in Custom Settings Group “a” (Autofocus).

a1 AF-C priority selection a2 AF-S priority selection a3 Focus tracking with lock-on a4 3D-tracking face-detection a5 3D-tracking watch area a6 Number of focus points a7 Store by orientation a8 AF activation a9 Limit AF-area mode selection a10 Autofocus mode restrictions a11 Focus point wrap-around a12 Focus point options a13 Manual focus ring in AF mode

a1: AF‑C Priority Selection

Custom Setting a1 (AF-C priority selection) controls wheth- er the camera gives priority to focus or shutter release.

Shutter-release button pressed all the way down

G Release: Pictures can be taken whether or not the camera is in focus. Frame rates do not slow during burst photography.

B Focus + release: In burst mode, priority is given to focus for the ﬁrst frame and to release for later frames, ensuring that the ﬁrst frame is in focus and that no subsequent frames are missed. Frame rates do not slow.

E Release + focus: In burst mode, priority is given to release for the ﬁrst frame and to focus for later frames. Frame rates slow as needed to allow camera to focus.

F Focus: Pictures can only be taken when the camera is in focus.

Note: Release timing not exactly as shown.

1 2

Sports AF: Custom Settings

: Subject not

in focus

3 54 6 7

2 4 53 6

3 4 5

2 3 4

: Subject

in focus

: Photo taken (frame number

shown in top left corner)

a3: Focus Tracking with Lock‑On

This menu contains two options:

Blocked shot AF response and Sub- ject motion.

Blocked Shot AF Response

In continuous-servo AF, focus tracking with lock-on prevents the camera refocusing when your subject is briey obscured by another object, ensuring that it will continue to track the main subject once the obstacle has moved away. Choose the length of time before the camera refocuses from 1 (Quick), 2, 3, 4, and 5 (Delayed). Lock-on applies only while the camera is focusing; to focus at a new distance without waiting for lock-on to end, re-initiate autofocus.

The camera will track and focus on objects at the same distance as the main subject. High values (slow response) make the camera slow to refocus on obstacles when the shot is blocked. Select low values (quick response) to quickly refocus on subjects passing in front of the camera and for improved response when switching rapidly from one subject to another.

Main subject

Obstacle

Sports AF: Custom Settings

Subject Motion

Choose how the camera tracks subjects in motion. Choose Steady for subjects approaching the camera at a steady pace, like speed skaters or race cars on a track, Erratic for hockey players and other subjects prone to sudden stops and starts.

a6: Number of Focus Points

Choose the focus points available for user selection.

• 155 points: Choose from the 55 points shown at right. Use for precise framing.

• 215 points: Choose from the 15 points shown at right. Use for quick focus-point selection.

a7: Store by Orientation

This option lets you concentrate on shooting without having to worry about focus-point selection. Choose whether the camera uses the same focus point and AF-area mode in all orientations, or stores separate focus points and/or AF-area modes for use in “wide” (landscape) orientation, “tall” (portrait) orientation with the camera rotated 90° clockwise, or “tall” orientation with the camera rotated 90° counterclockwise. The options are Focus point, Focus point and AF-area mode, and O.

• Focus point: Rotating the camera restores the focus point last selected in the chosen orientation. If you select O after choosing this option, the camera will select the center focus point for all orientations.

• Focus point and AF-area mode: Rotating the camera restores the focus point and AF-area mode last selected in the chosen orientation.

Sports AF: Custom Settings

Camera rotated 90° counterclockwise

Landscape (wide) orientation

Camera rotated 90° clockwise

• O: The same focus point and AF-area mode will be used regardless of camera orientation.

Camera rotated 90° counterclockwise

Landscape (wide) orientation

Camera rotated 90° clockwise

a8: AF Activation

Choose AF-ON only to split the functions of the AF-ON and shutterrelease buttons so that the former is used for focus while the latter is used only to release the shutter. Lift your thumb from the AF-ON button to lock focus and take more shots at the current focus distance or prevent the camera refocusing when an object passes between you and your subject.

