Nikon Autofocus Tutorial (Part 3)

[jrswordfish1]

thanks for the tutorial. really appreciate the effort in putting together this segment.

[MrRudyc]

Really gonna miss u Joey....You are the best there is. How did you acquire all the info on Nikon equipment? I read the manual and reread the manual, but I still learn from you! Thanks again, and stay well...........

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We simply interpret the information from user manuals, it's that simple.

[koamax]

Thank you! I will try it tomorrow morning. Question? Would that be the same as shooting parallel to a group of people at the same distance? Aperture at 5.6

[Lilkiwiguy87]

When shooting a group of people, you're supposed to be standing parallel to them, otherwise, the front and back bunch of people will be slightly out of focus. Simply use a wide angle lens, step back a little, set your focusing on the middle row (if there is one), and then set F/5.6 or F/8.0. Process the RAW files in Capture NX2 for maximum resolution. Voila.

[koamax]

Awesome Video! I have a question for you. I am shooting with a Nikon D200 with a nikon dx 17-55 2.8 lens. The object is in focus when I'm shooting but when I edit the photos I noticed the left side of photo is not as focus as the right side. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Need your help! Thanks

[Lilkiwiguy87]

• Is your subject flat and takes up the entire frame?

• Are you shooting parallel to your subject if it's flat?

• Are you using a small aperture?

If yes to all of the above, you might have misaligned glass element in your 17-55mm. Simply rotate the focusing ring around several times in the same direction until you hear clicking. At least 5 full turns required to hear clicking. Once heard, test the lens again to make sure both sides are in focus (when shooting parallel to a flat object).

[aiwayamaha]

Great video. Really helped. Just got stuck on all the af Ae etc at the end

[LyubovS8]

Excellent Tutorial.You should teach digital SLR photography class. The success of great photograph if you know your camera. You could have class in your studio, and people will pay money to know what you know.Very clear message with a lot of details. I bought Nikon D300s few days ago, and I was confuse about focus, metering system. Nobody early know the answer, not in Nikon Inc, not in camera store. You have the answer to my questions. Thank you.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Hah, thanks for the compliments. Actually, we don't teach a photography 101 class. We teach as professors in photography boot camp to prepare working photographers for the real fields (for the press like AP, National Geographic, Time, NYT, LAT, etc.). Better pay than teaching photography 101 class.

[LyubovS8]

@Lilkiwiguy87

it is great. Where we could find information about photography boot camp to prepare working photographers for the real fields (for the press like AP, National Geographic, Time, NYT, LAT, etc.) I have been press photographer for 20 years. Using DSLR is like using new computer software and it is so different that 35 mm camera in 1990. Please post the link and I will forward it to my friends press photographers. I just bough Nikon D300s , and your tutorial is great help.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Sorry, no link; it is a private class and we get referrals only.

[naughtykini]

haha im not sure, that's why i asked. I rented it to try out coz im rather frugal. it's my 1st trial on portraiture tho. i wanted to UP the f-stop to ensure both subjects r in focus but din want to include too much details from the background.

alright i will just try out n learn more.

thanks

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Use F/2.8 instead, find a non-distracting background, move your subjects far away from the background, step in a little, press the DOF Preview button to check to make sure your subjects are in focus, and then shoot. Yes, it takes a lot of practice.

[naughtykini]

hi just finished watching all 3 parts. great video and has been helpful! Would like to learn about focusing on multiple subjects, say: portrait of 2 persons or more or a group. it also depends on the aperture (DOF) right? i'm trying nikon 85m f1.4 for portrait lately, and found challenging to keep 2 persons all in focus (usually only one is).

i used single point and AF-S.

hope you can advise?

Thanks.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uhm, are you sure you know how to use an expensive lens like that?

Basic DOF 101: Low apertures (high ƒ/#) equals to more DOF. High apertures (low ƒ/#) equals to less DOF. Your 85mm ƒ/1.4 isn't designed for more DOF and starts to lose the image quality at F/5.6. However! At the SAME aperture (i.e. F/2.8): the closer you are to your subject, the less DOF and the further away you are, the more DOF.

Here's a workaround: Use F/4.0, step a couple of feet back, shoot, then crop. Voila.

[catchlight2011]

Hi, I've been watching your videos, thanks!

I've seen someone asking how to have each person in focus in a group. Do you have a specific tutorial on this?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Wide angle lens, set for F/8.0, step back, shoot, then crop. Voila.

