Focus Issues

xraywang

New member
Hi all.. I was trying to shoot a lightning storm for the first time. I would like to have been able to set the auto focus to "infinite". I had to focus on a streetlight and hold down the shutter half way, move the camera to the spot and hit the shutter the rest of the way. I do not have a remote yet, as that would have helped. I was using 6sec shutter ,f/20, 180 focal length, and iso was set at HI, (I think).

Thanks for the help
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Hi all.. I was trying to shoot a lightning storm for the first time. I would like to have been able to set the auto focus to "infinite". I had to focus on a streetlight and hold down the shutter half way, move the camera to the spot and hit the shutter the rest of the way. I do not have a remote yet, as that would have helped. I was using 6sec shutter ,f/20, 180 focal length, and iso was set at HI, (I think).

Thanks for the help

There is alway the option of turning the autofocus off. It's call manual. You can then set the focus where you want and not have to worry about it afterwards. But… when you come to use the camera the next time, you better remember about this setting before you want to send the camera to the repair shop for a non-functionning focusing. DAMHIK.
 

xraywang

New member
Thanks for the response. Where is that setting ? I dont remember that when reading the manual, or I could very easily have missed it..
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I don't have a D3100, but it should be on the body in front close to the lens mount (that's where it is on the D90, 700, 7000.

I just checked on the web and there is no such switch on the D3100. You have a switch on the lens.
 
Last edited:

AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
Hi and Welcome to Nikonites. Hope you enjoy it here, as we all do, and looking forward to seeing some of your work. If you could fill out the rest of your profile.......camera, lenses, equipment, etc.,...that would be great. It helps us to help you if you should have any questions. Thanks, and have a great time here.

Lightning huh? Well your set up was wrong compared to what I shot. You're going to need a tripod and the remote. You want no camera shake, handholding a lightning shot I don't see happening. You can try the two-second-delay timer until you can get a remote off a tripod.

Marcel was right, you have to be on manual focus. Auto focus on a subject in the distance then switch you camera or lens to Manual. Then you're done with focusing.

The is no one setting I have found for lightning, each bolt is different depending on how intense it is and the distance from the camera.

A good "Starting point" would be f/8 at the height of the storm at 20sec. I adjust my f/stop more than I adjust my exposure time.

ISO set at 100, you want to stay away from the grain with the higher ISO's

Lens, you said your were shooting 180mm, why would you limit yourself to such a small field of vision? I use an 18-108mm lens somewhere between18 and 28 mm. This way to can cover more of the sky, you never know where it's going to come from so cover as much as you can. If you want a close up of a shot you took you can zoom crop it in a photo editor.

I don't know of anyone on the board that has a passion for lightning photography like I have. I'm not saying I'm an expert, and my way is the right way, but this has worked for me the last 5-6 years If someone has any more input or I have said something incorrect please correct me.

Before you embark on another lightning shot attempt please read another thread I have commented on

http://nikonites.com/d3000-d5000/1717-help-pleaseee-lightning-shots.html
 

xraywang

New member
Thanks AxeMan for the hints and techniques. I am always hoping to get better with each shoot. I cant wait till I can try the factors you suggested.
 

xraywang

New member
hi all...
still no lightning to try to get shots of.... :(....

Since the 4th of July coming up soon.. do you all think the settings for lightning and fireworks would be the same ? or how would you adjust them.. thanks for the help.
 
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