Highlighting AF-ON only and pressing 2 displays an Out- of-focus release option; for sports photography, conrm that Enable is selected.

Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment) can be used to assign

AF-ON to controls other than the AF-ON button. The lens focus function buttons on telephoto lenses equipped with a focus function selector will perform the same function as the camera AF-ON button when the selector is in the AF-ON position.

AF-ON button

Sports AF: Custom Settings

a9: Limit AF‑Area Mode Selection

Prevent the selection of unwanted AF-area modes. For example, you can select Dynamic-area AF (25 points) and Group-area AF to switch quickly back and forth between these two modes.

a10: Autofocus Mode Restrictions

Prevent the selection of unwanted autofocus modes. For sports photography, you may nd it convenient to choose AF-C to stop you accidentally selecting single-servo AF.

a11: Focus Point Wrap‑Around

Select Wrap if you frequently switch between widely separated focus points. Focus-point selection will “wrap around” from top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, and right to left so that, for example, pressing 2 when a focus point on the right edge of the display is highlighted (q) selects the corresponding focus point on the left edge of the display (w).

Sports AF: Custom Control Assignments

Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment) can be used to assign dierent roles, including focus-related functions, to camera controls such as the Pv and Fn buttons. Users of MB-D17 battery packs can in addition use Custom Setting f10 (Assign MB-D17 buttons) to choose the roles played by the buttons on the battery pack.

Focus‑Related Control Assignments

The following focus-related functions can be assigned to camera and battery-pack controls:

D500 MB-D17

Preset focus point

AF-area mode

AF-area mode + AF-ON

AE/AF lock

AF lock only

AF-ON

Same as camera AF-ON button — — — — — — —

• A Preset focus point: Pressing the control selects a pre-

set focus point. To choose the point, select it and press the control while pressing the AF-mode button until the focus point ashes. If this option is assigned to the lens focus function buttons, you can select the preset focus point by pressing and holding a lens focus function button. Release the button to restore the original focus point selection.

0 v x V 8 S

4 4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4 4 4—4

— —

4 4 4

AF-ON

—

• KAF-area mode: Highlight this option and press 2 to select an AF-area mode (3D-tracking excluded). The selected mode will take eect while the control is pressed; releasing the control restores the original AF-area mode.

• qAF-area mode + AF-ON: As for AF-area mode, above, except that pressing the control also initiates autofocus.

• BAE/AF lock: Focus and exposure lock while the control is pressed.

• FAF lock only: Focus locks while the control is pressed.

• AAF-ON: Pressing the control initiates autofocus.

• G Same as camera AF-ON button: The control performs the same function as that currently selected for the camera AF-ON button.

Sports AF: Custom Control Assignments

Lens Focus Function Buttons

You can use SLens focus function buttons to choose the role played

by the focus function buttons when the focus function selector on the lens is set to AF-L. For fast-moving sports, choose AF-area mode to enable rapid AF-area mode selection.

Lenses with Focus Function Selectors

As of April 2016, the following lenses featured focus function selectors:

• AF-S NIKKOR 800 mm f/5.6E FL ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 600 mm f/4E FL ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 600 mm f/4G ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 500 mm f/4E FL ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 500 mm f/4G ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 400 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 400 mm f/2.8G ED VR

• AF-S NIKKOR 300 mm f/2.8G ED VR II

• AF-S NIKKOR 200 mm f/2G ED VR II

• AF-S NIKKOR 200–400 mm f/4G ED VR II

Focus

function

buttons

Auto AF Fine-Tuning

The D500 can ne-tune autofocus automatically. The results can be used with all lenses of the same type.

Use only as required. AF ne-tuning should be performed at the focus distance at which the lens is normally used; netuning performed at short focus distances may be less eective with distant subjects and vice versa.

Ready the camera.

Mount the camera on a tripod and aim the camera at a at, high-contrast subject parallel to the camera focal plane. Note that auto AF ne-tuning works best at maximum aperture and may not function in dark surroundings.

Start live view.

