Focus Modes in Digital Cameras

By co-admin | In: Photography | No Comments

15 October 2009

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While some of the least expensive digital cameras have only automatic focus, meaning the camera does all the work on bringing your subject into the best possible focus, most SLR digitals offer three different focus modes: manual, single auto focus and continuous auto focus. All three of these will be addressed here.

With manual focus, the camera stays out of the focus equation and you, the photographer, make all the decisions regarding this. This is done actually using an attached focusing ring that rotates on the camera lens or by setting different buttons. This is the best focus mode, for those who like to have complete creative control of the finished product.

In single auto focus mode, the camera automatically focuses when you press the shutter button either all the way down to shoot a photo or half way down to lock the focus.These modes is useful when shooting static objects.

The camera continuously focuses on the objects in the photo in continuous auto focus.In this mode camera continuously corrects the focus as the objects distance from the camera changes. This mode is useful when you shoot photos of moving objects such as airplanes during an air show or a race car during a race . You can hold the shutter button half way down and continuously move the camera to follow object. A camera would continuously keep the object in focus.

Like any other feature automatic and manual focus modes have their pros and cons. The first step to using them to your advantage is to understand how they work and what they were designed for. The next step is to experiment shoot photos using different focus modes and different types of objects and see how the camera behaves. Once you’ve done that you will be ready to instinctively use the best focus mode for each photo situation.