Finally upgrading to digital, could use some advise

If I may off one piece of advice that I learned the hard way.
When playing in your Custom Settings for auto focus, never select "Dynamic Area"

As a newby with the d80 and using "The Digitutor" I had determined Dynamic Area focus was a good place for a beginner to start since it allows the camera to determine what to focus on.
What I ended up with was hundreds of pictures that were back focused.

Only with some help from this site did I get the problem diagnosed and resolved.
If you'd like to see some examples of this problems here is the link to my focus issue.

http://forums.photographyreview.com/...ad.php?t=52559

Well you do want dynamic area af if you're subject is moving around.
I sort of understand it but couldn't explain it so it made sense. Maybe someone else will jump in on that.

Bob
Thanks for the link, it was helpful and I would have left the switch in the lock position.
The Dynamic AF, if I understand it correctly, is to take pictures that are going to be moving erratically while staying within your viewfinder. i.e. ball players, dancers, birds hopping from limb to limb, etc.

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Originally Posted by pafindr

Bob
Thanks for the link, it was helpful and I would have left the switch in the lock position.
The Dynamic AF, if I understand it correctly, is to take pictures that are going to be moving erratically while staying within your viewfinder. i.e. ball players, dancers, birds hopping from limb to limb, etc.

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I'm glad the link helped.
Yea, that AF lock switch is a real winner [not]. Down is ON, oh man.

Looking forward to seeing some of your shots.