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. If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus (0 98), focus lock can also be used to recompose the photograph after focusing on another object at the same distance as your original subject. Focus lock is most effective when an option other than auto- area AF is selected for AF-area mode (0 99).

1Focus.

Position the subject in the selected focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway to initiate focus. Check that the in-focus indicator (I) appears in the viewfinder.

2Lock focus.

N

AF-A and AF-C focus modes: With the shutter-release

Shutter-release button

button pressed halfway (q), press the AAE-L/AF-L

 

button (w) to lock both focus and exposure (an

 

AE-Licon will be displayed in the viewfinder).

 

Focus will remain locked while the AAE-L/AF-L

 

button is pressed, even if you later remove your

 

finger from the shutter-release button.

 

AF-S focus mode: Focus locks automatically when

 

the in-focus indicator appears, and remain

AAE-L/AF-L button

locked until you remove your finger from the

 

shutter-release button. Focus can also be locked

 

by pressing the AAE-L/AF-Lbutton (see above).

 

3Recompose the photograph and shoot.

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

Do not change the distance between the camera and the subject while focus lock is in effect. If the subject moves, focus again at the new distance.

ASee Also

See Custom setting c1 (Shutter-release button AE-L, 0 226) for information on using the shutter-release button to lock exposure, Custom Setting f4 (Assign AE-L/AF-L button, 0 244) for information on choosing the role played by the AAE-L/AF-Lbutton.

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