Nikon D7100 / D7200 / D7500 Focus Square Tutorial | How to Focus Training Video

This lesson explains the new focusing systems for the Nikon D7100 & D7200. It covers the 3 focusing modes, when you should use them, as well as how to change your focus squares in those focusing modes. This lesson also introduces recomposition, critical to becoming a successful portrait photographer.
Its just one of many lessons from his new Nikon D7100 Crash Course Training Tutorial Video, nearly 4 hours in length. It is available here: www.canontraini...
Purchase the Nikon D7200 Crash Course Download only here:
www.canontraini...
* Michael The Maven is a participant in the B&H Photo affiliate program that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through these links.
Purchase the Nikon D7200 camera here: www.bhphotovid...
Purchase the Nikon D7200 camera here: www.bhphotovid...
Purchase the Nikon D7500 camera here: www.bhphotovid...

[@chrisf5475]

8 years old but still one of the best videos on this subject. Back button focus is the best thing I ever did. Let’s you use continuous focus and recompose your shot too. The downside is when somebody offers to take a photo of you, you need to give them a lesson in how to use your camera 😂

[@daveevans7151]

Am here in ‘23 with a D7000 I have not used in years…probably 6-7 years at least. Getting back into using a DSLR and am going through all these. Have helped tremendously!

[@VincentPCocco]

Excellent tutorial. Newbie tip: On the back of your D7200 (which is what I use) make sure the Focus Selector Lock lever is set to the 'dot' position and not 'L' (lock). If the lever is set to 'L' manual focus point selection is disabled.

[@meredithsmith8586]

Hand to God this tip fixed days of worry and I cried a lil. Thanks!

[@FishamaticianDX2-66]

Just upgraded from a D50 to the D7200 and this has helped more than the other 15 D7200 videos I've watched so far, cheers dude!

[@Wrightn221]

Thanks again Mike! After many years of using my Nikon Point & Shoot, I decided to upgrade to the Nikon D7500. I, like most oldies but goodies, started out with the 35mm!!! Some of my best shots were with my 35 mm but it was time to move on. Your tutorials are the best! We appreciate you for taking your time to help us. You're a blessing!

[@Plof005]

I've been using Nikon DSLRs (D100, D300 and D7100) for more than a decade and was never able to fully understand the rather complicated autofocus system. In my experience the Nikon manuals aren't very useful in that aspect. Your video all of a sudden made it perfectly clear to me. Thank you very much for your clear and simple explanation!

[@MMaven]

My pleasure! Thank you so much for your support!

[@Fsharp99]

I purchased a D7500 a few days ago and this explained the focusing system in such a clear and simple way!

[@lindsaylillan6155]

This was the best tutorial i have seen on this subject - you cleared up a lot for me! Thank you!

[@MMaven]

My pleasure

[@adolfosolis9648]

Almost 10 years after, is still the best video. I'm saving this as a my pure focusing bible. Thank you, sir.

[@2828play]

I think your probably the best at these tutorials Michael you are very easy to understand and a very good teacher. I'm not a beginner but I'm always trying to learn as much as i can. Thank you for posting these video I just subscribed and plan to keep up with your videos. Albert.

[@MMaven]

thank you sir! Much appreciated!

[@rujakmens2823]

Second that! Just starting with camera for our product photography and already learnt a ton from you! Thanks a million.

[@richardtovar1982]

Totally agree

[@chulaliyanage5022]

The best Focusing tutorial on D7100/7200 . Thanks Michael !

[@geoffreylee6871]

This is by FAR the BEST and CLEAREST explanation about how to set up a Nikon D7100 and D7200 for focussing. It needs more meta keys tags to make it easier to find this explanation - it took me hours and hours to find it. Well done Michael and thank you.

[@MMaven]

Thank you so much for your support! I have lots of more reviews and tutorials coming

[@MMaven]

So glad to hear it. This is all Im trying to do, make learning your camera as fast and easy as possible. Thanks!

[@oc2phish07]

Wow! Possibly the single most interesting, and certainly most instructive and useful D7100 'How To' video I have seen on KZbin. Excellent. Many thanks.

[@MMaven]

Thank you!

