The focus trap is an interesting feature to catch the desired subject in focus without focusing itself.
Photo tricks. Part 11. Focus Trap
The focus trap is also called focus trap... The essence of the reception is very simple, the camera focuses at a certain distance, and then waits for something at this distance to come into focus, that is, to fall into the so-called 'trap'.
First, how to configure:
If you have a professional-grade camera, such as Nikon D300, D700, D3s etc., which has a special AF-ON button
1. Set the 'AF activation' function from the 'Autofocus' menu item to 'AF-ON only'. In this position, auto focus is only available when the AF-ON button is pressed, and the shutter button when pressed halfway will activate metering exposurebut will not auto focus. This is the standard focus mode for professional photographers.
2. If using the AF-S focusing mode, set the focus priority in the camera menu using the 'Priority selection' menu item. for dir. AF-S 'to' Focus'. When using focus mode AF-C, then in the camera menu set the focus priority using the 'Select priority. for dir. AF-C 'is also set to' Focus'.
3. Set the focus mode on the lens to the auto focus position. Focus in any way at the desired focusing distance, press the shutter button all the way, and wait until an object appears in the focusing area, as soon as the subject gets into the 'trap', the camera releases the shutter.
If you have an amateur level camera such as Nikon D5100, D60, D80 etc., which does not have a separate AF-ON button
1. Using the camera menu, configure the button AF-L / AE-L to 'AF: AF-ON'. It's good that all Nikon cameras have this button and can always be reprogrammed. After this setup AF-L / AE-L button will simulate the operation of the AF-ON button on older cameras. When you press the AF-L / AE-L button, the camera will automatically focus. Auto focusing by half-pressing the shutter button will not occur.
2. Put the camera in focus mode AF-S or AF-A. Unlike professional cameras, almost all amateur cameras do not have the ability to prioritize focus, in AF-C trigger priority always works, and in AF-S mode, focus priority always works. Features of amateur cameras described here.
3. If the camera has the ability to set the focus priority for AF-S, AF-C modes, for example, such a function is in the amateur camera Nikon D5100, then you need to set the priority 'Focus' for such modes. If you don't want to set priorities, on amateur cameras just turn on the mode AF-A.
4. Set the lens focus mode to auto focus mode. Focus in any way on the desired focusing distance, press the shutter button all the way, and wait until an object appears in the focus area, as soon as the object falls into the trap, the camera releases the shutter.
Attention: Some new Nikon cameras cannot be set to focus trap mode. A reliable list is not known.
The focus trap works in any focus mode: one point at a time, with dynamic focus area selection and normal auto mode. Best to use a trap in single-point focus mode or with dynamic focus area selection.
Where to apply?
The focus trap can be used to easily catch moving objects.
Example: at motorcycle competitions everyone knows where motorcyclists will pass. On a tripod, we focus the camera on the place where we want to catch a motorcyclist. Press the shutter button all the way and wait for the rider to fall into our focus trap. With the usual focusing method, the focusing speed of the lens will not always help to quickly respond to a changing situation. In general, there are many examples.
Conclusions
The focus trap is an interesting way of working with a camera. With the help of the trap effect, you can simplify the shooting of dynamic events, or make manual focusing easier. I advise you to do your own research.
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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
For owners of nikon d800, d600, d4. This function, alas, does not work. I wrote a request in nikon, this is what they answered:
Regarding the situation you described.
Yes, this situation is known -
the shutter is still released when you press the shutter button, even when the subject is out of focus (in the situation you described, autofocus when using the AF-ON option displayed on the Fn button). The settings for AF-S focus priority.
This situation also occurs if you set autofocus via the Controls menu for the AE-L button; with AF-S settings, focus priority.
The situation is normal.
Thus, the cameras D600, D4, D800 are designed.
D3s and D700 cameras work differently.
As our European Department explained, this innovation was made according to the feedback of photographers.
We regret if this circumstance caused inconvenience.
