How can I make my d7100 focus in manual mode when shutter is pushed halfway down?

I just upgraded my camera and I cannot figure out how to make it focus by pushing the shutter halfway down, I found a video that only explained how to set it for back button focusing but it was on a 5100 so I couldn't quite figure it out on mine. It will do it in AF mode obviously but then I don't get to choose where I am wanting the focus. HELPPP

First thing, make sure camera AND lens are in autofocus mode. Then, if you messed with the ae/af lock setting (menu f4), put it back to AE/AF lock. Then be aware of focus servo modes. AF-S (single servo focus) will only focus once until you release and press the button half way again. AF-C (continuous servo) will refocus as the subject changes. Lots more to this to learn though. This should get you started.

edit... I just noticed the subject line... what do you mean by manual mode??? Manual focus? It will not auto focus with the shutter button in manual focus of course. If you are in manual shooting where you pick your own shutter and aperture, then that won't matter. A,S,M,P,Auto mode will all autofocus the same way.

Ok, I got my reading glasses on now, lol. You can use single point auto focus mode to jockey the focus point around. Also in AF-S mode, you can focus and recompose. Focus with the single center point, keep the shutter half pressed and recompose and shoot. Alternately, use the ae/af lock button set as I mentioned above. It will hold the focus while you recompose in af-s or af-c.
You are most likely in auto area mode if you cannot auto focus on what you want.
This is a good thing to read:
http://www.pixelfinesse.com/_docs/D7000_AF_Explained.pdf

Is there any way to still have the shutter focus work like that but while in manual mode? I want to be able to choose where I am focusing

No. manual focus is manual focus. But read my reply in post 3. There are several ways to accomplish focusing where you want.

Hmmm, is it like this just because its a nicer camera? I am used to my old d3100 and have taught myself everything by trial and error not by technical terms so you will literally have to talk to me like a 10 year old lol. I manly shoot boudoir and I am still tinkering with it and haven't used it in a session yet

The d7100 focus behaves just like your d3100. Same modes available and they work they same way. You just have more focus points in the d7100, so more ability to focus 'where you want' in single point mode. Many more settings on the d7100, so it could take you years to learn it by trial and error. Read the manual and read that article I linked. Single point focus in af-s mode. Either move the focus point around or leave the single point in the center and focus and recompose while holding the shutter half pressed.

EllaKnight828 said:

I just upgraded my camera and I cannot figure out how to make it focus by pushing the shutter halfway down, I found a video that only explained how to set it for back button focusing but it was on a 5100 so I couldn't quite figure it out on mine. It will do it in AF mode obviously but then I don't get to choose where I am wanting the focus. HELPPP

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Ok, I think I know what you are after. If you are in manual focus mode (MF) it will NOT autofocus and you have to turn the focus ring of the lens manually to focus. That's not what you are asking (I presume.) I think what you want is for the camera to AutoFocus but for you to MANUALLY determine what part of the image you want the camera to focus on. If that's what you are asking, Nickt gave you the answer. I'll repeat it in my way of explaining. Select the AF-S autofocus mode - this is the spot focusing mode(AF-S = Auto Focus Spot) - where you can select which "spot" in the image you want the camera to focus on when you press the shutter button half-way down. The D7100 has 51 possible spots which you can select by moving the little control "wheel" thingy up, down, left or right. You should see the lit up spot in the view finder move around. (Make sure the control wheel thingy is not locked - white mark NOT pointing to "L" ) Place that spot where you want the camera to auto-focus. (Oh - to select the AF-S mode, press the "AF-M" button on the left front side of the camera and while pressing with one of your left hand finger, rotate the command dial - rear dial - with your right thumb until you see AF-S on the top LCD panel. )

Hope this helps.

I just checked with my daughter's D3100 - it has the same focus modes as the D7100 and labeled the same way. So if you chose AF-S on the D3100, it has only 11 possible focus point while the D7100 has 51. Other than that, they work identically.

Hopefully your question was answered? If you do want to use Back-Button focus, here is a link for the D7100 Nikon D7100 - Back Button Focus

Your camera has a "Manual" exposure mode where you set the exposure settings as you want them. It also has a "Manual" focus mode where you have to turn the lens barrel to focus.

I think you are confusing the two manual modes here. In manual exposure mode it will still auto focus, but, if the exposure is not correctly set it will not focus lock and if it is way underexposing it will not focus at all. That may be why your half shutter button press yields nothing. Exposure is wrong.

I haven't read through the links that were posted, so I apologize in a dance if the answer was already given.

My D7100 just arrived today and I haven't had the time to sit and read the manual.

