AF-ON focusing

[timka]

On Nikon D300s, can the shutter release be pressed while holding the AF-ON button?

[Ian H]

If the AF-ON button is still set to the default auto focus then yes you can.

[timka]

I have not changed any default settings. Just was not sure if pressing both at the same time is safe.
Thank you,Ian

[IzzieK]

Of course it is safe to do so. I have the same camera as yours that I am going to give to my DIL and been using it occasionally while I still have it. It is the most beautiful and useful camera I ever have. Love that one but I have to let it go, hopefully to good hands. I use AF-On when I set my camera to autofocus on both the lens and the camera itself, even in my new camera.

[timka]

Of course it is safe to do so. I have the same camera as yours that I am going to give to my DIL and been using it occasionally while I still have it. It is the most beautiful and useful camera I ever have. Love that one but I have to let it go, hopefully to good hands. I use AF-On when I set my camera to autofocus on both the lens and the camera itself, even in my new camera.

Yes,it's a great and well built camera. I was not sure if instead of pressing the shutter release button halfway to focus, I could use AF-ON to focus ( I believe it will also measure the exposure) and then pressing shutter button all the way to take a shot while still engaging the AF-ON.
Thank you.

[Manfred M]

There are different approaches to doing this.

I've pretty well completely moved away from having my shutter lock exposure and focus and have moved this to the AF-ON button. My usual approach is AF-C single point focus and if the subject is moving towards or away from me, I keep the AF-ON button depressed while I press the shutter release.

I will sometimes use a more sophisticated focus mode (3-D, multi-focus points) for complex shooting situations, and again, the AF-ON can be depressed while I use the shutter release.

It may seem a bit weird when you first start, but my focus accuracy (number of "keeper" images) is close to 100% now that I use "back button focus" all the time. Try something other than default mode to see what it does for your shooting.

[timka]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies to my question

[timka]

There are different approaches to doing this.

I've pretty well completely moved away from having my shutter lock exposure and focus and have moved this to the AF-ON button. My usual approach is AF-C single point focus and if the subject is moving towards or away from me, I keep the AF-ON button depressed while I press the shutter release.

I will sometimes use a more sophisticated focus mode (3-D, multi-focus points) for complex shooting situations, and again, the AF-ON can be depressed while I use the shutter release.

It may seem a bit weird when you first start, but my focus accuracy (number of "keeper" images) is close to 100% now that I use "back button focus" all the time. Try something other than default mode to see what it does for your shooting.

Thank you, GrumpyDiver! I've just done those settings on my camera. Works well.