Low light question
- Thread starter Dooku77
- Start date
bluenoser
Banned
Yes, it is normal. However the degree and frequency of the hunting will depend on the amount of light, the amount of contrast in the area you are focusing on, the lens you are using (some are much faster/more accurate at focusing than others) and of course the camera body as some are much faster/better at it than others.
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Dooku77
Senior Member
I thought I was going crazy a short while ago when I went to take a picture of my coffee maker in low light and I couldn't get focus. I will remember this.
Lol I'll take what I can get at this point.
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pistnbroke
Banned
I have that low light problem in disco situations if I zoom in too much ..with the lens pulled back to give full length figures its fine
Stangman98
Senior Member
It will hunt. What focus are you using? Is you are using the 51pt 3D tracking I would turn that off in low light and go with just the 51pt or lower.
Dooku77
Senior Member
I think my camera only has 39 pt of focus. I was using single point at the time.
As many of you know I have a Nikon D7000 Tips thread that I write and it includes a long list of TIPS that you might find helpful. If you use My TIP #19 you will be able to achieve focus lock an any stationary subject in extreme low light conditions. Please check out my thread listed below. I am going to cut and paste TIP #19 here for your convenience. Jeff
Tip #19 Having trouble with auto focus in low light
Having trouble with auto focus in low light
Ever go out at night and the light is so low you just can't get your camera to focus! Well I have a simple answer.
Here is what you do
I have had this happen a few times and have found that with your camera on single area focus point activated on the spot you want to focus on, if your camera will not focus, all you need to do is buy a laser light pen at Walmart for about $2.50 and point it at the spot that your focus point is on and the camera will lock on followed by the little green light in the viewfinder magically appearing and your shot will be in focus. This of course is for stationary subjects taken in dark surroundings but it will make your camera lock on to the focus quickly.
Remember to not point the light in people's or animal's eyes and it is probably not a good idea to point it at the sensor of your camera.
Hope this will help you out!
Tip #19 Having trouble with auto focus in low light
Having trouble with auto focus in low light
Ever go out at night and the light is so low you just can't get your camera to focus! Well I have a simple answer.
Here is what you do
I have had this happen a few times and have found that with your camera on single area focus point activated on the spot you want to focus on, if your camera will not focus, all you need to do is buy a laser light pen at Walmart for about $2.50 and point it at the spot that your focus point is on and the camera will lock on followed by the little green light in the viewfinder magically appearing and your shot will be in focus. This of course is for stationary subjects taken in dark surroundings but it will make your camera lock on to the focus quickly.
Remember to not point the light in people's or animal's eyes and it is probably not a good idea to point it at the sensor of your camera.
Hope this will help you out!
kshapero
New member
Really helpful, thanks
I use my Nikon speed light and use its laser beams to acquire the subject's distance. This works a lot faster in assisting your camera in challenging situations.
Dooku77
Senior Member
Thanks. I hope to acquire a speed light in the next couple weeks.
Not all of the speedlights will be able to help with AF without the flash going off so if you plan on using it to assist low light focusing check it out before you buy one. Jeff
Dooku77
Senior Member
Was it you who had the tip about acquiring focus with a laser pointer?
Yes it was me. If you go to the electronics section of Wal-Mart the Laser pointers are thirty some dollars but if you look around near the checkout counter you can get one for about $2.50 with batteries. Jeff
Dooku77
Senior Member
Ok thank you. In going to purchase one this week and keep it in my gear bag. You my friend are a valuable resource.
