Nikon D7000 Mastering Autofocus Options

One of the most useful and powerful features of modern digital SLR cameras is their

ability to lock in sharp focus faster than the blink of an eye. Sometimes. Although aut-

ofocus has been with us for more than 20 years, it continues to be problematic. While

vendors like Nikon are giving us faster and more precise autofocus systems, with many

more options, it’s common for the sheer number of options to confuse even the most

advanced photographers.

One key problem is that the camera doesn’t really know, for certain, what subject you

want to be in sharp focus. It may select an object and lock in focus with lightning

speed—even though the subject is not the one that’s the center of interest of your pho-

tograph. Or, the camera may lock focus too soon, or too late. This chapter will help you

choose the options available with your Nikon D7000 that will help the camera under-

stand what you want to focus, when, and maybe even why.

Although Nikon added autofocus capabilities in the 1980s, back in the day of film cam-

eras, prior to that focusing was always done manually. Honest. Even though viewfind-

ers were bigger and brighter than they are today, special focusing screens, magnifiers,

and other gadgets were often used to help the photographer achieve correct focus.

Imagine what it must have been like to focus manually under demanding, fast-moving

conditions such as sports photography.

MasteringAutofocus Options