Focal Points
Aug 9, 2011 22:59:15 #
I have a Nikon D3100 and I like to know what is the best focal points to use to get the best photos
Aug 10, 2011 06:42:15 #
jdtx
Loc: SA, Tx.
I am not sure what your question is, if you are talking about the focal points in your veiwfinder then compose your shot and set the focus point on whatever you want to be in focus, the distance from you, the f stop etc will dictate some of that also..
Aug 10, 2011 14:24:34 #
If you are referring to the different focus settings: Close priority, Dynamic, manual, single,or continuous; it depends on what you are shooting.
Aug 10, 2011 15:15:35 #
RonaldLewis
Loc: Chicago, Illinois
I have always set the focal points on my camera to the center focal point. I have done that since I have had an auto-focus camera. I focus on the closest object in the picture, hold the shutter button half way down, recompose until I have the picture composed the way I want it, and then take the picture. This way I never have an out of focus picture. Most people who rely on the numerous focus points in the camera are going to have far more out of focus pictures that by using the above technique which most advanced photographers use. Never let the camera decide what you want in focus or wht the proper exposure is. The camera does not know what you want the photograph to look like. It was much simpler with manual focus cameras because you paid attention to what was in focus when you looked in the viewfinder.
Aug 10, 2011 15:37:09 #
dicspics
Loc: southwest fla. 10 mins from the gulf
Ronaldlewis, is right on the nose. I HAVE FOUND THAT IS THE BEST way to get what you want in focus..
Aug 13, 2011 01:45:20 #
Leslie
Loc: Chicago Area
I have a question. If you focus on the closest object and the main subject is behind the object (ex. swan in back of high grasses), will the subject still bein focus.
Aug 13, 2011 05:10:56 #
RonaldLewis
Loc: Chicago, Illinois
The rule of thumb is that what is 1/3 of the way in front of the main subject will be in focus. Of course all of this is determined by the F stop, the focal length of the lens and your distance from the subject. If it were me I would focus on the swan using an F-stop of 4.0 or 5.6 and that would put some of what is in front of the swan out of focus and some of what is in the back of the swan out of focus. That is why I always use the center focus point because I can focus on the subject and then recompose. I always want the subject to capture the viewers attention. The rest of the elements in the picture just add to the composition like the high grass. If you use all the focus points the camera is determining what is in focus, not the photographer.
Aug 13, 2011 07:41:48 #
jdtx
Loc: SA, Tx.
you should also be able to select just one of the other focal points in your camera, and make it a bit easier to compose the picture, just make sure the one you select is on the subject you want in focus, then with f-stop distance etc you will learn what will be in sharp focus and what won't
Aug 13, 2011 08:29:15 #
Aug 13, 2011 08:41:46 #
Leslie
Loc: Chicago Area
The auto focus zones and the metering methods (evaluative, partial etc) use the same icons for both exposure and focus. In order to switch is it necessary to lock in exposure and then reset the zones for the focus point?
Aug 13, 2011 09:27:33 #
Aug 13, 2011 15:01:13 #
RonaldLewis
Loc: Chicago, Illinois
I would set the exposure first and then set my focus. I very seldom let the camera set my exposure. I only use what the camera tells me as a guide and then I go up or down a stop, 1/3, 2/3, etc. I then decide what I want in focus. As you get more experienced you will find that you will only let the camera set the exposure in tricky lighting situations or situations where you have to shoot very quickly. If you have time try to bracket your exposures.
Aug 14, 2011 15:38:40 #
I NEVER use auto focus with scenery.
I usually shoot scenery at f/11 or f/16 and adjust the shutter speed to that.
I manually focus then manually fine focus.
This is how I learned it 40 years ago with film and it is still true today with either film or digital
I usually shoot scenery at f/11 or f/16 and adjust the shutter speed to that.
I manually focus then manually fine focus.
This is how I learned it 40 years ago with film and it is still true today with either film or digital
Aug 23, 2011 01:16:18 #
Leslie
Loc: Chicago Area
Leslie,
Thank you. I didn't understand how to set the points separately for exposure and focus. This makes sense!!
(nice name!)
Leslie :-D
Thank you. I didn't understand how to set the points separately for exposure and focus. This makes sense!!
(nice name!)
Leslie :-D
Aug 23, 2011 01:19:17 #
Leslie
Loc: Chicago Area
Henry,
When you focus manually, do you use live view so you can zoom in to the subject to make sure you have focused correctly?
Leslie :?:
When you focus manually, do you use live view so you can zoom in to the subject to make sure you have focused correctly?
Leslie :?:
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