Nikon D850 | My Focus Settings | Bird & Wildlife Photography

These are my go to focus settings for the Nikon D850 when it comes to Bird & Wildlife Photography. They've completely changed the way I shoot and my keeper success rate has increased substantially. In my next video out in the field, I'll talk more about the actual camera settings (ISO, Shutter, Aperture) I use.
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#NikonD850 #D850 #BirdPhotography

[@melissaerickson7973]

I watch this video over and over to make sure my settings stay on. Thank you so much! It has helped me a ton!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome!

[@fordman1950]

You are a lifesaver Adrienne. I just picked up the D850 after shooting. Everything from D1x, to my last body, a D750. I followed you instructions to a T, but sadly, the viewfinder still only shows the active sensor 😢. Thanks for taking the time to help us.

[@petepetinatos]

Thanks Adrian, I just upgraded from a D5600 to D850 and this video has been really helpful with my initial setup. Heading out later to give it a try.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Peter. All the best, cheers 📸🙏

[@Robertgreaves816]

Great tutorial just bought the D850 little nervous after using my D500 for 4years look forward to trying out button configuration Many thanks keep up the good work

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@helenbrecknell3930]

Thanks again Adrian for this video. I went out to photo birds and use the setup you suggested and WOW! what a difference it makes. I changed the locations for me to try and will no doubt settle on my own configuration but doing this way is brilliant. I didn't get any EPIC pics, only a couple pee wees chasing worms then a crow came for a chat and consented to pose for me. A couple of nice ones of the crow in flight though. thank you

[@adrianalfordphotography]

That's awesome Helen, so happy to hear that. You've just entered into a great world of photography enjoyment and you'll only get better and better as time goes on. Cheers 🙏

[@raulfriedmann1859]

Nice video, stuning photos. I have a D7200 and a D750. I love these cameras, but the D850 is the top of the top DLSR. As a Nikon shutter for more than 30 years, soon I will "complete" my DSLR Nikon Dream Team.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Raul 🙏

[@theradarguy]

Adrian, I just got my D850 yesterday for my birthday, upgrading from a D7100. Out this morning and struggling. This video answered all of questions. That wouldn't be the Orlando wetlands would it. I live nearby.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. I'm in Australia, so a tad bit away from the Orlando wetlands. Though when I was in Florida, I noticed how a lot of the weather (except tornados) and some of the landscape reminded me of Australia.

[@CliftonTicehurst]

Those focus settings are going to be super helpful to a lot of wildlife photographers Adrian👍Wonderful birds images 👌 look forward to your next week video down at the wetlands centre 🙂 Thanks for sharing 👍Cheers, Cliff

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Clifton Ticehurst cheers Cliff thanks very much for watching. Next week should be a lot of fun. Can’t wait to see what I can photograph at these wetlands. Have an awesome week mate 👍🙏

[@slimbirdy]

That was super helpful to give the best chance of getting a perfect shot when you have three options to quickly flick between. Birds can be super fast and unpredictable. Thanks for sharing.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

slimbirdy thanks so much for watching glad you found it helpful 👍🙏

[@stretchini]

Great stuff Adrian! I know have to try and sleep before testing these new settings.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Peter 🙏

[@touchedbynature5445]

Great Video, Adrian. Very Helpful. Many thanks for sharing. 🇬🇧

[@adrianalfordphotography]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@SolarShadows88]

This was so helpful! Thanks for the information.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@iBengalkatze]

First of all I wish you and your family a healthy happy and successful new year! Thanks a mill for the valuable tips! Will try them tomorrow. Take care Claudia

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@RCBladeKing]

Thank you for the fantastic video! It helped majorly!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome!

[@davidmatney5033]

Thank you! Absolutely fantastic tip!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're so welcome!

[@furslide01]

Thank you. I will try it for flying birds tomorrow. Thanks a Lot.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching, Best of luck.

[@petermanson5776]

You are a great teacher. Thank You!

Thumbs up ere' Adrian, some very useful tips on focus settings - that's a great lens. Looking forward to your next video. Many thanks for sharing and have a great weekend :)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Expat in Mazarron thanks so much for watching mate. Next week should be fun down at these wetlands. Can’t wait to see what they have there to photograph 👍🙏

[@PhilThach]

Very informative video. I also use group on my D500 for birds in flight and single-point for stationary birds. I haven't programmed it so that I can switch instantly as you can. I'll have to try it, thanks! I wish the Z6 had group autofocus mode. Looking forward to the next one from the wetland. That Manfrotto Pixi tripod is strong! :)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks so much for watching Phil. I love how I can switch between the 3 x focus settings at my finger tips instead of having to do each one individually (by then the bird is gone). I didn't realise the Z6 didn't have it? Yeah, I certainly put that Pixi tripod through it's paces haha, great little gadget to have in your bag. Cheers.

