Group Cluster Focus Points - Macro on Nikno

Hey Nikon Shooters,

Has anyone done any significant testing using Nikon's Group (GRP) Cluster focus points (see attached image) for Macro photography?

I am running into issues on my D850 with my 60mm lens where I need a larger area in focus (eg. I want the eye and the nose in focus on a subject).

On my D7200 I didn't have this issue using Single Servo w/Single Point focus but on the D850 I am...

Please see the attached image for reference to the Focus clusters I am considering plying with... I am not sure the GRP cluster will work but it's worth asking other Nikon shooters out there I reckon....

Thanks,

H

Hey Hank

Could you have another go at posting the photo? It's not attached.

Hi,

if you want the nose and the eye of a subject in focus simultaneously and especially if the subject is diagonal in the frame, it is probably more a question of DoF and less of the focusing method you are using. Your D850 with a larger sensor as the 7200 with a cropped one gets you less DoF.

I am shooting a D850 as well and normally I am using single servo /single focus point but moving around the focus field with the left/right/up/down arrows. You could use a smaller aperture for larger DoF e.g. f/16...22 (on diffraction's expense though) and keep primarily the eye of the subject in focus.

Other than that I didn't understand what you are trying to achieve, the attachment is missing.

Thanks Fellas. I just uploaded the image above now...

Buddy, I understand shooting at a higher f/stop will increase DoF but I was already shooting at f/18 and happy with the other elements (Background blur etc)...

My inquiry is really weather or not using the GRP focus mode like you see in the image I attached, will increase the size of the focus area without losing the other elements a lower f/stop number will give me...

Perhaps it is just getting use to the Full Frame sensor and I'll just have to adjust my shooting style more...

i use group mode with AF-C only for wide angle when action is involved, e.g. shark shots. IMO it doesn't really work for macro, best is single servo - single focus point and focus field moved to the "sides*. Focus on the eye and release. Others tried also with AFC and 3D-mode, but that did not work for me either; the 3D selected focus point was not stable / remaining enough when moving the frame for recomposing.

If I understand you right you want to increase the size of the focus area, i.e. to make the nose and the eye in focus. Imagine a nudy branch diagonal in the frame from top right to bottom left with its head towards the lens. In this example a larger focus area by a group mode would be contradictory since the 4 group mode focus points might randomly select the eye or the nose of the nudi (probably where contrast is higher) and the one or the other might not be in the same focus plane (depending on DoF). Here you want to focus on the eye and be happy when nose is still in focus too. Alternatively instead of focusing on the eye you could use the good old 1/3 rule, namely get the focus point on the first third of the image (1/3 of total distance from close to far) and hope that both nose and eye are in focus.

The user manual says that group mode is more for situations when camera is not able to focus in other modes in order to avoid accidentally choosing the background instead of the subject as such.

But best way is to try the different mode when shooting underwater and make your own experiences...

regards

If you read the description GRP tends to go to the closest subject among the 4 sensors, but it will also be the one with most contrast. You have no control over what it picks and it may pick the wrong thing.

The DOF is what it is regardless and all you do is pick what to focus on. DOF at macro focal lengths is said to evenly distribute in front of and behind the focal point, so focusing on the front of your subject wastes DOF. So best approach is to focus on the middle of the subject to give best chance of getting the DOF to fall in the right spot. To do that you really need to use a single focus point.