Nikon D700 User Manual page 9

Live View Options
Before taking pictures using live view, rotate
the mode dial to [] (live view) and choose a
live view mode and the release mode that
will be used while the camera is in live view
mode. The following live view modes are
available:
Option Description
Choose when taking hand-held shots of moving
m{ Hand-held subjects, or when framing photographs at angles that
(default) make it difficult to use the viewflnder (pg. 93). Camera
focuses normally using phase-detection autofocus.
Choose when the camera is mounted on a tripod. View
can be enlarged in monitor for precise focus, making
this mode suitable for static subjects (pg. 96). Autofocus
Tripod can be used to compose photographs with subject
positioned at any point in the frame without
recomposing photograph. Camera focuses using
contrast-detect autofocus.
9O
[] Phase-Detection Versus Contrast-Detect AF
The camera normally uses phase-detection autofocus, in which focus is
adjusted based on data from a special focusing sensor. When Tripod is
selected in live view, however, the camera uses contrast-detect autofocus,
in which the camera analyses the data from the image sensor and adjusts
focus to produce the greatest contrast. Contrast-detect autofocus takes
longer than phase-detection autofocus.