FujiFilm FinePix S3 AF-ASSIST ILLUMINATOR, SITUATIONS WHERE AUTOFOCUS MAY NOT WORK AS EXPECTED

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Basic Photography

AF-ASSIST ILLUMINATOR

When the subject is dark and the shutter button is pressed down halfway, the camera’s AF-assist

illuminator automatically turns on and enables autofocus operation in a dark environment.

AF-assist illuminator automatically turns on in the

following situations:

Focus mode is Single AF servo, AF Nikkor lens is

used, subject is dark and center focus area is

selected or Dynamic AF Mode with Closest Subject

Priority is activated.

Focal length of the usable AF Nikkor lens is 24-200

mm and the distance range of the AF-assist

illuminator is approx. 0.5-3 m (1.6-9.8 ft.).

CSM 15: AF-assist illuminator can be cancelled (➡P.112).

When the AF-assist illuminator is used continuously, illumination is limited temporarily to protect

the firing tube. The illumination restarts after a few moments. Also, when the AF-assist illuminator

is used repeatedly in a short period of time, be careful not to touch the AF-assist illuminator lamp

because it may have become hot.

◆Nikon flash units and active assist illuminator ◆

If you use an SB-28/28DX, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24, SB-800 or SB-600 Nikon flash to take

pictures when the conditions for active assist illuminator are met, the active assist illuminator on the

Nikon flash automatically fires. With other Nikon flash models, the AF-assist illuminator on the camera

automatically lights.

◆Lenses for which vignetting occurs ◆

hAutofocus using the camera’s AF-assist illuminator cannot be performed due to vignetting with

following lenses at shooting distance within 1m (3.3 ft):

iAF Micro 200 mm f/4 IF-ED iAF 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6 IF

iAF-S 17-35 mm f/2.8 IF-ED iAF-S 28-70 mm f/2.8 IF-ED

iAF 18-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 ED iAF Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED

iAF 20-35 mm f/2.8 IF iAF 24-85 mm f/2.8-4

iAF 24-85mm f/2.8-4D iAF-S DX ED 12-24mm f/4G

iAF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G iAF-S ED 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G

iAF-S VR ED 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G iAF ED 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G

hAt shooting distances of 2 meters or less, the AF-S DX ED 17-55mm f/2.8G (IF) cannot be used for

autofocus photography where the AF-assist illuminator is used.

hAutofocus using the camera’s AF-assist illuminator cannot be performed due to vignetting with AF-S

80-200 mm f/2.8 IF-ED, AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 ED, AF VR 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED, AF-S VR ED 70-

200mm f/2.8D and AF-S VR ED 200-400mm f/4G.

Approx. 0.5-3 m

(1.6-9.8 ft.)

SITUATIONS WHERE AUTOFOCUS MAY NOT WORK AS EXPECTED

Autofocus may not work as expected in the following situations. In such situations, focus manually

using the clear matte field or focus on a different subject located at the same distance, use AF lock

(➡P.40) then recompose.

Low-contrast scenes

For example, where the subject is wearing clothing

the same color as a wall or other background.

Scenes with subjects within the focus brackets

located at different distances from the camera

For example, when shooting an animal in a cage or

a person in a forest.

Patterned subject or scene

For example, building windows.

Scenes with pronounced differences in brightness

within the focus brackets

For example, when the sun is in the background

and the main subject is in shadow.