In photography one of the most critical issues is to get the focus correct and accurate. Exposure can generally be corrected in post processing to some extent, but it is not so easy to correct focus issues in post processing without affecting the final image resoluion.
A good starting point is to go through the Custom Settings Menu of the camera. If Focus is selected from the Custom Settings Menu then all the cameras focus settings will be available.
The examples below are for the Nikon Z8 camera but similar options will be available for most of the other Nikon Z Mirrorless cameras.
One can not emphasise how important it is to understand the focussing options.
- AF-C Priority Selection – This setting is for moving subjects and the camera will focus continuously while the shutter button is half pressed. With a moving subject the camera will use predictive focus tracking to predict and adjust the focus.
- Release – Images are captured when the shutter is released.
- Focus + Release – If the camera is in continuous release mode then priority is given to focus for the first shot, then for the rest of the shots priority is given to release.
- Focus – Images are captured only when the camera is in focus.
- AF-S Priority Selection – This setting is for stationary subjects and the focus locks when the shutter is half pressed.
- Release – Images are captured when the shutter is released.
- Focus – Images are captured only when the camera is in focus.
- Focus Tracking With Lock On – If AF-C is selected and you are tracking a movimg subject this setting chooses how quickly the camera responds if some object passes between the subject and camera. You essentially want the camera to maintain focus on the moving subject.
- Blocked Shot AF Response –
- Select either mode 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, ranging from Quick to Delayed. The Delayed setting will help maintain focus on the main subject. If 3-D Tracking or Auto-Area AF is selected then mode 3 will be used.
- Subject Motion – Selection is dependant on the subject motion.
- Steady – Subjects at a steady pace.
- Eratic – Subjects that are moving, start, stop or eratically.
- Focus Points Used
- All Points
- Alternating Points – Only uses one quarter of the focus points.
- Store Points By Orientation – This setting chooses whether sererate focus points can be selected for lanscape orientation or portrait orientation with the camera rotated either 90 degrees clockwise or 90 degrees anticlochwise.
- On
- Focus Point – Enables seperate focus point selection.
- Focus Point and AF-Area Mode – Enables seperate selection of both the focus point and AF Area Mode.
- Off
- Off – Same focal point regardless of the camera orientation.
- On
- AF Activation
- Shutter/AF-ON – Camera will focus with shutter button pressed halfway.
- AF-ON Only – Camera will not focus with shutter button pressed halfway.
- Out of Focus Release
- Enable – Images can be captured whenever the shutter release is pressed, Focus Priority.
- Disable – Focus using the AF-ON button or other assigned control.
- Out of Focus Release
- Focus Point Persistance – Choose whether the focus point selected by the camera continues after changing AF-Area Modes.
- Auto – The focus point last chosen by the camera remains in effect.
- Off – The focus point chosen by the user is restored.
- Limit AF-Area Mode Selection – Make selection as required.
- Pinpoint AF
- Single-Point AF
- Dynamic Area AF(S)
- Dynamic Area AF(M)
- Dynamic Area AF(L)
- Wide-Area AF(S)
- Wide-Area AF(L)
- Wide-Area AF(C1)
- Wide-Area AF(C2)
- 3D-Tracking
- Auto-Area AF
- Focus Mode Restrictions – Limit this to a single focus mode. If an active focus mode option is selected then the camera Focus Mode can not be changed.
- Single AF
- Continuous AF
- Manual Focus
- No Restrictions
- Focus Point Wrap around
- On/Off
- Focus Point Display – Changes in display options.
- Manual Focus Mode
- On/Off
- Dynamic-Area AF Assist
- On/Off
- AF-C In-Focus Display
- On/Off
- 3D-Tracking Focus Point Colour
- White
- Red
- Focus Point Border Width
- 3, 2, or 1
- Manual Focus Mode
- Built-In AF-Assist Illuminator – Helps with auto focusing.
- Off/On
- Focus Peaking – Coloured outlines indicate areas that are in focus.
- Focus Peaking Display
- Off
- ON
- Focus Peaking Sensitivity
- 3 (High Sensitivity)
- 3 (Standard Sensitivity)
- 3 (Low Sensitivity)
- Focus Peaking Sensitivity
- Focus Peaking Highlight Colour
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
- White
- Focus Peaking Display
- Maximum Aperture Lv – Select On or Off.
- On – The shooting display in the viewfinder or monitor is displayed with the maximum aperture. On pressing the shutter release button the aperture will adjust to the configured value before shooting.
- Off
- Focus Point Selection Speed – The speed at which the camera cycles through the focus points.
- Low
- Normal
- High
- Focus Limiter Setting – To be selected as required. This limits the camera to focus on a selected range of distances.
- On/Off
- Limit Range – Select the range required. The distance values can be selected between 0.1 and 999 metres.
- Nearest
- Farthest
- Setting the limited focus range – Highlight and select the limit range. The range setting display will appear, together with a focus point target. Place the focus point target on a subject at the nearest distance required and press the AF-ON button to set the minimum distance, rotate the main command dial or keep the AF-ON button pressed whilst rotating the lens focus for fine tuning of the distance. Place the focus point target on a subject at the farthest distance required and press the shutter release button halfway to set the maximum distance, rotate the main command dial or keep the shutter release button halfway pressed whilst rotating the lens focus for fine tuning of the distance. Try setting these values to keep the settings in the yellow colour to asist the accuracy of the camera. To complete the setting press OK. These setting need to be reset for each different lens.
- Manual Focus Ring In AF Mode – To be used with compatible lenses. Select if required.
- ON/Off