[@jackhawkins8438]

MichaelTheMentor Ditto on oc2phish07

[@thomasp.7907]

oc2phish07 this is superb.having camera almost 2 years and now I know the usage. Thank you Michael, non native speaker Tom

[@dannydan3987]

Michael iv'e been using the D7100 for half a year now and took about 3,000 pics already and iv'e finally realised what's screwed my pictures through the whole process. thank you so much, i wish i had a friend like you to explain it to me so simply when i first got it(my friends either got canon or the d800) thank you!

[@MMaven]

So glad to hear I was able to help & thank you for the feedback. If there is anything else you are struggling with on your D7100, you are definitely going to want to check out my D7100 Crash Course Tutorial. Thanks again!

[@redflanneltrout7786]

This is one of the finest explanations of anything that I've ever heard. I've been struggling for several evenings to understand auto focusing on my new D7200. The manual is well written, as far as manuals go. There are a number of pages on-line that try to explain the concepts. None are even in the same ballpark as this. Michael's ability to see things from the point of view of the beginner, organize his thoughts, and phrase things so well make this tutorial a real gem. Thank you for producing and posting it.

[@MMaven]

Thank you yooper. Very kind words

[@KingRasha]

You, sir, are awesome! This is invaluable information. After watching this I feel as if the value of my camera quintupled! I was having such a frustrating time focusing properly with full auto focusing. I will never miss focus again, thank you!

[@xray111xxx]

Much easier to see the videos than the manual that is for sure. I just got the D7100, and sure enough, yes fuzzy focus. Fuzzy is nice and warm, but not sharp, which is what I want. Thanks for your help Michael. Awesome video.

[@amol4184]

Michael, I came here because exactly as you said in the video - "my photos are blurry". Thanks for this tutorial. This possibly this best video on this topic. I watched a lot of videos of different KZbinrs and you are easily the most understandable teacher out there. Kudos. I subscribed to channel immediately and will look forward to more videos on advanced topics too.

[@soodwah]

Nikon should be paying you big bucks. You method of teaching is superb....far better than so called "Nikon Professionals."

[@TheYFlyer]

Great tutorial Michael. I just picked up the D7100 last week. I didn't take the time to read the manual (surprise) and was struggling to figure out the focusing system. You made it very easy to pick up.

[@tx_not_honest_abe7005]

Best tutorial on this camera I've seen so far. thank you for sharing the info!

[@sopranomgs]

Thank you! I've had a D7200 for a few years and never really learned how to use it. Your tutorials have been very helpful! I typically photograph my child's marching band and musical theater performances, and have just been learning by trial and error.

[@supermdias83]

I was recently stolen, all my canon equipments were gone. So I decided to switch to Nikon... up until now, I was having some issues regarding the focus and with this tutorial, it completely helped me solving my doubts and daily difficulties. Thanks a lot!

[@Akashsama]

I got the Nikon D7200 for X-mas. This is helpful. Thanks, Jamie Carragher :D

[@zekariasghebrenegus5738]

Thank you for your explanation I didn’t know it has this much tricks the D7200 I own since last years

[@MMaven]

I use 1 point for just about everything

[@megansnell1639]

i have been looking and searching for a tutorial like this!! just recently hit a button and it changed my focusing and i had no idea there were so many options!!! this video just saved me!! thank you so much!!

[@INHUMANITYX]

Fantastic video. I've been using the D7100 since launch and am still learning its attributes. The focusing system has always been somewhat of a enigma to me. Finally, a video that uses plain English to explain it. Thank you, Michael!

[@dudley206098]

this is extremely well done. thank you

[@jalalaziz7970]

An excellent & very well explained video...

[@multitasked]

Just bought the D7200 with 18-140mm Kit the other day. I thought it would be a good investment for a long time and a camera which can be used even when I learn the basics for photography and will want to push for more. I love the timelapse shooting function. It's my first DSLR and this video is the best I could find on how to use the focus modes on this model I own. Before that, I only could get acceptable shots on "P","A" and "Auto" modes, but never on "M", which is the one what really expresses the vision of the shooter, in my opinion. You share all the needed knowledge to begin with here, without being too confusing, just straight to the point. Thank you a lot for that!

[@billg2262]

While I am not new to DSLR photography, it has not been easy for me to learn how to use my camera to full advantage and I find myself using the green AUTO setting more than I want to admit. After my old camera quit, I decided to get a 7500 mostly so I could continue to use my 18-200 lens and SB-600 flash. Being retired now and having more time, I decided to invest in one of the "7500 for Dummies" books and learn how to use all the features of my new camera but I found I was not getting anywhere fast with the book. I found Michael's video on using the focusing system and knew I had to get his entire series on my camera. Thank you so much Michael. You have found a new student.

