Cover photo by kyokyo
Modern cameras are equipped with excellent autofocus features, but using manual focus intentionally allows for more freedom and expressive control.
This time, we introduce scenes where manual focus shines, such as street, starry sky, and macro photography, along with specific tips. Master manual focus to broaden your photographic expression.
Zone Focus in Street Photography
In street photography, use "zone focus" to ensure you don't miss a fleeting shutter opportunity. This technique involves pre-setting the distance to your subject and fixing the focus within a specific range. By setting the focus at 5 meters and the aperture to F8, subjects within that range will appear sharp.
Photo by Tenzen Hiraoka
The feeling of capturing moments with your own eyes and camera operation, without relying on autofocus, offers an immersive experience as if you are directly grasping the atmosphere of the street.
Infinity Focus in Starry Sky Photography
When photographing starry skies or night scenes, precise focusing in low-light conditions, where autofocus struggles, is required. In this case, set the lens to infinity (∞) with manual focus and use the live view magnification feature to find the point where the stars appear sharpest.
Photo by 佐藤 勇人
By utilizing the "Live Composite" feature of the LUMIX series, you can also capture beautiful starry landscapes while accumulating brightness.
Focus Peaking in Macro Photography
In macro photography, even a slight focus shift can have a significant impact. The "focus peaking" feature is useful here, as it highlights the in-focus areas on the camera screen with color, making fine adjustments easier.
Photo by YuKoreeda
Additionally, since handheld shooting can easily cause blurring, use a tripod and carefully focus manually to beautifully capture the details of the subject.
By mastering manual focus, the freedom of photographic expression significantly increases. Try manual focus in various shooting scenes and explore new possibilities of expression.
