Focus Lock

Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus point in the final composition. It can also be used when the autofocus system is unable to focus (pg. 55). Focus lock is most effective when Single point, Dynamic area, or 3D-tracking (11 points) is selected for Custom Setting a1 (AF-area mode; pg. 173).

1Focus.

Position the subject in the selected focus point

h

and press the shutter-release button halfway to

 

initiate focus. Check that the in-focus indicator

 

(J) appears in the viewfinder.

 

2Lock focus.

AF-A and AF-C autofocus modes (pg. 54): With the

Shutter-release button

shutter-release button pressed halfway (q),

 

press the AE-L/AF-Lbutton (w) to lock both focus

 

and exposure (an AE-Licon will be displayed in

 

the viewfinder). Focus will remain locked while

 

the AE-L/AF-Lbutton is pressed, even if you later

 

remove your finger from the shutter-release

 

button.

 

 

AE-L/AF-L button

AF-S autofocus mode (pg. 54): Focus will lock automatically when the in-focus indicator appears, and remain locked until you remove your finger from the shutter-release button. Focus can also be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-Lbutton (see above).

3Recompose the photograph and shoot.

Focus will remain locked between shots if you keep the AE-L/AF-Lbutton pressed (AF-A/AF-C) or the shutter-release button pressed halfway (AF-S), allowing several photographs in succession to be taken at the same focus setting.

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