Rotate the live view selector to C and press the a button.

Adjust focus settings.

Rotate the focus-mode selector to AF and use the AF-mode button and command dials to select the following:

• Autofocus mode: AF-S

• AF-area mode: 5 (wide) or 6

(normal)

Select the center focus point.

Press the center of the multi selector to select the center focus point.

Focus.

Press the shutter-release button halfway to focus, then zoom in on the view through the lens to conrm that the subject is in focus.

Perform auto AF ne-tuning.

Press the AF-mode and movierecord buttons simultaneously and keep them pressed until the dialog shown in Step 7 is displayed (this should take slightly over two seconds).

Save the new value.

Highlight Yes and press J to add the AF ne-tuning value for the current lens to the saved values list (CPU lenses only). Note that only one value can be stored for each type of lens.

Enable AF ne-tuning.

In the camera setup menu, select AF ne-tune > AF ne-

tune (On/O ), then highlight On and press J.

Auto AF Fine-Tuning

AF-mode button

Movie-record button

Recommended AF Settings by Event

This section oers some advice on adjusting autofocusrelated settings for dierent sporting events.

Overview: Settings by Event

The settings for dierent events are summarized in the table below.

Soccer (page 34)

Hockey (page 35) 1 (Quick) or 2 Erratic Ski jumping (from the side, page 36) Ski jumping (from the front, page 37) Alpine skiing (near gates, page 38)

Winter sports

Alpine skiing (jumps, page 39) Group-area AF Singles ﬁgure skating (page 40) Pairs ﬁgure skating/ice dance (page 42)

Speed skating (page 43)

Short-track speed skating (page 44)

Gymnastics

Floor exercises (page 46)

Rhythmic gymnastics (page 48)

Event

mode AF-area mode

25-point dynamic-area AF

25- or 72-point dynamic-

or group- or auto-area AF

AF-C

Group- or auto-area AF Normal

25- or 72-point

dynamic-area AF

25-point dynamic- or

group-area AF

25- or 72-point dynamic-

or auto-area AF

25- or 72-point dynamic-

or 3D-tracking

a1: AF-C priority

selection

Custom Settings

a3: Focus tracking with lock-on

2 Normal

a7: Store by orientationBlocked shot AF response Subject motion

Focus point

Release

Normal —

Normal or erratic

Steady

Focus point

Normal

Event

Gymnastics

Balance beam (page 50)

Vault (page 51) Rings and horizontal bar (page 51)

Sprints (page 52)

Hurdles (page 54)

Athletics

Marathons (from a vehicle, page 55)

Shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw (page 55) Long jump and triple jump (page 56) 25-point dynamic-area AF

High jump and pole vault (page 56)

Synchronized swimming (page 57) 25-point dynamic-area AF

Aquatics

Swimming (page 58)

Diving (page 60)

mode AF-area mode

25- or 72-point dynamic-

or 3D-tracking

or auto-area AF

25- or 72-point dynamic-

or auto-area AF

25-point dynamic- or

group-area AF

Single- or 25-point

dynamic-area AF

Single- or 25-point

AF-C

dynamic-area AF

Group-area AF

25- or 72-point dynamic-

Single-point AF

3D-tracking or

auto-area- or 72-point

dynamic-area AF

area AF

a1: AF-C priority

selection

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Custom Settings

a3: Focus tracking with lock-on

a7: Store by orientationBlocked shot AF response Subject motion

Release

3 Normal

2 Normal or erratic

Normal

Erratic

Normal

—

Focus point

—

Soccer

Photographing soccer matches involves quick changes of focus and subjects that may be briey obscured by foreground objects. The following autofocus settings are recommended:

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 2 Subject motion: Normal

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Winter Sports

Here are some suggested settings for photographers at the rink or on the slopes.