[@CasseysVlog]

What a very informative video Adrian! It's like getting a free photography class.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Cassey’s Life And Everything in Between thanks very much for watching. Really appreciate your kind comment 🙏

[@naturescoper3936]

Awesome video !What AF would you use for sports such as basketball and American football.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Group area aF

[@peterviragphoto]

Awesome job mate, love those shots! Looking forward to the next episode:) !

[@adrianalfordphotography]

peterviragphoto thanks for watching Peter, yeah I think you’ll like next week. Hoping to get a diverse range of birds and other fauna on those wetlands. Cheers mate 👍🙏

[@davidpaletta7535]

This is very helpful. Thanks so much.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're very welcome!

[@PavelLavrishchev]

Very useful tutorial as always! 👍🏼

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@RR-bm6od]

Hi Adrian Once again another great video. I have just brought the d850 and have setup it up as you have suggested. What I would like to know, do I have to lock in focus first using the single focus (Pv) button before going to the dynamic-area AF (25 points) or Group-area AF focus buttons. I finding I can that sometimes it want let me use them.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks very much for watching. You have to make sure the D850 is in "AF-C" I have fallen into this trap a couple of times. If you watch this video I made recently - it explains more about the focus and techniques I've used kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIjadXSEiLZmeZI

[@arvindkrovvidi1781]

Thank you so much. This was really helpful :)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're very welcome!

[@johannaknowles8569]

Thanks for the tips! I’ve got some changes to make

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@davidmorgan9625]

BcThank you so much for this ,just got the D850 and 500 mm lens … this is going to help me so much

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@chrisyoung3222]

Great info! I’m wondering, do you hold or keep pressing the BBF when your tracking a bird in flight? Also for the group setting do you need to keep the subject in the centre for it to lock on focus properly as bird is in flight?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi Chris - thanks for watching. Yes that is correct you keep your thumb held down on the BBF while keeping the bird centred (within the group of four squares) in the viewfinder. If you look at my latest video "Nikon D850 - The Best Time to Photograph Birds" and skip to 3:50. If you turn the audio up and listen closely you can hear the lens continually making micro adjustments in focus while I'm holding down the BBF tracking the bird in the tree. Hope this helps. 👍🙏📸

[@Salamapaja]

Brilliant explanation, thanks so much! I'll be shooting bears and other wildlife soon, this is a life saver. One question, if I go to AF-S, Pv for single point and BBF for group works the same way, but when I push the selector, the small black dots in the view finder do not appear as they do in AF-C. It seems it works only as a single point?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Thomas. You need to be in AF-C for the single point assigned button, group area assigned button and 25 point assigned button to work and continually adjust the subject you're tracking. Remember, hold down and continue to hold down whatever focus mode you're using and track the animal in the viewfinder. If you watch this lates video I did with the D850, you'll see I explain it a little more... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIjadXSEiLZmeZI 🙏

[@Salamapaja]

@@adrianalfordphotography thanks for your quick answer! Tried this out yesterday at a sports game and reviewing it, lots of photos were in focus, incredible. I'll keep that button pushed 😄

[@RODPIKERDRONESUK]

Great video and information as always thanks for sharing cheers great setup

[@adrianalfordphotography]

RODPIKER DRONES UK thank you very much Rod. Always appreciate your kind support 🙏🙏🙏

[@mariuszkier8293]

Dear Adrian, thank you for such an interesting, valuable, and done in a concise way lecture < 7 minutes woow. I have just one question: I like to make pictures of wildlife and landscape. Ofcource wild life great opportunities can not wait.. landscape can but still Is there a quick way to change settings so, to return the setup of AF under the main shooter button (( half way press etc) ?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. I actually use this set up for landscape too. I switch to LV (live view) on the back of the D850 which is on the tripod for landscape. Tap the screen where I want to focus, then press shutter button. Check out this video I made, you'll see what I mean - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqHbdp6FbreZbNU

[@alienxyt]

Very good tutorial. Thanks!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Many thanks for watching 🙏

[@raerossi3055]

Hi Adrian, just upgraded to the D850 and watched this video. My interest is focused on bird photography. How do you move from one preset to another seamlessly when shooting.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Press each button in (middle index finger for front single point, thumb on back 2 focus presets) - very important to hold in while shooting with the shutter button and tracking bird. I did another video that explains it on the D850 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIjadXSEiLZmeZI

[@kylehislipstudio3280]

Terrific! Thanks!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome!🙏

[@mikemarshall8379]

Really informative. Do you have a video on exposure for birds. I really struggle with that and could do with some help.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. I have my ISO set between 100-2000 and left on auto so the camera chooses for me. Apertures between 5.6 and 8 depending on the lens, shutter speed between, 12000 and 1/3200 for birds in flight or 1/1000 to 1/1600 on a branch..

