I don't understand focus

keller · Dec 17, 2005

I've been taking pictures for a month or so, but one thing I never got is focus.

I've noticed some of my photos seem to have blurry details, I guess this is the result of poor focus?

But the problem is, how do I control focus? With manual focus, do I just aim the camera at the object I want to photograph?

PlasticSpanner · Dec 17, 2005

What camera are you using?

Hertz van Rental · Dec 18, 2005

With manual focus you have to aim the camera at the subject and turn the focussing ring on the lens until the subject appears sharp.
With auto-focus the camera 'decides' what to focus on - and this is dictated by the system your camera uses and how it determines what the subject zone is.
Focussing in either mode is also helped and hindered by the aperture setting.
If a large aperture is used (small f-number) then only a small 'zone' is in focus at any one point so focussing needs to be accurate.
If a small aperture is used (large f-number) then a much larger 'zone' is in focus and so focussing isn't so critical.

PlasticSpanner · Dec 18, 2005

What Hertz said is correct if you're using an SLR or Rangefinder camera. If you're using a Compact then the manual focus is likely to be in the menu and controlled by up/down buttons or a scroll wheel. (I don't know many Compacts though!)

Hertz van Rental · Dec 18, 2005

Of course, the blurry detail could have another cause like camera shake.
What camera are you using and could you post a pic to show what you mean?

keller · Dec 19, 2005

After examining the camera, it seems like what I was doing wasn't the manual focus. I had just turned the autofocus on the centre frame, which was why the photos weren't turning out well. The actual manual focus is an entirely different function, and I don't seem to have any problems with it.

Boy I feel kinda stupid now :blushing: I didn't even realise MF meant "manual focus"