Nikon D3100: Focus Modes and Focus Points
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Howdy friends! Raise your hand if this has ever happened to you. You take a photo and it appears sharp on the LCD screen. You get home and view it on your monitor only to realize the subject is blurry and the background (or foreground) is crystal clear.
Accurate focus is one of the most important factors for super sharp photos. To achieve accurate focus, you need to have the right focus settings in place.
Credit: Francesco Pappalardo - Photo Gallery
When adjusting focus settings, it’s helpful to understand what focus points and focus modes are used for.
Focus points control WHERE focus is locked, while focus modes control HOW focus is acquired.
Focus Points
The D3100 comes with four different focus point options.
Single-point AF: You select the focus point.
Dynamic-area AF: You select the focus point and the D3100 will use surrounding focus points if the subject moves after locking focus (with AF-A or AF-C enabled).
Auto-area AF: The D3100 automatically chooses the best focus point.
3D-tracking: You select the focus point and the D3100 tracks the subject as it moves through the frame (with AF-A or AF-C enabled).
Most beginners leave Auto-area AF on all the time, allowing the D3100 to make all the decisions. However, if you want to make sure your intended subject is sharp, you may want to experiment with Single-point AF. I use Single-point AF whenever I shoot portraits to ensure the eyes are in focus. I use 3D-tracking and Auto-area for sports and fast moving subjects. Dynamic-area AF is good for shooting macro subjects outdoors and portraits of babies. In both instances, if the subject slightly moves from it’s original focus point dynamic-area AF will use the surrounding focus points to lock focus.
You can read more about focus points on page 58 of the D3100 manual.
Focus Modes
The D3100 comes with four different focus mode options.
AF-A: The D3100 reads the scene and selects a focus mode automatically. If the subject is stationary, it locks focus. If the subject is moving, it enables continuous focus.
AF-S: Focus is locked when shutter button is pressed halfway. If the subject moves away from the initial focus point, the subject will no longer be in focus.
AF-C: The D3100 focuses continuously while shutter is pressed halfway.
MF: Focus is achieved manually by using the focusing ring on the lens.
Most beginners leave AF-A enabled, allowing the D3100 to automatically read the scene and select the appropriate focus mode. This mode works pretty well in some situations, but my advice is to use AF-S for stationary subjects and AF-C for moving subjects. AF-S is great for locking focus and re-composing the shot. AF-C is great for shooting sports, as the action is constantly moving in many different directions.
You can read more about focus modes on page 55 of the manual.
For more tips, advice and recommendations, check out the Nikon D3100 homepage. Happy shooting!
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Moose,
I just purchased my Nikon 3100 last night. After much research, I believe it will be good for my needs. I have not had a chance to fully dive in yet, but was scratching the surface last night. I came across your blog this morning and it is going to be extremely helpful. Thanks for taking the time!
Wow… so I was stumbling around on the internet, trying to figure out how to move the focus dots and I found this page. I didn’t even realize there was a AF-C setting that focused continually. This is going to help me TREMENDOUSLY when I’m shooting pictures for the university!! Thank you so much for sharing! :)
I just traded up from my old Coolpix 8700 to a D3100. I take many macro pictures, or micro pictures as Nikon calls them, using a lightbox and multiple daylight bulbs. It was no problem using the macro setting sans flash. Now I get flash glare on well-lit subjects. If I mask off the camera flash from the lightbox, I get dark pics no matter how well lit the subject is.
Can I take pics with the macro setting without using the flash? Is there a particular setting? When I use auto-no flash, about one of every three shots is blurry. I’m using the stock 18-55mm lens, and would prefer not to have to spring for an AFS micro lens just now.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
PS: “It was no problem using the macro setting sans flash (with the 8700).” The problem is with the D3100.
please tell me which lens would be better for good sharp, indoor, outdoor, pictures i have D3100 model nikon
This morning I took some pictures with my 55-200mm lens and tried the wide angle lens for the first time. When I removed the wide angle lens I can’t focus regardless of the setting. When I put the wide angle lens I can focus, I tried a different lens and I have no problem focusing. Why can’t I focus my 55-200mm lens without the wide angle lens? Any advice? Thanks!!
