Nikon 4300 manual Autofocus mode Continuous AF/Single AF, Check the autofocus lamp, Focus Lock

Autofocus mode (Continuous AF/Single AF)

The autofocus system operates in one of two modes, depending on whether the monitor is on or off. In a mode, scene mode or Movie mode, the camera adjusts focus continuously while the monitor is on (continuous autofocus; p. 113). When the monitor is off, the camera does not focus until the shutter-release button is pressed halfway (single autofocus; p. 113). In either case, focus locks when the shutter- release button is pressed halfway, and remains locked as long as the button is held in this position (focus lock; p. 45).

In å mode, single autofocus is used whether the monitor is on or off, although the Focus Options: Auto-Focus Mode item in the

Focus Lock

Depending on the effect you want to achieve, your subject may not be at the center of the final composition. In a and all SCENE modes except Portrait and Close Up (p. 36, 37), the camera automatically focuses on the subject at the center of the frame. If your subject is not located at the center of the frame when the shutter release button is pressed halfway, the camera will focus on the background and the main subject may not be in focus. Focus lock is used to focus first on your subject, then adjust the composition before taking the picture.

1 Focus

SHOOTING menu can be used to enable continuous autofocus when the monitor is on (p. 113).

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2 Check the autofocus lamp

•Position the subject in the center of the frame and press the shutter release button halfway.

Getting Good Results with Autofocus

Autofocus performs best when:

•There is contrast between the subject and the background. For example, autofocus may not perform well on subjects that are the same color as the background.

•The subject is evenly lit.

•With the shutter release button pressed halfway, check that the autofocus (green) lamp next to the

viewfinder glows steadily, indicating that the subject is in focus. Focus will remain locked while the shutter release button is pressed halfway.

3 Recompose the picture and shoot

Beyond Point-and-Shoot—Focus Mode

Autofocus does not perform well when:

• You attempt to focus simultaneously on two or more objects at different

distances from the camera. For example, autofocus may not perform well

when photographing an object inside a cage, because the bars of the cage

will be closer to the camera than the main subject, and both the bars and the

main subject will be in focus area at the center of the frame.

• The subject is very dark (the subject should not, however, be too much

brighter than the background).

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•Keeping the shutter release button pressed halfway, recompose your picture. Press the shutter release button the rest of the way down to shoot.

• The subject is moving rapidly.

If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus, use focus lock (p. 45) to focus on another subject at the same distance.

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Do not change the distance between the camera and your subject while focus lock is in effect. If your subject moves, remove your finger from the shutter release button and focus again at the new distance.

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