AF mode on D30

[deepdiver]

I am very new to digital SLRs and have just purchased a second hand D30. I am very pleased with the camera but cannot seem to get to grips with the AF function for some reason. It came with a canon 28-80mm AF lens, it worked fine setting the lens to M but i want to use the camera in AF. I have set the camera to auto mode but when i depress the shutter release half way down it goes through its business of focussing but when ready will not let me depress the shutter ant further although it is all in focus. If i then carefully swith just the lens to manual the camera will take the picture no problem. I thought it might be the lens due to the 1.6 magnification and not getting enough light. I want to use the camera for photographing people (divers) and also motorcycles. I have purchased a 20mm f2.8 canon USM lens thinking thinking this would cure the problem but it does the same thing on the camera. Can anybody offer any advise as what i may be doing wrong, this is very frustrating and i'm thinking i must not be setting the camera up properly but have read the manual and cannot find anything else to do. Many thanks to those who give me their time.

[defordphoto]

Sounds like the low-light AF issue. The early dSLR's (D30/D60) did have this problem. Does this problem occur in bright light too?

[deepdiver]

No it only seems to happen indoors. Is there anything i can do too remedy it. Many thanks for your assistance.

[defordphoto]

Not really. Though the 500EX flash or ST-E2 transmitter will both offer infrared assist, but at a price. Other than that, it's manual focus. I feel your pain, I have a D60, so I use my 10D when I have to shoot in low light.

[deepdiver]

Oh well, many thanks for your help anyway. Merry xmas.
mark

[Cordell]

Well, I have a D60 that I seem to be able to focus in low light pretty good. My technique is to focus on something with more constrast, then recompose for the actual subject. For instance, at a wedding I will focus on the line between a dark tux and white shirt. I will avoid going straight for the dark tux or the pure white shirt. I place them both in my center focus point. This gives me a autofocus point. I will then recompose.

Of course this isn't always possible depending on what you are shooting and how fast the subject is moving. If the subject is moving fast, such as sports, I would suggest finding a point to focus and anticipate.

Also, are you using that AI Servo thing? I don't even use it, because my subjects are people indoors, so I'm not even sure what it is called.

[Motorsports Photo]

It sounds like you camera is not seeing your subject in focus so it wont release. Use the center focus for ANYTHING in low light. This sensor is more sensitive that the other ones since it can "see" Horizontal and Vertical.

This may be the only change you need to do to solve your problem.

-Pete

[deepdiver]

It has Al focus in the top LCD display, the settings ring is set on the green square (full auto) and the lens set to AF. I have tried focusing with just the centre focus point and have just tried shooting a picture straight into a 60w light bulb but it will still not take the picture on AF on any of my 2 lenses.

[deepdiver]

just to add to this the info in the viewfinder says that all is in focus, a solid green disc appears and it it says 180 and 6.7 when aimed at the light bulb, so why doesn't it release the shutter?

[Jahfakin]

deepdiver wrote:
just to add to this the info in the viewfinder says that all is in focus, a solid green disc appears and it it says 180 and 6.7 when aimed at the light bulb, so why doesn't it release the shutter?

If the camera says it is in focus and wont release the shutter, then my friend, you have a sick camera.

I have a D30, and low light focus is better with faster lens. the max aperature will allow more light in for the camera to focus properly.

[nosquare2003]

deepdiver wrote:
just to add to this the info in the viewfinder says that all is in focus, a solid green disc appears and it it says 180 and 6.7 when aimed at the light bulb, so why doesn't it release the shutter?

Do you have CF card inside the camera? Some cameras have a custom function to stop camera taking pictures without CF card. I don't know whether D30 has this custom function.

In addition to Jim's advice, a 420EX also helps to focus in low light condition. (BTW, a typo in Jim's reply. It should be 550EX, not 500EX.)