FASTER than Autofocus: The Easiest Way to Learn Zone Focus

Zone focus is FASTER than autofocus, and EASIER than manual focus. You're going to learn how to do it in a matter of minutes with the best, simplest explanation to get you zone focusing immediately.
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Special thanks to Mike Gutterman, a community supporter and Co-Host of The Negative Positives Podcast for providing the music for this episode. Check out his music for your own content:
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0:00 - Why Zone Focus
0:30 - What Is Zone Focus?
1:04 - Who Can Use Zone Focus?
1:24 - What Do You Need to Get Started?
1:39 - THIS Is How You Do It
2:05 - Example #1: 35mm Lens on a Rangefinder
3:27 - Example #2: 35mm Lens Close-up Setting
4:39 - Example #3 - 50mm Lens on SLR
6:00 - Example #4 50mm Lens on SLR
6:35 - What are the Limitations?
7:18 - What are the best situations to use zone focus?
7:35 - How do I Judge Distance?
8:13 How do I Anticipate Moments?

[@quantum_ocean]

it's called RANGE FOCUSING. Zone focusing is not a thing. Someone confusaed it with the zone system -- Ansel Adam's technique, to determine the correct exposure.

[@themikepadua]

Search the internet for "range focus" and you'll find that "zone focus" is the term used by an overwhelming majority of people--so much so, that the top results in any given search engine that explain the technique call it "zone focus. Using commonly accepted language to communicate a technique is the most helpful thing to the greatest number of people--and that's what I'm trying to do here: be helpful.

[@SergioMusel]

With zone focusing it is important to point out that "in focus" really means "in acceptable focus". Spot on focus depth is still more shallow than the actual zone, but it will be acceptable, speaking in textbook terms.

[@roiloubia4483]

You are correct, the distance scale on the lens is not very accurate, reason I set the infinity symbol a bit under the choosen shooting Aperture. If I choose to shoot at f22, I set the infinity symbol just under f22 (between f16 and f22, a bit closer to f22).

[@ksjung88]

@@roiloubia4483 Valuable tip...I'll try your placing the symbol at lower position. Thanks.

[@roiloubia4483]

@@ksjung88 Very welcome..

[@MyFlamingoe]

Is this the reason why I find that even if the subject is already within the zone, a tiny adjustment can still make the subject sharper?

[@brandonlabbe3577]

Gotta remember the scale is for acceptable focus for 35mm prints. How big were 35mm prints? 10"?

[@procare7036]

I watched so many "how to zone focus" videos/tutorials and your video is the first one that explains it in a really simple and understandable way. Thank you so much, Mike. for such a great video.

[@themikepadua]

I really appreciate you watching!

[@ElevatedThreat]

Finally...FINALLY...Someone explains in simple terms, how to use these type lenses. (For us, less than seasoned, photographers.). Thank you!

[@ceritat]

Thank you!! I have watched so many videos about this and never understood a thing. You have finally given me the "Oh, I get this, it's so simple" moment. Well done!

[@matianqi1800]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. These old school skills deserved to be respected and passed on.These tutorials on skills are what grow the community. For me, a [manual lens] + [entry-level mirrorless body] may be more budget-friendly and easier access than film though.

[@themikepadua]

Thanks for watching!

[@yendor2043]

In the last three decades I have seen this explained many, many times. By far your video was the best explanation I have seen. Good job and thanks for taking the time to share this focus method with others.

[@themikepadua]

Thank you very much, I appreciate you watching!

[@Pysees868]

I've watched a few videos on zone focusing, yours was the easiest to understand. Huge thank you!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you so much for watching! I was really trying to simplify the concept as much as possible. Zone focus has literally changed the way i shoot nearly 90% of the time!

[@satishkarotia1378]

Lovely video can you please make more videos on manual focus full tutorial it will be very helpful for beginners ❤

[@astirink7617]

Best video I’ve seen on this subject - thank you 🙏

[@margonz4871]

Perfect and to the point. Many thanks.

[@Red-xz1gk]

The best zone focus explanation and tutorial out there! Super great job!

[@trials6]

By far the best tutorial explaining zone focusing

[@banamai]

Great tutorial! Clear and concise.

[@jamesjennings-yd2bc]

Thank you for making this so easy to understand. It's going to help immensely.

[@2sambell]

Great video on zone focusing!! Thank you for sharing.

[@chriscorey5164]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@Exercises10]

Very helpful, thanks for sharing!

