Focus area selection on Nikon D40
Coz21
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When I set the focus area selection to Closet Subject, why do different squares in the middle flash red each time I move the camera and re-focus? It's not always the same square that flashes.
And which square are you supposed to place over the subject you want in focus? The middle one?
When taking a portrait, I usually place the middle square over an eye, so the eyes are in focus, but then sometimes one of the end squares will flash.
It doesn't explain this properly in the manual.
I was going to use Single Area, but if I focus on the subject, then recompose, it re-focuses on something else.
It was more straight forward on my film SLR - I just placed the middle of the viewfinder on what I wanted in focus.
And which square are you supposed to place over the subject you want in focus? The middle one?
When taking a portrait, I usually place the middle square over an eye, so the eyes are in focus, but then sometimes one of the end squares will flash.
It doesn't explain this properly in the manual.
I was going to use Single Area, but if I focus on the subject, then recompose, it re-focuses on something else.
It was more straight forward on my film SLR - I just placed the middle of the viewfinder on what I wanted in focus.
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These auto-focus modes are too smart for their own good most of the time - what they consider the ideal focus point isn't usually the same point that you want to use . . .
Then shoot on P/A/S/M instead of auto.
Compose your photo, decide what you want in focus, then select the focus point which is nearest.
By the sounds of it you have the camera to automatically set the AF point which it thinks is correct. Which often isn't the case. Best to manually select the point you want to correspond with the area you want in focus. This is much easier than it sounds and probably one of the best things you can learn to improve on your images' composition.
Thank you! That's what I needed it on. It's a pity it doesn't give you that option on auto. Now I'll have to use it on P,A,S or M. At least I'll only have to adjust the aperture everytime - everything else should stay the same.
Thanks - I've got it sorted now.