Delaying Shutter Release: Self-Timer Mode; Autofocus Mode - Nikon CoolPix 885 User Manual

Autofocus mode

The autofocus system operates in one of two modes, depending on whether the
monitor is on or off.
AF mode
How It Works
Camera adjusts focus
continuously.
Continuous AF
Focus can be locked by
(monitor on)
pressing the shutter release
button halfway.
Single AF
Camera focuses only when
(monitor off)
shutter release button is
pressed halfway
Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Autofocus performs best when:
• There is contrast between the subject and the background. For example,
autofocus may not perform well on subjects that are the same color as the
background.
• The subject is evenly lit.
Autofocus doe not perform well when:
• You attempt to focus simultaneously on two or more objects at different
distances from the camera. For example, autofocus may not perform well
when photographing an object inside a cage, because the bars of the cage
will be closer to the camera than the main subject, and both the bars and the
main subject will be in focus area at the center of the frame.
• The subject is very dark (the subject should not, however, be too much
brighter than the background).
• The subject is moving rapidly.
If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus, use focus lock (p. 61) to focus
on another subject at the same distance.
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Pros and cons
Pro:
• Minimizes time needed for
camera to focus, allowing you
to react quickly when
presented with a sudden
opportunity to capture the
perfect shot.
Con:
• Pictures can be taken when
camera is not in focus; check
green light before shooting.
Pros:
• Pictures can be taken only
when camera is in focus.
• Saves battery
Con:
• Slight delay before camera
focuses.

Delaying Shutter Release: Self-Timer Mode

When the self-timer is used, the camera will not take a picture until ten
or three seconds after the shutter-release button is pressed. The ten-
second timer is generally used for pictures in which you wish to appear
yourself, when it gives you time to position yourself in front of the
camera after pressing the shutter-release button. The three-second
timer prevents pictures from being blurred by camera movement that
occurs when the shutter-release button is pressed. This feature is most
useful when taking low light or close-up shots with the flash turned off.
To use the self-timer:
1 Position the camera
• Mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest it on a flat, stable
surface.
2 Select a self-timer mode
Press Self-timer icon
displayed in monitor
• Press the button until either
(autofocus + self-timer, for
pictures at ranges of 30 cm/1 ft. or
more at widest angle or 60 cm/2 ft.
or more at telephoto) or
(macro close-up + self-timer, for
pictures at ranges of 4 cm/1.6 in. or
more at widest angle or 30 cm/1 ft.
or more at telephoto) appears in the
monitor.
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