Focusing Modes

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PRWIN
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Focusing Modes

Post by PRWIN »

Taken from
http://www.learnoutdoorphotography.com/ ... modes.html

Focusing Modes
(AI Focus AF)

SLR cameras come equipped with four focusing modes, and all of them are very useful in different situations:

One Shot (Canon)/AF-S (Nikon). This is the standard focusing mode photographers use most of the time. When you press the shutter half-way, the camera focuses one time and maintains that focus until you take a picture or take your finger off the shutter button. This mode is perfect for stationary subjects or subjects that are moving but not closer or farther away from you.

AI Servo (Canon)/AF-C (Nikon). With this focusing mode, when you press the shutter half way, the camera focuses continuously on the subject. It detects movement in areas covered by the focus points (either all of them or the ones you've selected) and tries to maintain focus of that subject as it moves. This is great for action and sports photography, especially when subjects are moving either toward you or away from you. It helps you maintain focus on your subject. The downside to this is that it will slightly lower the frame rate of you camera. You will be able to take fewer pictures per second.

AI Focus (Canon)/AF-A (Nikon). This is a hybrid mode of the first two. In this mode, the camera starts in One Shot/AF-S mode and will automatically switch to AI Focus/AF-A mode if it detects movement. This is ideal for stationary subjects that may move at any second, like birds. If you are shooting a Red-Shouldered Hawk perched on a branch, and he begins to fly, you don't want to take the time to switch autofocus modes.

Manual Focus. Believe it or not, sometimes manual focus works better than autofocus. When you're focusing on an area of the frame where there is no focusing point, and you don't want to recompose, manual focus works well. In macro photography, I almost exclusively use manual focus. If you have put a tele-extender on a lens to make your maximum aperture smaller than f/5.6, you will probably have to focus manually. If you're concerned about having a sharp enough eye to manual focus correctly, here's a trick to use. Turn on live view mode and zoom in on the the area you want in focus, then set your focus manually. I do this all the time when I put a 2x extender on a 400mm lens.

Notes: Especially when manual focusing, make sure that your viewfinder's diopter is set properly for your eye. There's a diopter adjustment you can use to make sure that what you see through the viewfinder is sharp. Look for a dial next to your viewfinder.

You might also like:
- See more at: http://www.learnoutdoorphotography.com/ ... 6WfYm.dpuf


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Flutterby
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Re: Focusing Modes

Post by Flutterby »

Very helpful PRWIN, thanks. \O This subject always confuses me! :O^


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nan
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Re: Focusing Modes

Post by nan »

I always use AI Servo (Canon)
will try once AI Focus \O


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PRWIN
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Re: Focusing Modes

Post by PRWIN »

Nan I read in a article that AL focus in the bottom range camera's is a no no as the photo's come out blur. The camera can't react fast enough before the shutter clicks, Tried it a couple of times and stoped. AL servo is alright but my auto focusing speed needs to be upgraded -O -O -O (NEW Camera)


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H. erectus
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Re: Focusing Modes

Post by H. erectus »

Well said PRWIN,.....


Heh,.. H.e
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