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Beyond Point-and-Shoot—Focus Mode
Autofocus mode (Continuous AF/Single AF)
The autofocus system operates in one of two modes, depending on
whether the monitor is on or off. In a mode, scene mode or Movie
mode, the camera adjusts focus continuously while the monitor is on
(continuous autofocus; p. 113). When the monitor is off, the camera
does not focus until the shutter-release button is pressed halfway
(single autofocus; p. 113). In either case, focus locks when the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway, and remains locked as long as the
button is held in this position (focus lock; p. 45).
In å mode, single autofocus is used whether the monitor is on or
off, although the Focus Options: Auto-Focus Mode item in the
SHOOTING menu can be used to enable continuous autofocus when
the monitor is on (p. 113).
Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Autofocus performs best when:
• There is contrast between the subject and the background. For example,
autofocus may not perform well on subjects that are the same color as the
background.
• The subject is evenly lit.
Autofocus does not perform well when:
• You attempt to focus simultaneously on two or more objects at different
distances from the camera. For example, autofocus may not perform well
when photographing an object inside a cage, because the bars of the cage
will be closer to the camera than the main subject, and both the bars and the
main subject will be in focus area at the center of the frame.
• The subject is very dark (the subject should not, however, be too much
brighter than the background).
• The subject is moving rapidly.
If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus, use focus lock (p. 45) to focus
on another subject at the same distance.
Focus Lock
Depending on the effect you want to achieve, your subject may not be at the
center of the final composition. In a and all SCENE modes except Portrait
and Close Up (p. 36, 37), the camera automatically focuses on the subject at
the center of the frame. If your subject is not located at the center of the frame
when the shutter release button is pressed halfway, the camera will focus on the
background and the main subject may not be in focus. Focus lock is used to
focus first on your subject, then adjust the composition before taking the
picture.
1
Focus
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• Position the subject in the
center of the frame and press
the shutter release button
halfway.
2
Check the autofocus lamp
• With the shutter release button pressed halfway,
check that the autofocus (green) lamp next to the
viewfinder glows steadily, indicating that the
subject is in focus. Focus will remain locked while
the shutter release button is pressed halfway.
3
Recompose the picture and shoot
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• Keeping the shutter release
button pressed halfway,
recompose your picture. Press
the shutter release button the
rest of the way down to shoot.
Do not change the distance between the camera and your subject while focus
lock is in effect. If your subject moves, remove your finger from the shutter
release button and focus again at the new distance.
E4300 (E) 02.12.9 1:47 PM Page 44