​Understanding of focus and focus mode

When I was a child, I may have played with a magnifying glass in the open air. When I held the magnifying glass close to or away from the paper with my hand, canvas prints there was only one position that would make the spot of the sun smallest and most concentrated. This process of moving back and forth is actually focusing. The camera's lens also needs to be focused if it is to be accurate, and now it is up to teacher Herman to share tips on how to use different focusing modes.

The old camera needs to focus by hand just like we play magnifying glass, canvas photos online and the current digital SLR can use the camera's self-focusing system to help us focus, so you don't have to worry about not being able to focus by hand and not being able to focus correctly.

The new digital SLR is getting better and better. There are two things to know about focusing Settings: focus mode and focus selection.

Basic focus effort: focus lock

Autofocus (AF) can be started by simply pressing the shutter button during focusing operation. When the focus is confirmed, floating canvas frame the camera lights up a green light in the viewfinder for focus confirmation, beeps, and stops focusing. As long as you keep your finger half pressed on the button, the focal length will be locked in its current position, which is called a focus lock. The focus lock keeps the focal length between the subject and us at the moment, and allows us to reframe the image without losing focus.

What is half-pressed?

The shutter of the SLR camera is designed in two stages. When the user lightly presses the shutter button and feels a little pressure, the first stage will be activated. The SLR will start focusing and metering. In general, we call the state of starting the first section of switch "half press the shutter". After half press the shutter, the digital camera will start to focus, and after focusing, the object can be clearly photographed.

What is the focus mode?

Focusing mode is how the camera focuses. There are three common focusing modes, namely single-shot AF, Continuous AF and Manual Focus. Some of the focus mode switches are "C, S, M" next to the lens splice, while others are in the menu or on the top of the camera.

Single-shot AF

When the distance between the user and the subject is fixed and the object is static, a single autofocus can be used, which is also the most commonly used focus mode. Usually, you can't press the shutter button if the camera isn't focusing properly.

Single autofocus is suitable for occasions: still life, scenery, people, flowers... And so on.

Continuous AF

Continuous autofocus is commonly used in motion photography. When the camera is set to continuous autofocus, if the subject keeps moving towards the camera, as long as the photographer keeps the focus frame on the subject and keeps the action of half pressing the shutter button, the camera will continue to focus. Usually this mode of focusing works better with a continuous beat. In addition, in this mode, as long as the photographer presses the shutter button, the camera will take the photo, regardless of whether the main focus is accurate.

Continuous autofocus applications: sports, racing, dynamic object... And so on.

Manual focusing (MF)

Manual focus may be better in situations where the camera's autofocus isn't working well, such as when the scene is too dim and the subject lacks a clear area of contrast, like a monochrome wall shot through a net or cage, which can disable the camera's autofocus system.

Manual focusing is done manually by turning the focusing ring on the lens. To do manual focus, switch the mode to manual focus (depending on the Settings on the camera or the lens itself). Rotate the focus ring back and forth and make sure the subject is clear with the naked eye in the viewing window.

Manual focus: macro, dark places, any automatic focus is difficult to focus the place.

Any transformation of the focus area we need

Current SLR have multiple focus areas, users must understand how focus area of the operation and setting, won't happen choose the focus position of the camera, and we want the location of the different conditions, in general, SLR generally can be divided into three focus areas, wide area (to be automatic), dynamic and a single point.

Wide focus or autofocus: a quick freehand use

In this mode, the camera automatically selects the focus area that contains the subject closest to the camera. Usually, the camera is automatically set to this focusing mode when using the situational mode. If the user does not specify the advanced P, S, A and M modes, this mode is also used. In this mode, the user does not have the ability to determine the focus area, leaving it entirely up to the camera, so it is suitable for shooting general sketches, life records, or group photos.

Dynamic areas: dealing with a moving subject

The user can manually select the focus area, but even if the subject leaves the selected focus area temporarily, the camera will focus based on information from other focus areas. Used of subjects in irregular motion. Generally, when using "motion photography mode" in situational mode, the camera will automatically switch the focus mode to this mode.

When using P, S, A and M modes, if you want to shoot A moving theme, you can switch the focus mode to continuous focus and the focus area mode to dynamic to increase the probability of success.

Use the dynamic zone mode to capture moving subjects.

Single focus area: your most useful focus area mode

The user can use the focus area control. To select a specific single focus area, your selected focus area will be highlighted with a red dot, and the camera will focus only on the object in the focus area selected by the user. This is the most commonly used focus area mode and is recommended for static and most shooting situations, such as general portraits, large photo landscapes, etc.