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Auto focus limitations
Manual focus

PART 2: FOCUS

by Christina Fox

There are two ways of getting your pictures in focus. You can leave the focus on AUTO and let the camera do it for you or you can adjust it manually.

THE TROUBLE WITH AUTO FOCUS ... is that it doesn't work well under the following conditions:

• When the subject is not in the centre of the picture (particularly when there are moving objects in the background)
• In low light conditions
• If there is a bright light behind the subject (e.g. a window)
• When the subject is bright (e.g. a car with its head lamps on)
• When the subject is of low contrast - walls, the sky
• If the subject is made up of fine repetitive patterns
• If the subject is behind vertical bars or a chain link fence
• When another subject passes between the camera and the point of interest

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MANUAL FOCUS

When you start to use the camera you will probably use auto focus. However, with all the above restrictions, I hope you'll want to use the manual focus all the time. Your pictures will look more professional once you get the hang of it.

1. Set the FOCUS switch to MANUAL
2. Zoom in as close as you can to the subject (for a person zoom into their eyes)
3. Turn the FOCUS RING, at the front of the lens, to get the picture into focus
4. Zoom out to frame the shot.

ZOOM IN.... FOCUS.... FRAME UP

... Alternatively

1. Set the FOCUS switch to MANUAL
2. Zoom in as close as you can to the point of interest
3. Push the PUSH AUTO button. This time the camera will momentarily go into AUTO FOCUS.
4. When focused release the button to resume MANUAL focus mode
5. Zoom out to frame the shot.

© 2000 - 2010

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Move on to...

Part 3: EXPOSURE AND GAIN

Or back to...

Part 1: GETTING STARTED

Christina Fox