Focus Help needed on D80 :(

[kirbinster]

Would some kind sole explain to me all the focus options on the D80. I am very confused about all the options and the little lock/unlock slide switch on the back of the camera. Is there a tutorial on this somewhere, I am just very confused at what to use when and how to set it.

Thanks

[TW1NS]

Not sure if this will help with your question or not - but I have found it very useful for some questions I have with my D80
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80/users-guide/index.htm

[baseballboy828]

If you're referring to AF-S and C, C is continuos, meaning that the camera focuses constantly (good for panning, certain sports). S is for single servo, where the camera focuses when you half-press the shutter, then holds that point. AF-S mode is best for most occasions.

[Robin Sarac]

You can choose which focus areas the camera uses to auto focus.

Either let the D80 use all area to determine how to focus or use the spot (narrow or wide) in the center.

You set how it responds to things moving in the field of focus.

AF-A is sort of a blend of what baseballboy explains above.

You can select and lock the focus area. You use the D pad to manually select a focus area (if you like). Sliding the focus lock button locks that selection in. You can set the areas to wrap as you cycle through them as well. I don't know that I've ever used that lock slider.

I set mine to use the center focus area (narrow). I tend to pick a single thing to focus in on and let DOF do the rest. I have mine set to AF-A...I want it to lock in when I press the shuitter button halfway, but if something does move, refocus.

[matthewchj]

A quote from the website given above:


Dot - L Slide Switch

Locks the Up/Down/Left/Right switch, but only in the shooting mode.

While shooting, L (lock) makes the D80 ignore the Left/Right/Up/Down key. This keeps your selected AF area unchanged.

It doesn't have any effect in the other modes. Smart!