Autofocus not centering?

[GetCarter]

Well I've never used a D90 but on all my Nikons (D1, D1X, D2X, D3 & D50) there is a round button on the back of the camera which you use to set your focus point.

You should use it to set to something like:

+++
++[+]++
+++

But if you can't, it's broke!

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 11th July 22:20

[DamianBPhoto]

Nope, didn't do anything. But in the past I have accidentally rolled that button and it has never changed anything. In the system menu it says I need to hold AE-L/AF-L whilst moving that dial to change it.

[Simpo Two]

Not attacked Damien, but surely a prerequisite to going out and earning money by taking photos is to understand your camera fully? And if not fully, the to a level sufficient to complete the job?

DamianBPhoto said:

A couple of weekends ago I had to-do a portrait photo shoot. For about 4hours it worked absolutely fine but as the day started to wind off I clocked that it wasn't focusing any more. Since I had started the day I hadn't changed any settings I originally started off with, no need.

No, but things can be changed accidentally, particularly focus points. Part of being a 'pro' is to be able to figure things out in the field if they go wrong. You can't say to the 120 rosy-faced kids 'Oh hang on while I just log in to PH and ask for help'. You have to be able to solve issues on the spot.

DamianBPhoto said:

So I set-up the first shot, happy with the setting first time but when I went back to the car to check it I noticed it was all out of focus.

Why did you have to go back to the car to check the focus? How far would I get at a wedding if I had to go back to my car after every photo? I can check focus (and exposure) in full sun - like I had to many times yesterday whilst being boiled alive in Kent in front of 135 people!

DamianBPhoto said:

In the bright light they looked like they had focused fine (I did jump inside the boot and cover the screen).

If the D90 is anything like the D200, have a look under 'multifunction selector' and see what the centre press options are. One press will give you a 100% crop to check focus. Nothing to do with light.

DamianBPhoto said:

+++
+++++
+++

and what I was/am seeing is this

+[+]+
+++++
+++

or

++[+]
+++++
+++

If the D90 is anything like the D200, have a look under 'multifunction selector' and see what the centre press options are. One press will reset the AF point to the centre.

DamianBPhoto said:

If I have ever needed to focus on the far top right or top center prior I would either point it in that direction, point it in that direction - auto focus then switch it to manual or use live view and tell it where to focus if I wasn’t able to look through the view finder.

It works but it's slow and cumbersome. Semi-depress shutter release to lock focus then re-frame is 100x quicker.

DamianBPhoto said:

on the Nikon I have never taught myself/found the option through lack of need to. Now because I haven’t done that it doesn’t mean I don't know how to set-up any on the AF attributes. Just means I don't know how to select a single focal point.

Multifunction selector?

DamianBPhoto said:

Now, I managed to the option of “Focal point select” and it says hold AE-L/AF-L and rotate sub command dial so I have tried that and can not move it. I have tried a few of the different options combined with it and it will still not move.

Now the D90 might be different from the D200, but I really think your problems would be solved if you sat down for a few hours and worked your way through the manual. When you've done that, if it still doesn't work, then you can begin to think there may be a problem. But 9 times out of ten, it's simply ignorance or misunderstanding. DSLRs are complex beasts and certain things only work in certain modes. For example, if you shoot in Auto mode half the stuff won't work and the other half sets itself...

[forty-two]

Just had a look at the 3d view of a D90, it has a switch marked with a white dot and an 'L' as options.

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/products/product...

On my D300s which has a similar dial it is used to lock the focal point being the little red box you see through your view finder.

If yours has moved to 'L' then move it off and see if the red box moves once more.

[Simpo Two]

forty-two said:

Just had a look at the 3d view of a D90, it has a switch marked with a white dot and an 'L' as options.

Yep, it prevents the AF point being moved accidentally.

I expect it says so in the manual...

[forty-two]

Simpo Two said:

forty-two said:

Just had a look at the 3d view of a D90, it has a switch marked with a white dot and an 'L' as options.

Yep, it prevents the AF point being moved accidentally.

I expect it says so in the manual...

Yep, it does say that in my manual... Funnily enough I read mine and still find I am re-reading parts...

[4hero]

You guys read the manual(s)? I knew I was doing something wrong

[DamianBPhoto]

Simpo Two said:

Not attacked Damian, but surely a prerequisite to going out and earning money by taking photos is to understand your camera fully? And if not fully, the to a level sufficient to complete the job?

Thats a very fair point and something I can't argue with. I had taught myself a certain way of doing it and not bothered to learn any other way of doing it but in my naivety I got caught off guard.

Simpo Two said:

Why did you have to go back to the car to check the focus? How far would I get at a wedding if I had to go back to my car after every photo? I can check focus (and exposure) in full sun - like I had to many times yesterday whilst being boiled alive in Kent in front of 135 people!

Well thats was your choice. The car was about 15 foot from me, so why not?

Simpo Two said:

If the D90 is anything like the D200, have a look under 'multifunction selector' and see what the centre press options are. One press will give you a 100% crop to check focus. Nothing to do with light.

If the D90 is anything like the D200, have a look under 'multifunction selector' and see what the centre press options are. One press will reset the AF point to the centre.

I can't spot the crop option on mine but I have now managed to move it back to the center, so thankyou for that.

Simpo Two said:

It works but it's slow and cumbersome. Semi-depress shutter release to lock focus then re-frame is 100x quicker.

I didn't realise you could do that, cheers for the tip.

Simpo Two said:

Now the D90 might be different from the D200, but I really think your problems would be solved if you sat down for a few hours and worked your way through the manual. When you've done that, if it still doesn't work, then you can begin to think there may be a problem. But 9 times out of ten, it's simply ignorance or misunderstanding. DSLRs are complex beasts and certain things only work in certain modes. For example, if you shoot in Auto mode half the stuff won't work and the other half sets itself...

