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F100 Custom Setting Guide
by Don Ferrario

Click here for Don's F5 Custom Menu guide

1. Select a menu number by rotating the Main-Command Dial (rear dial)
while pressing the Custom Setting button (CSM).

2. Select the desired option value (number or character) by rotating the Sub-command dial (front dial) while pressing the CSM button.

Initial factory settings are shown in blue.

To return all settings to initial factory values press the CSM and MODE buttons simultaneously, and hold for more than 2 seconds.

Release one of the buttons once while the CUSTOM indication is blinking,
then press both buttons again.

In certain situations, one of the biggest advantages of the F5/F100 over earlier models, is the AF-ON button.  There are several Custom Functions which affect this control, and the setting of those Functions changes the useability of the AF-ON button.

Traditional AF operation is done by slightly depressing the shutter button.  If the subject is not on one of the AF-points (most of the time, in my opinion), you can lock focus by one of two methods:

1. hold the shutter button down partially
2. hold the AF-Lock button down

This method is offered on all Nikon AF bodies, including the F5/F100.  This method works fine if you intend to shoot soon after focusing.   The potential problem with this method is that word "hold".    If you are going to watch your subject for a period of time, while either waiting for the right pose (portraits), or shooting multiple frames (wildlife), you are going to get quite tired of holding one of the buttons down.

The AF-ON button is one solution to this dilemma, right?  Yes, but only if you set up Custom Functions correctly.

If you focus with the AF-ON button, when you take the picture the camera will refocus, because AF is still activated with the shutter release.  Not good, if you have since reframed, and the subject is no longer on the AF point.   Custom Function #4 is the intended solution.  Setting #4-1 disables AF operation with the shutter release.  This setting number is the same on both F5 and F100.

OK:  #4-1 is set, you focus witih the AF-ON button, reframe as desired, and take the picture.  All good now, right?  Wrong...  When you push the shutter button, the camera will not fire.  What?...  Assuming you are using Single Servo AF, the camera won't fire if the subject is not in focus.  Since you reframed for composition, the subject is no longer on the AF-spot.  The possible solution depends on your current selection of Single or Continuous AF:

Single Servo AF:

On the F5, the answer to this is F5 Custom Function #2 (Single Servo Release Priority).  By default, Single Servo AF works with "focus priority".  If the subject is not in focus, the camera won't fire.  If you are going to use the AF-ON button with Single Servo AF, you must set F5 Custom Function #2-1, which changes Single Servo Release Priority to "release priority".  

Note the F100 does not offer a comparable Custom Function.   Therefore, on the F100, you must use Continuous Servo AF, if you are going to use the AF-ON button.

Continuous Servo AF:

On both F5/F100, this issue is not a problem if you are using Continuous Servo AF, because Continuous Servo AF defaults to "release priority".  By default, Continuous Servo AF will allow you to happily take mis-focused pictures. 

On the F5, the default setting for F5 Custom Function #1 (Continuous Servo Release Priority) is "release priority".  If you have changed that value to "focus priority", however, you will need to reconsider how that will affect the use of the AF-ON button. 

There are situations where you would like the F5 to lock focus each time between multiple frames (focus priority).  In such situations, however, you will have the subject on one of the focus points, and you would probably be better off activating AF with the shutter release.

The F100 does not allow you to alter this action.  Continuous Servo AF always has "release priority".

Summary:

F5:

As you can see, these settings interact.  You could end up spending a lot of time in the field, setting up multiple options (and probably lose the shot while setting up...).  The F5 has a great feature in Custom Function #0, which is a choice of Custom Program "Sets".

I have F5 Set #0-A for traditional AF operation with the shutter button.  This uses #1-1, #2-0, and #4-0.  I also use #9-CH6 in this set. 

I have F5 Set #0-B for AF-ON button operation.  This uses exactly the opposite:  #1-0, #2-1, and #4-1.  I also use #9-CH8 in this set.

F100:

On the F100, you only need to toggle #4-0 and #4-1.  Just make sure to have Continuous AF set when using #4-1.

The ability to split release priority options is a significant advantage of the F5, vs the F100, that is often overlooked.

Also, don't forget there are many situations where manual focus is a better option.  You can turn the AF system off!

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