Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?)

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"Emily" <emilymoberg RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1mwb6umqtj3yo$.1s4n941z49dd6.dlg@40tude.net...
> My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to focus.
> How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?

i dont know the answer, but i always get the same problem,
it will be interesting to find the anwser.
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

The D50 supports focus lock see page 34 of your manual for information
and other uses of this feature.

Joan wrote:
> Not found on a D50. I can't fathom why you'd need it.
>
> --
> Joan
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan-in-manly
>
> "Tim" <no spam.DeleteThis@thanks.com> wrote in message
> news:DiRgh.16941$k74.10494@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> :
> : Don't know if they are the same but on my D70 there is a switch
> below the
> : arrow keys with a dot and an L which locks the focus point
> : HTH
> : Tim
> : --
> : http://www.timdenning.myby.co.uk/
> :
> :
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

"Emily" <emilymoberg.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1mwb6umqtj3yo$.1s4n941z49dd6.dlg@40tude.net...
> My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to focus.
> How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?

OK. Go to the menu.
Choose the pencil icon.
Item 03 AF-Area mode
Choose Single Area (not dynamic or closest)
<enter>

It should stick to the centre spot.
If not, you can move the selected spot with the arrow keys after you have
half-depressed the shutter release. Tricky with fat fingers like mine,
but...

I have persuaded mine to stay on the centre spot.

HTH
--
Jeff R.
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

If you want to always use the Center Focus Point, you can not use the
Digi Vari-Programs as all of these options have a set focus method, see
pages 19-20 of the D50 manual. You will have to use the P, S, A, or M
shooting mode.

>From Page 34 of the D50 manual:

"Select Single Area or Dynamic Area for Custom Setting 3 (AF-Area
Mode). Manual focus area selection is not available with Closest
Subject, which is the default setting in Auto, Portrait, Landscape,
Child, and Night Portrait modes."

If you are using the Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, or Night
Portrait mode you can not set the single focus point since these modes
all use the Closets Subject mode, see page 20 of the D50 manual.

Emily wrote:
> On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:14:29 +1100, Joan wrote:
>
> > Are you saying that the focus point you select is not the one
> > the camera uses? You need to wake up the focus system by
> > half pressing the shutter release before you can change the
> > selected focus point.
>
> Sorry for being too succinct.
> I can CHANGE the focus point to be the center but it won't STAY that way!
>
> I half-press the shutter-release button and the focus point selects the
> left-most box in the horizontal centerline of the view and I use the
> arrow-wheel to CHANGE the focus point to the center box on the horizontal
> line of the view and that picture works just fine.
>
> The next shot I take - the focus point is the left-most box again.
>
> All I want is it to ALWAYS choose the center box since I habitually mumble
> to myslef "FOCUS - COMPOSE - COUNT" every time I snap a picture of a
> subject.
>
> FOCUS: I focus on the "eyes" of the subject
> COMPOSE: I compose the picture, generally breaking the scene into thirds
> and choosing where to place the subject. This composition step generally
> takes the most time, perhaps five or ten seconds per shot. Only about 1/10
> of the time is the subject in the center of the shot after the composition
> stage is completed.
> COUNT: I count to three backward, either to allow the subject to compose
> themself, or to remember to steady my aim, hold my breath, and twitch just
> my finger and no other muscle in my body when the shutter releases.
>
> The problem is that the very next shot chooses the left-most focus point
> most of the time. Of course, if there is a closer subject in the center or
> right focus point, it will choose that; but what I want is to force the
> Nikon D50 camera to ALWAYS CHOOSE THE CENTER spot to focus.
>
> This is a use model I have been using for decades and I don't wish to
> change it. All I wish is to change the camera setting but I can't figure
> out how to force the Nikon D50 to STAY in the center-focus position.
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

If you want to always use the Center Focus Point, you can not use the
Digi Vari-Programs as all of these options have a set focus method, see
pages 19-20 of the D50 manual. You will have to use the P, S, A, or M
shooting mode.

>From Page 34 of the D50 manual:

"Select Single Area or Dynamic Area for Custom Setting 3 (AF-Area
Mode). Manual focus area selection is not available with Closest
Subject, which is the default setting in Auto, Portrait, Landscape,
Child, and Night Portrait modes."

If you are using the Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, or Night
Portrait mode you can not set the single focus point since these modes
all use the Closets Subject mode, see page 20 of the D50 manual.

Emily wrote:
> My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to focus.
> How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

This message is not archived
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

The D50 does not have the "L" lock. One can use the half shutter
release or the "AE/AF" lock button can be used to lock a given focus
and then recompose. I was trying to explain why one would want to lock
the focus and recompose. It is used for landscape , one to force DOF
to a given distance and depth, and to lock focus when using continuous
mode (see the note at botton of page 34 of the D50 manual)..

I know the D50 does not have the DOF preview button, but one can still
take advantage of it for creative purposes.

Roy G wrote:
> "George K" <gkaiseril.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1166275191.560531.55740@79g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
> > It lets one obtain focus on an particular object and lock that focus.
>
>
> No! It does not.
>
> That little "Lock" switch only ensures that the focussing point, chosen by
> you, can not be changed to any of the other focussing points, until the
> switch is moved to off.
>
> The "Ae / Af " button can be used to lock focus and aperture, so that the
> half pressure can be removed from the release. The Menus allow you to decide
> whether it will lock one or both.
>
> Roy G
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

I agree with George. I've only had a D50 for a few weeks and this was
one of the first things I setup. I shoot primarily in P mode for most
quick snaps since I prefer a lower EV than normal. Manual Focus Area
selection works perfectly in this mode.

