Nikon D600 For Dummies

Focusing Manually

Some subjects confuse even the most sophisticated autofocusing systems, causing the camera's autofocus motor to spend a long time hunting for its focus point. Animals behind fences, reflective objects, water, and low-contrast subjects are just some of the autofocus troublemakers. Autofocus systems also struggle in dim lighting, although that difficulty is often offset on the D600 by the AF-assist lamp, which shoots out a beam of light to help the camera find its focusing target.

When you encounter situations that cause an autofocus hang-up, you can try adjusting the autofocus options discussed earlier in this chapter. Often, it's simply easier and faster to switch to manual focusing, though. For best results, follow these manual-focusing steps:

1. Adjust the viewfinder to your eyesight.

   Chapter 1 shows you to how to take this critical step. If you don't adjust the viewfinder, scenes that are in focus may appear blurry and vice versa.

2. Set the Focus-mode selector switch (front left side of the camera) to the M position.

   Refer to Figure 8-1 if you need help locating the switch.

3. If your lens has a manual/auto focusing switch, set that switch to the manual position as well.

   On the 24–85mm kit lens, set the switch to the M position.

4. Select a focus point.

   Use the same technique as when selecting a point during autofocusing: Looking through the viewfinder, press the Multi Selector right, left, up, or down until the point you want to use flashes red. Again, you may need ...