Hockey

If you nd yourself continually switching subjects as the puck passes from one player to another, select low values for Custom Setting a3 (Focus tracking with lock-on) > Blocked shot AF response to quickly refocus at new focus distances. Note, however, that the camera will refocus instantly when the subject leaves the focus point.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

Blocked shot AF response: 1 (Quick) or 2

Subject motion: Erratic

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Ski Jumping

Choose settings according to whether you are at the side of the hill with jumpers crossing your eld of view or at the bottom with jumpers coming toward you.

From the Side

The following settings are recommended for shots taken from the side of the hill.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 2 Subject motion: Normal

If you nd the subject hard to track with 25 focus points, choose a dynamic-area AF mode with 72 or 153 points to increase the supplementary focus coverage available if the subject slips from the selected point. Note that when the subject is at the edge of the frame, the number of focus points available for dynamic-area AF drops; for coverage similar to 25 points, choose 72-point AF.

25-point AF (center) 25-point AF (edge) 72-point AF (edge)

Recommended AF Settings by Event

From the Front

When the subject is at the edge of the frame, the number of focus points available for dynamic-area AF drops; for coverage similar to 25-point AF, choose 72-point AF.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 2 Subject motion: Normal

25-point AF (center) 25-point AF (edge) 72-point AF (edge)

Alpine Skiing

Choose settings according to whether the skier is near the gate or taking air over a jump.

Near Gates

With a slow blocked-shot response of 5 (Delayed) or 4, the camera may be slow to switch back to the skier after focusing on a gate (the eect varies with the distance between the gate and the skier). If you want to keep the AF-ON button pressed or the shutter-release button pressed halfway for continuous focus, you can choose 2 or 1 (Quick) for improved focus switching (note that this increases the chance of the camera focusing on the gate). Alternatively, you can choose a slow setting such as 5 (Delayed) or 4 and release the AF-ON or shutter-release button as needed to refocus after the camera has locked onto a gate.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 2 Subject motion: Normal

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Jumps

If you anticipate that the subject will come into view suddenly and will not overlap a gate, choose group-area AF. Group-area AF uses a selected group of 5 or more focus points, letting you track your subject in a wide area and ensuring that even small, fast-moving, and hard-to-frame subjects can reliably be captured in sharp focus.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: Group-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

Singles Figure Skating

Auto-area AF is recommended if composition is a priority. To automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you go from “tall” (portrait) to “wide” (landscape) orientation and back again (page 41), select Focus point and AF-area mode for Custom Setting a7 (Store by orientation).

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25- or 72-point dynamic-area or group- or auto-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

Blocked shot AF response: 3

Subject motion: Normal or erratic

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Instant AF-Area Mode Selection

For exible AF-area mode selection when photographing gure skating, select 25- or 72-point dynamic- or auto-area AF with the camera and assign group-area AF to the focus function buttons using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment) > S Lens focus function buttons (page 26). You can then press a focus function but- ton to select group-area AF when framing shots of distant subjects with the camera in wide orientation, and release the button to switch to 25- or 72-point dynamic- or auto-area AF when framing shots of nearby subjects in tall orientation.

Subject nearby Distant subject

Group-area AF

25-point dynamic-

area AF

Auto-area AF

Pairs Figure Skating/Ice Dance

For events in which skaters frequently cross in front of one another, a slow blocked-shot response is recommended to improve tracking and prevent the focus point falling between the skaters.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: Auto- or group-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Use group-area AF if the subjects are far away. For exible AF-area mode selection, select auto-area AF with the camera and assign group-area AF to the focus function buttons using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment)> SLens focus function buttons (page 26). You can then press a focus function button to select group-area AF for distant subjects and release the button to switch to autoarea AF when your subjects are closer.

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Speed Skating

For more precise focus, use 25-point dynamic-area AF for wide-orientation upper-body shots and shots taken head-on. Switch to 72 points for tall-orientation shots with the skater near the edge of the frame.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25- or 72-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Steady

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

When the subject is at the edge of the frame, the number of focus points available for dynamic-area AF drops; for coverage similar to 25-point AF, choose 72-point AF.