[@richardbarakett4163]

Definitely the easiest course i've seen . clear and simple ! Thank you Mike

[@agustinm6109]

Thank you, I just got a manual lens and was looking on how to improve my manual focusing. This is great

[@Cjproductions903]

Simplest and best yet. This helped so much

[@jonnyo3297]

Thanks Mike! That was so helpful.

[@Warrenkee]

Best way I’ve seen it explained well done 👍

[@ackamack101]

That was a great explanation. Thank you so much!

[@StuBlair]

Explained with beautiful simplicity- thank you for making this video ❤

[@pete360]

Watched quite a few videos explaining zone-focusing techniques - this is the best. Thanks

[@el0blaino]

Great, clear, efficient how-to. Thank you!

[@f1remandg]

Very well explained and presented, grasping this is easier than i have seen before.

[@deludedmarxist]

This has really opened up a world for me to play with! I only just got a manual focus Pentax and I'm so excited to give this a go on the street, so thank you so much for this!

[@athtut1]

Thank you very much for great video.

[@ksjung88]

Thanks for your easy-to-follow teaching.

[@nagendrarao631]

golden video thank you

[@amdesidik305]

Thanks Mike lovely tips

[@phvrvohxo]

very helpful video thanks

[@user-bi7yq6kw4g]

Very easy to understand. Thank you for sharing with us newbies!

[@adamd3145]

Very helpful. You explained that well.

[@crsantin]

Excellent explanation. Thank you, very helpful.

[@Albert-nt3gb]

This is so helpful and informative...Thank you Sir

[@highwayman1224]

Fantastic video, thanks for doing this!

[@themikepadua]

I appreciate you watching! I hope it helps!

[@DPImageCapturing]

Excellent video Mike!!

[@GJSsongsmith]

Brilliant explanation Mike thanks 🙏

[@wk278]

Thanks so much for explaining this. I’m just getting into manual focus lenses and this helps a lot!

[@andyyo2506]

Amazing thank you sir , I've always wondered , now I know.

[@mvlla8624]

Great Video ! 🤙🏼 thanks

[@miguelalgarra3285]

Really nice and easy to understand video.

[@dimitris.tsakalas]

Holy smokes! SUPER HELPFUL! Thanks man!

[@gregpantelides1355]

This has been amazing! Thank you so much!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@AlexanderSogliero]

Best explanation of this I’ve come across yet. Well spoken and well done 👏

[@themikepadua]

Thank you! I hope it helps you!

[@VictorHPerez]

The video that best explains this technique. Thanks a lot

[@w00tw00tish]

by far the the best video I've found to explain zone focussing to me - thank you!! it all makes sense now!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you--I appreciate you watching and I hope it is helpful!

[@kimevans2286]

Prob the best explaination I have seen for applying zone focusing.😀

[@mio-td3ld]

wow, first video i've seen about this and it blew my mind. thank you!

[@turgutunal3663]

thx a lot. very useful knowledge !

[@AmarreMoha]

Super helpful, been shooting manual lenses for a few months but had no idea about this. Thanks .

[@peterjohnporrata4866]

Very well explained, enjoyed it. Thank you so much. I am just starting in medium format photography and have a manual focus 90mm lens.

[@tiagu_g]

wow amazing video thank you! struggling with manual lens this explained everything perfectly!

[@orrac1e]

Thank you for this! As other have mentioned I was pretty lost till your easy explanation. But really your little assistant steals the show 😊

[@1972myc]

By far the best, and easiest to follow, video on film focusing I have scenes on KZbin! Thank you!

[@themikepadua]

thank you! let me know how it works for you after you try it!

[@icehouseimages8687]

The best explanation I’ve ever seen. Great job

[@themikepadua]

Wow--thank you, that really means a lot to me. I truly set out to make the simplest and most effective explanation of this concept, so I really appreciate your comment

[@salvadorcamps887]

Thanks very much for your super clear explanation…it’s not common to find such cristal clarity in this subject….thanks a lot !

[@alextoledo4241]

wooow. I never knew what those numbers were for! Now I've learned!!! Thanks

[@paulschmit4480]

Extremely well done and helpful. You obviously hav the ability to get straight to the point!

[@themikepadua]

I really appreciate the kind words, thank you for watching!

[@PitNeex]

Thank you so much! This was the best explanation on this subject I've ever seen! 🙌🙌🙌

[@themikepadua]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@sebastianrich9711]

Perfectly put

[@himalayareaders]

Great teaching,thank you.

[@c10swoosh92]

You succeeded in your goal of trying to help me thank you

[@robertgordon6362]

Very well done.

