Nikon D300 User Manual page 88

Focus mode is controlled by the
focus-mode selector on the front of
the camera. There are two
autofocus (AF) modes, in which the
camera focuses automatically
when the shutter-release button is
pressed halfway, and one manual
Focus-mode selector
focus mode, in which focus must be adjusted manually using the
focusing ring on the lens:
S
Single-servo
AF
C
Continuous-
servo AF
M
Manual
(pg.71)
Description
Camera focuses when shutter-release button is pressed
halfway. Focus locks when in-focus indicator (0) appears
in viewfinder, and remains locked while shutter-release
button is pressed halfway (focus lock). At default settings,
shutter can only be released when in-focus indicator is
displayed (focus priority).
Camera focuses continuously while shutter-release button
is pressed halfway. If subject moves, camera will engage
predictive focus tracking (pg. 63) to predict final distance to
subject and adjust focus as necessary. At default settings,
shutter can be released whether or not subject is in focus
(release priority).
Camera does not focus automatically; focus must be
adjusted manually using the lens focusing ring. If
maximum aperture of lens is f/5.6 or faster, viewfinder
focus indicator can be used to confirm focus (electronic
range finding; pg. 72), but photographs can be taken at any
time, whether or not subject is in focus.
Choose single-servo AF for landscapes and other stationary sub-
jects. Continuous-servo AF may be a better choice with erratically-
moving subjects. Manual focus is recommended when the camera
is unable to focus using autofocus.
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