Don't get me wrong, I haven't just picked up a camera and hoped for the best. I originaly started learning Film SLR at College and Uni. Prior to my DSLR I did own the Fuji hybrid and before I bought my camera I downloaded every movie guide I could get my hands on and watched and learnt as much as I could with my spare time as well as reading through the book and going through the menus but unfortunately you can't learn everything.

[Killwilly]

rottie102 said:

I'm sorry but that's just incredible - you call yourself a professional photographer, you run a professional photography company according to your website and you don't know how to / you never did change the AF points in your camera from auto???? How do you manage to get any shots done?? It's a serious question, not a rant, I'm really curious now.

I totally agree. I am a complete novice/idiot with my Canon 450D, but at least I know how to alter the focus and meter points.

[itsnotarace]

Thanks for the lulz

[Simpo Two]

DamianBPhoto said:

Simpo Two said:

Why did you have to go back to the car to check the focus? How far would I get at a wedding if I had to go back to my car after every photo? I can check focus (and exposure) in full sun - like I had to many times yesterday whilst being boiled alive in Kent in front of 135 people!

Well thats was your choice.

It has never, ever, occured me to go to the car to check focus! I presume you do this because you can't see the monitor in bright light. How can I check focus in bright light then? If you haven't discovered the 100% zoom/crop view (assuming the D90 has it) you can't judge focus by looking at the monitor anyway. Look in the index under custom functions.

I check almost every photo I take for exposure and focus and it takes 3-4 seconds regardless of ambient light. Which is handy as the car can be 400 yards away

Whilst a DSLR has all the aspects of actual photography in it (aperture, shutter speed etc) which you would have learned about as a student, there are many many layers of gubbins round them, and I think you may have jumped from the basics on a Zenit to auto on a DSLR and missed the bit in the middle. A DSLR is not a magic machine, it needs to be driven, and the better you understand it, the better you can drive it - and figure out what to do when it throws a googly at you.

[ofcorsa]

forty-two said:

Simpo Two said:

forty-two said:

Just had a look at the 3d view of a D90, it has a switch marked with a white dot and an 'L' as options.

Yep, it prevents the AF point being moved accidentally.

I expect it says so in the manual...

Yep, it does say that in my manual... Funnily enough I read mine and still find I am re-reading parts...

When I bought my 400D I bought the expanded guide rather then using the manual which I found a little dry

Edited by ofcorsa on Monday 12th July 11:02

[//dean]

Damian,

I believe this is your issue:

"I have changed the focusing point before (af-c, af-s, af-a)"

They're not points, they're modes:

AF-C = Autofocus Continuous (will track the object as it moves too and from the camera)
AF-S = Autofocus Single - Will autofocus once
AF-A = Autofocus automatic

For static photography, when using a tripod, you should default to AF-S. Set it all up, change the focus point.

So, using diagram below:

1. Set up composition, camera and object is static.
2. Move the focus point so that it is focussed where you want (if we're talking cars, usually the numberplate). To do this use the 'AF sensor selector'. If the focus point does not move, move the 'AF selector lock' to the white dot, this will allow you to move the focus point.
3. Now focus, by default it will beep or the red light which highlights the focus point will illuminate slightly.
4. If you're being anal, switch the 'AF selector lock' to the L sign, this will LOCK THE AUTOFOCUS.
5. Take photo.



More here: http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90/af-settings.htm

Edited by //dean on Monday 12th July 11:04

Edited by //dean on Monday 12th July 11:10

[itsnotarace]

//dean said:

Damian,

I believe this is your issue:

"I have changed the focusing point before (af-c, af-s, af-a)"

They're not points, they're modes:

AF-C = Autofocus Continuous (will track the object as it moves too and from the camera)
AF-S = Autofocus Single - Will autofocus once
AF-A = Autofocus automatic

No such thing as AF-A, it's C, S and M for manual

[//dean]

itsnotarace said:

//dean said:

Damian,

I believe this is your issue:

"I have changed the focusing point before (af-c, af-s, af-a)"

They're not points, they're modes:

AF-C = Autofocus Continuous (will track the object as it moves too and from the camera)
AF-S = Autofocus Single - Will autofocus once
AF-A = Autofocus automatic

No such thing as AF-A, it's C, S and M for manual

I suggest you look at a D90.



"AF-A (AF-Automatic)

AF-A is the default setting. It's my favorite because the D90 is so smart that it figures out if your subject is moving or still, and automatically selects the correct mode above for each shot!"

[itsnotarace]

Wow ok! Dumbing down taken to a whole new level. Thanks Nikon

[//dean]

itsnotarace said:

Wow ok! Dumbing down taken to a whole new level. Thanks Nikon

My thoughts exactly.

[andy-xr]

You've got the focus lock on the "L" button, should switch left or down and you'll be fine

[Elderly]

itsnotarace said:

Wow ok! Dumbing down taken to a whole new level. Thanks Nikon

If you think Nikon are dumbing down with DSLR autofocus, you should see the Pentax K-x DSLR;
there are NO visible AF points in viewfinder at all .

[Simpo Two]

ofcorsa said:

When I bought my 400D I bought the expanded guide rather then using the manual which I found a little dry

That's a good point. The manual tells you WHAT everything is, but not WHEN to use it. It assumes a certain amount of prior knowledge, but it's an instruction manual, not a guide on photographic technique - in the same way that the Owner's Handbook for a car doesn't tell you how to negotiate a roundabout!