[@MMaven]

Thank you for your kind words and support Bill! It’s nice to meet you!

[@waynebernier6829]

Never mind, I figured it out. I had the focus lock switch in the "lock" position, lol

[@ScarletClarity]

Dude I assumed your comment was about focus points not moving around, which was my problem too. I had a look around my camera and holy crap, I had it locked as well xD This has been bothering me for A YEAR xD xD xD Crazy.

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

I am a MORON! I have had my D7100 for three years and wondering why half my shots were out of focus. I only do portraits. I could punch myself in the groin right now...

[@amol4184]

I am in almost the same boat - 6 months since getting D7200 and discovered a lot of things from this video today.

[@petrblazek8938]

Same here, but only 1 month :D

[@spicetruckin]

I had a camera for one year (Sony HX400V) before I saw my brother use the swivel LCD and my jaw dropped. I had been bending my neck to take photos before that :D

[@paulwoloschuk1]

I've been using a Nikon D80 for several years and upgraded to my D7100 about 4 months ago - I found this tutorial very beneficial. The user manual provided with the camera can be confusing...this tutorial explains the focusing modes much better!

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

Great tips. When I purchased a D7000, I found the user guide confusing on focus. Then one day, I found a very well summarized text written by a Japanese photographer. Since then, I got many cameras, among them a D7200. I just didn't remember how to change focus modes anymore. Thanks for these great tips.

[@BasilIrfan]

i am not able to move the focusing square in my Nikon D7200

[@MMaven]

Check lock switch

[@BasilIrfan]

+MichaelTheMentor I checked it.. nothing is wrong.. but the focusing square isn't moving

[@BasilIrfan]

+MichaelTheMentor I checked it.. nothing is wrong.. but the focusing square isn't moving

[@MMaven]

+Basil Irfan Muhammed Aslam which shooting & focusing mode are you in?

[@BasilIrfan]

+MichaelTheMentor I use AF-S and its in S

[@thisjourneycalledlife5957]

I know this video is 9yrs old but this is absolutely helping me figure things out as I’m delving deeper into this photography journey as I’m starting to gain traction and get clients. I want to learn as much as I can and this video is crucial in understanding how to use my Nikon D7500

[@MMaven]

Start here: www.maventutorials.com/products/nikon-d7500-crash-course-training-tutorial

[@jazzman1626]

I searched the settings and couldn't find how to select the 1, 9, 22 or 51 focus points etc. So glad I found this video, thanks. I just got my D7100 this morning and set back button focus and manual mode etc. Just like on my D3200 but I thought the images were not sharp. Then I remembered that every camera I've ever had, I thought the same thing. I used to use a Contax RTSII and was very disappointed with the shots at first and couldn't understand why a very sharp Carl Zeiss 50mm lens was soft lol. Once I got used to it and later got a Hasselblad, the photos from the Contax was as good as the Hasselblad at the one and only wedding I shot!

[@MeaTufail]

The single best tutorial on D7100 i have seen so far on youtube, i wish there were more tutorials from Michael like this for D7100

[@jrober42]

Michael, thank you so much for explaining the Nikon D7200 focusing system. My Nikon D7200 Manual had been used to prop up the leg of a wobbly desk. I will go to your Web- site to find out more about "Back Button Focusing". I have had my D7200 since 2015 and photographed the "Sydney Hobart Yacht Race- Golf and Rugby. In all those years I never fully understood how the focusing worked, until now. Well done, thank you for a great video

[@cindy5573]

Whoa, this was mindblowing! I know that seems like an inflated compliment, but no. For someone in my position ... well, none of this stuff has ever been explained to me, and I wouldn't have understood it in the manual for my camera (d7200). This is information I will go out and use TODAY. And thank you, Michael, for explaining this stuff in an easy to follow format. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

[@heathernguyen6081]

Great video. I am a wedding photographer and my husband just bought me a new D7100 but the settings are very different from my current D5000. I spent a couple hours reading the manual and you explained my problem in 11 minutes.

[@spanusia]

Great presentation and easy to follow. Just bought a D7100 and learnt about the focus modes within minutes thanks to this vid. Great job!

