How to focus a DSLR camera manually? DSLR cameras are capable of capturing some amazing photos, but it can be difficult to take advantage of all their features without some instruction.
Even if you’ve been using a DSLR camera for a while, there’s a good chance that you’re not taking full advantage of its capabilities. Manual focus is one such feature that can make a big difference in the quality of your photos.
This guide by Edon Lazaj will show you how to focus your DSLR camera manually in just five simple steps. Once you learn how to do this, you’ll be able to take better photos with greater control and precision.
What is manual focus? How does it work?
Manual focus means that you, the photographer, control how your camera focuses on its subject. In contrast, autofocus (AF) systems in cameras let the camera do the work of focusing for you. With manual focus, you turn a dial or move a switch on the camera body or lens to tell the camera where to focus.
There are several reasons why you might want to use manual focus instead of autofocus. One common reason is that autofocus can sometimes have trouble locking onto the right thing – especially if your subject is moving around or if there’s not much contrast between it and the background. In these situations, manual focus gives you more control over what your camera is actually focusing on.
Another reason to use manual focus is for creative effect. You can create a shallow depth of field (blurry background) by focusing close to your subject, or a large depth of field (everything in focus from foreground to background) by focusing far away. These effects are difficult or impossible to achieve with an autofocus system.
Differences between manual and autofocus on a camera lens
The main difference between manual and autofocus on a camera lens is how the focus is achieved. With manual lenses, the photographer must rotate the focus ring on the lens barrel to achieve focus. With AF lenses, there is a motor in the lens that will move the internal optics to achieve focus when activated by the camera.
How to focus a DSLR camera manually?
Step-by-step guide to focus a DSLR camera manually
- Set your camera to MF or M. On most DSLRs, this is done by turning a dial on the top of the camera. The exact location and design of the dial varies from one camera to another, but it should be clearly labeled with an “M” or something similar.
- Locate the focus ring on your lens. This is the large, knurled ring at the front of the lens. In most cases, you’ll need to pull back on this ring (towards the camera body) to disengage the autofocus mechanism before you can turn it manually.
- Point your camera at your subject and look through the viewfinder. You should see a small square in the center of the viewfinder. This is the area that your camera will focus on.
- Rotate the focus ring until your subject comes into focus. In most cases, you’ll want to rotate the ring clockwise to bring things into focus, but this varies depending on the lens.
- Take the picture! Once you’ve got your subject in focus, all you need to do is press the shutter button half-way down to lock in the focus, then press it all the way down to take the picture.
With practice, you’ll get a feel for how much you need to turn the focus ring to achieve the desired effect. In general, it’s best to make small adjustments until you get things just right. If you turn the focus ring too far, you may end up overshooting your mark and having to start over again.
When should you use manual focus
Low light
In low light, autofocus can sometimes have trouble locking onto the right thing.
Astrophotography
When taking photos of the stars, you’ll want to use manual focus.
Pre-Focusing
If you know where your subject is going to be, you can pre-focus on that spot and then wait for them to enter the frame.
Tricky subjects
Subjects that are far away, very close, or moving around can be tricky for autofocus to lock onto. In these cases, manual focus gives you more control over what your camera is actually focusing on.
Shallow depth of field
For a shallow depth of field (blurry background), you’ll need to focus close to your subject. This is difficult or impossible to achieve with an autofocus system.
Studio settings
In a studio setting, you may want to use manual focus so that your camera doesn’t accidentally focus on something else in the room.
Next, we will walk through some tips of using manual focus to get sharp results.
Tips of using manual focus to get sharp results
It can be tricky to get sharp results with manual focus, but there are a few things you can do to help:
- Use live view mode. This will allow you to see a magnified image of your subject on the LCD screen, making it easier to focus accurately.
- Use back button focusing. This technique involves assigning the autofocus function to a button other than the shutter button. That way, you can half-press the shutter button to activate the autofocus, and then press the back button to lock in the focus before taking the photo.
- Use zoom assist. Many cameras have a zoom assist feature that temporarily zooms in on your subject when you half-press the shutter button (or turn the focus ring). This can be a helpful way to fine-tune your focus.
- Use peaking. This is a feature that highlights the edges of objects that are in focus, making it easier to see when you’ve achieved sharpness.
- Use Camera-Assisted Manual Focus. This is a feature that uses the camera’s autofocus system to help you focus manually. It’s not available on all cameras, but it can be a helpful way to get sharp results.
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you use manual focus, the easier it will become. Start with stationary subjects. Once you’re comfortable with manual focusing, you can move on to more challenging subjects like moving objects or low light scenes.
- Set the diopter. The diopter is a knob on the viewfinder that allows you to adjust the focus of the viewfinder itself. This can be helpful if you’re having trouble seeing the subject clearly through the viewfinder.
- Magnify the image. Many cameras have a magnify feature that allows you to zoom in on the image after you’ve taken it. This can be helpful for checking the sharpness of your photo.
- Focus wide-open. When setting the focus, try to use the widest aperture setting (smallest f-number) on your lens. This will give you the most accurate focus.
- Use a tripod. A tripod will help keep the camera steady, giving you a better chance of getting a sharp photo.
- Take multiple shots. When in doubt, take several shots at different focus settings. This way, you’re sure to get at least one sharp photo.With practice, you’ll get a feel for how much you need to turn the focus ring to achieve the desired effect.
- Use hyperfocal distance focusing. This is a technique that allows you to get sharp results from front to back by focusing at a specific distance.
- Focus and move the camera. This is a technique that allows you to focus on one subject and then move the camera to recompose the shot.
F.A.Q how to focus a DSLR camera manually
How do you manually adjust focus on a DSLR?
To manually adjust focus on a DSLR, you’ll need to set the camera to manual focus mode. Once you’ve done that, you can turn the focus ring on the lens to achieve the desired effect.
How do I manually focus my camera?
Follow these steps to manually focus your camera:
- Set the camera to manual focus mode.
- Locate the focus ring on the lens.
- Turn the focus ring until the image is sharp.
- Take the photo.
- Repeat as needed.
How can I focus better manually?
There are a few things you can do to help you focus better manually. Use live view mode, use back button focusing, use zoom assist, or use peaking. Practice, practice, practice! The more you use manual focus, the easier it will become.
How do you focus a DSLR camera?
There are a few different ways to focus a DSLR camera. You can use the autofocus system, manual focus, or a combination of both. If you’re using autofocus, you’ll need to half-press the shutter button to activate it. Then, you can press the shutter button all the way down to take the photo. If you’re using manual focus, you’ll need to turn the focus ring on the lens until the image is sharp. Then, you can press the shutter button to take the photo.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! Now that you know how to focus a DSLR camera manually, put your new skills into practice. Experiment with different distances and objects, and see which settings work best for the type of photography you want to do. And as always, be sure to leave comments if you have any questions. We love getting feedback from our readers, and we’re always happy to help out.