manual focus in live view
Jan 31, 2019 13:22:14 #
If I use live view and digital zoom on my D3100 to focus, getting the sharpest image I can on the monitor, the pictures are out of focus. I do better using the viewfinder. What am I doing wrong?
Jan 31, 2019 13:25:14 #
Jan 31, 2019 13:27:36 #
axiesdad wrote:
If I use live view and digital zoom on my D3100 to focus, getting the sharpest image I can on the monitor, the pictures are out of focus. I do better using the viewfinder. What am I doing wrong?
Don't know what you are doing wrong. I use manual focus with focus magnifier on and everything is in perfect focus,
Is your lens easy to manually focus? Some lens just aren't very good at manual focus.
Jan 31, 2019 13:37:44 #
I am magnifying the image in the monitor, that's what I meant when I said I was using the digital zoom. The magnified image I see in the monitor is fairly sharp, but a picture taken at this focus adjustment is not.
Jan 31, 2019 13:49:21 #
Jan 31, 2019 13:55:34 #
axiesdad wrote:
If I use live view and digital zoom on my D3100 to focus, getting the sharpest image I can on the monitor, the pictures are out of focus. I do better using the viewfinder. What am I doing wrong?
A couple of example photos would probably help. What were the shutter speeds and f/stops? Are you certain the issue is focus and not motion blur?
Jan 31, 2019 14:42:07 #
I think you are moving the camera out of focus when you lift it up to your eyes. Using live view to focus works best if you use a tripod.
Jan 31, 2019 16:15:55 #
A few example images, stored as attachments, might better explain than another thousand words of description ...
Feb 1, 2019 08:36:21 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
axiesdad wrote:
I am magnifying the image in the monitor, that's what I meant when I said I was using the digital zoom. The magnified image I see in the monitor is fairly sharp, but a picture taken at this focus adjustment is not.
This is very confusing as to what you are actually doing. Simplify by using a tripod, be sure the focus point is on the subject, zoom "in live view" to magnify the image, then focus manually. What you then see magnified on the monitor should be in as sharp a focus as what you captured in camera.
Or just stick with Auto-focus. From what I read, it’s better than our eyes for most situations. Of course, there will be those who disagree.
Feb 1, 2019 09:22:15 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
axiesdad wrote:
If I use live view and digital zoom on my D3100 to focus, getting the sharpest image I can on the monitor, the pictures are out of focus. I do better using the viewfinder. What am I doing wrong?
The method that gives you the best focus is obviously the right one.
If you are going to post pictures, please post them in the appropriate section. Admin often moves pictures that are posted here in Main Discussion. See the rules for each section for the recommended content.
Feb 1, 2019 11:22:17 #
RRS
Loc: Not sure
axiesdad wrote:
I am magnifying the image in the monitor, that's what I meant when I said I was using the digital zoom. The magnified image I see in the monitor is fairly sharp, but a picture taken at this focus adjustment is not.
One of two things come to mind. Do you have the lens set to manual focus and if not have you disabled the focus from the shutter button. After manually focusing if you have not disabled the shutter button it will engage AF and your focus will change.
Feb 1, 2019 12:33:26 #
"...disabled the focus from the shutter button..." without more information This!
a very common issue... Thanks RRS... experience is a brutal teacher here...
but this isn't authoritative without viewing the EXIF info in an attached image...
btw, in live-view the focus is on the actual sensor thus is ALWAYS sharper than through the view finder...
There is a huge difference between phase detect and contrast detect focus...
Oh, and I use live-view to verify that my Focus Fine Tune value is indeed correct...
a very common issue... Thanks RRS... experience is a brutal teacher here...
but this isn't authoritative without viewing the EXIF info in an attached image...
btw, in live-view the focus is on the actual sensor thus is ALWAYS sharper than through the view finder...
There is a huge difference between phase detect and contrast detect focus...
Oh, and I use live-view to verify that my Focus Fine Tune value is indeed correct...
Feb 1, 2019 12:43:47 #
Feb 1, 2019 13:40:03 #
GED
Loc: North central Pa
BebuLamar wrote:
You need to magnify the image to focus accurately.
What he said!
Feb 1, 2019 17:11:49 #
Thanks for all the replies. It seems like the problem is just the operator. I'll keep practicing and if I can't get better I'll try to come back with some better questions.
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