Reading mode: Light Dark

D50 Autofocus issues

Go to last post
C

caboverpete

Member
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Location
US
I just got a D50 and am noticing it have alot of trouble autofocusing, sometimes it seems to try to focus but never locks in so it wont let you shoot while other times it focuses lighting quick. Is this normal, it is my first DSLR so.

Thanks
cabover
 
It all depends on the distance the subject is away, available light, and enough contrast on your focus object to trigger a focus lock. Be more specific and we can help out.
 
Nikon AF is one of the best among similar level DSLRs. If you are in a low light situation and using the kit lens, the AF might be a bit slow sometimes. If this happened during normal lighting conditions, then either the lens or the camera is faulty and you should ask for a replacement immediately.
--
Harry
 
i have seen this happen on mine, but only when i am too close to the subject, so i switch to manual and focus myself
--

 
Thanks guys, sounds like the issues are normal. I was just playing with it indoors and the light wasnt great and lot of the subjects were pretty close. I'll work with it some more tonight and see what happens. Thanks again.
 
The kit lens focuses pretty close, but indoors in low light it will hunt if the subject doesn't have a lot of contrast. So if you are focussing on a vase sitting on a table, for instance, point the center focus block on an edge of the vase to get it to lock. Also, make sure you are using the center focus area, it might have been set to something else during a demo.

Jim
 
After playing around some and reading a bit I believe the issues are normal. One problem was definatly light, I was doing a lot of experimenting and think this was causing the AF assist light to get hot and not come allowing itself to cool, which made AF have trouble. When the assist light did come on and the frame wasn't to busy and had good contrast the AF locked on quickly. Also seems after it get a good lock on a subject it has not problem quickly switching back and forth to various subjects.
 
caboverpete,

That is one of the tricky things about the AF in the D70, also. You need to hit the focus button twice. The first time gets pretty close, but the second time nails it. There is a thread on here somewhere from about a year ago about re-programming the buttons so you can use the AF button to focus and half-press the shutter to get the exposure lock. I don't know if this works on the D50, but it should. By default the camera is setup to take the exposure reading and the focus from the center when the shutter release is pressed. This works pretty well most of the time, but outdoors in contrasty light it backfires.

You can program the buttons to your preference, but that is the way I do it, and it gives total control of focus, exposure and composition.
Jim

Here's an explanation with an example by one of the greats in this forum, Tao.Design:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=14301789
caboverpete said:
After playing around some and reading a bit I believe the issues
are normal. One problem was definatly light, I was doing a lot of
experimenting and think this was causing the AF assist light to get
hot and not come allowing itself to cool, which made AF have
trouble. When the assist light did come on and the frame wasn't to
busy and had good contrast the AF locked on quickly. Also seems
after it get a good lock on a subject it has not problem quickly
switching back and forth to various subjects.
Click to expand...
 
Wow guys thanks for all the info! I'm a video/multmedia guy just getting into photography, so you will probably be hearing from me quite a bit. I'm waiting for the weather to get alittle better to get out and take some shots and as soon as that happens I'm sure I will have plenty of questions for you guys.

Thanks
 
OK now I'm starting to think there is a problem with either the lens or body. I did some focus tests sitting in a well lit room with my D50 and a friends Digital Rebel and the Rebel had no problems focusing at all anywhere I pointed it and my D50 was very sporadic, sometimes lock, sometimes searching and sometimes it didnt even seem to try. I guess I'll either be returning it or sending it in for service, seeing as its only 4 days old I will probably just return it.
 
caboverpete said:
OK now I'm starting to think there is a problem with either the
lens or body. I did some focus tests sitting in a well lit room
with my D50 and a friends Digital Rebel and the Rebel had no
problems focusing at all anywhere I pointed it and my D50 was very
sporadic, sometimes lock, sometimes searching and sometimes it
didnt even seem to try.
Click to expand...
Ok, when it happens to me (D50 & 18-55) usually the focus indication is moved from center to right (so i have to make is center). Probably from viewing the photos and using the 4way controller.

Also when everything is ok and it doesn't focus in low light, try to focus in something that has a contrast and not a dull color. Works for me.

--
Costas
 
I am using AF-A and I have tried using each focus area option. It does seem to work better with the single area mode. I take your guys real world experience for more than I do the tech guy I talked to. It really sounds like my experiences are inline with yours.
 
caboverpete said:
I am using AF-A and I have tried using each focus area option.
Click to expand...
I "gave-up" on af-a, its a kewl function, but does not predict what "you" want to to focus on imo, as it switches between continuous and single at the weirdest times ...
I use AF-S or AF-C based on subject
 
Just an update. Ended up exchanging the D50 for a new one and the new one works like a charm. Autofocus is fast, accurate and reliable.
 
caboverpete said:
Just an update. Ended up exchanging the D50 for a new one and the
new one works like a charm. Autofocus is fast, accurate and
reliable.
Click to expand...
glad to hear your'e ok now.
pity that it failed tho :(

--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just reflecting on my view of life's view
Dee-5-OH
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top