Page 31 - CAMERA

PREFOCUSING

specific area you simply move a Using Back Button
rectangle around the frame using AF enables you to
the Multi selector, and then press switch between
static and moving
the Zoom button to magnify your
ADJUSTING subjects without
chosen section (up to 11x on the THE DIOPTER having to switch
Nikon D5, but less on older models). between AF-S and
Now all that’s left to do is to rotate Before using AF-C modes
the focusing ring on the lens until the viewfinder
the area appears sharp. (A for manual
navigation window appears at the focusing, check
bottom of the screen to help you
that the screen
see where you are in the frame.)
is as clear as it
Alternatively, if you decide to use
can be for your
the viewfinder to focus you will
eyesight. If you’re
need to look through the glass,
shortsighted or
adjust the diopter to suit your
longsighted you
eyesight (see box), and then turn
can compensate
the focusing ring until the clear
for this by looking
matte field appears sharp.
through the lens
If you need some help to
and rotating the
determine whether or not your
Diopter control
subject is in focus via the viewfinder, advanced prefocusing option. Back locking focus to initiating focus. To
you can activate the electronic until the AF Button Autofocus enables you to do this you must open the Custom
Rangefinder (located in the Custom brackets and text completely separate the focusing Settings menu and select AF-ON.
Settings menu). This tool uses the at the bottom of from the picture taking (using a Alternatively, if your camera has a
exposure indicator (the green lines the screen are different button for each job). It has dedicated AF-ON button you need
along the bottom of the screen) to sharp. Most built- two main advantages: it allows you to go into the Custom Settings
suggest whether or not the lens is in diopters can to focus the lens in advance of firing menu, select Autofocus, and choose
correctly focused. When the lines correct eyesight the shutter (saving you time and AF activation. In the submenu you
are to the left of the ‘0’ the focus from -1.7 to +0.5, improving accuracy), and it enables then select AF-ON only. With this
point is in front of the subject; and but you can buy you to switch between static and done, the AF-ON button is now
when the lines are to the right of the an Eyepiece moving subjects without having to entrusted with the sole job of
‘0’ the focus point is behind the Correction lens physically switch between AF-S focusing, and the shutter-release
subject. When one line falls either (Auto Focus Single Servo) and AF-C button has the sole job of opening
with strengths
side of the ‘0’ the subject is in focus. (Auto Focus Continuous Servo) the shutter.
from -5 to +3.
You need to adjust the focusing ring modes. Fewer buttons to push Let’s use the example of the
You can also
on the lens until this last state has means more time to concentrate golden eagle to demonstrate how
improve focusing
been achieved. (To use the on framing and the like. Back Button AF can be helpful. As
accuracy by using
Rangefinder feature you need to But before you go looking for a the bird comes into view you can
a Magnifier DG-2
attach a lens with an aperture of dedicated Back Button AF control hold down the AF-ON button and
(with Eyepiece
at least f/5.6.) on your camera, read on. In short, it follow its path. As soon as it arrives
Adapter DK-22), doesn’t have one. What you will see at the nest you can lift your thumb
How to prefocus which magnifies is an AE-L/AF-L button (on older off the AF-ON button to halt the
using Back Button AF the central area of Nikon DSLRs) or an AF-ON button focusing and hold down the
Once you’ve familiarised yourself the scene in the (on more recent models). If your shutter-release button to take a
with Focus Lock and Manual Focus viewfinder. camera has an AE-L/AF-L button series of images. Seconds saved,
you might like to try a more you need to change its role from shots secured. Simple.
THREE FOUR FIVE

Instruct the camera to shoot a burst of images by Place the focusing point over a part of the subject Continue to hold the AF-ON button down while you INTER VIEW B Y TRA C Y HALLETT
pressing the Release Mode button, and scrolling containing high contrast and/or fine detail. Activate follow the action. When you want to stop focusing,
through the options until you reach Continuous H. Back Button AF by pressing (and holding down) the remove your thumb. When you are ready to shoot a
Press OK. AF-ON button. series of images hold down the shutter-release button.

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