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Why use focus lock
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Jun 24, 2018 13:14:45   #
jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH
 
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 13:28:07   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
jayw wrote:
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm... (show quote)


Use the L button.

And read this thread:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-533147-1.html

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 13:38:34   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
Actually it is not a button, but a ring. However, looking at a few pictures I don't believe the D5300 has one.

I could be wrong.

--



Reply
 
 
Jun 24, 2018 13:41:15   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
jayw wrote:
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm... (show quote)
In this mode, focus is locked when you press and hold the shutter button halfway. Lock focus with the AE-L/AF-L button. First, set focus by pressing the shutter button halfway. When the focus is established at the distance you want, press and hold the AE-L/AF-L button.

Hope that helps.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 13:45:42   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Simply move the focus spot to the center(or wherever you want it) and switch the lock ring to the lock position and it won't move .

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 14:39:38   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
jayw wrote:
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm... (show quote)


The "focus point location lock", a better name, is a camera function, normally a lever on Nikon bodies, that prevents the focus point from moving if the multi-selector is bumped during normal use. This is not the same as "focus lock" which starts/stops the camera's auto-focus function.

Doing some reading and looking a the camera, it does not appear that he D5300 has a focus lock lever. However selection of the focus point location requires opening the info screen and then selecting the focus grid so it should be somewhat immune to accitental movement.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 15:56:31   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
JD750 wrote:

However selection of the focus point location requires opening the info screen and then selecting the focus grid so it should be somewhat immune to accitental movement.


Not true. The multi-selector moves the focusing point. Not having the lock is the reason the OP sometimes finds the point in a different location.

I believe it's page 39 in the manual.

--

Reply
 
 
Jun 24, 2018 17:03:05   #
srt101fan
 
jayw wrote:
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm... (show quote)


I think what you refer to as the ""L" button" is a small lever near the multi-selector of some cameras. Moving it to the "L" position locks the focus point in the position where you want it. It has nothing to do with the AE-L/AF-L button.

The D5300 does NOT have the ""L" button". As far as I know there is no way to lock the focus point in place. If it's accidentally moved you need to bring it back to the old place using the multi-selector (pressing the center of the multi-selector will place the focus point in the center of the screen). Note that moving the focus point with the multi-selector works only when the exposure meter is on, i.e., when the camera is not "asleep".

You do not need to go to the Information Screen to move the focus point, but that is where you select the AF-area mode and the number of focus points you want. But that's another story...

If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of the Nikon focus system get fellow UHH member Steve Perry's book "Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System" (https://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/ ). It is a great resource and has helped me a lot with my D5300.

Reply
Jun 24, 2018 17:10:31   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
Bill_de wrote:
Not true. The multi-selector moves the focusing point. Not having the lock is the reason the OP sometimes finds the point in a different location.

I believe it's page 39 in the manual.

--


I guess I misread. I thought you had to have the info window open and to have selected the grid before the multi-selector would move the focus point. FYI I think page 39 is for the miniature effect scene mode. The organization of the D5300 manual is funky to say the least.

Looking further, I did find this tidbit about it.

"However, you can possibly mitigate the problem of accidental movement of the focus point. The part of the touch-screen display closer to the buttons is called "touch Fn" in Nikon parlance, and sliding your finger over it when the display is off can perform various functions. One of them is moving the focus point, and I believe this is the default setting. I find that I often inadvertently move the focus point around with my nose when that's enabled. If you have the same problem, go to the Custom Settings menu, section f: Controls, and select f3: Assign touch Fn to assign a different function or turn the "touch Fn" feature off. The downside is that you lose that feature this way, which is rather useful. And of course it won't save you from accidentally moving the focus point with the multi selector."
Source- http://photo.stackexchange.com/questions/87685/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-focus-point-on-the-nikon-d5500

Reply
Jun 25, 2018 08:52:10   #
jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
 
jayw wrote:
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm... (show quote)

I use it when photographing landscapes in the early morning or evening. Usually I am at a location for around an hour to capture images of mountains or valleys as the light of the sun on them and the clouds changes. Using aperture priority and base ISO, I carefully focus on the hyperfocal point and lock the focus (I use back-button focus). Then, as the light changes, I can take photos without refocusing.

Reply
Jun 25, 2018 09:06:23   #
Eddy Vortex
 
I often set my focus with auto and then flip my lens into manual...being careful not to touch the focus ring afterwards. Quick fix :)

Reply
 
 
Jun 25, 2018 09:13:17   #
srt101fan
 
jackpinoh wrote:
I use it when photographing landscapes in the early morning or evening. Usually I am at a location for around an hour to capture images of mountains or valleys as the light of the sun on them and the clouds changes. Using aperture priority and base ISO, I carefully focus on the hyperfocal point and lock the focus (I use back-button focus). Then, as the light changes, I can take photos without refocusing.


I think the OP is asking about locking the "focus point" in place, not about locking the "focus".

Reply
Jun 25, 2018 09:46:16   #
Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts
 
jayw wrote:
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm unable to find anything, so here goes...

Recently saw some discussion re: the "L" button (is that the same as the AE-L/AF-F button?) when referring to focus lock. I'm using a Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 17-70mm Contemperary lens.

Every now and then, I find my focus indicator is not centered where I usually have it, but off to a side, up/down or left/right of center. I have to use the button (forgot technical term) to bring it back to the center.

How do I lock/unlock it so it stays centered and then when would I use this locking feature?

I have 2 books and UG, but none go into why's as to when to use this feature.

I hope I made myself clear enough that you get what my question is. Need anymore info, let me know.

If there is a link to further discussion, please post it.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Hopefully this hasn't been discussed before as I'm... (show quote)


You are asking about focus point lock not focus lock. Focus lock refers to the focus being locked onto your subject and moving with them if they move or the opposite fouc staying on a point not the subject. What you are referring to is focus point lock which locks the point of focus in your feild of view. I have the same problem with my Nikon because I am left eye dominant I look through the viewfinder with my left eye. As a result my big nose can touch the multi selector and move the focus point. Switching the L lever locks the center focus point in place where you want it in the frame. To move it you have to switch it to unlock and move it. Note it locks the center point if you have more than one focus point selected. So if you are using 9 focus points it locks the center one. That lock button is a big help if you have a big nose like me. But the disadvantage is it is not as easy to move the focus point on the fly if it is locked.

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Jun 25, 2018 09:47:35   #
jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH
 
Thanks to all who replied.

I guess my original post was unclear as to what I was asking, which was how to lock focus point on the Nikon D5300. Many picked up on what I was asking. for those who didn't, my apology.

I did see reference to the Steve Perry book and will be looking to see if my local library has it and Barnes & Noble.

I also saw referenced, I think page 53 or something in UG, which I'll also look at.

Again thanks to all who answered me to date and thos who may continue to answer in the future.

Reply
Jun 25, 2018 10:02:54   #
srt101fan
 
jayw wrote:
Thanks to all who replied.

I guess my original post was unclear as to what I was asking, which was how to lock focus point on the Nikon D5300. Many picked up on what I was asking. for those who didn't, my apology.

I did see reference to the Steve Perry book and will be looking to see if my local library has it and Barnes & Noble.

I also saw referenced, I think page 53 or something in UG, which I'll also look at.

Again thanks to all who answered me to date and thos who may continue to answer in the future.
Thanks to all who replied. br br I guess my origi... (show quote)


I don't think Steve Perry's book is available in printed form. It's actually not an e-book either; you download it as a .pdf file. He explained the reason in one of his posts but I can't remember what it was!

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