How to focus when using a tripod

**Hattifnatt** · 05-15-2013, 03:15 PM

Hello everybody,

I have recently purchased a K5 and yesterday I added a tripod (MK293A3-A0RC2). I am planning to give it a try tomorrow. I will be using hyper manual mode M and self-timer (2 sec).

My question is: what would be the best practice to focus with such setup? so far I have set the focusing area on center and I have been using the focus-lock focus-recompose-shoot technique, but will it work on a tripod, or it will be too difficult to keep my finger on the shutter release button while recomposing now that the camera would be on a tripod? are there any other options?

My experience with SLR's is very limited, I've got the camera few days ago and this is my first DSLR.

I will be using the kit lens (18-55 WR) with a CPL filter.

tuco · 05-15-2013, 03:33 PM

Try live view, move the focus box to where you want focus to be in the scene and take the picture.

**Miguel** · 05-15-2013, 03:52 PM

Live view, manual focus, SR off, self-timer, wireless remote control. I also auto bracket by .5-1 stops. Mode (Av, M, Tv etc.) is not important.

M

Ole · 05-15-2013, 05:28 PM

Or, if live view doesn't work for you, use the AF button on the back of the camera to focus and in the menu disable that the shutter button activates AF.

**interested_observer** · 05-15-2013, 06:57 PM

While you are in LiveView, you can press the [info] button and it will zoom in 2x. Press the [info] button and you go to 4x, and again to 6x, then one more time and it will return to standard LiveView. At each stage, you can use the arrow buttons to move up/down/left or right and make focus adjustments.

enjoy!!

MADDSNIPER · 05-16-2013, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by Ole

Or, if live view doesn't work for you, use the AF button on the back of the camera to focus and in the menu disable that the shutter button activates AF.

This is my setup, works well.

**Hattifnatt** · 05-20-2013, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by MADDSNIPER

This is my setup, works well.

Can you please specify exactly what do I need to do in order to achieve this? I did not modify this setting as it seemed to me the manual was a bit unclear. I only need to modify one setting, right ? disable that shutter button activates AF. Or do I need to make another one for the AF button?

05-15-2013, 03:15 PM	#1
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625	How to focus when using a tripod Hello everybody, I have recently purchased a K5 and yesterday I added a tripod (MK293A3-A0RC2). I am planning to give it a try tomorrow. I will be using hyper manual mode M and self-timer (2 sec). My question is: what would be the best practice to focus with such setup? so far I have set the focusing area on center and I have been using the focus-lock focus-recompose-shoot technique, but will it work on a tripod, or it will be too difficult to keep my finger on the shutter release button while recomposing now that the camera would be on a tripod? are there any other options? My experience with SLR's is very limited, I've got the camera few days ago and this is my first DSLR. I will be using the kit lens (18-55 WR) with a CPL filter.

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05-15-2013, 03:33 PM	#2
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Try live view, move the focus box to where you want focus to be in the scene and take the picture.

05-15-2013, 03:52 PM	#3
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Live view, manual focus, SR off, self-timer, wireless remote control. I also auto bracket by .5-1 stops. Mode (Av, M, Tv etc.) is not important. M

05-15-2013, 05:28 PM	#4
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Or, if live view doesn't work for you, use the AF button on the back of the camera to focus and in the menu disable that the shutter button activates AF.

05-15-2013, 06:57 PM	#5
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	While you are in LiveView, you can press the [info] button and it will zoom in 2x. Press the [info] button and you go to 4x, and again to 6x, then one more time and it will return to standard LiveView. At each stage, you can use the arrow buttons to move up/down/left or right and make focus adjustments. enjoy!!

05-16-2013, 12:55 PM	#6
MADDSNIPER Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 108	Originally posted by Ole Or, if live view doesn't work for you, use the AF button on the back of the camera to focus and in the menu disable that the shutter button activates AF. This is my setup, works well.

05-20-2013, 01:50 PM	#7
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	Originally posted by MADDSNIPER This is my setup, works well. Can you please specify exactly what do I need to do in order to achieve this? I did not modify this setting as it seemed to me the manual was a bit unclear. I only need to modify one setting, right ? disable that shutter button activates AF. Or do I need to make another one for the AF button?