My last camera was a Panasonic GX1. One of the focus settings was AF/MF. If you pressed the sitter halfway, it would behave yay like any other camera does by automatically focusing your subject. If you had it in AF/MF mode, you could press the shutter to autofocus, but them you could use the focus ring on the lens to pinpoint whatever it is you're trying to focus on.

I found myself in a situation today where I was taking some photos of some sucks that has wandered near our apartment building. As I was about to walk back inside, I noticed 2 birds in a bush that were fighting. I tried to take some photos of them but since I was in AF-A mode, the camera only focused on the branches. I did get one shot where they were somewhat visible, but the rest were garbage.

Had I been able to autofocus, I could have teen turned to manual focus without having to flip a switch on the body and lens in order to manually focus on my targets.

Hopefully that made sense. Studying for an anatomy midterm at 2am with ADHD kicking in full blast makes it difficult for me to convey a linear thought process.

mathom33 said:

My last camera was a Panasonic GX1. One of the focus settings was AF/MF. If you pressed the sitter halfway, it would behave yay like any other camera does by automatically focusing your subject. If you had it in AF/MF mode, you could press the shutter to autofocus, but them you could use the focus ring on the lens to pinpoint whatever it is you're trying to focus on.

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That IS how your D7100 works. AF/MF means "Auto Focus / Manual Focus". It means the camera will auto-focus using a half press of the shutter button while also allowing you to over-ride the auto-focus by manually turning the focusing ring on the lens. AF/MF... Auto or Manual, either or. Both your lens and your camera body must be in the AF/MF mode for this to work. Not just one, not just the other... BOTH.

mathom33 said:

I found myself in a situation today where I was taking some photos of some sucks that has wandered near our apartment building. As I was about to walk back inside, I noticed 2 birds in a bush that were fighting. I tried to take some photos of them but since I was in AF-A mode, the camera only focused on the branches. I did get one shot where they were somewhat visible, but the rest were garbage.

Had I been able to autofocus, I could have teen turned to manual focus without having to flip a switch on the body and lens in order to manually focus on my targets.

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You were in auto-focus mode (AF-A (Auto-Focus, Automatic)) but the camera can't read your mind and sometimes misunderstands what, exactly, you want to focus on. It will focus on SOMETHING, though, assuming there's enough available light to do so even if it's not always what you want. This is when you reach up and use your manual focusing ring to get sharp focus on what you do want, not what the camera mistakenly thinks you want. With both your camera body and your lens is AF/MF mode, you could have done this without having to flip any switches because that's what AF/MF mode does and that's a perfect example of why. Auto-focus is a tool and 90% of the time it's spot on, but when it's not, just go for your manual focusing ring. I'm wondering if maybe you're just over-thinking this...

...

In the AF mode, you can select the different focusing area. If you set it to AF-S - spot focusing, you can put the spot (using the jogging wheel) on the birds so the auto focus will focus on the birds and not the branches. You must have it on AF-A mode where the autofocus will pick up the closest object -ie the branches. There is also the 3-D autofocus mode where the autofocus will try to track a moving focused object. Experiment - hold down the AF/MF button on the side of the camera, then rotate the front command and back sub-command key and watch the top LCD display - you can select the type of autofocusing and how many autofocus points you can to use. Look through the viewfinder while you hold down the AF/MF key and you'll see the cluster of focus point active - if you selected 9, you see how the 9 points are laid out; if you selected 21, it will show the 21 points etc. Play with it to get familiar so next time you don't miss the bird!

Not all lenses allow you to over-ride the autofocus when it is switched to AF mode. Look at the AF/MF switch on the lens - if it reads "MA" and "M" then it can be in Manual-Auto or Manual only mode. In the MA mode, it can autofocus but you can still rotate the focus ring. If you have a lens where the switch reads "A" and "M" it may not let you turn the focus ring when you are in auto mode. The Tamrons are such lenses - you know because when you are in "Auto" the focus ring cannot be turned by hand easily - don't force it.

So, following HF's advice above, you are just selecting the wrong autofocus mode for your bird in bush situation. Read the section of the manual on the various AF modes and how to select where or what your camera autofocus on. The D7100 is very flexible and "intelligent."

Horoscope Fish said:

Both your lens and your camera body must be in the AF/MF mode for this to work. Not just one, not just the other... BOTH.

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Horoscope Fish said:

With both your camera body and your lens is AF/MF mode, you could have done this without having to flip any switches because that's what AF/MF mode does and that's a perfect example of why. Auto-focus is a tool and 90% of the time it's spot on, but when it's not, just go for your manual focusing ring. I'm wondering if maybe you're just over-thinking this...