hello. i am on the learning curve to becoming a photographer. i friend has asked me to do a wedding. i have a camera but would like a secondary one so i dont have to swap lenses everytime i want to do portrait shots to seeing something across the room.
how is the d3100 for wedding level photography? even with a deal. should i spend more money and go somewhere else?
thanks
confuzzled one :$
hola quisiera ayuda porque cuando aserco el objeto se auto selecciona el diaframa quisera saber como lo puedo desactivar
Hola Hugo. Lo que tienes que hacer es cambiar al modo “A” y después ajustar la apertura con el “Command dial”…
Hi, when I use the live view and try to focus, it is asif it never focus right, but when I go back to the normal view where I look through the viewfinder, then it focus right the first time. Autofocus is on. Please help and tell me what i’m doing wrong.
I’m trying to transition from an N60, which had one focus point. That meant I the photographer selected the subject and composed the photo. I’m constantly fighting with this D3100 over what the subject is and of course the moment’s gone if I have to dive into a menu. I wish I didn’t have to go into PASM modes just to get control of the focus point. I could really use any pro tips about how you guys cope with all the focus points; the smarter the camera gets the harder it is to trick into doing what I want.
Hi
what is the result of manual focus lens nikon AF 70-300 on D3100.
Please give reply.thank you
I just had my first coastal shoot with my d3100. I am so unhappy with the results. It was a sun rise shoot and ever image of the sun has the halo around it. Any suggestions for the best settings for sunrise / sunset shoots?
sounds like the lens was in the sun (assuming the sun wasn’t actually in the photo). The telephoto lenses come with a shade. You can also use your hand or something like a car window shade to block direct sunlight from hitting the lens.
Hi there Moose,
I want to know what is the best allround lens for the Nikon D3100? The Raynox DCR-250, where can I buy it in South Africa?
Thanx
Jan
Hi Moose!
I bought the camera 7 mos ago before I gave birth to my daughter. I am definately a beginner and trying to advance the camera fast to take good photos. Trying to use the manual mode with AF and often the pictures are still blury. How do I make sure that the subject usually my 7 mos old daughter or people are in good focus. As I understand the dots on the camera should be on the eyes of the person to make sure that the whole face is focused. Sorry if its a stupid q..
Besides making sure your focus points are in the eyes you must also make sure that the “holy trinity” is in check, i.e. Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.
If your Aperture value (the “f” followed by a number) is low that means that your lens is more opened and thus your shutter will open and close faster. This also means that the background will be out of focus. If you raise your aperture value then the opening will be more narrow and your shuttler will stay open longer, thus increasing the risk of blurriness is VR is not active or if you’re not using a tripod.
You can affect both the Aperture and Shutter Speed by raising your ISO level but this can lead to noise in your shot if you raise it too high.
How do i click a photo with focus on one particular thing and the rest of background a little blur?
Thanks !
choose arpeture mode and try to get the smallest f/stop number you can……this allows the foreground to be focused and the background to blur…..you will usually have slower shutter speeds shooting in this mode so you will probably want to enable VR if you have that on your lens and you may have to resort to a tripod….good luck.
In MF mode it will not focus. It has no beep when the shutter is halfed press. Why? Thanks
MF stands for manual focusing…autofocus will be disabled, along with the “beep” that happens when autofocus is achieved.
Oh i see. Thanks.
please help, super noob here:) can’t get my d3100 to do continuous autofocus while recording a video, i need to to keep on pressing the shutter release button everytime i need to refocus on anything. if you could please give me the settings on how to do continuous autofocus while recording or advice me on what i was not doing/setting right.
i hope my kit is not defective:(
thank you
I’m a mamarazzi and a jewelry designer and purchased the Nikon DSLR D 3100 to take pics of my kids and work and I’m a complete novice. I’ve found that reading all of your comments and this site have been very helpful!! Thanks
today while taking photos i observed a halo like ring around the centre focus point…is it normal to have that…i am using nikon D3100
were you shooting in the sun? was it a sun flare you were seeing? if sunlight is hitting the front of the lens at certain angles it will cause flares and halos. does it do this all the time? or was it just that one time? my guess is sun flares.