Short-Track Speed Skating

The following settings are recommended:

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic- or group-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Instant AF-Area Mode Selection

Group-area AF is a good choice when your subject is in the lead, but it may continue to focus on the leader even when your subject is back in the pack. For rapid AF-area mode selection when skaters switch positions, assign AF-area mode to the lens focus function buttons using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment)> SLens focus function buttons (page 26).

Group-area AF

(subject in lead)

25-point dynamic-area AF

(subject in pack)

Gymnastics

Try these settings for gymnastics events.

Floor Exercises

Auto-area AF is recommended if composition is a priority, but dynamic-area AF may be preferred if the background contains objects with regular, detailed patterns, as otherwise photos may not be in focus even if the in-focus indicator (l) is lit. If you are using dynamic-area AF, choose an option with a comparatively high number of focus points (r) to capture fast-moving subjects.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode:

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Auto-area AF or 25- or 72-point dynamic-area

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Select Focus point and AF-area mode for Custom Setting a7 (Store by orientation) to automatically switch fo- cus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera (page 20). If you nd yourself frequently changing focus points, choose 15 points for Custom Setting a6 (Number of focus points) to reduce the number of focus points for quicker selection (page 20).

55 points

15 points

Rhythmic Gymnastics

For events with apparatuses, choose 3Dtracking, position the focus area over your subject (for best results, choose the uniform or another area of the subject that is a dierent color from the background), and press and hold the AF-ON button or keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway. The camera will automatically track the subject, letting you concentrate on composition. If you nd that the camera has trouble tracking athletes against the stands, billboards, and other varied backgrounds, switch to 25- or 72-point dynamic-area AF.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode:

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

25- or 72-point dynamic-area AF or 3D-tracking

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Select Focus point and AF-area mode for Custom Setting a7 (Store by orientation) to automatically switch fo- cus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera (page 20). If you nd yourself frequently changing focus points when using dynamic-area AF, choose 15 points for Custom Setting a6 (Number of focus points) to reduce the number of focus points for quicker selection (page 20).

55 points

15 points

Balance Beam

Auto-area AF is recommended if composition is a priority, while 25-point dynamicarea AF is suggested for close-ups. When photographing events with frequent jumps or changes of direction, choose 3D- tracking, position the focus area over your subject (for best results, choose the uniform or another area of the subject that is a dierent color from the background), and press and hold the AF-ON button or keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway. The camera will automatically track the subject, letting you concentrate on composition. If you nd that the camera has trouble tracking athletes against the stands, billboards, and other varied backgrounds, switch to 25- or 72-point dynamic-area AF.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: or auto-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

25- or 72-point dynamic-area or 3D-tracking

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Vault

If you nd the subject hard to frame, choose a dynamic-area AF mode with more focus points (r) or select auto-area AF. Autoarea AF in particular lets you concentrate on composition while leaving the camera in charge of choosing the focus point.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: auto-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 2 Subject motion: Normal or erratic

If you can’t see athletes on their approach, focus on the vault and then refocus when a vaulter comes into view.

Rings and Horizontal Bar

If you nd the subject hard to track using 25-point dynamic-area AF, choose a mode with more focus points (r).

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: or auto-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

25- or 72-point d

25- or 72-point dynamic-area

ynamic- or

Athletics

You may nd these settings useful when photographing road running or track and eld events.

Sprints

Choose 25-point dynamic-area AF when photographing approaching runners to help prevent the camera focusing on their hands, group- area AF for more reliable focus when photographing runners on the start line and in other shots taken at long range.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area or group-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Select Focus point and AF-area mode for Custom Setting a7 (Store by orientation) to automatically switch focus points and AF-area modes as you rotate the camera between “tall” (portrait) orientations and “wide” (landscape) orientation for shots taken after the runner has crossed the nish line (page 20).

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Instant AF-Area Mode Selection

For exible AF-area mode selection when photographing approaching runners, select 25-point dynamic-area AF with the camera and assign grouparea AF to the focus function buttons using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment) > S Lens focus function buttons (page 26). You can then press a focus function button to select group-area AF when your subject is far away and release the button as the runners approach to instantly switch to 25-point dynamic-area AF without taking your eye from the viewnder.

