focus....

[fallia]

the camera is working well i seem to have to pat alot of attention to what its focusing on...i shoot alot of people and i don't want them centered much of the time...area mode is AF (D3100)...so there are several focusing points in the matrix working simultaneously....occasionaly it picks what i don't want and focus on that element rather than an off centered subject....just suck it up and get use to it?

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Set your focus system up so you are using just the single point in the centre - consult your manual on how to do this.
Place the centre point over the subject you wish to have in focus, press the shutter only halfway down to auto focus. Holding the shutter button at half way, recompose your shot with the subject wherever you want them in the frame, then press the button the rest of the way.

[IABoomer]

Switch to AF-S and single-point focus. Then, using the thumb pad on the back, you can select the focus point you want to use. Pick a non-centered focus point and that's what will be in focus when you shoot.

Or, use the center point, half-press the shutter to lock focus, then recompose by shifting the camera to get your subject out of the middle. Keep in mind, however, that shooting at wide apertures (low f-stop numbers) means you'll have a thin depth of field, and moving to recompose might cause your focus plane to shift.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Snap!!!


Plus a few characters...

[sbakewell1101]

on my nikon it is in the pencil icon (custom setup menu) then autofocus (option a) then a1 af-area mode, then choose single point... nikon also has af-c, which is when the camera will continuly focus when your subject is moving i use this when i am photographing well moving objects... on my nikon you can also look on top of your camera and change it.. i hit the af button and use the shutter speed dial to switch between af-s (single point) af-c (continuous) af-a (auto)..

hope this helps.

[Bruce A]

If you don't you know your camera well, go to an on-line bookseller buy the book for your model camera - it 'll help you learn all about it so much more than the manual. But do look around and compare prices.

[fallia]

i have studied the manual rigorously but have found this forum and several you tube videos have been the most helpful (and practice) ... i have used all of your comments here and am practicing them...thanks