Nikon COOLPIX8800 1/60 F2.8, Getting Good Results with Autofocus, AF/AE Lock, The AE/AF-L Button

Basic Photography

Getting Good Results with Autofocus

Autofocus performs best when there is contrast between the subject and the back- ground and the subject is evenly lit. It does not perform well with very dark subjects (unless the AF-assist illuminator is on and the subject is within range of the illumina- tor), low-contrast scenes (e.g., where the subject is the same color as the background), scenes containing objects at different distances from the camera (e.g., where the sub- ject is inside a cage), or subjects that are moving rapidly.

AF/AE Lock

Focus and exposure are locked when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and remain locked while the shutter-release button is held in this position (focus lock). Focus lock can be used to take pictures of off-center subjects or in situations in which the camera is unable to focus using autofocus.

1 Focus 2 Check focus indicator

8M

1/60 F2.8 126

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

3 Recompose picture

8M

1/60 F2.8 126

Check that focus indicator glows steadi- ly, indicating that subject is in focus.

4 Take picture

8M

1/60	F2.8	126
Focus and exposure are locked while shut-			Press shutter-release button rest of way
ter-release button is pressed halfway.*			down to take picture.

*Do not change distance between camera and subject while focus lock is in effect. If subject moves, release shutter-release button and focus again at new distance.

The AE/AF-L Button

Focus and exposure will also lock while the AE/AF-Lbutton is pressed (if desired, the AE/AF-Lbutton can be used to lock focus but not exposure, or vice versa; 139).

22