[@mphuong002]

I was looking for how to use the distance scale on film cameras (I've just got a Rollei) and I'm glad I clicked here first! Now I understand it and no longer need to look at other videos lol. Tysm!

[@TheSololobo]

Best video on the subject by far

[@themikepadua]

I really appreciate that! I wanted to make it as simple and clear as I possibly could!

[@ZOly62]

Great practical explanation. Good job. 👌👌👌

[@themikepadua]

Thank you for watching!

[@myblueandme]

You are the best!. I saw many videos but was more confused. Now I know what zone focusing is. Thank you very much.

[@themikepadua]

Thank you for watching, I hope it was helpful!

[@patricknauheimer3948]

Nice video and really helpful. Thank you!

[@themikepadua]

Glad it was helpful!

[@8lec_R]

Very interesting. I never knew what those markings meant on my lens, now I do thx

[@gregpantelides1355]

Thank you so much! This is a great tutorial!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you, I'm really glad it was helpful--very liberating way to shoot, and I use it a lot, every single day!

[@patjack4374]

Merci Mike pour cette vidéo : la première aussi claire sur ce qu'est le réglage du zone focusing ! J'ai appris beaucoup. Merci ! Merci ! Merci !

[@worldadventuretravel]

This was the most easily-understandable tutorial on this topic, thank you!

[@mylifepart2]

Beautiful lessson...thx y

[@fleischliebe430]

Thank you for explaining!! Learned something today. I feel good :)

[@32ndFoto]

Yooooou broke that down to it's lowest point. Now i totally understand the zone focusing. Much appreciated Mike!!🙏

[@themikepadua]

Thank you for watching, have fun with the technique!

[@naturegood515]

Really spot on explanation. Blessings! 😅

[@mrprivette]

This was VERY helpful.. Thank you! 💯

[@themikepadua]

I’m glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@gossedejong9248]

brilliant, thank you!

[@dronesiviews]

Nice. Well done!

[@jordansmith4353]

This was by far the video that clicked the most. Thank you!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching!

[@miraclesetiawan2901]

Simple and on point explanation. Now i know how to read and use those signs on my lens. Thank you so much!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you!

[@stevemcelroy3170]

One of the best explanations i have seen so thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge 😊

[@themikepadua]

Thank you for watching! I hope it helps you.

[@DrWasim]

Great tutoring! I subbed

[@CowlinLyvers]

Thanks for this simple explanation! I was kinda confused about this before watching your video.

[@horseman621]

The best video on the topic. I saw 15 videos and no one was able to explain how to read the indicators on the lens in this easy to understand way !!! Thanks, great content !!!

[@themikepadua]

Thank you so much for watching, have fun practicing the technique!

[@echo_waves9439]

Brilliant video, very easy to understand and I struggle with numbers. Great job

[@steffen_r]

Wow - thanks for the examples. This makes it really easy to understand.

[@themikepadua]

Thank you for watching!

[@sniperozzie]

I just got a manual lens and took a deep dive on zone focusing and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for creating the simplest and easiest instructional video that I came across. You nailed it and in the process you’re helped me nail this concept. Thanks again have a happy new year

[@themikepadua]

I appreciate your kind words, thank you for watching. It truly is a liberating technique, and I use it every single day

[@michielbuse4386]

A good method to check your nearest and most far distance may be quickly measured by throwing your lens wide open and focus in that aperture on closest and/or most far away object, and read the scale of you lens perhaps? Thank you Mike, for good content that will really help many!

[@JeffreyHauser]

Very nice explanation of zone focus, Mike. Thank you. I can use this method with my Fuji lenses, 14mm f2.8, 16mm f1.4, & 23mm f1.4, as they all have a focus distance scale on the lens barrel. These particular lenses also have a focus clutch mechanism on them, which I find useful, as once you have determined your focus distance, you can “lock” in this distance with the focus clutch mechanism & it will not change.Thanks again for your informative video on this subject.😊🙏

[@WILMORENO]

Thanks for making this easy to grasp

[@themikepadua]

Thank you for watching!

[@pierreandre5678]

Your video may have changed my photography forever! Thank you so much.

[@themikepadua]

Thanks for watching, I hope it helps. It's easily one of the most useful techniques that I use.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Great video

[@thevintographer9407]

By far the easiest explanation. Great Video man

[@themikepadua]

Thanks, that means a lot. I put a lot of work into making this as simple as possible!

[@CassidyHansen]

I honestly didn't know exactly how those numbers worked. Thank you!

[@prabhakarshankar7450]

crisp and clear....Thanks.

[@themikepadua]

Exactly what I was aiming for! Thank you for watching!