___ Alas, the tool just says that it works. Nakosyachili.
Maybe some kind of firmware will be able to cope with this jamb, otherwise it can not be called.
And the D7100 doesn't work either ... I don’t understand why the focus priority setting is needed if the camera is still shooting….
Indeed, a fresh look. For shooting smart objects, it may be the only possible, and indeed there are infinitely many options for using. Thank you Arkady!
Will it work on the Nikon D 7000?
Works great on the D7000
And how to do the same on the Nikon D40 I got to 2 steps, but with Helios 44-2 this function in the Info menu is not active, what should I do?
You can’t set it up with a lens without a microprocessor.
AAAA (((It's a pity, that is, only with any glasses with dandelions. Can this be used as an alternative to autofocus for long AF lenses? That is, for example, I set it up like this, start moving toward the object and when it is in focus, then the camera itself takes off, that is, auto focus legs))) Is this possible?
Damn, thank you !!! There are no words right, now everything has become clear about focusing !!!
I sat for 20 minutes, thought about the settings, got into the essence of the matter and everything worked out)))
Now I would like to remember how to make settings in the situation I need.
Nikon D7000 18-105mm Camera
Doesn't work on D7100. I made an official request to the service, gave this answer:
“Thank you for contacting Nikon Europe Support.
The situation you noted that the shutter release still occurs even when the subject is out of focus, even when the focus priority setting of the AF-S shutter is set, is normal. This situation only occurs if the AE-L focus is set for the AE-L button through the Controls menu.
Moreover, if you use the shutter button to focus, the function a2 works.
Thus, the cameras D7100, D600, D4, D800 are designed.
As our European department explained, this innovation was made according to the feedback of photographers.
We are sorry if this circumstance caused any inconvenience. ”
It's a shame to tears ... I had a d3100 perfectly, I coped with it, but he drowned, took the d600 and let's adjust it for ourselves ... for an hour and a half I set up a trap in focus ....
Ivan has a similar situation, only up to 600 was 7000, everything was ok there. Now there is an unpleasant aftertaste.
Thank you Arkady!
Previously, I didn’t know that such a thing was possible!
This trick doesn’t work on my d5100. Ordered a dandelion, I'll try on a manual lens.
this trick works great on the D5100) try it and it will work out ...
the whale is fine, but the manual will not work ...
I have a Nikon 3100 with a 35mm fix, everything works great. I put the AF-ON function through the menu on the AE-L \ AF-L button (now the camera focuses only when this button is pressed), after which when the shutter button is pressed, at least partially, although the camera no longer focuses automatically and doesn’t take a picture, and if if something falls into focus, the shutter fires. Those who do not fire the shutter, you do it wrong, namely, hold down the AF-L button, the camera adjusts the focus, and then release the camera and press the shutter button, the shutter fires because you have already focused with the AF-L button (the green indicator lights up.
I’m reading and I don’t believe my eyes :) !!!!!! I have a NikonD3100 and it catches the trick!
And I still did not have time to press the button :(. Now I'm waiting for the bird to get into focus itself !!! Thank you so much.
Hello everyone, Nikon D5200. For an hour, dancing with a tambourine was unsuccessful. I checked all the settings more than once. Lens Kit 18-55. Tried Fix AF-S 50mm-1.8f G. The shutter is released immediately after full pressing, regardless of the focus, whether it is the “waiting field” is focused, whether it is the “waiting field” in milk. On switching between AF-A, AF-C, AF-S modes, my body also laid down ... .. AF-C focus priority. Button on AF-ON. Thank you Arkady for your efforts. The volume of information is so great that the brain just boils. Help me figure out the tambourine. A very useful feature. Thanks in advance.
I contacted Nikon tech support on this issue. Here is the answer I received:
“Thank you for contacting Nikon Europe Support.
We received a response from the Nikon European Design and Quality Office.
The situation that you noted that the shutter release still occurs even when the subject is out of focus, even when the focus priority setting of the AF-C shutter is set, is normal. This situation only happens if you set the AE-L focus through the Controls menu for the button.
