Nikon Autofocus Tutorial (Part 1)

[tcuk]

I'm surprised there aren't more of these range finder tutorials on Youtube. I believe the D3100 has a bit more upgraded range finder where it shows two or three point out off focus on each side (6 in total) ...kind of like a ruler on either side instead of just two arrows.

[superkiwizorro]

@tcuk you got it mixed up. the electric rangefinder on d3100 is on lower left corner. the ruler thingy is your camera's meter.

[tcuk]

by the way how accurate is the rangefinder vs the old school split prism focus screens?

[superkiwizorro]

@tcuk split prism FTW.

[tcuk]

Thanks for explaining how the range finder works. I was thinking of changing the focus screen to the old style split prism but I think this should serve my purpose on a D3100 and a AF-D type lens.

[superkiwizorro]

@tcuk sorry to disappoint ya, d3100 can't let you take the focusing screen out. katz optics can do it for you but it'll violate the nikon's warranty. if your camera is having a problem, nikon won't touch it unless you pay up front.

[noobzincereal]

is there continuous auto focus on the nikon d90? please reply

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The answer is on page 54 of your D90 user's manual.

[PhuNguyen88]

@Lilkiwiguy87 Sometimes ppl just needs an instantly answer ! Reading the book is one option that most of us really dont like to do, except the book worms.

[JPp1988]

@noobzincereal if you cant answer this to your own sell the D90 and go to a real consumer cam, you will have more fun..

[zarolhovski]

yes



[Johnmacker1939]

Many thanks, everything is simple when you know how.

Love your tutorials.

John

[Fajardo1216]

Would you please advise me on how to silence the shutter on my Nikon D90 camera. I was recently at a horse show and the shutter disturbed the rider who was doing her test for the judge.  Upon exiting the arena, the rider informed me that the shutter sound on my Nikon was too loud. P

PLEASE help? Thank you

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Sorry, you cannot quiet down the shutter because it is mechanical and it is 'as it is'. Only two options: Rent a Sound Blimp for the D90 (big, bulky, expensive, uncomfortable, but does the job) or rent a D3100 or D5000 (they have quieter mechanical shutter engines).

[mrsphotoholic]

Thanks for a great video that keeps you entertained as well as learning....am I correct now in thinking that I can not use my Prime 50mm AF on my Nikon D90 unless its in AF-M?

I've just upgraded from the D60 so this is all new to me....I dont think I have AF-M???

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF can focus automatically on the D90.

No, D90 does not have AF-M but a AF and M switch by the lens' mount.

Please read your D90 User's Manual.

[brainaholic]

Finally a good video .Other try to "teach" but is more blah, blah, blah than real info. This video is clear and instructive for its purpose!

[eatmahballs]

nice music

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Show what?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uh, you just contradicted yourself by saying it shows only after a photograph is being taken and now it don't? Do you mean LiveView (where you view your photograph "live" before capturing)? If so, your D80 do not have it.

[MisssLadyRose]

okay say i was sittin infront of the camera while it on a tripod reviewing a product && i bring it close to the camera wil it focus.. could u please put up a demo video of object being put up close to the nikon d5000

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Oh, oh, while recording a movie that is. No, there is no auto focusing while recording a movie. You have to get your subject in focus first before start recording.

On page 50 of your D5000 user's manual, it states, "Frame the opening shot and press the shutter release button halfway. Shooting can not begin until the camera has focused. Autofocus is not available after recording begins; use manual focus to focus during recording"

There's your answer, have someone focus manually for you.

[MisssLadyRose]

how do u like it? im planninh on gettin one but i hurd when u put it on a tripod and record n dont touch it.. when it comes to you bringing things close to the lense it wont focus.. please help me... any advice? thanks for the this vid.. would you be able to do a test video of you having the cam just standing recording && u place object closer && at different distances? espesh rly close? thanks so much i would really appreciate it ^_^

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uhm, we don't even understand what you're trying to say. Please explain with better information, thanks.

