Quick Start Guide

Focus lock
The golden rule of composition
Things to watch out for
Basics of
Digital SLR
Digital SLR
Basics
Focus lock is a function that lets you “lock in” the correct focus by
keeping the shutter button pressed halfway, so you can reframe the
shot to get the composition you want. Focus lock is also useful when
you want to take a picture of the sky or some other subject that is
difficult for the autofocus system to “see.” (Focus lock is disabled
when AF-C continuous autofocus is active.)
In both art and photography, the golden rule of composition is to visualize a grid like the
one shown here, and to position your primary subject on one of the points where the
gridlines intersect.
The DYNAX 5D’s high-performance autofocus system benefits from
Konica Minolta’s expertise as the company that pioneered built-in AF
systems for SLR cameras. Offering exceptional accuracy, it features
9 separate AF sensors for wide-area coverage that gives you great flexibility
in how you frame your subject. And it lets you exercise control by using the
focus area selector switch to choose any of the nine sensors as a spot-
focusing target—the selected focus point will
be indicated by a red mark superimposed on
the image in the viewfinder.
Wide-area, 9-point autofocus system
Predictive focus control for
moving subjects
Shooting data: AF 100 – 300mm f/4.5 – 5.6 Apo(D), 1/640 s, F5.6, ISO 100,
WB: Manual, Anti-Shake On
With fast-moving subjects, the position of the subject can change in the
split-second between focusing and shutter release, resulting in an out-of-
focus image. In Continuous AF mode, the DYNAX 5D overcomes this
problem by analyzing the subject’s speed and accurately predicting the
focus point at the moment of shutter release.
A choice of autofocus modes
A quick press of the Function button lets you access the
autofocus mode settings and select the one that best
suits your subject or shooting situation. Autofocus modes
include single-shot AF-S mode for portraits and subjects
that don’t move very much, continuous AF-C mode for
sports and fast-moving subjects, and an AF-A mode that
can detect subject motion and automatically switch between
continuous and single-shot modes as needed.
Bright, clear viewfinder for easy focusing and framing
The roof-mirror type viewfinder combines the advantages of low weight and compact size with 0.83x magnification that
assures a bright, clear view of your subject. In addition, it has a spherical acute matte focusing screen that makes it very
easy to confirm correct focus.
Distance metering point
Distance metering area
AF-S Mode (Single-Shot AF)
DMF (Direct Manual Focus)
AF-A (Automatic AF)
AF-C (Continuous AF)
MF (Manual Focus)
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the focus locks onto the subject and
the focus stays locked until the button is released.
The autofocus system remains active as long as the shutter button is pressed
halfway, continuously refocusing in response to subject movement.
The autofocus system automatically switches between single-shot AF-S mode
and continuous AF-C mode in response to subject movement.
If you want to focus manually, autofocusing can be disabled via the AF/MF
switch on the front of the camera. Even during manual focusing, the focus
indicator in the viewfinder will illuminate when correct focus is achieved.
Autofocusing is performed as in AF-S mode, but as soon as the focus locks onto
the subject, the focus drive is disengaged to allow manual fine-tuning.
Spherical acute matte focusing screen
Aim the camera at
the sky and press
the shutter button
all the way down.
Focus on the building
in the distance and
hold the shutter button
pressed halfway.
Off-center is better
Positioning your subjects in the center of the
frame usually results in a less dynamic and
interesting composition than if you position
them to one side.
Watch out for “flowerpot heads”
Be aware of vertical background elements
like trees and poles, and shoot from an
angle that does not make them look like they
are growing out your subject’s head!
Keep an eye on the horizon
Try to avoid shooting from angles that
position the horizon right at your subject’s
neckline. You’ll get a more attractive
composition if you shoot from a slightly
higher or lower angle.