200-400 zoom

I would say use continuous AF, i.e. AF-C on the selection switch just below the lens release button. On the back try to stick to single-AF-point, as the D200 has only one cross-type AF point, namely the center one. On the D2X, I try to use group dynamic AF with 5 AF points, but I am not sure that works well on the D200, which has a different AF system.

The D200 is now the weaker link in your set up. If you can, try to borrow a D300 or D2X and see whether you can do better with either one of those.

Your suggested single-AF-point surprises me--center? D200 manual (yes, sadly, I am a manual reader) recommends Dynamic-area AFor Group dynamic-AF if subject isn't static? Perhaps I'm not following you? Appreciate your time.

I had a ball with this lens (rented it from Glazerscamera.com) for soccer on a D2Hs. I shot about half of my take wide open, and half at f/5.6. In looking over the take, I preferred wide open for background control. The only shots I 'missed' focus on, I missed by a mile (player gone by, caught the background instead). I mostly shot in single-AF-point.

I did a scant handful of shots handheld in between setups (I'm a large-framed male) but did most of my shooting off of a monopod. Monopod and a quick release are the bomb for a setup like this for sports in my opinion.

As usual, Shun has it exactly right. You now have wonderful equipment. The only relatively weak link in the chain is the D200's autofocus. I have a D200 and a D300. There is a HUGE difference in AF capability between the two. That doesn't mean you can't get good results with the D200. Continuous AF will help grealy, as with any moving subject. Read the AF performance section of Thom Hogan's review of the D200 (http://bythom.com/d200review.htm). Since it has only one cross type sensor, it works best tracking subjects that fill most of the viewfinder.

After laying out some serious cash for the glass and support system, the next purchase you'll want to consider is a body with better AF capability.

If you can, up the ISO a little and stop the lens down a bit. This will maintain the higher shutter speed you are looking for and increase the depth-of-field (and thereby increase your success rate should the camera be slightly off in focusing). I have used the 80-400mm on my D200 with good success. You will be able to get great results with your setup.

Deborah, I have a D2X, D200 and D300, purchased in that order, and I happen to have the 200-400mm/f4, among other long lenses.

Those three cameras have three different AF systems. Both the D2X and D200 have the group dynamic option, but the newer D300 doesn't. On the D2X, I use group dynamic a lot because among the D2X's 11 AF points, 9 are cross type AF points. I can easily pick a group of 5 AF points and keep everything with cross type ones. The D200 only has one cross type AF point in the center. When you pick a group of 5, you'll be using 4 that are not, and I don't trust them. That is why I suggest using the center AF point only on the D200.

The D300 has 51 AF points and among them 15 cross type ones. It is yet another game altogether.

Why don't you experiment around with the D200 first?

Dan, Shun... what would be your recommendation for tracking birds in flight with a D300 then?
and specifically with the Nikon 200-400 f/4........ Nikon 300mm f/4........and Nikon 300mm f/2.8

I found the 300mm f/4 slow to focus on birds taking off 20ft away and by the time i find them with a single-focus point focusing they need to be a 15%-20% crop for photos like below.

Robert, you might want to check out photo.net's D300 review I wrote. Towards the end of the main text, I discussed a pelican in flight image I captured: http://photo.net/equipment/nikon/D300/D300-review.adp

My personal favorite flight lens is an old 300mm/f2.8 AF-S that I bought back in 1998 (10 years ago). It has much faster AF than the 300mm/f4 AF-S.

But Robert, the main problem with your images above is the light, not the focus.

I followed Shun's advice a few months ago. I bought an AF-S 300 f/4 and I used Shun's camera settings! I got great results. Rene'

Shun, can you comment on "Dynamic AF with 21 AF points" which I saw in you D300 review? Earlier you gave a description of specific camera settings...

Also why do you prefer the earlier version of 300mm f/2.8 AF-S lens? Does the new VR version behave differently?

How about the comparison of the 300mm f/2.8 lenses to the 200-400mm f/4, specifically for tracking birds in flight, what is your opinion? And do you handhold or use a tripod for the pictures like the flying pelican?

First of all, Deborah is using a D200, and we are getting a bit off topic onto the D300. However, if Deborah is serious enough about action photography to get a 200-400mm/f4 AF-S VR, I am afraid that it is merely a matter of time that she'll upgrade the D200.

For bird flight shots, on either the D200 or D300, set the focus mode selector (just below the lens release button in front) to AF-C so that the camera will continue adjusting AF while you track the subject: the bird.

The AF area mode selector is just below the multi-selection pad on the back. On the D2 series and D200, there are 4 choices. On the D2X, I would use group-dynamic AF (2nd choice from top); on the D200 I would stick with single area.

On the D3 and D300, there are only 3 choices, and I use the middle: Dynamic Area AF. And then you go into Custom Setting a3 and select 21 points. You may also want to experiment around with 9 points. Keep in mind that the 15 cross-type AF points on the D3 and D300 are in the center 3 columns. I would try to include many cross-type AF points among the 21.

I typically switch off VR on my 200-400. That is why I never borthered to upgrade my first-generation 300mm/f2.8 AF- S to the VR version. My 300 is one of the sharpest Nikon lens I have ever owned and its AF is really fast for flight shots. It is a big lens to hand hold, but I see no point to upgrade it to the current VR version. I only upgrade if I can see a difference in my final images, and that means mainly upgrading the DSLR bodies in these days.

The 200-400mm/f4 is much longer and I always use that on a tripod. The Wimberley head Deborah uses is a major plus. But it is not as flexable as hand holding.

I know Deborah is going like: I just spend $5000+ on a new lens, and you are talking about another $1650 body .... As I said earlier, experiment around with the D200 first, and perhaps borrow a D300 for a day or two. You should see major differences for action photography.

The only thing I'd add to Shun's excellent advice, is in addition to holding the shutter down in continuous focus mode, try firing off multiple frames while you're tracking. It's not always effective, but sometimes yields surprising results.

Keep it simple. AF continous and with single focus point and a fast shutter speed. A smooth panning technique helps alot and that takes alot of practice.

http://slopoki1.smugmug.com/gallery/4478636_8WXPy#272712472_trAz6-L-LB

http://slopoki1.smugmug.com/gallery/4478127_zCeTy#145827269_DiEg4-L-LB

http://slopoki1.smugmug.com/