{"id":86348,"date":"2017-02-07T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-07T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=86348"},"modified":"2017-02-07T11:00:48","modified_gmt":"2017-02-07T17:00:48","slug":"how-to-autofocus-dslr-in-3-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/how-to-autofocus-dslr-in-3-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Autofocus Your DSLR in 3 Easy Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having trouble autofocusing your DSLR or mirrorless camera? These three simple steps should\u00a0clear things up.<\/h2>\n

Cover image via B&H<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

One of the earliest challenges many filmmakers<\/strong> and videographers<\/strong> face when they finally get their hands on a camera is setting focus.\u00a0<\/strong>Luckily, for those shooting digital on a DSLR or mirrorless camera<\/strong>, it can be a pretty quick technique to master.<\/p>\n

Depending on the make and model of your camera<\/strong> (and if it isn\u2019t from pre-internet days), it\u2019s very likely to have a built-in autofocus function<\/strong>. The majority of your DSLR lenses<\/strong> will have this functionality and compatibility<\/strong> as well.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s use a Canon 5D<\/a> as an example. Here are the three steps to setting auto-focus<\/strong> on your subject.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Set Lens to AF Mode<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

The only trick here is to find the AF-MF option<\/strong> on your camera lens. It’s usually on the lower left-hand side<\/strong>, but it should’t be too hard to locate. Once you find it, make sure it’s set to the AF mode<\/strong> (demonstrated in the image above).<\/p>\n

Step 2: Switch Camera to Live View Mode and Zoom in on Subject<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Once your lens is in AF-mode<\/strong>, you can switch your camera to the live view mode<\/strong> (if it isn’t already) and zoom in on your subject<\/strong>. You can move the focus point<\/strong> (the square in the middle of the screen) around with the multi-controller\u00a0stick<\/strong> to the right.<\/p>\n

Step 3: Hold the AF-ON Button Until Camera Auto-Focuses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"How<\/h3>\n

Once you’ve zoomed in on the point<\/strong> you’d like to focus on, you can switch over and push the AF-ON button to set your focus<\/strong>. Hold the button down long enough for the camera to find the focus. If you’re using Auto-White Balance (WB)<\/strong> and Auto-ISO<\/strong>, the camera will calculate and set those as well.<\/p>\n

You can see the whole process (along with some tips for manual focusing) in the following video by\u00a0First Man Photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n