infinity settings

[Dan Cook]

I've been reading more about how to take lightning shots with my Rebel XT and one suggestion was to set it in infinity mode. How do you do that? I read on a different forum that there's an L marking or something on the lens that you move the focus ring to and that sets it. But both of my lenses do not have that.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Not sure if its the correct way to go about it or not, but what has worked for me is turning it to AF then Focusing on something in the distance for me it normally ends up being a light from a farm house, after I focus on that I just flip it back over to MF and shoot away.

 

[John Diel]

Check the lens switch to MF (Manual Focus) and turn the focusing ring to the infinity symbol (looks like a number 8 on it's side). You might have to move it just a tad either way to make sure it's in focus depending on the lens.

Also, as Dan stated, pick something on the horizon, zoom in on it as much as you can (again, depending on the lens) and use your auto focus (AF) to get the focus you want. Switch the lens to Manual Focus (MF) and zoom back to the wider angle you want. Re-Check the focus and make the small adjustments as needed.

John Diel

 

[Dan Cook]

neither of my lenses has that 8 thing.

 

[John Diel]

Since I don't have any EFS lenses, I can't say for sure. But if there is one, it's all the way to the right side of the Focus ring. Same ring in which the Meter/Feet scale is on.

All of my leses have this scale and notation.

 

[Dan Cook]

I've got these lenses:

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CN5018II

and the 18-55mm kit lens. As far as I can see they don't have those markings...unless I'm blind.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I have the same 50mm and just do what Dustin mentioned. It's only going to work if you have it set on one focusing/metering point(read the manual for that). Then just set that dot on any kind of light and it should focus on it fine. Then back off to manual. If that's not an option you can do it with just manual focusing, obviously. You just have to back it slightly off the full spin. Play with it in day light to see how far off that is. It's not much, but I surely wouldn't just spin it all the way to the edge.

 

[John Diel]

What Mike said....

You sure there isn't a little symbol like this??

 

[Dan Cook]

Nope. None that I can see.

 

[Dick McGowan]

Nope. None that I can see.

The 50 mm doesn't have it I don't think....just put it on manual and turn it counter clockwise all of the way. Then slide it back to the right a hair to get it in focus. I think infinity is determined by the air temperature you are shooting it in, so in a warmer/colder environment, it will be at a different setting.

 

[Billy Griffin]

I think infinity is determined by the air temperature you are shooting it in, so in a warmer/colder environment, it will be at a different setting.

I'll be darn, I learn something new everyday on this site. It makes sense though - cold, clear air versus warm, hazy conditions. That gives me something to consider when I do the infinity settings on my lenses, yet when looking at the image, some areas appear out of focus. Good tip!

 

[John Diel]

Want to really learn something about Infinity and Lens refraction? See this site specific to photography:
http://photo.net/photo/optics/lensTutorial

 

[Dan Cook]

Link doesn't work.

 

[Stan Olson]

http://photo.net/photo/optics/lensTutorial

 

[Dan Cook]

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SG1770EOS

That's gonna be my next lens.