[@mikemarshall8379]

@@adrianalfordphotography Thanks for your reply, Do you use exposure compensation and if so to what extent?

[@bluejuiceist]

Oh bugger wish I’d watched this before I went away on my recent trip 😅 so much bird action I missed out on cos I kept trying different settings but ended up with the 3D tracking 😬

[@esbee1177]

Hey Adrian, thanks for the explanations in this video! Will you use Group Area AF in AF-C mode in order to follow the flying bird? I guess that obviously yes, but just want to make sure I got you right. Thanks again!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Stephen. Yes Group Area AF on AF-C mode and remember to press in and hold the AF-On button while following a bird in flight. That way the focus adjusts while tracking. Cheers

[@esbee1177]

@@adrianalfordphotography Cheers, mate! Thanks for the quick answer. Keep it up!

[@WilberWobbler]

Thanks Adrian - very helpful videos and website. Curious what Lens you have on the camera in this video? Do you like it / prefer another?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. I have done a review on that lens here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXLdpqKPrc-soM0si=V9kIXvyOgJBCe6LK Next step up look at the Nikon 500mm F5.6 PF lens.

[@WilberWobbler]

Very interesting - Thank You !!!@@adrianalfordphotography

[@cozoral1]

Hi Adrian, thanks fr great video. Wondering if same setting is appicable for dancing model or running athlete?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. Yes you could use same settings. However have a look at the 3D tracking focus setting as well. Try using both Group Area and 3D tracking focus modes in a test and see which works best for you.

[@57sapke]

Thanks for the tutorial, I wonder what settings ( aperture/shutterspeed) you use for Bird Photography.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you for watching. Really appreciate it. If you go to the end of this video you'll see anther video "Photographing Boondall Wetlands" I talk more about aperture and shutter in that video for bird photography. As well as another video I made called "Nikon D850, The Best Time To Photograph Birds". Hope this helps you. 🙏

[@JapanLovers]

Nice weapon you got there Adrian 📸 👍

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Elise & Aaron thanks very much for watching, certainly is a heavy weapon too, but gets the job done 🤙🙏

[@RaySweeting]

Thanks for posting great tips

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome Ray, glad you found it helpful. I've found it so much faster for grabbing the shots I need/want. Thanks very much for watching :)

[@muratdogan5845]

ÇOK TEŞEKKÜR EDERİM.HARİKA BİR BİLGİLENDİRME OLMUŞ.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

👍🙏😀

[@ryantang8146]

Just wondering what do you think about the all areas focus mode ? I tried to use that auto mode on my D500 yesterday to shoot birds in flight and found that focus mode to be quite good. It tracks the birds pretty well. Not sure about the group focus mode which I will try next time with your suggestion.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi Ryan - I have only used that focus setting minimally on the D850. It was a bit hit and miss for me. I'm glad it works well for you on the D500.

[@pennhillman]

Well explained, thankyou...

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching.

[@marclabro]

nice tuto; I have a d750. ok for bird photography ? do you think, for fashion photography, and bird photography, a d850 would focus as good on eye as we can have with sony a7r3 ?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. If you have a look at my channel, I have a video on how to set up the D750 for bird photography like the D850. And I have a video putting those settings to the test. The D850 does not have eye detect, but has 3D tracking which I find works pretty good.

[@marclabro]

thank you ! did you test a Z6II + ftz adapter ? any benefit of mirrorless+eye detetct for wildlife photography ?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

@@marclabro I will be filming a test with Nikon Z6ii next week then on my channel 19th December 👍

[@ninniciotta1960]

Thank you my friend!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

No problem

[@noelleenboyers9120]

Hi there. Do you think that Group-area AF would be good for surfer photography? I am trying to get the surfer in focus then move down to something smaller until I can photograph birds.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Yes, absolutely. In fact in this video I made I used Group Area AF to photograph surfers with the D850 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3zYnauvq7qkq80

[@costiniucmircea]

Very interesting tutorial

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching.

[@kerrynbenbow1980]

Thanks so much for that. Shame I’m watching it at night, I just want to get out there now! May I ask what lens you are using?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

This is the lens in question. I did a video on it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXLdpqKPrc-soM0

[@kerrynbenbow1980]

@@adrianalfordphotography thank you!

[@eastwind3550]

Thank you very much

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You are welcome

[@amicx1001]

👍 Thanks for sharing!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching.

