The focus peaking feature in cameras has been used mostly by the videographers and moviemakers but now even photographers are taking advantage of it.

There is an increased interest in manual focusing that offers some advantages over autofocusing.

LCD displays and electronic viewfinders have made it easier to view clearly what you are photographing.

You can see the scene in real time when you switch on the live view feature. The advanced systems of cameras are now capable of processing and evaluating images quickly in real time.

When the focus peaking in camera is activated, the parts in focus are highlighted and you can clearly identify those parts on the display.

The photo processing system of the camera identifies the image parts that have high contrast. These points are indicated as the focused parts.

There are many advantages of focus peaking feature for the photographers.

Poor Eyesight

Everyone does not have the perfect eyesight. A person with poor eyesight finds it difficult to identify the part or parts of the image that are in clear focus.

Without using the focus peaking, you may end up taking photographs where the part that you wanted to be in clear focus remains out of focus.

A little assistance from this focusing function helps you get photographs where the subjects are in focus accurately.

If using the LCD display screen of the camera, you are able to see with both eyes. It gives you higher viewing sense and perception of the scene you are photographing. You can discern parts of a scene in a better way.

When the focus peaking option is activated, the live view display highlights the areas that are in peak contrast. The focused points are highlighted with the help of colored points.

As you rotate the lens barrel, you can clearly see the colored highlighter dots moving to the parts of the image that are in focus. It processes the image instantly and you will see the changing focus highlighter in real time.

It dramatically speeds up your photography works because you can see the focused parts quickly and clearly.

When You Do Not Want to Depend on the Autofocus

Autofocus is an excellent advantage when you are trying to take photos of fast-moving subjects. It proves useful when you cannot change and adjust the focus rapidly.

However, there are some conditions where the autofocus does not deliver the perfect result. In such cases, the focus peaking feature will help you a lot. You will be able to set the focus exactly at the point where you want it.

As you turn the focus ring, you can see the highlighter moving from one part to another depending on which part of the scene is in focus.

It lets you view and adjust the focus with relative ease. This feature is beneficial when the camera’s viewfinder or display cannot reveal the sharply focused part unaided.

Dial in Depth of Field Accurately

With the help of focus peaking, you not only confirm the focused part, but you can also adjust the depth of field properly.

You can compose the scene better because it is easier to identify and control the elements of the scene that are in focus. You can keep specific elements of the scene in focus by lowering the f-number while blurring the background and foreground elements.

Sometimes you want only one or a few parts of the scene in focus while at other times you want every part of the scene in focus.

You can use this feature to confirm the impact your aperture selection has on your shot. It helps you get the right depth of field in your photos.

Take Advantage of Your Manual Focus Lenses

The focus peaking lets you take advantage of a wide range of manual focus lenses. These lenses are available cheaply and can be attached to digital camera bodies directly or using the lens mount adapters.

Some photographers prefer manual focus lenses over the AF lenses. It comes to personal choice and preferences.

You can get the best out of your manual focus lenses with the latest techniques like focus peaking found in some digital cameras.

You may have come across a good manual focus lens but did not want to use it because it lacks the autofocus feature. Now you can use such lenses with the help of focus peaking feature of your digital camera.

Take Advantage of Video Capabilities of the Still Cameras

Focus peaking in camera was primarily intended for videographers and moviemakers so if you want to use the video capabilities of your still camera, this feature will make your movie making tasks easier.

It allows you to quickly check the parts of the image that are in focus. You can stop video recording when the subject is no longer in focus.

It proves useful when you are facing difficulty in recording perfectly focused scenes of a fast-moving event. You will avoid shooting shots that are not in focus and cannot be used in the final film.

The shots can be checked through the director’s monitor and there is no need to hover over the shoulder of the camera operator.

Makes Bright Daylight Outdoor Photography Easier

It can be difficult to confirm the focus when taking photos in the outdoor areas during bright daylight days.

The low resolution of the camera display can make it difficult to see the scene clearly. You will struggle to establish the focused part of the image.

Now you can validate your focused part with the help of focus peaking even when you are taking shots under the bright daylight condition.

You may be facing an awkward camera position that is making it difficult to focus correctly. You will find focus peaking useful in all such outdoor photography conditions.

While this feature offers all these advantages, it has some downsides as well. If the lens is stopped down significantly or you are using a wide angle lens, the system may deliver increased depth of field.

In these conditions, the focus peaking can highlight a larger part of the image needlessly.

Sometimes it can highlight areas that are not really in focus because it uses high contrast points to identify the focused parts of the scene.

It can zero in on naturally contrasty parts while in reality, those parts are out of focus. This feature is available only in certain digital cameras, mainly in mirrorless digital cameras.

In some digital cameras, you will need an additional digital screen to use this feature. Focus peaking feature gives you better control over the sharpness of your images.

It makes it easier to take photographs where the main parts and subjects are always in focus.

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