Auto-focus... Your preferencey

Federico-Nov

Senior Member
Dear all, I'm studyng the D3300 manual to undestand my new camera but there are meny concepts that i don't find well explained there and that surelly are common to other Nikon camaras.

I'd like to know if there is a more extensive info online to undestand all these concepts...

The mayority regards AutoFocus...

In old-time pre-digital era, I was use to do it all manually and now that I have this little trasure I keep it in the same way except for focus that sometime is quite "scaring" (like that i super tiny movement of the gear can makes a lot of difference)... Sometime I use it manual and sometime auto.

But I cannot really say that I undestand Auto-Focus... I think that the most "safe" way for me, in a "dyinamic" situation would be focusing on my subject at the center and then recomposing the pic as I wish...

What do you use?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Welcome and I hope I can help explain this. You have three focus modes: AF-A, AF-S, and AF-C

AF-A is where the camera will bounce between the other two modes as to what it thinks is best.

AF-S is to focus on one point and once it achieves that focus it stops focusing. Used for a pretty much stationary subject.

AF-C is where the camera will continue to focus constantly as the target moves. Used in sports or any other moving object. The center focus point, a cross type focus point, will be the most accurate at maintaining focus on a moving subject.

To focus and recompose you want to use AF-S. Put your focus point on the subject, half shutter the button to achieve focus and continue to hold it. You can now recompose and press the button the rest of the way to take the picture.

AF-A is, in my opinion, not a mode to use. It will just not respond fast enough.

Hope this helps. If there is anything you need more help with just ask.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
In the end you will find one that fits your needs and subjects,my main interest is wildlife and i use AF-C with focus priority, in theory i get continues focus and the camera will not take an out of focus picture,notice i did say in theory :D
 

nickt

Senior Member
Just to throw a little more info out there in simple terms:
The focus modes like auto area, dynamic, single point, etc. These modes are "how the camera determines a focus point". The camera looks at your subject and uses the selected method to find a focus point.

Af-a, af-c, af-s are focus servo modes. These are "how the camera behaves after it finds a focus point" Basically will the camera focus once and stop or will it continue to servo and attempt to keep the subject in focus. Af-a in theory gives you both servo modes, but nobody trusts it.

Not all combinations of focus mode and focus servo mode are allowed, but that will become more clear as you learn them.
 

Federico-Nov

Senior Member
wow all your posts are really illuminating
(I was really not getting the "servo" concept)

I'll try the difference modes!

Thank you!
 
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cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Just got my D3300 today how do you get to the focus modes setting.

cheers.
Look at post #7 of this thread and the link in it will take you to some good info that you are looking for. Also, if you haven't downloaded the complete (large) D3300 manual from Nikon, you should as it is invaluable in learning to find how to use your new camera. It is a great resource. When I got my D5300, I thought the manual that came with it was all there was. It was lacking, but when I found the online manual, I discovered it was much more complete and useful. I think you will find the same thing is true for the D3300.
 

RobV

Senior Member
I did not find much in that video applicable to my D5300 at all.

My refurbished D5300 did not come with any manual at all, so I was forced to download the manuals available from Nikon. I pretty much go to the Reference (larger) manual first, but I really prefer having a book in my hands. And I cannot find the Reference manual for sale (hardcopy) anywhere.

I have had a D5200 before. It had a small book, compared to the D610 I had briefly (financial issues took it away). Looking at Nikon's manual page, I see the book for the D610 IS a reference manual. No User manual available.

Frederico-Nov, I recommend the Reference manual, although they have alternative-English User manuals that you might find useful (I see no difference).

And thanks for your questions. I have a lot to learn about my camera.
Here is the link to the D3300 manuals: Nikon | Download center | D3300
 
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