[catchlight2011]

yes, of course, I do know that you need to work wide angle and set up the F for at least F/8.0, but I do want to know which are the best focus settings. And for a group portrait you mostly do like to have everyone in focus!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You do not need to worry about getting everyone in focus with a wide angle lens at low apertures because everything beyond 2-3 feet will be in focus. If, unreasonably, still concerned, these will do:

• Set for AF-C.

• Set for Single Point AF.

• AF-C Priority Selection set for Focus (only).

• Focusing Tracking with Lock-on set for OFF.

• Focus on the center row of the group (if more than one row).

• Shoot in RAW then sharpen via post process using Nikon Capture NX2.

[lisnagrot]

Hi,

I must say this is one of the best series of videos I`ve seen. All well explained while listening to nice soft background music for a change. I did not grasp it all first time around but I know I can go back and study those areas I`m not sure about. Really a lot of effort has been put into this and offered up for free for which you must be thanked and congratulated for doing this.

[MandrakeCigars]

Thanks for these vids. I'm used to using the Canon EOS series but recently picked up a D700. These vids make it easier to get used to.

[writeDVD]

I wish I'd discovered your instructional videos earlier. You explain important features very clearly. Thank you!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You're welcome. Not to worry, these videos aren't going anywhere so take all the time needed. :)

[writeDVD]

Um, Do we Wrap or do we Warp focus?

Nice music, nice production. Excellent tutorial.

Do not depend on Spellcheck. It may warp your message.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Hah, this video is almost two years ago and we didn't notice the typo. Thanks for the heads-up, we will update the video description.

[whmitty]

Thanks. Nice thorough descriptions. Also, thank you for providing civil sounding music as opposed to the raucous noise 99% of the other videos on YouTube seem to favor.

[CharlieT305]

Great job man....Thank god for people like you because usually people who tend to know more than others keep it to themselves to get ahead but you have a good heart bro. Keep them coming please lol

[beltsazardaniel]

thank u...great tutorial!!!!

[zodiac13h]

VERRY helpfull, thanks for doing this!

[nunnstar002]

Fantastic quick information that is to the point and easy to read. Keep up the great vids. Thanks

[SchweizerStolz]

Thanks, very helpful- however, I'm still not 100% sure which combination would be the best for shooting JUST single person portraits ?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Set camera for AF-Continuous Servo AF (AF-C), AF-C Priority Selection set to Focus Only, Focus Tracking with Lock-On set to Off, and Single Point AF, shoot, done.

[SchweizerStolz]

. . . you're awesome, thanks !

[junaid20i]

@Lilkiwiguy87

You have taken or booked your place in heaven now because you are such a helpful person..Great Tutorial.

[kampay0110]

hi, just bought a D700 and am glad almost all the features of D3 are identical. you're tutorials are simply effective. this is what i really need esp. to a newbie like me. i could follow the steps. hope to catch some of the featured videos of nikon... and many thanks to you.

[spimages]

hi , i have a D3 and i want to change the brightness of the focus point illumination but in my menu it only gives an option for on or off and no option for brightness,is this because i still have firmware v 1.0 ?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Unfortunately, you already missed the Firmware Update 1.0A and 1.1B because it is the firmware update that allows you to adjust the AF illumination brightness. It is now Firmware Update 2.01A / 2.01B, the AF illumination brightness is not available in the latest firmware update. You can try looking for it on Google.

[condyk]

Very, very nice job and thanks for contributing your time and knowledge so freely. Much appreciated.

[galleryluo]

Much better for me too than the manuals. Thanks a million!

[gomatube]

amazing tutorials, I bought a D60 to start studying Photography and your videos are helping a loot

[wendejelo]

you did a very good job. thanks for the help!

[ncsherpa]

Thanks very much. I just bought D90 and was not sure of so many buttons. (I am long time returner in to SLR. Last time I used a SLR was about 13 years ago! with the film rolls)

Hope more tips will come in the coming days.

[pedalman]

thank you from me too, I have read the manual 'till my brain is fried, I write things down on paper but the next day I cant remember it all........a picture paints a thousand words .

maybe in this 21st century paper manuals should be forgotten and DVDs like this supplied instead.

Thanks again, I just cant describe how much clearer everything is now.

[cherlyema]

Thank you very much for your help. this is very helpful for new beginner to learn photographer.

[angelzuhayr]

As usual very helpful. U are a good teacher. Thanks a lot for sharing dude.

[jeremy16ph]

I appreciate this three part video on AF, Very helpful. Thank you for sharing.