Focusing

[filemanager]

When doing portraits, I find that if I use AF, then it focuses on the nose the most.

Is the only way to focus on the eyes to use manual focus?

[sarahgirl777]

Originally Posted by filemanager

When doing portraits, I find that if I use AF, then it focuses on the nose the most.

Is the only way to focus on the eyes to use manual focus?

I use AF a lot, but I just make sure my focus point is on the eyes. I point the center focus point on the eyes, press the shutter 1/2 way down to lock in the focus then recompose if necessary.

[OsmosisStudios]

Make sure you use a focus point and not the general autofocus that the camera comes preset with.

That way you can adjust it more accurately.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by sarahgirl777

I use AF a lot, but I just make sure my focus point is on the eyes. I point the center focus point on the eyes, press the shutter 1/2 way down to lock in the focus then recompose if necessary.

thats a pretty common method, this causes a problem at wide open apertures (like f/1.8) your focus will shift when you recompose.

you've got a D80, so you have 11 to choose from.. do you move the AF point between the nodes or do you stick with the central one?.. by the sounds of things you are letting it choose any point it wants like in auto mode.

make sure you select the point yourself.. you can turn that auto-area thing off.
the best way is to come to a focal length and composition you like, and then choose one of the AF points closest to the thing you want to focus on, put that point on the point you want to focus, then 1/2 press the to focus, recompose slightly (very slightly!) and fire away.

make use of your AF points, it saves allot of time re-composing. particularly whwn using AF-A and burst mode when obeyng something like the rule of thirds.
its a crummy explaination i'm sorry.. but the best i could do. uuugh i need caffiene.

PM me if you want a better explaination or have questions on my ramblings. i dont always check back on all threads.

[filemanager]

omg I totally forgot about all the different focus points!!!

You just use the arrow keys to pick the point right?

[Nicole]

Yep, that's right. You should be able to see which one you have selected since it has a little box around it.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Yep, that's right. You should be able to see which one you have selected since it has a little box around it.

yip.

slide the slider nexto the arrow keys out of the "locked" position, then when your in shooting mode use the arrows to select the AF point as Nicole said.

you will also see which point is selected on the LCD on the top of the camera.

[filemanager]

I didn't have any people on to practice with, so my cats are victims once again. hehehe.

YAY, the eyes are in focus instead of the nose! *happy dance*

[KimberleyPhotography]

Originally Posted by filemanager

I didn't have any people on to practice with, so my cats are victims once again. hehehe.

YAY, the eyes are in focus instead of the nose! *happy dance*

Good job! Those eyes are definilty sharp!!

[TurningLeafDesigns]

Thanks for this info....great stuff!