Hey. What kind of lens do i have to buy for my nikon d3100 to focus manually
i believe all nikon lenses have a manual focus option, you’ll see a switch on the side of the lens to turn autofocus on and off.
The switch to turn autofocus on/off is nice, but danged if I can find focus rings on either of the Nikkor lenses I bought with my D3100. All I find are the zoom rings. Am I missing something here?
NEVERMIND! I found the “focus” rings.
The focus rings are cleverly disguised as simple lens-body tubes that are exposed when you zoom in, thus exposing enough of the tube to use as a focus ring. I was looking for traditional graduation marks, of which there are non on the Nikon.
I was just wondering if anybody had any advice on lenses for the D3100. I understand that it is compatible with AF-S but how much of a difference is noticable with an AF lens?!?! Please help?!
I have been looking into a 70-300 mm AF Tamron or Nikkor, as well as a 55-200mm, any insight would be appreciated!
the d3100 can only autofocus with G series AF-S lenses. if you get a D series AF lens, you’ll have to manually focus yourself.
hey just recently purchased this camera and was wondering how do i take a photo like the shot of the mug you posted up, focus on the subject and blurred the background ?
to do a shallow depth of field shot like that you need a large aperture lens, such as the nikon 50mm 1.8G. the 18-55mm kit lens doesnt have a large enough aperture to really blow the background out like in the mug shot.
Hello,
How I can get this kind of blured backround in the video mode? (what settings and lens or stuff I need?), and not only shooting makros.
http://c452351.r51.cf2.rackcdn.com/nikon-d3100-focus-modes.jpg
Use a 50mm lens And kep a distance between the object and the background :)
I just got the nikon 35mm lens, fantastic for that effect and also for darker pics, am well impressed by it, and it is only around 200€
I like your sensible tips and comments, especially concerning autofocus.
Keep them coming!
Hello Sir,
Your this blog is awesome.
Can u please help me with lens…
I am looking for tele lens
Tamron AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2
if you have any idea. hows its works with D3100. Its autofocus… ring moment… work at max focal length.
Regards
Rahul Jain
www.facebook.com/RjClicks
www.500px.com/RahulJain
I have got a new D3100 and quite amazed. I love photography but dont know how to start off. I am shooting with Auto, Nigh Mode and Portrait mode which is not the way I want. I want to click some shots the way I want like putting fous on background and front pic blurred and then close up of some flower or leaves. May be a toy but when I click the pic becomes so flashy and looks very similar to a normal digital camera.
Pls help how should I start off
Hi,
Use Manual mode in order to get real taste of DSLR & watch some youtube videos about what is ISO settings, Aperture & shutter speed – Good luck.
Firstly thanks for all the tips, I would like to know when i am shooting with my D3100 Nikon Camera in a Wedding, The Video light is too high and it makes all my picture to be more yellow. It also dominates my picture and overexpose the picture. Can you plse help me. I am using a NIKON D 3100 with 18 – 55 mm and a SB700 Nikon Flash.
Thanks!
Use Manual mode and set ISO 100 and shutter speed fast in very bright light environment e.g (setting as 1/200 with F25) If picture going darker play with these setting values.
I had the same problem with one of my lenses at a wedding, on a 3100 and 7000. I found that it was the nikon nc filter was causing the yellow. use a uv o filter indoors or no filter you will see the difference
i am a begginer but i really loves photography. I still have difficulties getting a perfect pictures :(( so I need all the help i can get……
Practice make man perfect! – Anyhow use Manual mode and play with shutter speed, ISO and aperture & Good luck.
I Want Tips on Metering,….
Spot, Multi point…which is better for Macros, Poitraits, Landscapes, Birds, Natures…. Pls. help me…
Hi, I have owned a D3100 for a few months now and im loving it. Im going to a wedding at the end of september and would love to take some photos of the couple inside the church, whats the best settings to use? And would program should I use to edit my photos.
thanks
try adobe lightroom 3 to edit and enhance your photos
Hi Moose! I have had my d3100 for a couple of months now and I have been reading about Back Button Focusing. Is this possible to do? I’ve heard you can’t with the 3100 bc it doesn’t have the AF-On button. Thanks!
