Why does my Nikon D5600 show only one AF point in d9/d21/d39 modes?
Asked 3/1/2021
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2 answers
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On a Nikon D5600, when I use PASM modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual), the AF-area options d9, d21, and d39 don’t seem to show multiple focus points in the viewfinder. I only see one selected point, usually the center point, although I can move it manually. If I switch to Auto-area AF, multiple focus points appear in the viewfinder.
Is this normal behavior, or is there a problem with my camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
2
The dynamic focus modes require you to be in AF-A or AF-C.
The dynamic modes (d9-d39) only show the selected focus point as active. By default the selected/active point is the center point, but you can move it manually. The camera then uses other focus points as needed/allowed, but it doesn't show the focus point moving. The focus point that was actually used will be reported in the exif/focus point review.The camera will highlight all of the enabled focus points in the viewfinder when the setting is being selected/changed.
If 3D is active it will/should show the used focus point moving in the viewfinder; but by default it also starts with the center focus point by default.
Auto is the only mode where the camera is using multiple focus points simultaneously and shows that in the viewfinder... but still, only one point (distance) can ever actually be at maximum focus.
Originally by user70370. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user70370
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is normal on the D5600.
In Dynamic-area AF modes (d9, d21, d39), the camera usually shows only the currently selected AF point in the viewfinder. You choose that starting point manually, and the camera uses nearby points as needed for tracking, but it does not normally display all of them while shooting.
A few key points:
- Dynamic-area AF works with AF-A or AF-C.
- In d9/d21/d39, seeing just one point is expected.
- Auto-area AF is the mode where the camera uses multiple focus points at once and shows that in the viewfinder.
- In 3D tracking, the active point may appear to move in the viewfinder.
- When you are changing the AF-area setting, the camera may briefly highlight all available points.
So if Auto-area AF shows multiple points but d9/d21/d39 show only one selected point, your camera is behaving as designed, not faulty.
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