Autofocus and recompose

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Yulia

New member
Hi, I am having troubles recomposing picture in a viewfinder after I half-pressed and locked the focus on a subject.
It doesn't seem to work, the initial subject looses the focus. What could be the problem here? Thank you!
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
Use back-button focus. This separates the focus from the shutter button. Thus, you can focus where you like, press the focus button to AF, then recompose to your heart's content.

 
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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Howdy Yulia and welcome to Nikonites!

What is your AF mode? It sounds like you're set to AF-C. You can toggle over to AF-S, but I prefer back-button focus as well for better control.
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
ONe more vote for Back Button Focus


Back Button Focus is a great tool for so many photographers and is something I think everyone should try at least once. Below are a few sites that talk about the how and why of Back Button Focus.

Benefits of Using the AF-ON Button for Autofocus by Nikon USA


BACK BUTTON FOCUSING – EASIER THAN YOU THINK! by Improve Photography


Here is a good YouTube video that goes over the why and how of Back Button Focusing.

You can do a search of the forum on "Back Button Focus" or BBF and see the many threads that have been created on this subject.

Try it, You will like it.






 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Welcome Yulia to the forum. Back Button Focus is nice. Once you get used to it, you'll never go back. It is like riding a bike. It becomes second nature...automatic.
 
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Yulia

New member
Thank you. I did like advised, but it only changed the buttons, the problem still persists. As soon as I try to recompose the initial subject looses the focus. May be I locked incorrectly? I am new to digital camera and just learning the basics. Thank you for your answers !
 
Last edited:
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Yulia said:
Thank you. I did like advised, but it only changed the buttons, the problem still persists. As soon as I try to recompose the initial subject looses the focus. May be I locked incorrectly? I am new to digital camera and just learning the basics. Thank you for your answers !
Click to expand...

Which part did you try; changing to back button focus, or changing from AF-C to AF-S?
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
IF you have the Back Button Focus set up like in the video, you hold the button to focus on your subject. Then before moving the camera release the button. Now move the camera. The camera focus will still be set to or locked on the initial subject (at least it should be).
 
cwgrizz

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Yulia said:
sounds like it was the issue; I was holding the button. Just tried and it worked! Thank you Walt
Yuli
Click to expand...

Glad you got it sorted out. Now you are one step closer to mastering your new camera. :encouragement:

When you hold the button it continues to try to focus on what the camera is pointing at which is good when you are trying to follow a moving subject ie a bird flying by. When the button is held it is continuous focus mode and when you let go of the button it locks on whatever you last focused on.
 
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