Nikon Focus Explained: I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time. I am confused when reading in the manuals, about the focus system. For those who are not confused stop here.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time. I am confused when reading in the manuals, about the focus system. For those who are not confused stop here.

For those who are new to high performance cameras or have never really understood the system, maybe this will help.

There are two types of Focus Options that must be selected: (1) Focus Mode (2) Focus Point Selection Mode
Note that I used the word mode in both cases.

(1) Focus Mode. There are 2 focus modes. Single and Continuous.
Single focus mode will focus then stop when the object is in focus. It will not refocus on it’s own.

Continuous focus mode runs continuously while the shutter or other button is engaged. If you or the subject move the system will refocus, as long as the button is pressed. Stop pressing the focus system stops. They call it lock but it doesn’t truly lock focus, it just stops leaving the lens sitting at the same focus point. If you release the button and move the subject will Go out of focus. (If you hold the button and move the system will refocus.)

(2) Focus Point Selection Mode. There are many focus point modes to choose from.
The focus point selection mode establishes how the focus point will be selected. There are x number of focus points. You can select groups of them, or one. You can can choose to do the focus point selection or you can let the camera select the focus point. You can tell the camera to track objects as they move toward or away from the camera, (tracking) or as they move Across the frame (3-d tracking).

The simplest way to start is select the the single focus point Mode. You move the focus point where you want it and the camera will focus there. I use that 90% of the time. Select the single focus point mode then try enabling different groups of focus points and note what happens.

If you want to learn more about the dynamic system, sit down with he camera and manual. Pick a mode. Select some object and focus on it. Get up and walk slowly toward it while keeping the focus system running (continuous focus). Stop the focus. Observe what happens. Re start it. Walk sideways, observe what happens. This is how you can learn about the camera focus system.

Most of all, have fun.

Hope that helps.

Feel free to add comments or corrections.

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

JD750 wrote:

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time. I am confused when reading in the manuals, about the focus system. For those who are not confused stop here.

For those who are new to high performance cameras or have never really understood the system, maybe this will help.

There are two types of Focus Options that must be selected: (1) Focus Mode (2) Focus Point Selection Mode
Note that I used the word mode in both cases.

(1) Focus Mode. There are 2 focus modes. Single and Continuous.
Single focus mode will focus then stop when the object is in focus. It will not refocus on it’s own.

Continuous focus mode runs continuously while the shutter or other button is engaged. If you or the subject move the system will refocus, as long as the button is pressed. Stop pressing the focus system stops. They call it lock but it doesn’t truly lock focus, it just stops leaving the lens sitting at the same focus point. If you release the button and move the subject will Go out of focus. (If you hold the button and move the system will refocus.)

(2) Focus Point Selection Mode. There are many focus point modes to choose from.
The focus point selection mode establishes how the focus point will be selected. There are x number of focus points. You can select groups of them, or one. You can can choose to do the focus point selection or you can let the camera select the focus point. You can tell the camera to track objects as they move toward or away from the camera, (tracking) or as they move Across the frame (3-d tracking).

The simplest way to start is select the the single focus point Mode. You move the focus point where you want it and the camera will focus there. I use that 90% of the time. Select the single focus point mode then try enabling different groups of focus points and note what happens.

If you want to learn more about the dynamic system, sit down with he camera and manual. Pick a mode. Select some object and focus on it. Get up and walk slowly toward it while keeping the focus system running (continuous focus). Stop the focus. Observe what happens. Re start it. Walk sideways, observe what happens. This is how you can learn about the camera focus system.

Most of all, have fun.

Hope that helps.

Feel free to add comments or corrections.

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time... (show quote)

Thank you for the explanation. I also get confused about Nikon's focus modes. This helps.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

foggypreacher wrote:

Thank you for the explanation. I also get confused about Nikon's focus modes. This helps.

I am glad that it helped!
Thank you for letting me know.

jlrivera Loc: Round Lake, Illinois

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Just wondering, have you checked-out Steve Perry's book? Great info there.

NikonRocks Loc: Sydney

cameraf4 wrote:

Just wondering, have you checked-out Steve Perry's book? Great info there.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Although I am familiar with Nikon AF I want to congratulate you for taking the time to explain the facts so that others can learn to understand the Nikon AF system.
Mr. Perry's book is an excellent source to learn the intricacies of the Nikon AF system.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for that.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

JD750 wrote:

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time. I am confused when reading in the manuals, about the focus system. For those who are not confused stop here.

For those who are new to high performance cameras or have never really understood the system, maybe this will help.

There are two types of Focus Options that must be selected: (1) Focus Mode (2) Focus Point Selection Mode
Note that I used the word mode in both cases.

(1) Focus Mode. There are 2 focus modes. Single and Continuous.
Single focus mode will focus then stop when the object is in focus. It will not refocus on it’s own.

Continuous focus mode runs continuously while the shutter or other button is engaged. If you or the subject move the system will refocus, as long as the button is pressed. Stop pressing the focus system stops. They call it lock but it doesn’t truly lock focus, it just stops leaving the lens sitting at the same focus point. If you release the button and move the subject will Go out of focus. (If you hold the button and move the system will refocus.)

