Nikon D100 - Manual (Page 75)

Taking Photographs—Focus
63
Focus
Controlling How the Camera Focuses
This section describes the options that control how your camera focuses: fo-
cus mode, focus-area selection, and AF-area mode.
Focus Mode
Focus mode is controlled by the focus mode se-
lector on the front of the camera. You can choose
from two autofocus (AF) modes, in which the cam-
era focuses automatically when the shutter-release
button is pressed halfway, and one manual focus
mode, in which focus must be adjusted manually
using the focusing ring on the lens:
Choosing single-servo AF ensures a sharp, focused image. Continuous-servo
AF may be a better choice with erratically-moving subjects. Manual focus is
recommended when the camera is unable to focus using autofocus.
Mode Description
C
Continuous-
servo AF
The camera adjusts focus continuously while the shutter-release but-
ton is pressed halfway. If your subject moves, focus will be adjusted
to compensate (predictive focus tracking;
66). Photographs can
be taken whether or not the camera is in focus (release priority).
M
Manual
The camera does not focus automatically; focus must be adjusted
manually using the lens focusing ring. If the lens has a maximum
aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used
to confirm focus (electronic range finding), but photographs can be
taken at any time, whether or not the camera is in focus.
S
Single-servo
AF
The camera focuses when the shutter-release button is pressed half-
way. Focus locks when the in-focus indicator (●) appears in the view-
finder, and remains locked until you remove your finger from the
shutter-release button (focus lock). The shutter can only be released
when the in-focus indicator is displayed (focus priority). If your sub-
ject was moving when the shutter-release button was pressed half-
way, the camera will track the subject until focusing is complete and
the shutter can be released (predictive focus tracking;
66). If the
subject stops moving before the shutter is released, the in-focus indi-
cator will appear in the viewfinder and focus will lock at this distance.