Nikon D50 - Manual (Page 44)

34
Refer
ence—Choosing the Focus Ar
ea
Focus Lock
Focus lock can be used to focus on a subject that will not be in one of the fi ve
focus areas in the fi nal composition. It can also be used when the autofocus
system is unable to focus (
121). Single or dynamic area AF is recommended
when using focus lock ( 89).
The AF-Assist Illuminator
If the subject is poorly lit, the AF-assist illuminator will
light to assist the focus operation when the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway. The AF-assist illumi-
nator is not available in or mode or when Off is
selected for Custom Setting 7 (AF Assist).
For the AF-assist illuminator to function correctly, the lens must have a focal
length of 24–200 mm and the subject must be in range of the illuminator (0.5–
3 m/1´8˝–9´10˝). Lens hoods should be removed.
1 Position the subject in the center focus area and
press the shutter-release button halfway.
2 Check that the in-focus indicator (
●) appears in
the viewfi nder. Focus will lock when the in-focus
indicator appears, and remain locked while the
shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Focus
can also be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-L but-
ton while the shutter-release button is pressed
halfway. Focus will remain locked while the AE-L/
AF-L button is pressed, even if you later remove
your fi nger from the shutter-release button.
3 Recompose the photograph and shoot. Do not
change the distance between the camera and
subject while focus lock is in effect.
Taking Multiple Photographs Without Refocusing
Focus will remain locked between shots if the shutter-release button is kept
pressed halfway. In continuous mode (
21), focus will remain locked if the AE-
L/AF-L button is kept pressed between shots.
Advanced Settings
14: AE-L/AF-L controls the function performed by the AE-L/AF-L button ( 98).