Nikon D200 Users Manual

							51
Reference—Focus
This section describes the options that control how your camera focuses: fo cus 
mode, focus-area selection, and AF-area mode.
Focus Mode
Focus mode is controlled by the focus mode se lec tor 
on the front of the camera.  There are two autofocus 
(AF) modes, in which the cam era focuses automati-
cally when the shutter-re lease button is pressed half-
way, and one manual focus mode, in which focus 
must be adjusted man u al ly using the focusing ring 
on the lens:
Option Description
S
Sin gle-
servo AFCamera focuses when shutter-release button is pressed half way.  Fo cus 
locks when in-focus indicator (●) appears in view fi nd er, and re mains locked 
while shutter-release button is pressed halfway (focus lock).  At default set-
tings, shut ter can only be re leased when in-fo cus in di ca tor is dis played (fo-
cus  pri or i ty).
C
Con tin u ous-
servo AFCamera focuses continuously while shutter-release but ton is pressed half-
way.  If subject moves, focus will be adjusted to compensate (predictive fo cus 
tracking; 
 52).  At default settings, pho to graphs can be taken whether or 
not camera is in focus (release priority).
M
Man u alCamera does not focus automatically; focus must be adjusted manually us-
ing the lens focusing ring.  If max i mum aperture of lens is f/5.6 or faster, 
view fi nd er fo cus in di ca tor can be used to con fi rm focus (electronic range 
fi nd ing), but photographs can be taken at any time, wheth er or not camera 
is in focus.
Choose single-servo AF when photographing stationary subjects.  Continuous-
servo AF may be a better choice with erratically-moving subjects.  Man u al fo cus 
is rec om mend ed when the cam era is unable to focus using autofocus.
Focus
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Reference—Focus
 The AF-ON Button
For the purpose of focusing the camera, pressing the AF-
ON button has the same eff ect as pressing the shutter-re-
lease button halfway.
 Predictive Focus Tracking
In continuous-servo AF, the camera will au to mat i cal ly ini tiate pre dic tive focus track ing if 
the subject moves while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway or the AF-ON but-
ton is pressed.  In predictive focus tracking, the camera will track focus while at tempt ing 
to predict where the subject will be when the shutter is re leased.
 a1—AF-C Mode Priority ( 148)
If Focus is selected for Custom Setting a1 (AF-C Mode Priority), photographs can be 
taken in continuous servo-AF only when the camera is in focus.  Note that regardless of the 
setting selected, focus will not lock when the in-focus indicator is displayed.
 a2—AF-S Mode Priority ( 148)
If Release is selected for Custom Setting a2 (AF-S Mode Priority), photographs can be 
taken in single servo-AF even when the camera is not in focus.  Note that regardless of the 
setting selected, focus will lock when the in-focus indicator is displayed.
 a5—Lock-On ( 150)
This option controls whether the camera immediately adjusts focus to track a subject when 
the distance to the subject changes drastically.
 a6—AF Activation ( 151)
If AF-ON Only is selected for Custom Setting a6 (AF Activation), the camera will only 
focus when the AF-ON button is pressed, not when the shutter-release button is pressed 
halfway.
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Reference—Focus
Focus Area Selection
At default settings, the D200 off ers a choice of eleven focus areas that together 
cover a wide area of the frame.  The focus area can be selected manually, allow-
ing photographs to be com posed the main sub ject positioned almost anywhere 
in the frame, or automatically to ensure that the subject closest to the camera is 
always in focus regardless of where it is the frame (closest-subject priority; 
 54).  
Group dynamic-AF can be used to focus on the closest subject in a selected area 
of the frame (
 54).
To select the focus area, rotate the focus selector lock 
to the “●“ position.  The multi selector can then be 
used to select the focus area.
To select the center focus area (or focus area group) 
at any time, press the center of the multi selector.
The focus selector lock can be rotated to the “L” 
(locked) position following selection to prevent the 
se lect ed fo cus area from changing when the multi 
se lec tor  is  pressed.
 Focus Area Selection
The focus area can not be changed when the exposure meters are off , during playback, or 
while menus are displayed.
 a3—Focus Area Frame ( 148)
In single-area () and dynamic-area AF (), select Wide Frame (7 Areas) to choose 
from seven wide focus areas instead of the normal eleven ( 55–56).
 a7—AF Area Illumination ( 151)
Depending on the option selected for Custom Setting a7 (AF Area Illumination), the ac-
tive focus area will be highlighted briefl y in red to improve contrast as needed (“Vari-Brite” 
focus areas), highlighted at all times, or never highlighted.
 a8—Focus Area ( 151)
This option can be used to set focus area selection to “wrap around.”
 f1—Center Button > Shooting Mode ( 168)
Depending on the option selected for Center Button > Shooting Mode (Custom Set-
ting f1), pressing the center of the multi selector will have no eff ect or will illuminate the 
selected focus area.
