Manual Focus Help

[jeremyamayora]

I have a d3100 and a lens that doesn't have a motor. So i have to manual focus it. Its a great lens and im some what good a focusing it in bright light. but in low light i suck is there are way or tips anyone has to manual focus in low light as well as just using manual focus all together? Thanks

 

[jeremyamayora]

I have a d3100 and a lens that doesn't have a motor. So i have to manual focus it. Its a great lens and im some what good a focusing it in bright light. but in low light i suck is there are way or tips anyone has to manual focus in low light as well as just using manual focus all together? Thanks

Any help

 

[Big Mike]

Check to see if your focus confirmation light will work. It's the circular green dot in the viewfinder, it lights up when you have achieved focus.

 

[KmH]

Have you read the user's manual?

Your D3100 has a feature that helps you focus manually. (hint: page 144 - Rangefinder)

Even auto focus has trouble in low light. So you can use a flashlight to light up what you want to focus on when there is not a lot of light. Focus, turn off the flashlight, release the shutter.

As Mike mentioned, the AF 50 mm f/1.8D sends (D)distance information to the camera's auto focus module. The D3100 just doesn't have a way to turn the focus ring on the lens, and you have to do that. But the D40/D40x/D60/D3000/D3100/D5000/D5100 will light the in-focus indicator in the viewfinder when focus has been achieved manually at the selected viewfinder focus point.

Note: Any AF, f/x.xD lens works the same way.

 

[ph0enix]

See this post:
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...oto-gallery/264613-unable-focus-manually.html

 

[DiskoJoe]

Just keep practicing. Also a motor with high ISO capabilities helps. But I would definitely recommend more practice.

 

[o hey tyler]

Just keep practicing. Also a motor with high ISO capabilities helps. But I would definitely recommend more practice.

How does having a motor (wtf? Do you mean body?) with high ISO capabilities help when manual focusing through the viewfinder? This makes no sense.

 

[jeremyamayora]

Thanks guy I will look in when I get off thanks again.

 

[Jesse11]

if you absolutely have to use auto focus in low light...get a small laser pointer and shine it on your subject ( not the eyes !!!) and let your auto focus focus on that.
Personally I think manual focus is much better in low light

 

[KmH]

For using auto focus in low light the D3100 has an AF-Assist light built-in.

The AF-Assist light does not funnction in manual focus mode. But, the OP could sure go to the AF-Assist menu ansd set it to on and see if it lights up with the AF 50 mm f/1.8D mounted.

 

[jeremyamayora]

if you absolutely have to use auto focus in low light...get a small laser pointer and shine it on your subject ( not the eyes !!!) and let your auto focus focus on that.
Personally I think manual focus is much better in low light

I can only manually focus.

 

[KmH]

Yes. But other people that also have the D3100 and AF-S lenses also read the thread.

In fact most of the people that visit TPF and read the threads aren't members.

 

[jeremyamayora]

See this post:
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-beginners-forum-photo-gallery/264613-unable-focus-manually.html

This was a great help I'm goin to try today

 

[jeremyamayora]

Yes. But other people that also have the D3100 and AF-S lenses also read the thread.

In fact most of the people that visit TPF and read the threads aren't members.

Okkayy. I guess.

 

[jeremyamayora]

IT worked great guys thanks ill keep practicing and willl post pics this weekend thanks