Focus—Photographs Taking

The AF-Assist Illuminator

The built-in AF assist illuminator enables the camera to focus even when the subject is poorly lit. To use the illuminator, AF-Smust be selected

for Custom Setting 2 (Autofocus;

 

139), an

AF-Nikkor lens must be attached, and the center

focus area must be selected or closest subject priority in effect. If these conditions are met and the subject is poorly lit, the illuminator will light automatically to assist the autofocus operation when the shutter-release button is

pressed halfway.

The AF-assist illuminator is not available in

(Landscape),

(Sports), and

(Night landscape) modes.

 

For the AF-assist illuminator to function correctly, the lens must have a focal length of 24–200 mm and the subject must be in range of the illuminator. Lens hoods should be removed. With most lenses, the illuminator has a range of about 0.5–3 m (1´8˝–9´10˝). With the following lenses, autofocus with AF-assist illumination is not available at ranges under 1 m (3´3˝):

• AF Micro ED 200 mm f/4

• AF ED 24–85 mm f/2.8–4

• AF-S DX ED 12–24 mm f/4

• AF ED 24–85 mm f/3.5–4.5

• AF-S ED 17–35 mm f/2.8

• AF-S VR ED 24–120 mm f/3.5–5.6

• AF ED 18–35 mm f/3.5–4.5

• AF 24–120 mm f/3.5–5.6

• AF-S DX 18–70 mm f/3.5–4.5

• AF ED 28–200 mm f/3.5–5.6

• AF 20–35 mm f/2.8

• AF Micro ED 70–180 mm f/4.5–5.6

With the following lenses, AF assist is not available at ranges under 2 m (6´7˝):

• AF-S ED 28–70 mm f/2.8

• AF-S DX ED 17–55 mm f/2.8

AF assist is not available with the following lenses:

• AF-S VR ED 70–200 mm f/2.8

• AF VR ED 80–400 mm f/4.5–5.6

• AF-S ED 80–200 mm f/2.8

• AF-S VR ED 200–400 mm f/4

• AF ED 80–200 mm f/2.8

 

If an optional SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlight is used, the camera AF-assist illuminator will turn off and the Speedlight illuminator will be used instead. With other Speedlights, the camera AF assist illuminator will be used.

4—AF Assist ( 141)

This option can be used to turn the AF-assist illuminator off.

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