Operating the H Cameras for Digital and Film Photography 63
these options to make the camera operations ideal for the way you like to photograph spe-
cifi c subjects. Some custom options allow you to put data on the display that might be help-
ful. Other options provide easy manual bracketing or allow easy and instant locking of a spot
meter reading so that you can re-compose without a change in the exposure setting.
You will probably program some of these options, such as those that apply to the meter-
ing and focusing mode, into the camera and leave them there for all your photography. Others
you may program for specifi c cases only.
FOCUSING THE H CAMERA
Focusing Options and Settings
The focusing area for the automatic focusing system in the H cameras is clearly indicated by
a small rectangular area within the spot meter circle in the center of the focusing screen. In
Auto Focus, you point this focusing area at the part of the composition on which the lens
must be focused. The focusing system has only one focusing area and the area is small to
allow you the most precise focusing for the most important subject area in your photographs.
Automatic focusing with the H cameras can be programmed for either Single or
Continuous mode. In Single-shot mode (AF-S), the shutter release is blocked until the lens
has time to focus on the center area. Because the automatic focusing in the H cameras is
extremely fast, this setting is not likely to cause an objectionable delay in any situation,
therefore AF-S is a good choice for most photography. In Continuous mode (AF-C), the shut-
ter can be released instantly for instant pictures, which you may want to consider in action
photography.
The desired focusing mode is set as follows with the camera in the active mode:
1. Press the AF button on top of the display.
2. Turn the front control wheel to either Manual (MF), Single-shot (AF-S), or Continuous (AF-C)
mode. Press the ISO/WB (Drive) button.
Precise focusing in dim light or with low-contrast subjects is best achieved with the AF
assist light. As described in the section Custom Options, the red AF assist light can be pro-
grammed so that it is always used in the camera or so that the assist light is used in an exter-
nal fl ash. The latter may be preferable because it is located farther away from the camera and
is more powerful. It can also be turned off if it is objectionable to the people in front of the
camera.
The LED Focus Aids
A correct focus setting, whether done manually or automatically, can be indicated in the view-
fi nder with two LEDs in the shape of arrowheads (Figure 4-17).
This option can be changed as described in the section Custom Options. It gives you the
option of programming the camera so that the LEDs are always visible, are visible only when
the release is pressed halfway (the default setting), or are never visible. If a lens is not focused
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