Digital Cameras Focus Modes

While some of the least expensive digital cameras have only automatic focus, meaning the camera does all the work on bringing your subject into the best possible focus, most SLR digitals offer three different focus modes:  manual, single auto focus and continuous auto focus.All three of this will be addressed there.

With manual focus, the camera stays out of the focus equation and you, the photographer, make all the decisions regarding this.  This is done by setting different buttons or actually using an attached focusing ring that rotates on the camera lens.  For those who like to have complete creative control of the finished product, this is the best focus mode.

In single auto focus mode, the camera automatically focuses when you press the shutter button either all the way down to shoot a photo or half way down to lock the focus.This mode is useful when shooting static object.

The camera continuously focuses on the objects in the photo in continuous auto focus.In this mode camera continuously corrects the focus as the objects distance from the camera changes. This mode is useful when you shoot photos of moving objects such as airplanes during an air show or a race car during a race . You can hold the shutter button half way down and continuously move camera to follow the object. The camera will keep the object in focus continuously.

Like any other feature automatic and manual focus modes have their pros and cons. How they work and what they were designed for, that is the first step to using them to your advantage is to understand . The next step is to experiment shoot photos using different focus modes and different types of objects and see how the camera behaves. Once you have done that you will be ready to instinctively use best focus mode for each photo situation.