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I see where the difference lies when comparing the GX1 to the D7100. The only switch I had on the GX1 lenses (if any) was to turn image stabilization on or off. Their camera's must be set to the AF/MF setting (on the body) which overrides the lens in order to pinpoint your focus. I think that their AF/MF ability makes it easier if needing to focus manually after it put you close to your focal point; it also was a pain if you forgot to turn it back to AF and accidentally bumped the focusing ring.

I noticed that with the Sigma lens I have, the focusing ring rotates as it is focusing. It also is restricted to how far it turns; the Lumix lens focus ring would infinitely spin regardless of what setting it was in. The Sigma has 3 switches; one that turns OS on/off, one that switches from AF/M, and one that locks the lens in place when fully retracted. This doesn't give leave me with an AF/MF option; I'll have to learn to manually focus faster, or learn to turn both switches (body and lens) off in order to do what I need.

Here are three examples of what I was trying to capture.

nice picture!

mathom33 said:

I noticed that with the Sigma lens I have, the focusing ring rotates as it is focusing. It also is restricted to how far it turns; the Lumix lens focus ring would infinitely spin regardless of what setting it was in. The Sigma has 3 switches; one that turns OS on/off, one that switches from AF/M, and one that locks the lens in place when fully retracted. This doesn't give leave me with an AF/MF option; I'll have to learn to manually focus faster, or learn to turn both switches (body and lens) off in order to do what I need.

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So it looks like your Sigma lens is not meant for you to manually focus when you are in the autofocus mode - but with the D7100 you really shouldn't have to. And no need for flipping the switches back back and forth. Read up how to use the AF-S or AF-C autofocus mode. All you have to do is spot focus on the bird and your camera will do the rest. From the first 2 pictures, it looks like your are in the AF-A (51-pt) mode, where it's using all the 51 focus point and optimizing the focus on the nearest thing - ie the thorns and the branches.

mathom33 said:

I see where the difference lies when comparing the GX1 to the D7100. The only switch I had on the GX1 lenses (if any) was to turn image stabilization on or off. Their camera's must be set to the AF/MF setting (on the body) which overrides the lens in order to pinpoint your focus. I think that their AF/MF ability makes it easier if needing to focus manually after it put you close to your focal point; it also was a pain if you forgot to turn it back to AF and accidentally bumped the focusing ring.

I noticed that with the Sigma lens I have, the focusing ring rotates as it is focusing. It also is restricted to how far it turns; the Lumix lens focus ring would infinitely spin regardless of what setting it was in. The Sigma has 3 switches; one that turns OS on/off, one that switches from AF/M, and one that locks the lens in place when fully retracted. This doesn't give leave me with an AF/MF option; I'll have to learn to manually focus faster, or learn to turn both switches (body and lens) off in order to do what I need.

Here are three examples of what I was trying to capture.

View attachment 82754

View attachment 82755

View attachment 82756

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I am not knocking your pictures here but I don't see what it is you were trying to focus on to begin with?? Is there a bird or animal of some kind in all that thick mass of branches? If so, I don't see how you could possibly get much focus on anything in there. The surrounding is too busy to nail a sharp focus on a subject that is buried in that nest of tree sticks.

In the examples you have given i think your nearly expecting too much,there are just too many items the camera could pick up on and think its your subject.single point auto focus and a steady hand may have worked with those but it would not be easy,even the last one there are fine branches in front of the bird.

Mike D90 said:

I am not knocking your pictures here but I don't see what it is you were trying to focus on to begin with?? Is there a bird or animal of some kind in all that thick mass of branches? If so, I don't see how you could possibly get much focus on anything in there. The surrounding is too busy to nail a sharp focus on a subject that is buried in that nest of tree sticks.

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These pictures I chose because I wanted to show an example of what the camera was focusing on vs what I wanted it to focus on without having to switch to full manual. I literally had the camera out of the box for less than 30 minutes before I started shooting some pictures of some ducks that decided to walk near my apartment. Having come across this thread with the same question, I figured I would try to get some insight as to if AF/MF would be possible. I'll have to accept the fact that it's not with my current setup (if I am understanding what others have said).

I believe there were two birds in the bush fighting over a female.

Today was a nice sunny day and I was able to take my dogs to my in-laws house so I could throw a ball for them. It have me a perfect opportunity to test the different focus settings and I am more than pleased! The sun was beginning to set so I went out with the idea that the pictures would not turn out the way I was expecting. I think that at its worst, the D7100 quality is much better than my last camera. Here's a link to the pictures: http://miguelthompson.zenfolio.com under the "Life revolves around sunshine and a ball" collection.