Understanding Digital SLR Camera AutoFocus

by - 5:29:00 AM


        At this moment, all Digital SLR camera was equipped with some choices of camera autofocus mode. How to shoot the flower on the table is different with when you shoot the kids who’s playing football in the field. This explanation is about autofocus and not about manual focus.
        When you shoot motionless object, usually we use one focus point, lock the focus once and the start to shoot. But when you shoot moving object or people that love to move, we need camera that capable to move the focus point automatically follow the subject. The good news is The Digital SLR camera equipped with that feature. Let’s figure out one by one:

Area Autofocus Mode
        In Digital SLR camera , it was called “One Shot AF” Meanwhile in Digital SLR Nikon, it was called “Single Area AF”. From the name, it was clear that when we choose the one focus point,  then camera will find the Contrast in current area of focus point. When we half press the shutter button or press the AF-On button (if use Digital SLR  camera that have AF-On  button), camera will lock the focus area in that point just once. If subject are moving and even though we keep press the half press shutter button, camera won’t move the focus automatically.
        In this mode, we can’t full press before camera can lock the focus point. But this rule can be tricked through setting in autofocus menu and set the priority focus. 
Autofocus Continuous/AI Servo Mode
       This mode in Digital SLR camera Nikon named  “ Continuous/ AF-C” meanwhile in Canon named “Al Servo”. This mode is used when we have to follow a photo subject tat keep moving, for example when we shoot the sport activity, animal or car that is  moving.
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       In this mode, camera will analyze the moving of the subject and predict where’s the direction of subject when moving,  with placing the focus dots little bit early from the subject location. With the continuous mode we can follow the moving subject and get the sharp focus. How to do it? Keep half pressing the shutter while peek the moving subject or keep pressing the AF-On button with thumb. ( if there’s exist)
Autofocus Hybrid  Mode/ Combination Between Single & Continuous
     In Canon Digital SLR was named “AI Focus” meanwhile in Nikon was named “AF-A”. This mode is the combination between the single and Continuous mode where camera change the focus from single to continuous or the reverse suitable with the condition of photo subject. If the object isn’t moving , camera will use single,meanwhile when the object i moving camera will change to Continuous mode.
Not all lens of this camera have this mode. For beginner, actually this mode is quite good  , because we don’t need to changes the focus mode for several times.
Which one the Autofocus that You Should use? 
  1. When you shoot motionless object or people who’s posing, you should use single mode. 
  2. When you shoot moving object  constantly, use the continuous mode. 
  3. For daily needs, you can leave the camera in default position of continuous or hybrid mode. But when the camera can’t lock the focus in the continuous mode, for example when we shoot in low light condition , change the single mode. 
  4. For beginner who that their hand’still not agile to change the focus mode quickly, you can use the hybrid mode ( if there’e is exist in your camera).
How to Change the Focus Mode
       The way to change the focus mode isn’t same from each camera. That’s way , i suggest to check manually. In Camera Nikon D300S/D700, you can find he little hook in the front left part of lens mount : AF-S, AF-C and M (manual). Meanwhile in canon ( for example EOS 60D), you can change the focus mode with press the AF button in the top of camera , then will appear the focus mode options in the top LCD panel

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