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Reference—Focus
AF-Area Mode
AF-area mode de ter mines how the focus area is 
selected in autofocus mode.  To select the AF-area 
mode, rotate the AF-area mode selector.  The select-
ed mode is shown by an icon in the control panel 
(see below).
Mode Icon Description
Single-area AF
User selects focus area using multi selector; camera focuses on 
subject in selected focus area only.  Use for relatively static com-
  po si tions with sub jects that will stay in selected focus area.
Dynamic-area 
AF
User selects focus area manually, but camera uses information 
from multiple focus areas to de ter mine focus.  If sub ject leaves 
selected focus area even briefl   y, cam era will focus based on in for -
ma tion from oth er focus areas (focus area selected in view fi nd er 
does not change).  Use with continuous-servo AF to follow er-
ratically moving subjects and in oth er situations in which it is dif-
fi cult to keep subject in se lect ed focus area.
Group
dynamic- AF
User chooses focus area group (see 
right).  Camera focuses on center 
of selected group; if subject leaves 
focus area even briefl y, camera fo-
cuses based on information from 
other focus areas in same group.  
Use when subject is moving errati-
cally but place of subject in overall 
composition is known.  Custom
To p
LeftCenterRight
Bottom
Setting a4 (
 149) can be used to change how focus areas are 
grouped or to focus on closest subject in selected group.
Dynamic-area 
AF with closest 
subject priorityCamera automatically selects focus area containing subject clos-
est to camera.  Prevents out-of-focus shots when photograph-
ing erratically moving subjects.  Focus area can not be selected 
manually and is not displayed in viewfi nder or control panel.
 Manual Focus
Single-area AF is automatically selected when manual focus is used.
 The Control Panel
The selected focus area or group of focus areas is shown in the control panel in single-area 
AF, dynamic-area AF, and group dynamic-AF.  The illustrations in the “Icon” column show 
the display when the center focus area or focus area group is selected.  The control panel 
display does not show the focus area selected by the camera for dynamic-area AF with 
closest subject priority.
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Reference—Focus
Focus Zone Selection
When  (single-area AF) or  (dynamic-area AF) is selected for AF-area mode 
(
 54), the user can select from normal or wide focus areas (only normal focus 
areas are available when 
 group dynamic-area or  closest subject priority 
AF is selected for AF-area mode).
Option Description
Normal Frame
(11 Areas)
(default)User can select from eleven focus areas; camera focuses on selected fo-
cus area.  Use to focus on specifi c areas of subject.
Wide Frame
(7 Areas)User can select from seven focus areas each covering wide area of 
frame, making it easier to position subject in focus area and reducing 
time needed to frame photographs.  May produce unpredictable results 
if focus area contains multiple subjects.
Focus areas are displayed in the control panel and viewfi nder as follows:
Control panel
Viewfi nder Single-area AF Dynamic-area AF
Normal Frame
(11 Areas)
Wide Frame
(7 Areas)
To choose focus zone size using Custom Setting a3 (Focus Area Frame), display 
the Custom Settings menu and follow the steps below.
1
Highlight Autofocus.
2
Display options.
3
Highlight a3 Focus Area Frame.
4
Display options.
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Reference—Focus
5
Highlight option.
6
Make selection.
To choose focus zone size using the FUNC. button and sub-command dial:
1 Select Focus Area Frame for Custom Setting f4 
(FUNC. Button; 
 170).
2 Press the FUNC. button and rotate the sub-com-
mand dial.  Wide focus zones are used when 
WIDE is displayed in the control panel.
Focus Lock
Focus lock can be used to change the com po si tion after focusing, making it pos-
sible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus area in the fi  nal composition.  
It can also be used when the autofocus system is unable to focus (
 59).
In single-servo AF, focus locks automatically when the in-focus indicator (●) ap-
pears in the viewfi nder.  In continuous-servo AF, focus must be locked man u al ly 
using the AE-L/AF-L button.  To recompose a photograph using focus lock:
1 Position the subject in the selected focus area 
and press the shutter-release button halfway to 
ini tiate  focus.
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Reference—Focus
2 Check that the in-focus indicator (●) appears in the viewfi nder.
Single-servo AF
Focus will lock automatically when the in-fo cus 
indicator appears, and re main locked until you 
remove your fi nger from the shutter-re lease 
button.  Focus can also be locked by pressing 
the AE-L/AF-L button (see below).
Con tin u ous-servo  AF
Press the AE-L/AF-L button to lock both fo cus and 
exposure.  Focus will remain locked while the AE-
L/AF-L button is pressed, even if you later remove 
your fi nger from the shutter-re lease button.
3 Re com pose  the  pho to graph  and  shoot.
In single-ser vo AF, focus will remain locked be tween shots as long as the shut-
ter-re 
lease button is kept pressed half way, al low ing sev er al pho to graphs in suc-
  ces sion to be taken at the same focus setting.  Focus will also remain locked 
between shots while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed.