[alibalkwill]

Hi there thankyou so much for your videos!! Can you give me some advice please, I have a D300s and wonder what auto focus setting you recommend for wedding photography??? any help so appreciated! Cheers

[Lilkiwiguy87]

1) Use AF-C (Continuous Servo AF).

2) Set a1 (AF-C Priority Selection) for Focus only.

3) Set a2 (AF-S Priority Selection) for Focus only if you want to use AF-S (Single Servo AF).

4) Set a4 (Focus Tracking with Lock-on) for OFF.

5) Use Single Point AF (not Dynamic / Auto Area AF)

Shoot away.

[Vishms06]

Hi,

Thanks for this video.

I have got a question on auto focus.

I want to what are the advantages of using S-AF over C-AF. It seems like C-AF can do everything that S-AF does. Still is there any advantage of using S over C?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

In "S" mode, the camera focuses then locks to allow you trigger the shutter release button. In "C" mode, the camera focuses continuously (keeping the subject in focus as much as possible) until you trigger the shutter release button. For some models that has Focus Tracking with Lock-On, turn it off. For some models that has AF-S / AF-C Priority Selection, set for Focus Only. Please continue to next parts to learn more, thanks.

[xfilion]

Hi

I use AF-C but I noticed that when looking at the millimetre boxes in the 51 point matrix the only one lit up red was one down in the left hand corner. I have to put that onto the subject and drag it to the centre. What am I doing wrong?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Nothing's wrong. 1) When using 9 / 21 / 51 Points AF, only one primary AF point will be active while all other 8, 20, or 50 points are working in the "background". 2) You moved the AF point; just push the center button of multi-selector to reset it back to the center.

[xfilion]

@xfilion Thanks for the feedback. I altered the focus point as you prescribed and it worked perfectly. Thank you

[CyberJuanito]

Thanks, good tutorial, the text maybe too fast. Lovely music.

[gezzu83]

Interesting video, thank you. Music's quite interesting too!

[blackneno]

thanks for the warning! ive never known that! anyway, you recommended AF-C for most shooting situation, but since i have d90 and sometimes, af-c is kinda slow.....so what I have been using is af-s for the most situation. I only use af-c for "fast" moving subjects like kids, cars, or animal. Is it okay if i keep pressing shutter button for like... 5 times (with af-s) before take a shot. I, sometimes, do this when i'm taking picture of kids playing around.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Do you mean the opposite? AF-S is slower than AF-C because in AF-S mode, it will require you to press the shutter release button halfway down constantly while the AF-C does the same thing but faster and continuously refocusing until the subject is in focus then the camera will trigger away.

Not sure what lens you are using, AF-C will offer much faster autofocusing with AF-S(ilent Wave Motor) lenses with large apertures (F/2.8 or faster).

[jaquestraw1]

Very helpful tutorial, thank you!

[CallMeElune]

very cool music!

[sharkawien]

i have a nikon d60..right now i'm using the kits lense.. so, when i switch from A to M mode at the lense, is that ok for me to focus manually??? are there any severe damage at the autofocusing engine??? by the way, i'm newbie..

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, it is perfectly fine to do that, no damage at all.

[thudrock]

i have a nikon d60 and im loving it

i dont use the auto-focus cous its no fun for me

then i would not have spend 500 euro on a camera and 300 euros on a lens

but thats everybodys own choice

great video dude

[domdog31]

your tutorials are very helpful and beautifully put together! thanks again!

[torkee69]

thaaannks!

i have the d60.

i'm a bit of a noob on dslrs.

the d60 doesn't have AF-C right?..

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, D60 certainly support AF-C Drive. You need to read your D60's user's manual from page 1.

[richsmile376]

i totally agree=) hahaha

[mouimen]

thanks thankss ive learned something today :)

[berchman]

You're performing a great public service for Nikon owners with these free video tutorials. (And I love the jazz too.)