Nikon D100 Product Manual - Page 75

Taking Photographs-Focus Focus Controlling How the Camera Focuses This section describes the options that control how your camera focuses: focus mode, focus-area selection, and AF-area mode. Focus Mode Focus mode is controlled by the focus mode selector on the front of the camera. You can choose from two autofocus (AF) modes, in which the camera 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: Mode Description 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 S Single-servo AF shutter-release button (focus lock). The shutter can only be released when the in-focus indicator is displayed (focus priority). If your subject was moving when the shutter-release button was pressed halfway, 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. C Continuous- servo AF The camera adjusts focus continuously while the shutter-release button 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. 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. 63