Auto focus lenses that have a focusing ring can be focused manually.
Most of today's digital and film cameras have auto-focus lenses either attached to them, or designed to work with them. There are some instances, however, when it is easier and more accurate to manually focus a lens prior to taking the picture. Adjusting camera focus is critical in capturing a picture that is not blurry. Depending on the camera and lens you are using, you can manually focus the lens accurately with some practice.
Instructions
1. Turn your camera on and adjust the "AF/MF" that is located on either the lens or the camera, depending on the manufacturer of the camera system you are using, to "MF" for manual focus. If you do not switch the lens to manual focus, you run the risk of damaging the motors when you try to focus manually. Inspect your camera lens to make sure it has a focusing ring on it. Even if the camera has the switch to change to manual focus, it needs to have a focusing ring to adjust, otherwise the lens will not be in focus.
2. Hold the camera to your eye and slowly turn the focusing ring until the image appears to be in focus. Back the focusing ring off and repeat to make sure the image is as sharp at it can be. If your camera has a "Live view" feature where you can view the image you are about to shoot on the rear LCD screen, you may get more accurate focusing using that feature when the camera is mounted to a tripod. Press the "Live view" button and the "Magnification" button to zoom in on the subject you are photographing. Adjust the lens until the image is in focus, then zoom out and recompose the picture. This works well for macro or landscape photography.
3. Press the shutter release to take the picture once the image is focused.
Tags: focusing ring, manual focus, your camera, camera lens, focus lens, have focusing, have focusing ring