[@deshill2973]

Hi great video , what lens is that on the d850 , thanks 😊

[@adrianalfordphotography]

That would be this one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXLdpqKPrc-soM0

[@Gaasserocker]

Thank you very much!👌🏻

[@stephendean7756]

hello Adrian great video.i have a D750 and am looking at doing some bird photography are the settings for the autofocus settings similar to the D850 if not could you maybe do a video or advise on the correct settings for this body thanks.could you also recommend a telephoto lense combination for the 750.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi Stephen, thanks for watching. Can definitely recommend the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens like you see in this video. Reason being it's such a versatile lens, not just good for bird photography, but also, portrait, landscape, wildlife. There are better lenses, but they are expensive. Re the focus on the D750, they are similar to the D850, but you don't have as much control in terms of what type of focus you want to assign to each individual button. I will try and do a video for you in the near future as there's too much to explain in writing. Cheers.

[@bilelinho224]

Is this settings available on sport shooting. And street photography "people walking or running" i mean?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Yes. Like I explain in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2avf6SuZb-hr5I

[@PottsiePhoto]

Adrian - I continue to have issues getting tack sharp images with my D850. Do you recommend Group Area AF most of the time rather than single point? I see most KZbinrs encouraging single point.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

If you’re having troubles getting sharp images it’s one of two things. Operator error or lens is either damaged or not correctly calibrated. It has nothing to do with the type of focus mode you use

[@PottsiePhoto]

@@adrianalfordphotography Happens with multiple lenses, so must be me :-(

[@adrianalfordphotography]

@@PottsiePhoto I will make a video in the future to show how you can test the camera / lens combo to see if it’s the lens or operator at fault

[@PottsiePhoto]

@@adrianalfordphotography Thanks, appreciate that.

[@petermcdonald2846]

Sorry, I'm a little slow on the uptake here as I learn my D850. I get that you are changing 3 settings. However, we're just talking about for 2 buttons right, the front PV button and the back toggle button? If I understand your video correctly, after changing the settings the PV button when continually depressed while shooting will auto focus on the subject at single shot and 25 pts and the back toggle button when continually depressed at the group area AF? Is their any role of the AF-ON button at the back of the camera here? Thanks for your patience as I take baby steps.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi Peter, thanks so much for watching. Sorry if I wasn't clear in the video, like you, I'm learning in front of the camera. If you put the D850 into AF-C S focus mode to begin with (you'd see this in my next video "Boondall Wetlands" after this one) it should track your subject while continually holding down one of the 3 buttons I mentioned in this video. Move your back dial on the top left of D850 into "Ch" allows to photograph at 7fps. Front PV button = Single Shot focus mode, back AF-ON button = Group Area AF mode and the Toggle or Joystick Button = 25 point autofocus mode. I hope this helps you out, cheers.

[@petermcdonald2846]

@@adrianalfordphotography Thank you so much for your timely reply and your videos. It all makes perfect sense now and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to share your experience and insights via this medium. So helpful to me. Cheers from Denver.

[@PottsiePhoto]

Adrian - using these settings is there any way I can still focus and then recompose the shot with original focus point?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You can focus with all these settings, then recompose your frame and hit the shutter no problems - if that's what you mean?

[@trantienlan]

Thank you

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome🙏

[@offbeatvandals6072]

Hi Adrian, does your camera have to be set to AFC or AFS for these other focus setting to work?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

AFC is best.

[@offbeatvandals6072]

@@adrianalfordphotography great thanks Adrian

[@PottsiePhoto]

Ok @adrianalfordphotography, I have a D850 with a 80-400 lens and also use the Group area AutoFocus as per the video for birds in flight - still not getting tack sharp, what could I be doing wrong?

[@PottsiePhoto]

Help me AA, please!

[@ABF47]

Do i have to press the pv button and af button together while taking flying bird picture?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Hi Sebastian. By pressing and holding down the AF button while taking shots of birds in flight will activate the Group Area focus to continually adjust on a bird in flight.

[@ABF47]

@@adrianalfordphotography thank you sir

[@MSchumacherfan]

What do think of 3d tracking on the d500?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Don't own a D500 so I wouldn't know.

[@grandwoodcrafters8523]

Which lens is shown on your D-850?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Nikon 80-400mmG ED VR

[@eriklee4014]

What lens is on the camera in this video

[@adrianalfordphotography]

This one = kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXLdpqKPrc-soM0

[@jecrischannel]

thanks for the tutorial,,.. by now i cannot try this settings my len is broken :(

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome thanks for watching :)

[@jecrischannel]

@@adrianalfordphotography 🥰🥰🥰

[@PaulCrabtree276]

Well I cant get it to work - I have assigned the buttons as suggested. But when selected or pressed it doesnt appear to change anything, I was wanting to use single point focus most of the time with the ability to quickly switch to bird in flight mode - Can anyone suggest where I am going wrong, Thanks

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Is your focus mode in "AFC"? I bet it's in AFS.

[@PaulCrabtree276]

@@adrianalfordphotography Thanks for the reply. Back screen shows AFS - but my top display is showing AFC - even more confused now ?

[@Wiki-url]

Thank you

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You're welcome 🙏