Focus Modes–When to Use Each One

I just had this whole post typed and then while editing it–I LOST IT ALL. Then I retyped it–AND LOST PART OF IT AGAIN! To say I am frustrated is a complete understatement! BUT, I am starting again and hoping that I cover everything that I had included the first time and say it clearly for y’all.

One of the things that I find frustrating about camera manuals is that they tell you what the feature is, but sometimes neglect to tell you why or when you might want to use it. This leaves those who are new to photography and their cameras frustrated. I STILL get frustrated by some of the pages in my camera manual.

Today, I am going to try to share a simple explanation of your camera’s Focus Modes–what they are and why/when you might want to use each one. I hope it is helpful!

Focus modes is a term used to describe how your camera focuses. There is more than one way to focus your camera and each has their place.

Manual Focus

Manual focus is just what it sounds like. In this mode, you focus your camera using the manual focus ring on your lens instead of allowing the camera to auto-focus for you. There are 2 times when I use the mode–when I am shooting macro photos (generally, I try the auto focus for these and only go to manual if my camera just can’t catch the right focus) and in very low light situations when there isn’t enough light for my camera to focus on it’s own.

I also might use manual focus if I want to see something blurry on purpose–like these Christmas lights.

Single-servo or One Shot Auto-Focus

In this setting, the camera auto-focuses on one single spot when the shutter is pressed halfway. The focus stays locked in on that spot until you press the shutter or lock in a new focus by repressing the shutter halfway. I use this focus mode for 90% of my shooting. My camera has 51 focus points and I toggle my focus point to the one that is over my subjects eye (or if my subject isn’t a person, to the point that I want in focus) and then press the shutter. Easy as that! This focus mode is best for more stationary subjects. I use it for people (yes, even my 3 year old son–unless he is full-on sprinting across the yard) and some macro shots.

And yes, I even photographed this shot of my daughter running a race with the single-servo auto focus mode (probably not the best choice, but it happened anyway!)

Continuous-servo or AI Servo Auto-Focus

I have a love hate relationship with this focus mode. I love what it is attempting to do. And I love it when it helps me get a shot that I couldn’t otherwise get. I get very frustrated using it sometimes.

In this mode, your camera will continuously keep focusing while you have the shutter halfway pressed. If your subject moves, it will attempt to track your subject and predict where they will be when the shutter is released. You also need to keep your subject somewhat within the focus area that you have selected for this feature to work well.

When do I use this feature? I use this feature when I know my subject is moving fast enough that there is no way that I can use single-servo auto focus to capture it–sledding pictures, swinging pictures, and running pictures.

Here are some pictures that I captured of my kids swinging the other night. If I had attempted these in the single-servo auto focus mode, most likely NONE of them would have been in focus. With continuous-servo auto focus, I got a few that were keepers. I also got a fair amount that were out of focus as well. I am sure that some of this is operator error. I just don’t use this focus mode often enough to feel like a pro with it. Guess I need to create some opportunities !

All these swinging shots were taken in the evening at ISO 200 f/3.5 1/350 using my new 50mm f/1.4 lens!

P.S. I’d love it if you popped over to vote for me!