Camera Focus Modes Complete Guide
Camera Focus Modes
In this easy to understand video, I explain how your cameras focus modes work
I teach photography daily at my studio in West Yorkshire and I find most students don't actually know or fully understand their cameras focus settings. Having a basic understanding of how your camera focus settings work, will greatly increase the number of in-focus shots you'll achieve!
Your camera has 2 Focus settings, Manual and Automatic
AUTOMATIC FOCUS
Auto Focus settings are broken down into 3 very different focusing modes:
AF-S *(ONE-SHOT) | AF-C *(AI-SERVO) | AF-A *(AI-FOCUS)
*in brackets are for Canon Cameras only!
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AF-S (ONE-SHOT) - This is a basic but very powerful focus mode.
Depress fire button halfway down - Simply depress your fire button halfway down and your camera will focus on your subject.
Depress fire button halfway down and hold it - Press the fire button halfway down and hold it. This will allow you to recompose your shot before fully depressing the fire button to take the picture.
WHEN TO USE:
- For static subjects
- If you wish to recompose your image
- If you need to pre-focus on your subject
TYPICAL USES:
- Portraits
- Weddings
- Street Photography
- Landscape Photography
- Casual use
- Stills Photography
- Sports Photography (if you need to pre-focus)
AF-C (AI-SERVO) - This is a great focus mode if your subject is moving
Depress fire button halfway down and hold it - Follow your moving subject and your cameras focus system will try to keep the moving subject sharp!
WHEN TO USE:
- When your subject is moving towards or away from your camera
TYPICAL USES:
- Sports Photography
- Street Photography
- Wedding Photography
Be warned it will be very difficult for the camera and lens to keep very fast-moving subjects sharp. Especially if they're moving rapidly towards your camera. High-end cameras and lenses may be required.
You can often get around this by guessing the movement of your subject and using AF-S (ONE-SHOT) and pre-focusing where you think your subject will go. ie Pre-focus on top of a fence that the horse is about to jump over or pre-focus on the track you know the vehicle is likely to drive on. These are just a couple of examples of when AF-S (ONE-SHOT) might be a preferred option when shooting sport!
AF-A (AI-FOCUS) - This setting allows your camera to decide which of the above should be applied. Your camera decides if your subject is moving or not.
It's never very accurate so I wouldn't recommend anyone to use it.
Your camera might be set to this mode by default!
WHEN TO USE:
- Casual Use
TYPICAL USES:
- Point and shooting
MANUAL FOCUS
This is straight forward to explain. Your lens can only be focused by adjusted your focus ring. It has limited uses but it's very accurate.
A great example of when to use it is shooting Landscapes or Commercial Work. Especially if you have the ability to use your cameras "live-view".
Most live-view screens will allow you to zoom into your subject at up to x10 magnification. This will help you adjust your focus and attain perfect results!
WHEN TO USE:
- For static subjects
- Great for low light
- If you require perfect focusing
- If you wish to recompose your image
- If you need to pre-focus on your subject
TYPICAL USES:
- Commercial Work
- Landscape Photography
- Low Light
- Waterdrop Photography
- Light Painting
COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
THANK YOU
Gary
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