Fujifilm AF+MF overrides Focus Priority, causing blurry photos.
Clip title: Fujifilm Setting That Overrides Focus Priority Author / channel: pal2tech URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy6_PWCPiR0
Summary
This video delves into two critical autofocus settings on Fujifilm cameras: “Release/Focus Priority” and “AF+MF” (Auto Focus + Manual Focus), highlighting a subtle but important interaction between them that can lead to unexpected blurry photos. The main topic revolves around understanding how these settings behave, particularly when used in combination, and offering solutions to ensure sharp images.
The presenter first explains “Release/Focus Priority,” found in the AF/MF menu, which offers two options for both AF-S (single-shot autofocus) and AF-C (continuous autofocus): “Focus” or “Release.” When set to “Focus,” the camera will only fire the shutter if focus has been successfully acquired, preventing blurry shots. Conversely, “Release” prioritizes immediate shutter response, allowing the camera to take a photo even if it’s not in focus. He demonstrates how “Focus” priority effectively stops the camera from taking an out-of-focus image until the subject is sharp.
The core problem arises when “Release/Focus Priority” is set to “Focus,” but the “AF+MF” setting is simultaneously turned “ON.” While “AF+MF” is designed to allow users to manually fine-tune focus immediately after autofocus has locked, the Fujifilm manual notes that pictures can still be taken out of focus if “AF+MF” is enabled, regardless of the “Release/Focus Priority” setting. This means that if a photographer acquires focus on one subject, then quickly recomposes to another distant subject and presses the shutter without giving the lens enough time to re-focus, the camera will still fire, resulting in a blurry image, despite “Focus” priority being selected. The camera essentially trusts the user’s manual input and won’t halt the shutter release.
To avoid this common pitfall, the video offers two main recommendations. Firstly, photographers who primarily rely on the camera to ensure focus should keep “AF+MF” turned “OFF.” This allows “Release/Focus Priority” to function as expected, preventing blurry shots when set to “Focus.” For instances requiring manual fine-tuning (like macro), “AF+MF” can be temporarily switched on. Secondly, for those who desire both the benefits of autofocus and manual override, setting the camera to full “Manual Focus” (M) mode and utilizing “back-button focus” is recommended. This approach allows the user to acquire focus with a separate button and then manually adjust the focus ring, effectively bypassing the conflicting logic of “AF+MF” overriding “Focus” priority, thus giving ultimate control over sharpness.
Video Description & Links
Description
Fujifilm’s RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY has hidden and often misunderstood connection to another focus setting. It’s all about a race between the focus motor in the lens and the shutter in the camera. And once you see why Fujifilm built it this way, you’ll look at it differently. Thanks to Switchback Guitars and Summer Snaps, who posted and tested this in the channel comments four years ago.
📔 Table of Contents 0:00 Two Settings Enter, One Leaves 0:19 The Two Settings At War 0:42 Finding RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY 1:37 What AF+MF Actually Does 2:08 The Demo Setup On The X-T5 2:41 Focus Priority Doing Its Job 3:10 Now Watch What Breaks 4:00 Why The First Shot Was Blurry 4:43 A Race Between Lens And Shutter 4:58 Why Fujifilm Built It This Way 5:37 Fix One: Turn AF+MF Off 6:29 Fix Two: Back Button Focus 6:48 Thanks And Wrap Up
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fujifilm camera, fujifilm camera settings, fujifilm, fujifilm xt4, fuji camera, fuji xt4, fujifilm xt5, fuji xt5, fuji gfx, fujifilm autofocus, release focus priority, fujifilm af+mf, af+mf fujifilm, fujifilm x-t5, fujifilm focus priority, fujifilm menu settings, fujifilm af settings, back button focus fujifilm, fujifilm blurry photos, fujifilm camera tips, fujifilm tutorial, fuji x series, x-t5 settings, fujifilm focus ring, manual focus fujifilm, pal2tech, fast friday
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Related Concepts
- Release Priority
- Focus Priority — Wikipedia
- AF+MF
- AF-S — Wikipedia
- AF-C
- autofocus — Wikipedia
- manual focus — Wikipedia
- Macro photography — Wikipedia
- Blurry photos
- Recomposition — Wikipedia
- Focus lock