Mastering the Nikon D300

3.4. AF-Area Modes in Detail

The AF-area modes are designed to give you control over how many AF sensors are in use at one time, and different ways to track subject movement.

Figure 4 shows the AF-area mode selector in the Single-point AF position.

Single-point AF

This mode uses a single AF sensor out of the array of 51 sensors to acquire a good focus. As mentioned before, you can control which sensor by selecting it with the Multi Selector. In Figure 5 notice how the center AF sensor point (of the 51 sensor points) is the one that provides focus information.

If I have two people standing next to each other, but with a gap in the middle, I'll do one of two things.

Figure 3-4. AF-area Mode Selector Switch with Single-point AF

Figure 3-5. ...