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Choose a focus mode – Nikon D3000 User Manual

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Choose a focus mode.

Highlight one of the following options and press
J. Note that AF-S and AF-C are available only in
modes P, S, A, and M.

Option

Description

AF-A

Auto-servo
AF

Camera automatically selects single-servo autofocus if subject is
stationary, continuous-servo autofocus if subject is moving.

AF-S

Single-servo
AF

For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button
is pressed halfway.

AF-C

Continuous-
servo AF

For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously while shutter-
release button is pressed halfway.

MF

Manual focus Focus manually (

0 48).

D

Continuous-servo Autofocus

In AF-C mode or when continuous-servo autofocus is selected in AF-A mode, the camera gives
priority to shutter response and the shutter may be released before the in-focus indicator is
displayed.

A

Getting Good Results with Autofocus

Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below. The shutter release may
be disabled if the camera is unable to focus under these conditions, or the in-focus indicator
(

I) may be displayed and the camera may sound a beep, allowing the shutter to be released

even when the subject is not in focus. In these cases, focus manually (

0 48) or use focus lock

(

0 46) to focus on another subject at the same distance and then recompose the

photograph.

There is little or no contrast
between the subject and the
background
.

Example

: Subject is the same

color as the background.

The focus point contains
areas of sharply contrasting
brightness
.

Example

: Subject is half in the

shade.

The focus point contains
objects at different distances
from the camera
.

Example

: Subject is inside a

cage.

Background objects appear
larger than the subject.

Example

: a building is in the

frame behind the subject.

The subject is dominated by
regular geometric patterns
.

Example

: A row of windows

in a skyscraper.

The subject contains many
fine details
.

Example

: A field of flowers or

other subjects that are
small or lack variation in
brightness.