Custom Settings Menu – AUTOFOCUS

The custom settings menu is indicated by the pencil tab. Here I go through the Autofocus (a1-A7).

AF area mode (a1)

There are four possible choices here – Single point, Dynamic area, Auto-area and 3D-tracking.

Each of the first three is the default setting for at least one of the shooting modes.

Single point should be used with fixed subjects. For example landscape, portrait or macro subjects.

Dynamic area varies depending AF mode is being used. In AF-S mode it behaves like single point above. In AF-A and AF-C modes you select the focus point but the camera will try to re-focus if the subject moves using data from adjacent focus points. This is obviously used for moving subjects.

In Auto-area the camera will automatically detect the subject and focus on it. The manual states that if type G or D lenses are used, the camera can pick out people from the background for improved detection.

3D-tracking is disabled in AF-S autofocus mode. In AF-A and AF-C modes it behaves in a similar manner to Dynamic area but uses the colour of the subject around the focus point to track it and may be confused if the background is a similar colour.

Centre Focus point (a2)

The two options here are Normal (default) and Wide zone. I have to say that I have always left mine set to the default but I can see that wide may be useful for fast moving subjects. Wide is disabled if Auto-area (above) is being used.

Built-in AF-assist illuminator (a3)

Basically an on/off switch for this focussing aid. Set to off if you want to keep a low profile.

AF Point Illumination (a4)

Smart on/off switch for showing which focus point is being used. On and Off are obvious, Auto is the smart bit showing the focus point when the camera thinks it needs to.

Focus Point Wrap Around (a5)

Two possibilities here – Wrap/No wrap surprise, surprise.

The default is No Wrap and if you keep moving the focus area selector to the left it will stop at the far left focus point. With Wrap on if you do the same thing then when the far left focus point is reached it will magically appear at the far right focus point.

I keep mine set to No Wrap.

AE-L/AF-L for MB-D80 (a6)

This setting lets you define what function this button will perform when you have the MB-D80 attached when shooting vertically. Presumably you will want this set the same as the button on the camera.

Live View Autofocus (a7)

Three choices here; Face Priority, Wide Area (the default setting) and Normal.

The manual suggests using Wide for hand held shots, Normal for tripod use and Face priority is pretty obvious I suppose.