The auto focus feature is very frustrating to use...

But for now, that's what I have to use until I have time for classes, so any help on how to get good auto focus results is appreciated.

Like AF-C doesn't really do what I thought it would do, which is to track moving object. My HF11 Canon HD camcorder can autofocus basically instantaneously, but either I am not doing it right (and help is appreciated), or this is just not what the D90 can do...

And yes, I got that Nikkor 1.8 lens that is out of stock at lots of places.

 

First off, cute pic!

Concerning AF-C, did you read the manual? I think you can set it to track a subject for different lengths of time so maybe you just need to set it to track longer. Personally, I think Nikon's AF-C works great when I'm taking panning shots at the race track. I guess it depends on what you're trying to shoot but I'm assuming your child is the main subject of your photos?

Do you hold down the shutter button halfway (to keep the AF working) when you're following your subject? I know that when I'm tracking a subject through my viewfinder, I never take my finger more than halfway off the shutter button. Keeping it halfway depressed will allow the AF to continue tracking while you set up your next shot. That might be worth a try.

Good luck and happy shooting! Keep posting up your pics so we can all see how you're progressing and help you with any more problems.

 

Picking up a D90 next week. I will have the same set up - D90 + 35mm! Congrats.

 

what are you replacing?

 

D40

 

OK, dumb question, but why does the viewfinder focuses much much faster than the LiveView?

I noticed that if you use LiveView, the AF will focus quickly and on target, then refocus, whereas viewfinder focuses quickly and that's that.

 

When looking through the viewfinder, you see what the lens sees in realtime. The LiveView screen is just a digital interpretation of what the sensor sees but there is an inherent time delay needed for rendering of the image. Personally, I've never had a DSLR with LiveView and I'm not sure I'll ever need/want one that has that feature. Try using the viewfinder to compose your shots in the future. That might help.

 

Yeah, I started googling and that's what everyone says.

I think this solved my autofocus problem. The camera now focuses instantaneously, and I am getting great shots.

Except baby scuderia is sleeping already, so I can't try taking more of his action shots and see how much of an improvement using viewfinder makes for that purpose.

 

One of the things that instantly drew me to DSLR's (besides the shutter sound) was the control you felt holding the camera right up to your eye as opposed to holding it out at arms length like a P&S

 

Exactly. Plus, holding it up to your eye keeps the camera closer to your body to stabilize it so it's not as easy to shake and cause blurry images.