Moreover, if you use the shutter button to focus, the f2 function works.
Thus, all the latest camera models are designed.
As our European department explained, this innovation was made according to the feedback of photographers.
However, we will forward your comment to the development center. Possibly the old focus trap system will revert back. "
I would like to see those photographers who leave similar reviews. As for me, this is a goofy excuse for Nikon-sheep shit, so as not to remove the software bug.
Good afternoon.
After I got hooked on the nikkor 18-200 lens, the autofocus practically stopped functioning, i.e. when the shutter button was pressed, the lens focused and skipped the moment of focusing, ran back and forth, especially at the focal point from 50 to 200 and in poor lighting. I had to press the shutter button with short presses until the moment of focusing, then press the AF-L / AE-L button to fix the moment of focusing and then press the shutter button ... In such a situation, the autofocus trap mode essentially helped me out!
Alexander, read the article carefully. The focus trap has nothing to do with your actions.
I correct, not the “autofocus trap” mode, but the “focus trap” mode ...
By "rescued" I mean the following. I have a camera nikon d5000. In the set focus trap mode, I press the AF-L / AE-L button, and while the shutter button is pressed, I use the manual focus ring to focus on the subject, and the shutter is released when the shutter is in focus. If you focus manually not in the “focus trap” mode, then focusing manually on a moving object and pressing the shutter at the moment of focusing is still quite difficult. Considering the impossibility in my case to use autofocus (because of its malfunction, see the description from 19.09.13/XNUMX/XNUMX), then in the “focus trap” mode it allowed me to make more accurate shooting with manual focus.
... and I do not hold down the AF-L / AE-L button, but press it once ...
Please tell me whether it is possible to configure such a thing on the nikon d3200. I tried all the settings and it doesn’t work out either. Thanks in advance.
Most likely, you did not read the article very carefully.
It says that this technique will only work with manual lenses + Lushnikov's dandelion or autofocus lenses on which the mechanical / automatic focus switch is written 'M / A M', not 'M / A' The last markings are on all kit lenses (maybe not on all, but 3200, I think, for sure). The first indicates that in the 'AM' mode the camera will be able to focus on the subject automatically, and the photographer, if the focus is not accurate, will be able to correct it manually without switching to “M” mode, or even simply focus on the subject manually without initially switching the lens to mode "M".
Hope it helped to understand.
Technical Question
D7000 + 18-105 or 50 / 1,4 on both glasses the same effect is obtained:
set the trap to work, focus on the center point,
brought focus to the mark on a plane at an angle of 45 to the carcass,
took the device to the side
and now pressing the trigger I slowly bring to the plane with the mark
- the shutter is triggered not at the mark, but without reaching it
I write right away - the question is not about the depth of field, but about the fact that -
why the trigger occurs earlier than the center focus point
comes to the edge of a sharp image?
at the same time, the mark and the depth of field in the frame are sharp
all evening rushed with D3200 and does not work in any way. I set the button, after pressing AE-L, focusing occurs, but when the shutter is pressed, the shutter is immediately released regardless of the focus ... (
from previous comments I realized that no one succeeded on the d3200. If anyone succeeded, please unsubscribe.
from AF-s AF-s and others, select “focus-priority” rather than release.
does not work. in any mode, the trigger is immediately triggered.
No need to press the AE-L button first! When it is pressed, the FA is already focused, therefore, the descent occurs without delay! You need to focus manually and wait until the subject is in focus. At this point, the attention in the article is not very focused, but if you read it carefully, everything is correctly written there.
According to Sim, taking this opportunity, I ask Arkady to complete the article, because many similar errors arise among readers (as I understood from the comments)
Finally, I can normally take pictures of the little tits at my feeding trough))), Thank you, Arkady.
I tried it on the d7000, it works perfectly with lenses with a motor! Already rolled out that the manual samyang 85 / 1,4 (with a chip) will work! but no ((this feature would be very much there! It seems to be manual, but almost autofocus))
on d5200 the same does not work
Can I configure on the D90?