The D3100 DOES have the AF-On option for the AE/AF Lock button.
I hope you can help me with a question. I want to take a few good pictures of my son, but he is in constant motion. (Maybe too much information: He also does not “pose” for photos, and even if he ever does, it won’t look natural.)
All my point-and-shoot photos of him are blurred, or out of focus (or sleeping).
I am thinking of getting a DSLR to take better pictures of him, and to learn some amateur photography. Is the focus on the D3100 fast enough and accurate enough to help a novice take better pictures?
My impression is that the D3100 offers a good combination of speed and accuracy in focusing, and that the big sensor will offer some speed, quality, and bokeh advantages over the MFT cameras.
Will I get any advantages in focus accuracy by stepping up to the D5100 and the “cross-type” autofocus point? Or with the D7000 that has bunch of them?
The 7000 seems like a lot of extra money, but if it takes consistently better pictures of high-speed subjects, then it will be worth it.
I appreciate any advice.
Hi Dave, I only just got my D3100 yesterday. I bought it at BestBuy. They assured me if I don’t like it I can return it within 14 days. There is a lot to learn as to how to use all the features and it might be somewhat bewildering. I am practising different shots, this is the only way I can find out if this camera is suitable for my travels.
Give it a try and good luck!
Dave,
I got a D3100 a month ago and it have used it exactly for this type of situation various times. To stop motion your shutter speed has to be at least at 1/300 (300th of a second). If you’re taking the pictures in a very well lit area or don’t mind using the flash if you need to you should have no trouble with this. The D3100 has a focus mode that focuses continually some say it was designed by parents who wanted to pictures of their children because it’s perfect for the situation you’re talking about. I would stick with the D3100 if I were you it has everything you need and if you’re looking to bump up the quality choosing the right lens will do wonders for you. Since you’re a novice the D3100 really is great choice for you. It’s very easy to pick up and learn how to use quickly. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the explanation, this has helped me finally understand the difference. Now what is the Focus Area for. I have been reading in the manual about the focus points, focus modes & focus area & they got me confused!
Cheers
Firstly thanks for all the tips I have already picked up from this site. A really big help after getting back to an SLR after years of compact point and shoot cameras. My question is, how do I set the single point auto focus mode to recognize only the center point in the viewfinder. Currently the point that seems always to be the “beep” point is off to the left of center in the viewfinder.
Thanks in advance!!
It just shows what you can figure out by trying!!! In P,S,A and M mode you can move the position of the active “beep point” by using the multi selector to change its position. Once it has been moved it remains in that position (until you move it again by mistake).Thanks anyway
Hi Moose, This is just awesome…I am a learning photographer..I got my D3100 a week ago and I was really disappointed with results coz i`ve been using AUTO mode :)
Now i love it!!
Thanks for sharing all the tips!
Love your blog!!
Thanks a lot. I bought a Nikon D3100 and I have been benefited tremendously by the expert tips for the shots!
I just bought the D3100 and would like some expert tips for shots @ my sons little league baseball games. I was also wondering how much zoom I will get without a “zoom” lens.
Thanks so much :)
Hi Moose,
Thanks for the tips ;). Very helpful for me for the beginner. This Sunday i’m going for my son sports day. I would like to know what is the best setting for kids sport?
Thanks.!
I have a problem with the d3100, yesterday I was taking pictures at a party and when I take a picture of 4 people it will only focus on 1 or 2 of the 4 people on the picture.. what can I do so it will focus on everybody in the picture?
put the aperture at f/8 or more.
Thank you for the precise and practical tips.I am understanding my new D3100 better now!
This blog is awesome. I just bought D3100. I think we can find everything in the manual but it’s quite boring. You have made it easy and interesting.
Thanks!
Howdy Megha,
Welcome and congrats on your new D3100! Thanks for the kind words…happy shooting!
- Moose