Sony Alpha 100 - Manual (Page 7)

SNY_13156_ALPHA_A4_BRO SIZE: 210mm x 297mm ■ C ■ M ■ Y ■ K ■ PANTONE 1655
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SNY_13156_ALPHA_A4_BRO SIZE: 210mm x 297mm ■ C ■ M ■ Y ■ K ■ PANTONE 1655
12
Quick response
Responsive autofocus and high speed Eye-Start system
The 100 features a high speed autofocus
(AF) with all compatible system lenses.
Continuous advance shooting allows you to
shoot without interruption at up to three frames
per second until the memory card is full* – even
in full-resolution JPEG fine mode – so you can
keep on shooting to your heart's content.
In ‘Wide focus area’ mode, the 100
automatically selects optimum sections from
the nine individual focus points displayed in
the viewfinder, making it easier to capture
moving subjects.
Predictive focus control dynamically predicts
precise focus for moving subjects at the
moment the shutter is released. This makes
the
100 the perfect choice for sports and
action photography. You can also focus on
the centre of the frame only or select manually
from one of nine focus points.
*Dependent on removable media capacity and performance. Unlimited continuous advance shooting can only be achieved in
JPEG Fine or Standard quality mode and is not possible with Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo media.
Wide focus
area mode
Automatically
selects the
optimum from the
nine focus frames.
Focus frame
‘Fixed to centre’
Autofocusing is
always performed
using only the
centre of the focus
frame.
Focus frame
‘Local’
Easily selected
with the + key and
Spot AF button.
Infra-red sensor positioned below the
eyepiece detects when the photographer
looks through the viewfinder. The LCD
screen is switched off, and autofocus is
activated automatically.
Eye-Start AF can also
be deactivated via the
navigation menu.
Whether you opt to use
it is up to your own
personal preferences
and the demands of
each photographic
assignment.
Focusing is completed when
the camera’s lens is aimed at
the subject – assuring the
fastest possible response.
✔ High speed continuous advance shooting at up to three frames per second
✔ Capture fast-moving subjects with wide focus frame AF system
This mode is ideal for taking
photographs of scenery or still-life
where the subject is stationary.
After focusing with AF, focus stays
fixed at that position. To focus
again, press the shutter button
halfway down once more. As with AF-S, AF operation stops
when focusing is complete. In
this mode sharpness can be
'retouched' by manually rotating
the focus ring. Convenient if you
want to make final delicate
focusing adjustments – for
example in macro photography. Is the subject still or moving?
This mode automatically analyses
the scene and selects either AF-C
or AF-S. This gives the
convenience of not having to
worry about switching AF modes
when taking pictures of children,
pets or general snapshots.
Fast, positive focusing is easy
with four modes to suit any
scene and your creative
preferences. AF-S (Single AF)
mode keeps focus fixed at the
point where it’s been brought
into focus. AF-C (Continuous AF)
mode is ideal for keeping a
moving subject in continuous focus. AF-A mode selects
automatically between two
modes by assessing the scene.
A DMF (Direct Manual Focus)
mode can also be selected,
allowing you to focus manually
after AF is complete for fine-
tuning any scene to perfection.
This mode is suitable for sports
photography and other moving
subjects. By pressing the shutter
button halfway down, the subject
can be continuously followed
and kept in focus. Dynamic
prediction control is also active in
this mode.
AF-S
Single-shot AF
DMF
Direct Manual Focus adjustment after AF
AF-A
Automatic selection of AF-C or AF-S
AF-C
Continuous Autofocus
TECHNICAL POINT
Lock on to accurate focusing with those hard-to-capture subjects.
1) First, focus lock on the ship.
AF cannot focus easily on subjects with
no contrast, like a blue sky. First, position
the ship in the centre of the viewfinder
and lock focus in AF-S mode by pressing
the shutter button halfway down.
2) Modify the composition and press
shutter button fully.
By keeping the button pressed halfway
down, the focus will not change even if
you move the camera to re-frame the
composition. Press the shutter button
fully to take the picture when the
composition is just as you want.
White walls and bright blue, cloudless skies can be
tricky subjects for any SLR camera autofocus system.
Alternatively, the subject you’re focusing might be off
at one extremity of the scene and not covered by the
focus frame. These are times when Focus Lock can be
useful, allowing you to ‘freeze’ focus on a particular
point before composing your picture.
Grab the moment with quick-response
Eye-Start system
Four focus modes for complete control
Responding quickly to great picture opportunities depends on more than
autofocus speed and continuous shooting performance alone. The
100
is also equipped with the unique Eye-Start system that ensures focusing
is complete by the time the shutter button has been released. The
camera’s infra-red sensor detects when you look through the viewfinder,
automatically activating autofocus. Coupled with a super-fast response
time of 0.9 seconds from power-on, the
100 is always ready for action.
Operating Tip
Halfway and fully pressing the shutter button
‘Halfway’ means lightly touching the shutter button to
activate the camera. ‘Fully’ means pressing the button
all the way in one movement to operate the shutter.
Operating Tips
Set the function dial on
the top of the camera to
‘FOCUS’, call up using
the centre Fn button,
and set with the + key.
SNY_13156_ALPHA_A4_BRO 24/7/06 10:38 AM Page 13