When Autofocus Fails

Autofocus can fail to achieve focus (the focus confirmation light <> blinks) with certain subjects such as the following:

Subjects difficult to focus

• Very low-contrast subjects (Example: Blue sky, solid-color walls, etc.)
• Subjects in very low light
• Extremely backlit or reflective subjects (Example: Car with a highly reflective body, etc.)
• Near and far subjects covered by an AF point (Example: Animal in a cage, etc.)
• Repetitive patterns (Example: Skyscraper windows, computer keyboards, etc.)

In such cases, do one of the following:

(1) With One-Shot AF, focus an object at the same distance as the subject and lock the focus before recomposing

(2) Set the lens focus mode switch to <MF> and focus manually.

• If an Extender (sold separately) is attached and the maximum aperture of the lens is f/5.6 or smaller (larger f/number), AF will not be possible (except Live mode/u Live mode AF). For details, see the Extender's instruction manual.
• For situations where AF can fail to achieve focus with Live mode/u Live mode AF,
  • Shooting conditions which can make focusing difficult:
  • Low-contrast subjects such as the blue sky and solid-color, flat surfaces.
  • Subjects in low light.
  • Stripes and other patterns where there is contrast only in the horizontal direction.
  • Under a light source whose brightness, color, or pattern keeps changing.
  • Night scenes or points of light.
  • Under fluorescent lighting or when the image flickers.
  • Extremely small subjects.
  • Subjects at the edge of the picture.
  • Subjects strongly reflecting light.
  • The AF point covers a near and faraway subject (such as an animal in a cage).
  • Subjects which keep moving within the AF point and cannot keep still due to camera shake or subject blur.
  • A subject approaching or moving away from the camera.
  • Autofocusing while the subject is way out of focus.
  • Soft focus effect is applied with a soft focus lens.
  • A special effects filter is used.