Taking Photographs—FocusFocus72The AF-Assist IlluminatorThe built-in AF assist illuminator enables the camera to focus even when thesubject is poorly lit. To use the illuminator, the camera must be in single-servoAF with an AF-Nikkor lens attached, and the center focus area must be se-lected or closest subject priority in effect. If these conditions are met and thesubject is poorly lit, the illuminator will light automatically to assist the autofocusoperation when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.For the AF-assist illuminator to function correctly, the lens must have a focallength of 24–200 mm and the subject must be in range of the illuminator.With most lenses, the illuminator has a range of about 0.5–3 m (1´8˝–9´10˝).With the following lenses, the illuminator can not be used at ranges of under1 m (3´3˝):• AF Micro ED 200 mm f/4• AF-S ED 17–35 mm f/2.8• AF ED 18–35 mm f/3.5–4.5• AF 20–35 mm f/2.8• AF 24–85 mm f/2.8–4.0• AF 24–120 mm f/3.5–5.6• AF-S ED 28–70 mm f/2.8• AF Micro ED 70–180 mm f/4.5–5.6The built-in illuminator will not light when used with the AF and AF-S ED 80–200 mm f/2.8 and AF VR ED 80–400 mm f/4.5–5.0.If an optional SB-series 80DX, 50DX, 28DX, 28, 27, 26, 25, or 24 Speedlightis used, the camera’s built-in AF-assist illuminator will turn off and the Speed-light illuminator will be used instead. With other Speedlights, the camera’sbuilt-in AF assist illuminator will be used.Continuous Use of the AF-Assist IlluminatorAfter the AF-assist illuminator has been used for several consecutive shots, it may turnoff briefly to protect the lamp. The illuminator can be used again after a short pause.Note that the illuminator may become hot with continuous use.22—AF Assist ( 158)This option can be used to turn the AF-assist illuminator off.
