Fousing to infinity?

[ThriceBlessed]

I am doing some free online lessons to learn the basics about photography and camera operations. One lesson mentions focusing the lens to infinity. How do I do this with a DSLR? I have a Canon Rebel xs, and a kit lens (18-55mm zoom).

The lessons do seem to focus (no pun intended) on film cameras more so than digital, so perhaps I cannot do this? If there is a way, can anyone tell me how?

[junglebear]

I'm pretty sure that focussing to infinity generally means focussing on the furthest away point of the scene. So if it was a landscape, for example, you'd focus on the sky in the background, behind the scene.
I could be wrong here, but I think that's what it means.

[dcclark]

Yes, you can do this.

Your 18-55 lens has a focus ring -- I believe it's the frontmost part of the lens, and it probably isn't even marked.

Your 18-55 lens also has a switch to change from Autofocus to Manual focus mode. Flip that, and then try turning the frontmost ring of the lens. Look through the viewfinder as you do so, and you should be able to see the focus changing. You've focused at infinity whenever you've turned the ring all the way to one end or the other, and distant objects are in focus. If you've turned it all the way but near objects are in focus (and not distant ones), then you're focusing close instead of far away.

More expensive lenses usually have a dedicated focus ring with distance markings, in which case it's much easier to tell where "infinity" is.

[ThriceBlessed]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Yes, you can do this.
You've focused at infinity whenever you've turned the ring all the way to one end or the other, and distant objects are in focus. If you've turned it all the way but near objects are in focus (and not distant ones), then you're focusing close instead of far away.

More expensive lenses usually have a dedicated focus ring with distance markings, in which case it's much easier to tell where "infinity" is.

Thanks, the directions talk about an "infinity symbol" like a sideways 8 on the lens. I have seen this on an old SLR, but never on a DSLR, but I'll just try it as you said, and hope thats what works! LOL

[Bluey]

I hope the attachment opens for you as it shows the infinity icon on my smallest Nikkor lens.