Why Is My Camera Not Focusing | Let’s Find Out the Answer

In the professional life of photographers, they often have to face some difficulties with their camera and equipment. But among all of these, the most frustrating problem for a photographer is the ‘focus not working’ issue. Without proper focusing, it’s impossible to capture sharp images, and all you got is nothing but a blur in those images.

So if you are facing such a problem and looking for answers to the ‘why is my camera not focusing’ question, you have come to the right place. Both physical and technical issues on the camera or lens can malfunction the focusing of your camera. The camera’s focusing depends on several factors, and any one of these can cause it to malfunction.

Let’s see what can cause focus not working issues, and the solutions.

Why Is the Camera Not Focusing Most Common Reasons?

Some technical and physical problems to the camera body or lens can cause the focus function not to work. Let’s know about these problems and how to solve these.

Focus on The Manual Mode

Sometimes we look for something bigger but forgets about small ones. Photographers often have to switch between manual and autofocus modes. But after setting the mode to manual many forget to set this back on autofocus. So, first, check if your lens is on autofocus mode or not.

If your camera is not on autofocus mode, you cannot capture a sharp image with a focused object clicking on the shutter button. Manual mode will not hamper the image capturing ability, but it will not autofocus, so you must manually focus on the object to get a sharp image.

If you have a Canon or Sony camera, you’ll find the manual and autofocus switching button on the lens body. You have to physically switch the button from MF to AF to change your focus mode.

Nikon cameras feature the focus modes on the lens and the camera body. So you have to set both the switch to Autofocus.

The Fuji camera’s focus switch is placed on the camera body but not on the lens.

So make sure your focus switch is on Autofocus to solve the not focusing issue.

Focus Mode is Wrong

A prevalent cause of not getting the expected outcome from your camera’s autofocus mode is lack of knowledge. Autofocus is a blessing, but only if you know to use it properly. There are various autofocus modes, and you should have proper knowledge about all of those.

There are 3 autofocus modes in a camera. The nomenclature of these is different in different Camera brands, but the features are identical.

Single Autofocus mode

• Nikon: AF-S Mode
• Canon: One-shot AF
• Sony: Single-shot AF

This mode is best to use when you are capturing a non-moving object. AF-S is not intelligent, and if the subject moves, it cannot detect it as a result, you get blurry images.

Continuous Autofocus Mode

• Nikon: AF-C Mode
• Canon: AI Servo AF
• Sony: Continuous AF

When capturing a moving object, this is the mode to use. In this mode, the autofocus will adjust itself when the object moves inside the autofocus area.

Continuous Autofocus mode

• Nikon: AF-A Mode
• Canon: AI Focus AF
• Sony: Continuous AF

In this mode, the camera itself decides whether autofocus mode to use. Depending on the subject, the camera sets the modes, and you get the perfect shot.

So you better check that you have the proper settings of the autofocus modes, or it is not possible to get sharp images.

Lens Contacts Are Dirty

If the lens is not connected with the camera body properly, it will not focus. Ensure that the lens is attached properly. There are metal contacts on the lens and the camera which connect the lens to the body.

Detach the lens and check if the contacts are clean or not. If these seem dirty, then you can clean those using a microfiber cloth. After that, mount the lens again. You’ll hear a click sound when the lens is mounted properly.

After remounting the lens, check its focusing, and it should be fixed.

Related post: How to take apart a camera lens to clean

Low contrast

Have you ever tried to capture a cloudless blue sky or just a solid color? If you have, then you should know that your camera struggles to focus in such situations. That reason is in a solid background, there is no contrast. The camera needs different colors to focus.

The camera cannot capture a solid background, and it starts hunting. By hunting, I mean the camera will keep focusing in and out. When you see through your camera viewfinder, you see some red square dot that shows the contrast area. That means it can only focus on those red areas.

So make sure you focus on the high contrast area rather than the low contrast, and you’ll be able to focus without any difficulty.

It’s Too Dark

If the camera cannot see, it cannot find focus. For shooting at night, lenses that have a larger minimum aperture are the best fit. These lenses allow more light to enter through the lens and will enable the camera to see in the dark.

At night due to lack of light, the shutter speed of the camera will also get slow, and if your handshake during this time, you’ll get blurry images for sure. So you have to choose the proper lens and camera sensor for good focusing during the night.

Poor Technique

While shooting moving objects, you have to use precise techniques. Make sure your shutter speed optimal. It may seem that 1/50 of a second is enough, but most of the time, it is not. Sometimes you have to get 1/2000 of a second. So having the shutter speed set to an optimal position is crucial, or else you’ll get blurry and out of focus every time.

Try to use a high-quality tripod and keep your hand steady while capturing images. This will help you to click focused shots.

You Are Too Close

Different lenses are capable of focusing at various distances. While a micro lens can find focus on a very near but there a macro lens cannot. The general focusing distance for a macro lens is a minimum of 1 foot. So, the objects are between the camera, and one-foot space will go out of focus.

So, make sure the subject is not very close. If you are, the camera will keep hunting focus, and it will be unable to lock. Back up a little bit, and this issue should resolve.

Not Using the Central Focusing Point

Different camera models feature different numbers of focusing dots, e.g., 9,17, etc., but the central dot or focusing point is the most sensitive one. It is wise to use the central point when you are facing any type of focusing issue. It contains the maximum amount of technologies into that single point, and it even works in low light.

Many times the side dots are accurate and also not positioned correctly. The actual focusing position differs from what the camera actually shows. So the central focusing point is more reliable for finding focus. Using side dots can sometimes produce out-of-the-focus images, but that will not happen if you use the central focus point.

What to Do If Autofocus Does Not Work?

If any of the above solutions cannot fix your problem, you can use the manual focusing as an instant solution. To do so, switch to manual focus mode and then twist the focus ring. Keep twisting it until the subject seems crystal clear in the viewfinder. Then press the shutter button to click the image.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

How to focus on a fast-moving object?

If you want to focus your focus on a fast-moving object, you must use continuous autofocus mode. Select the mode and also set optimal shutter speed, such as 1/1500 of a second. After making these changes in the setting, you can easily focus and capture a fast-moving object without facing any out-of-focus issues.

How to recognize a damaged lens?

Lens long very last, but sometimes many users face focusing issues. If your lens has a focusing issue, you’ll not get sharp images. Every time you capture a snapshot, it will turn out an out-of-focus or a hazy image. So if the lens is unable to lock focus and it can be a sign of a damaged lens.

How to focus in low light?

Using a lens with a larger minimum aperture will help a lot in focusing at low light conditions. Some cameras come with a little light to help to focus at night. You can also use the manual focus option in low light to lock focus as well.

Final Words

I have mentioned several reasons that can be an obstacle for your camera to find focus. Hopefully, the solutions will help you get rid of all types of focusing issues, and you get perfectly focused snapshots every time.