Is there a way?

[Multipara]

Aside from manually focusing, is there a way to select my focal point? I have a 50mm 1.8 AF-s nikkor lens and a Nikon D5100. I have a variety of other lenses but I have not had issues with focus on those. I always try to focus on the eyes, but it has proved to be problematic with this particular lens at times. It really is a shame because I have had several shots that would be really nice - but they are not in focus for some reason. I have tried changing my F-stop and thats not helping. It chooses something and focuses.

Here is an example (sooc)

Exposure	0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture	f/3.2
Focal Length	50 mm

[Nicole]

Check out about a little over half way down this page: Nikon D5100 Autofocus Settings and read on AF Area Modes.

You need to press the i button to get into the settings. I'd recommend using either 3D or single point AF. It looks like the focus here is on her shirt, so yep, if the focus point was somewhere else that should help your problem.

[Biomech]

Yeah you should have an option called "local", then you use your directional pad to select the one you want.
Often looks like a grid of little squares (or a shape made up of little squares)

[FullAperture]

Well it's been said already. Good luck. F stop has nothing to do with focus. Read up on your camera. I know it's a lame dry manual. But when I started with photography. I struggled for no reason trying to decipher the secrets of my camera for about a month. Then I read the manual and it was so clear and simple. PS: Google and YouTube are your friends. Use them often.

[FullAperture]

[Multipara]

Originally Posted by FullAperture

Thank you SO much for this.