Focusing to Infinity

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How do I focus to infinity to take pics of the nice fireworks? I have searched and couldn't find a specific answer. I have a D50 and am planning to use the 18-55mm kit lens.

Thank you
 
Infinity (I believe) is just setting the focus to the furthest distance away. So for example on my 350d (and I think pretty much every camera) you turn the focus ring anti clockwise (if you are behind the camera looking through the view finder) right too the end, that is infinity.

I hope I am correct, if not I have been very wrong for MANY years :(

Lenses on my old Pentax's use to have the little infinity logo (http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/abbey/ap/img/infinity.gif) to indicate this.
 
AH ok that makes sense, to what i had been trying/playing with.
 
Just a not here, some lenses are set to focus beyond infinity - ie. you will fine a little more distance beyond the infinity marker. This is to allow fo infinity in the infra red spectrum (IIRC)
So if you have no markers focus all the way out then pull back just a little. Using a narrow aperture will account for any small mistakes but you will still get the desired effect :)
 
Well, I took some fantastic firework shots last year.....but I didnt just focus on infinity. I used the first few fireworks to get it sharp and left the focus there for all the rest.
Fireworks1.jpg
 
Janice - super shot there - what sort of settings were needed for it? Paul :thumbs:
 
Thanks Paul 7" @F13 tripod with remote release if I remember correctly.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Just a not here, some lenses are set to focus beyond infinity - ie. you will fine a little more distance beyond the infinity marker. This is to allow fo infinity in the infra red spectrum (IIRC)
So if you have no markers focus all the way out then pull back just a little. Using a narrow aperture will account for any small mistakes but you will still get the desired effect :)
Click to expand...
What RtS said :thumbs: - the lenses on my Nikon go past infinity - they have the infinity symbol (like a stretched out number "8" on its side) but the focus goes past that so either set the lens to the infinity by sight on the lens dial or as Janiced said focus by sight (thru the viewfinder) on a few fireworks & leave the focus there - Thanks Janice for your reply btw I might give that a try tonight when the sky is all lit up!
Paul ;)
 
By definition you can't focus past infinity!

Try and focus on something (a street light) suitably far away then switch to manual and use something like F11 to give a bit of depth of field, a shutter speed of around 4 to 5 seconds if you are not sure just when a firework will go off or 1-2 seconds if you are able to judge better.
 
Jimmy_Lemon said:
So for example on my 350d (and I think pretty much every camera) you turn the focus ring anti clockwise
Click to expand...

On my Oly you can choose which way to focus. No focus markers but i dont think they go past infinity. But my fuji does and never understood why TBH.
 
I've a selection of lenses and they all focus "past" infinity. Never tried IIRC shooting so have never needed it.

However what I do is:
- Sturdy tripod
- Cable release
- Wide angle lens (30mm or less) set to f8+
- Timer set to bulb
- Focus on some distant object (take a test shot to be sure.. its sharp at infinity)
- Flick the AF/M switch to M and dont fiddle with the focus any more.
- Blast away.
- Warm clothes and boots

This taken on Friday (Downend Bristol round table display).. went on for ages.
Actually got bored :eek:

fix.jpg
 
IIRC the focus can move past it's infinity setting to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.
 
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