Group-area AF

(distant subject)

25-point dynamic-area AF

(runner approaching)

Hurdles

Choosing an AF-area mode with comparatively few focus points (single-point or 25-point dynamic-area AF) helps prevent the camera focusing on the hurdles or the hurdler’s legs. You can refocus as needed if the camera focuses on the hurdles in the foreground.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: Single-point AF or 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

 a7 Store by orientation: Focus point

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Marathons (from a Vehicle)

Choosing 25-point dynamic-area AF or single-point AF makes it easy to keep subjects in focus as they change position in the pack, but you could instead choose auto-area AF if you nd it hard to keep your subject in the focus point when shooting from a moving vehicle. If your lens supports vibration reduction, choose SPORT (if available) or ACTIVE to reduce camera blur. SPORT also stabilizes the image in the viewnder.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area or single-point AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, and Hammer Throw

Choose group-area AF for more reliable focus when photographing these events from the front at long ranges.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: Group-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

Long Jump and Triple Jump

Choosing a dynamic-area AF mode with comparatively few focus points (r) when photographing long and triple jumps from the front helps prevent the camera focusing on the sand while still letting you capture subject motion.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Erratic

High Jump and Pole Vault

If you nd it dicult to keep the subject in the frame, choose a dynamic-area AF mode with more focus points (r) or select auto-area AF.

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25- or 72-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Erratic

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Aquatics

Synchronized swimming

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: 25-point dynamic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

Blocked shot AF response: 3

Subject motion: Normal

Swimming

Choosing single-point AF helps prevent the camera focusing on splashes (you can refocus as needed if the camera fails to focus on the main subject).

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode:

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

Single

-point AF

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Instant AF-Area Mode Selection

For exible AF-area mode selection when photographing the start of a race, select single-point AF with the camera and assign group-area AF to the focus function buttons using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment)> SLens focus function buttons ( You can then press a focus function button to select grouparea AF when your subject is diving from the starting block and release the button once the swimmer is in the water to instantly switch to single-point AF without taking your eye from the viewnder. AF-area mode can also be assigned to the Pv, Fn1, Fn2, or AF-ON button, to the center of the sub-selector, or to the AF-ON button on the optional MB-D17 battery pack (

page 24).

page 26).

Group-area AF (distant

subject diving)

Single-point AF

(subject swimming)

Diving

When photographing divers against

low-contrast, undierentiated backgrounds, choose 3D-tracking, posi-

tion the focus area over your subject (for best results, choose the uniform or another area of the subject that is a dierent color from the background), and press and hold the AF-ON button or keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway. The camera will automatically track the diver, letting you concentrate on composition. When photographing divers against the stands, billboards, and other high-contrast backgrounds, select 72-point dynamic-area AF.

Low-contrast background High-contrast background

Recommended AF Settings by Event

• Autofocus mode: AF-C

• AF-area mode: ic-area AF

• Custom Settings

 a1 AF-C priority selection: Release  a3 Focus tracking with lock-on

> Blocked shot AF response: 3 Subject motion: Normal

 a4 3D-tracking face-detection: O

3D-tracking or auto-area or 72-point dynam-

Nikon D500 Setting Guide(Sports AF Edition)

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

Sports AF: Autofocus Basics

AF Mode: AF‑C

Custom Setting a3 (Focus tracking with lock-on) controls how autofo-

The Standby Timer

AF-Area Mode

Custom Settings

Focus Points

Cross Sensors

Teleconverters and Available Focus Points

Sports AF: Custom Settings

a1: AF‑C Priority Selection

a6: Number of Focus Points

a7: Store by Orientation

a8: AF Activation

a10: Autofocus Mode Restrictions

Sports AF: Custom Control Assignments

Lens Focus Function Buttons

Auto AF Fine-Tuning

Recommended AF Settings by Event

Overview: Settings by Event

Soccer

Winter Sports

Gymnastics

Athletics

Aquatics