There is probably a simple answer for this. When the lens/camera is on autofocus why doesn't the lens go all the way out? I took some shots with a 75-240mm and all the shots stayed at 75mm. Is it because the camera sees everything in focus at that length. I wanted it to go to lets say 150-200mm but it didn't. Is that an auto focus issue. I know your going to say, just go manual. This is after the fact though and something that has been bothering me. Even the 18-55mm does it
auto focus/zoom
- Thread starter lucien
- Start date
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Lucien,
They are too different and independent settings.. YOU set the focal length (zoom) manually by zooming in and out....
Your Autofocus just focuses the sharpness at whatever length the lens is set at. Autofocus will not change the zoom length, just brings the subject in focus at that point...
I hope I made this clear enough, Regards,
Pat in GA
So if i had set the lens to 140mm manually the camera would do the rest? Aka focus. If so that's good to know. Do I leave the lens in auto focus or switch before I do that? On any lens? This would help me out alot I should change the zoom while the lens is in auto focus though. Doesn't it ruin the lens?
ps. I know manual is manual and that's not the issue. Manual is fine
thanks
ps. I know manual is manual and that's not the issue. Manual is fine
thanks
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
They are totally separate functions.... You can zoom in and out all day to "compose" the image in your viewer... focus is NOT activated even in AutoFocus, not until you depress the shutter button halfway and then it focuses. You want to leave it in Auto for most applications unless you "specifically" want to do something different with the focus for a shot...
Pat in GA
Many/most camera functions can be Auto, but zoom is manual, not auto. There is no way the camera can know what is the subject, so we have to aim it and zoom it ourself. Then, yes, then it sees what it sees and focus can be auto. And ISO and exposure and white balance can be auto too. But we have to aim it and zoom it.
I heard somewhere that you shouldn't try to zoom in when the lens is on auto, it might break something inside. Is that wrong. When I have the lens on auto I just shoot. I didn't play with the lens. If I wanted to get closer/zoom I would put the lens on Manual. focus/zoom then shoot. Is that right? When the lens is on Auto I don't touch it. I thought it would zoom closer depend where the subject was. If not thanks for letting me know
No, zoom is always manual, done by us.
I think that breaking anything is not realistic. My lens is usually AF, and I zoom at will, no concern. Never been any issue, many lenses in many years.
The usual concern about zoom is if we have to refocus again after zooming. Often we do on many lenses, but AF takes care of it automatically.
@lucien I think you are confusing Zoom with Auto Focus. Zoom you can only do manually and in any mode, Autofocus or Manual focus. I think this is what you probably heard. The Focus on some lenses should not be done manually when the Auto-focus is set because that can break something inside the lens. This varies however with zoom lenses. My 70-300mm can be manually focused even when set for auto-focus (but not when pushing the shutter button). On the other hand, my 18-55 cannot be manually focused when it is set on auto. Looking at the settings on the lens, the 70-300 has two settings M/A & M (Manual/Auto & Manual). The 18-55 has A & M (Auto & Manual). Hope this clears up your confusion. Ha!
@lucien, That lens is what I was referring to with this statement. "On the other hand, my 18-55 cannot be manually focused when it is set on auto." You can and have to manually zoom any zoom no matter what mode you have set, just do not manually focus when in auto unless the lens has an Manual/Auto switch position (The 18-55mm does not have that selection capability. It is either Manual Focus or Auto Focus on that lens).
As has been stated in a couple of previous posts, Zoom is one thing and Focus is another. They do not have any relationship with the other as far as Manual-Auto settings go.
Zoom is Manual, manual, manual. That's the way it works. Focus is Manual and/or Auto. Ha!
As has been stated in a couple of previous posts, Zoom is one thing and Focus is another. They do not have any relationship with the other as far as Manual-Auto settings go.
Zoom is Manual, manual, manual. That's the way it works. Focus is Manual and/or Auto. Ha!
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yes my lens has the auto feature. The 2 options available on the lens are (a/f - manual and vr on off) am I good to go? It is the current kit lens. Yes I get that. I hope we are clear now. I mean me. Did I give enough info regarding the lens? Thanks for being patient. I think I'm going to quit while semi ahead. WayneF, I think closed the deal and "assumed" I was using the current version and he's spot on
thx,
now I'm seeming like a total FOOL, all good. Have to start somewhere. I had another issue with a lens the 75-240, and no one mentioned to me that there is a focus ring. This is my first dslr. And I thought the lens was faulty, lo and behold. I turn the second ring near the end of the lens and there is light/focus. Just learned that about 2 wks ago. That's what the guy did in the camera shop and I was in and out in no time. He didn't explain it to me though. He said all my settings were wrong and they weren't. I never focused the lens
I just looked at your 18-55 it's a g, mine isn't, it shoud put me on the right path
thx,
now I'm seeming like a total FOOL, all good. Have to start somewhere. I had another issue with a lens the 75-240, and no one mentioned to me that there is a focus ring. This is my first dslr. And I thought the lens was faulty, lo and behold. I turn the second ring near the end of the lens and there is light/focus. Just learned that about 2 wks ago. That's what the guy did in the camera shop and I was in and out in no time. He didn't explain it to me though. He said all my settings were wrong and they weren't. I never focused the lens
I just looked at your 18-55 it's a g, mine isn't, it shoud put me on the right path
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cwgrizz has it right. What you need to remember is that there are two rings on your lens. One is for zoom and can be turned whenever, whatever. The other is the focus ring, that can only be turned when the lens is set to manual with your kit lens. Turning the focus ring when in auto can damage it.
@lucien, your 18-55 lens has the same switches as mine does. See the photos:
VR can be switched on or off at will as long as you are not in the process of taking a picture.
The larger barrel ring for the "Zoom" can be turned at any time.
The small barrel ring at the front of the lens can only be turned if the "A-M" selector switch is in the "M" position.
I believe your 18-55mm kit lens should work the same way.
We all started someplace. This would be much simpler to explain in person where conversation could be exchanged in real time instead of this way, but this is the best we have for now. Ha! Thanks for putting up with my less than perfect explanations. I am learning too, so I don't always know the best way to explain clearly. ::what::
VR can be switched on or off at will as long as you are not in the process of taking a picture.
The larger barrel ring for the "Zoom" can be turned at any time.
The small barrel ring at the front of the lens can only be turned if the "A-M" selector switch is in the "M" position.
I believe your 18-55mm kit lens should work the same way.
We all started someplace. This would be much simpler to explain in person where conversation could be exchanged in real time instead of this way, but this is the best we have for now. Ha! Thanks for putting up with my less than perfect explanations. I am learning too, so I don't always know the best way to explain clearly. ::what::
thank you, what is that button for. BUDDHA BLESS YOU, I must be DUMMY 
who has 1 or 2 but not before this post started, the small focus ring point would have messed me up with the (af -m) thing. I guess it wasn't such a simple question after all. Unless your dealing with people that have been doing this in there sleep,. THANKS FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR ME.
who has 1 or 2 but not before this post started, the small focus ring point would have messed me up with the (af -m) thing. I guess it wasn't such a simple question after all. Unless your dealing with people that have been doing this in there sleep,. THANKS FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR ME.