Minolta dimage7, Dimage 5 instruction manual Focus Lock, Focus Signals, Special Focusing Situations

BASIC OPERATION

FOCUS LOCK

The focus-lock function is used when the subject is off-center and outside the focus frame. Focus lock may also be used when a special focusing situation prevents the camera from focusing on the subject.

Focus lock can be controlled one of two ways. The shutter-release button can be pressed and held partway down or the AF/AEL button at the back of the camera can be pressed and held.

Place the subject within the focus frame. Press and hold the shutter-release button partway down or press the AF/AEL button.

• The focus signals will indicate that the focus is locked.

The shutter speed and aperture value will change from white to black indicating the exposure is locked.

• When the focus is set, an AF sensor will briefly appear on the live image to indicate the point of focus.

Without lifting your finger from the shutter-release button or the AF/AEL button, recompose the subject within the image area. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture.

The function and operation of the AF/AEL button can be changed in the custom 1 section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80). The Flex Focus Point can also be used for off-center subjects (p. 67).

FOCUS SIGNALS

This digital camera has a quick, accurate autofocusing system. The focus signals in the lower right corner of the EVF and LCD monitor indicate the focus status. For more information on autofocus modes see p. 68.

Focus icon: white	Focus confirmed.
Focus icon: red	Cannot focus. The subject is too close or a special
	situation is preventing the AF system from focusing.

•The shutter can be released even if the camera cannot focus on the subject.

•When the AF system cannot focus, the focus is set to infinity. When the flash is in use, the focus is set between 3.0 and 3.8m. In this case, focus lock can be used with an object at the same distance as the main subject or the camera can be focused manually (p. 71).

SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS

The camera may not be able to focus in certain situations. If the autofocus system cannot focus on a subject, the focus icon will turn red. In this situation the focus-lock function can be used to focus on another object at the same distance as your main subject, and then the image can be recomposed to take the picture.

The subject is too dark.	The subject in the	Two subjects at differ-	The subject is near a
	focus frame is low in	ent distances overlap	very bright object or
	contrast.	in the focus frame.	area.

30 31