(2) Focus Point Selection Mode. There are many focus point modes to choose from.
The focus point selection mode establishes how the focus point will be selected. There are x number of focus points. You can select groups of them, or one. You can can choose to do the focus point selection or you can let the camera select the focus point. You can tell the camera to track objects as they move toward or away from the camera, (tracking) or as they move Across the frame (3-d tracking).

The simplest way to start is select the the single focus point Mode. You move the focus point where you want it and the camera will focus there. I use that 90% of the time. Select the single focus point mode then try enabling different groups of focus points and note what happens.

If you want to learn more about the dynamic system, sit down with he camera and manual. Pick a mode. Select some object and focus on it. Get up and walk slowly toward it while keeping the focus system running (continuous focus). Stop the focus. Observe what happens. Re start it. Walk sideways, observe what happens. This is how you can learn about the camera focus system.

Most of all, have fun.

Hope that helps.

Feel free to add comments or corrections.

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time... (show quote)

sumo Loc: Houston suburb

Great explanation

tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois

JD750 wrote:

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time. I am confused when reading in the manuals, about the focus system. For those who are not confused stop here.

For those who are new to high performance cameras or have never really understood the system, maybe this will help.

There are two types of Focus Options that must be selected: (1) Focus Mode (2) Focus Point Selection Mode
Note that I used the word mode in both cases.

(1) Focus Mode. There are 2 focus modes. Single and Continuous.
Single focus mode will focus then stop when the object is in focus. It will not refocus on it’s own.

Continuous focus mode runs continuously while the shutter or other button is engaged. If you or the subject move the system will refocus, as long as the button is pressed. Stop pressing the focus system stops. They call it lock but it doesn’t truly lock focus, it just stops leaving the lens sitting at the same focus point. If you release the button and move the subject will Go out of focus. (If you hold the button and move the system will refocus.)

(2) Focus Point Selection Mode. There are many focus point modes to choose from.
The focus point selection mode establishes how the focus point will be selected. There are x number of focus points. You can select groups of them, or one. You can can choose to do the focus point selection or you can let the camera select the focus point. You can tell the camera to track objects as they move toward or away from the camera, (tracking) or as they move Across the frame (3-d tracking).

The simplest way to start is select the the single focus point Mode. You move the focus point where you want it and the camera will focus there. I use that 90% of the time. Select the single focus point mode then try enabling different groups of focus points and note what happens.

If you want to learn more about the dynamic system, sit down with he camera and manual. Pick a mode. Select some object and focus on it. Get up and walk slowly toward it while keeping the focus system running (continuous focus). Stop the focus. Observe what happens. Re start it. Walk sideways, observe what happens. This is how you can learn about the camera focus system.

Most of all, have fun.

Hope that helps.

Feel free to add comments or corrections.

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time... (show quote)

Good read

mainebrien

Steve Perry's Nikon Autofocus e-book is by far the best I've read. He clearly explains each item complete with clear images. It is a great reference. I'm constantly referring back to it.

He is a straight shooter and tells you if something doesn't work as well as Nikon claims.

IcemanKS Loc: RI USA

After I turn on my Nikon’s I’m confused 😲
Thank you for taking the time to share.....
iCE

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

cameraf4 wrote:

Just wondering, have you checked-out Steve Perry's book? Great info there.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

JD750 wrote:

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time. I am confused when reading in the manuals, about the focus system. For those who are not confused stop here.

For those who are new to high performance cameras or have never really understood the system, maybe this will help.

There are two types of Focus Options that must be selected: (1) Focus Mode (2) Focus Point Selection Mode
Note that I used the word mode in both cases.

(1) Focus Mode. There are 2 focus modes. Single and Continuous.
Single focus mode will focus then stop when the object is in focus. It will not refocus on it’s own.

Continuous focus mode runs continuously while the shutter or other button is engaged. If you or the subject move the system will refocus, as long as the button is pressed. Stop pressing the focus system stops. They call it lock but it doesn’t truly lock focus, it just stops leaving the lens sitting at the same focus point. If you release the button and move the subject will Go out of focus. (If you hold the button and move the system will refocus.)

(2) Focus Point Selection Mode. There are many focus point modes to choose from.
The focus point selection mode establishes how the focus point will be selected. There are x number of focus points. You can select groups of them, or one. You can can choose to do the focus point selection or you can let the camera select the focus point. You can tell the camera to track objects as they move toward or away from the camera, (tracking) or as they move Across the frame (3-d tracking).

The simplest way to start is select the the single focus point Mode. You move the focus point where you want it and the camera will focus there. I use that 90% of the time. Select the single focus point mode then try enabling different groups of focus points and note what happens.

If you want to learn more about the dynamic system, sit down with he camera and manual. Pick a mode. Select some object and focus on it. Get up and walk slowly toward it while keeping the focus system running (continuous focus). Stop the focus. Observe what happens. Re start it. Walk sideways, observe what happens. This is how you can learn about the camera focus system.

Most of all, have fun.

Hope that helps.

Feel free to add comments or corrections.

I have been shooting Nikon cameras for a long time... (show quote)

That’s pretty much the way the manual explains it.