Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    How to use crop modes on your full frame digital camera.

    June 17, 2025

    5 helpful settings for the R5 mk II

    March 19, 2025

    Why are your SD card transfers slow?

    March 12, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Learn Photography SkillsLearn Photography Skills
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Courses
    • All Posts
    Learn Photography SkillsLearn Photography Skills
    Home»Tutorials»Camera Tutorials»Tired of missing focus? Try these 6 simple steps.
    Camera Tutorials

    Tired of missing focus? Try these 6 simple steps.

    ShawnBy ShawnAugust 27, 2024Updated:September 4, 20242 Comments3 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    #1 Use a smaller aperture

    It’s the old school methodology but it is particularly helpful if you’re using a wide angle lens. Stopping down really far to f/8 – f/16 increases depth of field which makes small focus errors less of an issue. See my post on Hyperfocal Distance for more help.

    #2 Set your shutter to only release when the image is in focus

    On most cameras it may be referred to as focus priority release. Essentially with this setting you’re telling the camera not to allow the shutter to release until focus has been confirmed on the subject. This means that you can press shutter while the camera is focusing but it won’t actually take the picture until it confirms focus.

    #3 Try manual focus

    It may seem like a dumb solution since it isn’t really AF, but sometimes a little twist of the manual focus ring is all it takes to get the shot. If your camera is just having an issue, whether because of the amount of light, the angle, or what have you, stop trying to make it do something it can’t do and just use manual focus in that situation. At the very least you might get one out of a few dozen shots in focus which is better than no shots in focus.

    #4 Use a smaller focus area

    One way to “help” the camera get focus is to simply use a different focus method. Usually one of the point focus options will work in those situations where tracking may have trouble. Yes, it’s a slight pain to deal with but by using the point method you’re using your own brain to track the subject and then the camera is doing the work of making sure whatever you point the camera at is in focus. This is essentially how most DSLR’s work and typically DSLR focusing systems are a little bit better at this in difficult situations than mirrorless cameras are. High end DSLR PDAF systems are more sensitive at their individual focus points. This has to do with the nature of phase detect AF on DSLR’s. Even with far less light to work with, true phase detect systems are still more sensitive and accurate than mirrorless AF methods. The problem for DSLR systems is focusing errors can be induced when parts of the system are slightly out of alignment.

    #5 Try a different point of view

    Sometimes changing the angle you’re trying to take the picture at can help with AF issues. Usually, getting closer to the subject or finding a less busy background can improve the AF accuracy. You can also move so that there is more distance behind your subject to the background if you are unable to get closer.

    #6 Use a faster lens

    A fast lens is a lens with a large aperture and it will better separate the subject from the background, allowing the camera to more easily see and track your subject.

    Shawn
    • Website

    Editor and Writer @ Learn Photography Skills. Paying it forward one carefully curated web posting at a time. Please enjoy your learning experience here at LPS.com.

    Related Posts

    Camera Tech

    How to use crop modes on your full frame digital camera.

    June 17, 2025
    Camera Tutorials

    5 helpful settings for the R5 mk II

    March 19, 2025
    Camera Tech

    Why are your SD card transfers slow?

    March 12, 2025
    View 2 Comments

    2 Comments

    1. Fred on February 22, 2025 5:25 am

      wow this is great thank you for the tips .. really appreciate it

      Reply
      • Shawn on March 17, 2025 7:36 pm

        You are soooo welcome! Very glad I could help you understand.

        Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest updates from Learn Photography Skills on all things photography, including creative techniques & equipment.

    Top Posts

    What is the difference between Canon RF and EF mount?

    January 4, 202114K Views

    Canon EOS R5: Full Review

    March 7, 202310K Views

    Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera Review

    July 20, 20236K Views
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    All Time Most Popular

    What is the difference between Canon RF and EF mount?

    January 4, 202114K Views

    Canon EOS R5: Full Review

    March 7, 202310K Views

    Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera Review

    July 20, 20236K Views
    Our Picks

    How to create amazing abstract photos using water.

    February 20, 2023

    How to setup Canon Camera’s AF for sharper photos.

    August 7, 2023

    Create a stunning product photo using freeze frame photography!

    April 11, 2019

    See Every New Post!

    Sign up to receive an update when new posts are available to read on LPS.com!

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Photography Courses
    • Forums
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    © 2025 Learn Photography Skills

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.