Do not change the distance between the camera and the subject while focus 
lock is in eff ect.  If the subject moves, focus again at the new distance.
 c2—AE-L/AF-L ( 156)
This option controls whether the AE-L/AF-L button locks focus and exposure (the default 
setting), focus only, or exposure only.
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Reference—Focus
The AF-Assist Illuminator
The built-in AF assist illuminator enables the camera 
to focus even when the subject is poorly lit.  The cam-
era must be in focus mode S (single-servo autofocus), 
an AF-Nikkor lens must be attached, and the center 
focus area or focus area group must be selected or 
closest subject priority in eff ect.  If these conditions are met and the subject is 
poorly lit, the illuminator will light automatically to assist the autofocus operation 
when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.
For the AF-assist illuminator to function correctly, the lens must have a focal 
length of 24–200 mm and the subject must be in range of the illuminator.  Lens 
hoods should be removed.  With most lenses, the illuminator has a range of about 
0.5–3 m (1 ft. 8 in.–9 ft. 10 in.).  With the following lenses, autofocus with AF-assist 
illumination is not available at ranges under 0.7 m (2 ft. 4 in.):
•  AF Micro ED 200 mm f/4D
•  AF-S ED 28–70 mm f/2.8D•  AF-S VR ED 24–120 mm  f/3.5–5.6G
•  AF Micro ED 70–180 mm f/4.5–5.6D
With the following lens, AF assist is not available at ranges under 1 m (3 ft. 3 in.):
•  AF-S DX ED 55–200 mm f/4–5.6G
With the following lens, AF assist is not available at ranges under 2.5 m (8 ft. 2 in.):
•  AF VR ED 80–400 mm f/4.5–5.6D
AF assist is not available with the AF-S VR ED 200–400 mm f/4G.
 Continuous Use of the AF-Assist Illuminator
After the AF-assist illuminator has been used for several consecutive shots, it may turn off  
briefl  y to protect the lamp.  The illuminator can be used again after a short pause.  Note that 
the illuminator may become hot with continuous use.
 a9—AF Assist ( 152)
This option can be used to turn AF-assist illumination off .
With the following lenses, AF assist is not available at ranges under 1.5 m (4 ft. 11 in.):
•  AF-S VR ED 70–200 mm f/2.8G
•  AF ED 80–200 mm f/2.8D•  AF-S ED 80–200 mm f/2.8D
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Reference—Focus
Under the conditions described above, the optional SB-800 and SB-600 Speed-
lights and SU-800 wireless Speedlight commander will provide active AF illumi-
nation for the following focus areas:
AF lens focal length Normal frame (11 areas) Wide frame (7 areas)
23–34 mm
35–70 mm
71–105 mm
With other Speedlights, the camera AF assist illuminator will be used.
Getting Good Results with Autofocus
Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below.  If the cam-
era is unable to focus using autofocus, use manual focus (
 60) or use focus lock 
(
 56) to focus on another subject at the same distance and then recompose 
the photograph.
There is little or no 
contrast be tween 
the sub ject and the 
back ground
Example: sub ject is the same col or as the 
back ground.
The focus area 
con tains  ob jects  at 
diff 
 er ent  dis tanc es 
from the cam era
Example: sub ject is in side a cage.
The subject is dom-
  i nat ed  by  reg u lar 
geo met ric  pat terns
Example: a row of windows in a skyscraper.The focus area 
con tains areas of 
sharp ly  con trast ing 
bright ness
Example: sub ject is half in the shade.
The subject many 
contains fi  ne details
Example: a fi eld of fl owers or other subjects 
that are small or lack variation in brightness.The subject appears 
smaller than the 
focus area
Example: focus area contains both fore-
ground subject and distant buildings.
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Reference—Focus
Manual Focus
Manual focus is available for lenses that do not sup-
  port autofocus (non-AF Nikkor lens es) or when auto-
focus does not produce the desired re sults (
 59).  
To focus manually, set the focus-mode selector to M 
and adjust the lens focusing ring until the image dis-
played on the clear matte fi eld in the viewfi nder is in 
focus.  Pho to graphs can be taken at any time, even 
when the image is not in focus.
The Electronic Range Finder
If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, 
the viewfi  nder fo cus indicator can be used to con fi  rm 
whether the portion of the subject in the se lect ed fo-
cus area is in focus.  After positioning the sub ject in 
the active focus area, press the shut ter-re lease but ton 
half way and rotate the lens fo cus ing ring un til the in-
fo 
cus  in di ca tor  (●) is dis played.
To determine the distance between your subject and the 
camera, measure from the focal plane mark on the cam-
era body.  The distance between the lens mounting fl  ange 
and the focal plane is 46.5 mm (1.83 in.).Focal Plane Position
 A-M Selection/Autofocus with Manual Priority
When using a lens that off ers A-M selection, select M when focusing manually.  With lenses 
that support M/A (autofocus with manual priority), focus can be adjusted man u al ly with 
the lens set to M or M/A.  See the documentation provided with your lens for details.
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