D7000 : AF performance

[Sar NOP]

I was wondering how good the D7000 AF system would be with a super-telephotolens on fast moving subjects.
So a few weeks ago, I did a field test on bird in flight with my 600 VR.

First impressions : for such a small consumer body, the AF system is unbelievably good, even with a 2x converter !

Here are some images :


#1 : D7000+600 VR
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2235/7ka8490afc9dresize2.jpg


#2 : D7000+600 VR
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1254/7ka8431afc9dresize2.jpg


#3 : D7000+600 VR
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4837/7ka8519resize2.jpg


#4 : D7000+600 VR
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/5995/7ka8534cropto66resize2.jpg


#5 : D7000+600 VR
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/6024/7ka8719crop50resize2.jpg

[old dog]

wow Sar...how good is that lens....I want one...:th3: but I don`t think Julie would see the funny side of that.:D I`m getting the D7k next week and getting excited.

[Lance B]

Exceptional photos as usual, Sar!

I too have the D7000 and also find the AF performance very good, even with my 300 f2.8 VRII and 2x TCIII.

[PH005]

Great series. #2 is my fav'. Love the detail you have captured. Well done :th3:

[Darey]

Beautiful series Sar and shot #2 is my favorite.
I have a D7000 and love it more every time I use it. I have been doing surf shots the last two days and the AF with a Sigma 100-300mm + 1.4X Sigma TC has been excellent.
I always love your shots so keep posting.

[Sar NOP]

wow Sar...how good is that lens....I want one...:th3: but I don`t think Julie would see the funny side of that.:D I`m getting the D7k next week and getting excited.
You're going to love this little camera...:th3:

[Sar NOP]

Exceptional photos as usual, Sar!

I too have the D7000 and also find the AF performance very good, even with my 300 f2.8 VRII and 2x TCIII.

Lance, I still want to try your 300/2.8 VRII one day. :D

[Sar NOP]

With the TC-17EII, AF still is fast enough to capture BIF :


#6 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/8117/7ka9510resize2.jpg



#7 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3294/7ka9552resize2.jpg



#8 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/6451/7ka9564resize2.jpg



#9 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/8663/7ka9569resize2.jpg



Even at more than 100m away !
#10 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4434/7ka9617resize2.jpg



#11 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/27/7ka9633resize2.jpg

[algee]

Extraordinary. Interesting to see what a D7000 is capable of in expert hands

[Sutto]

Great shots, this has been a good thread to read as I was looking at the D7000 for my next camera.

[farmer_rob]

Some great shots there SarNOP - focus is working well too. Did it work straight out of the box or did you do any microfocus adjusting?

[Sar NOP]

Some great shots there SarNOP - focus is working well too. Did it work straight out of the box or did you do any microfocus adjusting?
So far (after more than 10,000 photos), its AF system perfectly works with all my lenses without the need of microfocus adjusting.

[mongo]

Extremely impressive results Sar. Useful information. thanks.

[Sar NOP]

I pushed the AF of the D7000 one more step by adding a 2x TC to my 600 VR for BIF : finding the moving subject in the viewfinbder with a narrow field of view of a 1800mm focal length (DX format) was a challenge on its own, but the AF system of the D7k did help a lot to quickly acquire the focus on the bird.
The tracking system worked best with the combo AF-C & Dynamic 9 points (9d), the AF system was set to "Release Priority" and the Lock-On set to Normal.


#12 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9157/7ka9106resize2.jpg


#13 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/217/7ka8960resize2.jpg




#14 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/2720/7ka9172resize2.jpg



#15 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9749/7ka9464resize2.jpg



#16 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9586/7ka9498resize2.jpg

[helmutk]

I pushed the AF of the D7000 one more step by adding a 2x TC to my 600 VR for BIF : finding the moving subject in the viewfinbder with a narrow field of view of a 1800mm focal length (DX format) was a challenge on its own, but the AF system of the D7k did help a lot to quickly acquire the focus on the bird.
The tracking system worked best with the combo AF-C & Dynamic 9 points (9d), the AF system was set to "Release Priority" and the Lock-On set to Normal.


#12 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9157/7ka9106resize2.jpg



Hi Sar Thanks for sharing this information most interesting stunning captures especially with such a large Lens :th3::th3:



#13 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/217/7ka8960resize2.jpg




#14 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/2720/7ka9172resize2.jpg



#15 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9749/7ka9464resize2.jpg



#16 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9586/7ka9498resize2.jpg

[helmutk]

Hi Sar Thanks for sharing this information most interesting stunning captures especially with such a large Lens
Sorry something went wrong with my reply I must have done something wrong

[PH005]

Very High standard of work. Well done. :th3:

[wechap]

WOW!!!, Awesome photo's. I particularly like #7 and the shots of the birds in formation, they just look so in sync with each other. :th3:

[Sar NOP]

This is one of my favourite exercices with the 600 VR : using stacked converters on it ! :D:D
Of course, there is no AF with two TCs on a f/4 lens. So manual focus is the way to go...


#17 : D7000+600 VR+TC-17EII+Kenko 2x, @2040mm (3060mm on DX format).
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/9763/7ka9701stackedconverter.jpg



#18 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII+Kenko 2x, @2400mm (3600mm on DX format).
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/5654/7kb0145resize2.jpg



#19 : D7000+600 VR+TC-20EIII+Kenko 2x, @2400mm (3600mm on DX format).
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/3529/7kb0074resize2.jpg


#20 : Set up for the photos #18 & #19.
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9431/cb67208resize2.jpg

[Sutto]

Awesome.....

[helmutk]

Great pit of gear and excellent images Sar :th3:

[old dog]

amazing shots Sar.

[fastr1red]

Geez, I didn't realize that combination was so good.....time to sell the D5000 I think.

[Sar NOP]

Geez, I didn't realize that combination was so good.....time to sell the D5000 I think.

To get the 600 ? :D

[Wayne]

To get the 600 ? :D

The proceeds of the D5000 should cover the replacement Wimberley foot. haha

[N*A*M]

this is a perfect mesh of technique, experience, lens, and body... in that order. top job, but i think you'd produce great work with any camera body.

[twister]

Great work with the pictures!

[jim]

this is a perfect mesh of technique, experience, lens, and body... in that order. top job, but i think you'd produce great work with any camera body.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Rebelx]

Wow these are absolutely superb!

[simonrl]

wow awesome photos Sar.

I am very happy with my D7K, I only have an 80 - 200mm f2.8 no VR and my images are as sharp as, even on moving objects.