D500 Custom Autofocus Setup

[@yvonnecoolwater5469]

I got the D500 for my Bday. Had before D50, D90 and D7100. This camera is different I wondered, while I kept seeing in my viewfinder 4 dots instead of ONE! I asked NIKON for help, even on their forum. At last I got a reference to KZbin, still everyone thought I had trouble working with Autofocus. Until I found your video! On 1:40 you explained how to get one dot instead of 4! Pff, quite an adventure! THANK YOU for this bright tutorial!!

[@siriusgd4753]

I just moved up from a D5100 to a D500. Still learning and trying to figure it all out. I already had the back button focus setup but now have the toggle setup as well thanks to your info. Makes switching back and forth so much easier. Thank you for this video.

[@whpkld]

Thanks so much. Really helpful info. Greetings from Australia.

[@hlpvinod]

Wow this one of the best tips I got. Thanks alot.

[@dalehilltopfarm]

Excellent! Clear instructions.

[@martysliwicki580]

Thanks for the clear explanation

[@XoXo475]

I configured my d500 to shoot the same way but I wish there was a third back button , as the joystick tends to move around sometimes if you want to push it in and hold down focus for birds in flight 😂 Not the end of the world , but I may move my shortcut somewhere else on the camera

[@namdarbolour9890]

I really like your informative and educational content, and you keep it simple. You also have a gift for making tutorial videos. Thank you.

[@SouthernExposure]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching, and for the feedback.

[@nouritsadon]

Thanks for this video. Can you understand why the bottom that change from AF-S to AF-C

[@noreenkarcher7867]

Your video was so helpful. I love the idea to use the joy stick to change to group focus points. I changed it but see you do have to keep your finger on the joy stick to use the group focus. I also have back button focus and tend to keep my finger on the AF-ON when I'm out birding. This is probably a very rookie question but once I hit my back button and get focus and then hit the joy stick will I still have the bird in focus without keeping my finger on the AF-ON button?

[@michaelstadnyk7796]

Great video! It was super professional and clean. I don’t know how you don’t have more subscribers!

[@SouthernExposure]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@BrendanHarington]

Thanks for this, just set it up on my D500. Does holding the joystick button in keep the chosen focus mode in focus on A-FC? So works the same as the AF-ON button, just in a different mode?

[@SouthernExposure]

That's correct.

[@riximavic8404]

Great video🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@SouthernExposure]

Thank you!

[@EODM1]

This put me on the right path 🙏 easy to follow instructions thank you 😊

[@SenshinDk]

This is really helpful, but the moment I release the button it goes back to single focus. What to do?

[@pamalagilbert3198]

Thank you for that territorial it helped a lot I do have a question I just bought a d500 and I cannot get the sound of the beep to work

[@SouthernExposure]

The focus beep will only be on in AF-S, not in AF-C. If you are in AF-S and still no beep, look in the Setup Menu for "Beep" and adjust the volume.

[@__shannon____]

What focus would you suggest for boxing so the whole image is in focus??

[@jackielee4803]

Thanks a lot for your video, it was very helpful to me. I am wondering about the two bodies D810 and D500. Because now the prices of these two cameras are almost the same ( used ones). The D500 has the advantage over which is DX lens system is cheaper than the FX lens system. However, the D810 has the advantage that is a full-frame sensor. My main needs are street life, fashion, wedding. And now I'm interested in the D500 with the power, the function it offers. Would you please give up advice on whether the D500 can be used for portrait, fashion, and wedding photography? If so, which lens is necessary to use with the D500? Thank you very much.

[@SouthernExposure]

I try not to steer people toward any particular piece of gear over another. That's a very personal decision. I can offer some thoughts though that you can incorporate into your decision making process. First, one of the "advantages" to the D500 for me was the fact that the crop sensor increases the reach of the lens attached. This was particularly important to me for wildlife. Not really necessary for portrait, fashion, and wedding. Likewise with the fast continuous shooting. In your case, the full frame sensor might be more important. Full frame is (usually) a little better in low light. The FX lenses are more expensive, and heavier, but they are usually better quality overall compared to the DX equivalents. I use FX lenses exclusively, even on the crop sensor bodies. Hope this helps!

[@veteran35th]

When you activate Group-area you keep the joystick pushed in while holding the shutter-release button don't you? I guess you've also got Continuous High Speed selected when you do this?

[@SouthernExposure]

Correct. I'm essentially using the joystick as a second focus button.

[@Audimann]

The D500 is indeed a sports and wildlife camera. Regarding the AF I must say that with my longer lenses such as 70-200, 100-400 and 200-500 the AF is always spot on. AF accuracy with wide angles is another story. I have several apsc wide angle lenses but the only one which gives good AF performance is the old Nikon 12-24 f4. My Tokinas on the other hand have a very bad AF performance. Maybe 50% or so in focus. Is this a camera problem, a lens problem or a combination of both? I know for sure that most apsc wide angle lenses are not that great. Lots of problems but the only lens that holds up is that 20 year old Nikon 12-24. Quite remarkable.

[@SouthernExposure]

Hard to say for sure, but I suspect it is a lens problem. I've never had good luck with Tokina.

[@Audimann]

@@SouthernExposureThe 100mm f2.8 macro is the only Tokina that holds up very well. But the rest of their line-up is rather unreliable.

[@MrDan1509]

Get the 17-55mm F2.8DX... That lens is freaking gold!