Nikon D300 User Manual

Page 112

Focusing with Contrast-Detect Autofocus

Contrast-detect autofocus will take longer than normal (phase-detection)
autofocus. In the following situations, the camera may be unable to focus
using contrast-detect autofocus:
• The camera is not mounted on a tripod
• The subject contains lines parallel to the long edge of the frame
• The subject lacks contrast
• The subject in the focus point contains areas of sharply contrasting

brightness, or the subject is lit by spot lighting or by a neon sign or other
light source that changes in brightness

• A cross (star) filter or other special filter is used
• The subject appears smaller than the focus point
• The subject is dominated by regular geometric patterns (e.g., windows

in a skyscraper)

• The subject is moving

Note that the focus point may sometimes be displayed in green when the
camera is unable to focus.

Use an AF-S lens. The desired results may not be achieved with other
lenses or teleconverters.

Remote Cords

If the shutter-release button on a remote cord (available separately; see
pg. 369) is pressed halfway for over a second in tripod mode, it will
activate contrast-detect autofocus. If the remote cord shutter-release
button is pressed all the way down without focusing, focus will not be
adjusted before the picture is taken.