Focus; Focus Mode - Nikon D5100 Reference Manual

Focus

This section describes the focus options available when photographs are framed in
the viewfinder. Focus can be adjusted automatically or manually (see "Focus Mode, "
below). The user can also select the focus point for automatic or manual focus (0 45)
or use focus lock to focus to recompose photographs after focusing (0 44).

Focus Mode

Choose from the following focus modes. Note that AF-S and AF-C are available only in
modes P, S, A, and M.
Option
Auto-servo
AF-A
AF
Single-servo
AF-S
AF
Continuous-
AF-C
servo AF
MF Manual focus Focus manually (0 45).
1
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button.
Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.
Information display
2
Display focus-mode options.
Highlight the current focus mode in the
information display and press J.
Camera automatically selects single-servo autofocus if subject is
stationary, continuous-servo autofocus if subject is moving. Shutter can
only be released if camera is able to focus.
For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button is
pressed halfway. Shutter can only be released if camera is able to focus.
For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously while shutter-
release button is pressed halfway. If subject moves, camera will engage
predictive focus tracking to predict final distance to subject and adjust
focus as necessary (0 40). At default settings, shutter can only be
released if camera is able to focus (0 158).
Description
P button
z
39