W
On 16 Dec 2006 12:34:12 -0800, "George K" <gkaiseril.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:

>If you want to always use the Center Focus Point, you can not use the
>Digi Vari-Programs as all of these options have a set focus method, see
>pages 19-20 of the D50 manual. You will have to use the P, S, A, or M
>shooting mode.
>
>>From Page 34 of the D50 manual:
>
>"Select Single Area or Dynamic Area for Custom Setting 3 (AF-Area
>Mode). Manual focus area selection is not available with Closest
>Subject, which is the default setting in Auto, Portrait, Landscape,
>Child, and Night Portrait modes."
>
>If you are using the Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, or Night
>Portrait mode you can not set the single focus point since these modes
>all use the Closets Subject mode, see page 20 of the D50 manual.
>
>Emily wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:14:29 +1100, Joan wrote:
>>
>> > Are you saying that the focus point you select is not the one
>> > the camera uses? You need to wake up the focus system by
>> > half pressing the shutter release before you can change the
>> > selected focus point.
>>
>> Sorry for being too succinct.
>> I can CHANGE the focus point to be the center but it won't STAY that way!
>>
>> I half-press the shutter-release button and the focus point selects the
>> left-most box in the horizontal centerline of the view and I use the
>> arrow-wheel to CHANGE the focus point to the center box on the horizontal
>> line of the view and that picture works just fine.
>>
>> The next shot I take - the focus point is the left-most box again.
>>
>> All I want is it to ALWAYS choose the center box since I habitually mumble
>> to myslef "FOCUS - COMPOSE - COUNT" every time I snap a picture of a
>> subject.
>>
>> FOCUS: I focus on the "eyes" of the subject
>> COMPOSE: I compose the picture, generally breaking the scene into thirds
>> and choosing where to place the subject. This composition step generally
>> takes the most time, perhaps five or ten seconds per shot. Only about 1/10
>> of the time is the subject in the center of the shot after the composition
>> stage is completed.
>> COUNT: I count to three backward, either to allow the subject to compose
>> themself, or to remember to steady my aim, hold my breath, and twitch just
>> my finger and no other muscle in my body when the shutter releases.
>>
>> The problem is that the very next shot chooses the left-most focus point
>> most of the time. Of course, if there is a closer subject in the center or
>> right focus point, it will choose that; but what I want is to force the
>> Nikon D50 camera to ALWAYS CHOOSE THE CENTER spot to focus.
>>
>> This is a use model I have been using for decades and I don't wish to
>> change it. All I wish is to change the camera setting but I can't figure
>> out how to force the Nikon D50 to STAY in the center-focus position.
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

"George K" <gkaiseril.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166275191.560531.55740@79g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
> It lets one obtain focus on an particular object and lock that focus.


No! It does not.

That little "Lock" switch only ensures that the focussing point, chosen by
you, can not be changed to any of the other focussing points, until the
switch is moved to off.

The "Ae / Af " button can be used to lock focus and aperture, so that the
half pressure can be removed from the release. The Menus allow you to decide
whether it will lock one or both.

Roy G
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

You are obviously easily amused. I have read post here about how Canon
digital SLRs should not be able to be used without the CF card
inserted. Obviously the Canon user did not know about computer tethered
control and shooting of the Canon DSLR. And there were a number of
posters explaining the poster needed to review all the material
included with their camera.

After reading the Rebel XTi/EOS 400D manual, I see on page 40 that the
camera only uses closet focus point in the Auto mode and on page 56
that AF modes are only selectable in the P mode. Sounds familiar.

news.slingshot.co.nz wrote:
> step 1 - sell nikon on ebay
> step 2 - buy canon dslr of your choice
> step 3 - consult manual, set centre focus point easily and simply with
> logical steps which are easy to recall
>
> lol sorry guys this probably isnt helpful but i couldnt resist
>
>
> "Emily" <emilymoberg.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1mwb6umqtj3yo$.1s4n941z49dd6.dlg@40tude.net...
> > My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to focus.
> > How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

step 1 - sell nikon on ebay
step 2 - buy canon dslr of your choice
step 3 - consult manual, set centre focus point easily and simply with
logical steps which are easy to recall

lol sorry guys this probably isnt helpful but i couldnt resist


"Emily" <emilymoberg.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1mwb6umqtj3yo$.1s4n941z49dd6.dlg@40tude.net...
> My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to focus.
> How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

Hang in there a minute and I'll do some tests with mine.

--
Joan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan-in-manly

"Emily" <emilymoberg.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1mwb6umqtj3yo$.1s4n941z49dd6.dlg@40tude.net...
: My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to focus.
: How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?) 

Not an easy thing for me to set up at night, but I'll keep trying.
However, are you saying that the focus point you select is not the one
the camera uses? Not sure if you realise that you need to wake up the
focus system but half pressing the shutter release before you can
change the selected focus point.

--
Joan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan-in-manly

"Joan" <Joan RemoveThis @home.t2> wrote in message
news:4583d2b7$0$21874$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
: Hang in there a minute and I'll do some tests with mine.
:
: --
: Joan
: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan-in-manly
:
: "Emily" <emilymoberg RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
: news:1mwb6umqtj3yo$.1s4n941z49dd6.dlg@40tude.net...
:: My Nikon D50 almost always chooses the left of three spots to
focus.
:: How do I set the Nikon D50 to always autofocus on the center?
:
 >> Stay informed about: Nikon D50 center single-spot focus (how to set?)