Nikon D50 Defualt Focus Setting

[garageliza]

Hello,
I have a Nikon D50 and would like to have the deault focus method be centered and not closest objet.

Each time I turn the camera on, it returns to closest object and does not remember the change I made to center. I do save it in the menu.

Is this possible to have the D50 remember my preference so I do not have to change it each time I turn on the camera?

Thanks,

Todd

An update, this seems to only occur if making the change in one of the program modes or auto, and then swithing modes, and then powering the camera off.

If I switch it, leave the mode the same and power off and then on it does save the setting.

A bug?

[SMcEvoy]

Todd, I've had my D50 since August and never seen this problem. Try putting it on Auto mode when you make the setting change. Are you using the 'little pencil', and picking #3 AF-Area Mode? Don't forget to hit the right-arrow twice - once to pick that mode, and once to hit the 'ok' menu option within that setting.

If you are using 'metering', you will need to put it into Program Mode to make the setting change. Same way as above, just option 13.

It has taken me forever to figure out 1/2 my menu options so if it's new to you don't be discouraged - mine all work. Challenge is usually 'pebcac' - i.e. 'Problem Exists Between Camera And Chair'. And the number I've come across 'accidentally' is really something!

Hope that's some help.

Suzan

[garageliza]

Hi Suzan,
Thank you for the reply. There a number of options that is for sure!

Here is what I am doing step by step.

In "Auto"
Menu
Pencil
03 AF-Area Mode (the current setting is closest subject this appears to be the camera default)
Single Area
"OK"
At this point if I turn the camera on and off, it DOES remember the setting of single area.

Now.....
Turn on camera in Auto and set the focus to single area as per the above.
If I turn it to "S", "P", "A" with the power on
It DOES keep the Single Area setting, in either of the three modes.
If I turn it back to Auto (Power still on)
It reverts to Closest Subject.

It is kind of a pain in that I shoot a pic or two in Auto to get a feel for the proper exposure to target and then I will go to A or S to get some more control and push the exposure a little bit. Once I go back, I have lost the preference.

I do not really understand or like the nearest subject. In a deep field I always want to control what the camer is focusing on.

Thanks for your input. Can you see if your D50 exhibits the same behavior following the steps above?

Thanks,
Todd.

[garageliza]

An update.....

I sent the above sequence of operation to Nikon support. They replied almost immediatly. (even though it was late at night)

The bad news is that the behaviour is as designed and can not be changed.

The suggested work around is to use the "P" mode versus auto to feel out the correct exposure range and then switch to "A", "S" or "M".

I will have to spend some more time in the "P" mode to see how it works.

Thanks again Susan for your thoughts.

Todd.

[SMcEvoy]

Thanks for the update Todd - probably wouldn't have managed to test it 'til the weekend anyway. Another hint is that if you don't want the flash going off automatically, use program mode not auto mode. You can control it then. (Just one of those things I happened to find out.