[@fbekker1838]

One of the best explanatory videos. Just upgraded from a D300s to a 10 year "new" D7100. It looks like coming right out if the factory with less than 2000 actuations for around $350 equivalent.

[@sammyflinders]

Absolutely excellent tutorial. Im a new photographer who splurged on the D7100 and this is much appreciated. Thank you!

[@jduchows]

THIS WAS FANTASTIC :-D !!! Thank You, thank You, thank YOU! Just upgraded from D7000 to D7200 (for my b'day, no less!), took it to Lago d'Iseo and to my absolute, sheer HORROR all my pics came out blurry and would not sharpen up without setting of 7 in Capture NX-D! Being a science weenie, I never read the manuals of course and was nearly tearing my hair out than I watched your tremendously helpful, easygoing and easy to follow video - CAMERA IN HAND :-D !!! - and I saw the light! Wish I watched BEFORE the trip but at least now I know better! It was set in its default AFS / Auto mode, of course! Thank You again :-) ! Cheers & Best REgards from Germany, John

[@anghan78]

fantastic, I received my d7200 and i upgraded from the nikon d7000, the only confusing thing for me was figuring out how to change the focus and you showed me in easy to follow steps.... thank you :)

[@julianatorresf8310]

I am braziliam, and your english is so easy to understand... tank you!! This video was very helpfull

[@TheSteveGullick]

JUst found this.....Utterly brilliant - answered loads of questions and problems I was having

[@Hisoka54]

I bought my first reflex 1 mounth ago and i had chance to travel and really try it and use it everyday (4500 shots in 1 mounth in different conditions, low lights, night, sport, landscape...), I find this hard and very very interesting to learn so i just try to learn as much as I can. This video is absolutely fantastic because i read too many things about this Nikon D7200 but still dont understand focus things. You explain very well, you are very clear, thanks a lot for this video sire. (btw sorry for my english, i'm french)

[@TheLadyRynn47]

Michael, that was the clearest and most concise auto focus tutorial I have ever seen or read

[@davidball6599]

Thank you Michael...dropped my camera by the shop and my settings were reset and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get back to the single-block focus square, which I use pretty much exclusively. Excited to get out and shoot my daughter's soccer game in the sunshine here in 20 minutes :)

[@timc8913]

Timeless education on the focusing mechanism of my D7200. Appreciate you sharing. Thks!

[@oldbugr1]

Moving from a D90 to D7200 and was not finding what I wanted in the manual -- this video did the trick-- Thanks very much

[@teeharris4149]

This was VERY helpful. I had never heard the Nikon D7100 explained this way and this easy to understand. I will be subscribing.

[@FotogUganda]

I just bought my D7200 not long ago and was out on safari with chimps and gorillas recently and I wish I'd seen this before I went! I got a lot of great shots, but getting shots with branches between myself and them was a challenge. Thank you. Excellent, straightforward explanations. Much appreciated!

[@jesuisravi]

Thanks. I've had the D7100 for a year now and never really got a grip on how to maneuver and mobilize the autofocus system. This helps greatly.

[@kathyzaga7]

Your video will help me a lot! I'm a begginer, and D7100 it's my first SLR camera! Thank you very much for those lessons about focus!

[@mikeymarmalade]

I have just upgraded from the D90 to the D7100 (today). This was most helpful thanks,

[@StudioGalvan]

I've been shooting for decades and just got 2 D7100's (at a bargain price). This Tutorial was an excellent explanation and will save it for training 2nd and new shooters!

[@falconjblack2008]

Finally found a video that was explained clearly without jumping around. Great job!

[@zoroo011diy]

افضل فيديو تعليمي على الاطلاق عن الكاميرا The best video I had ever seen about camera Syrian says thanks alot Go ahead.

[@danlewis3667]

HUGELY helpful, especially on changing the focusing cluster! Thank you!

[@glenngallegos]

This is the best video I have watched for learning about the focus area on a Nikon. I have a D7200, so the information is translatable.

[@Laurpec]

I’m a beginner photographer who just got into it via a new job..sort of an additional responsibility I offered to take on and learn. The office camera is a D7200 and this just helped me tremendously as focus has been an issue for me. Thanks for this video!!!

[@ReinerAlpizar]

Excellent man!, i just got my D7100 and i have being facing focusing problems but reading the manual i got to understand how my camera focus. but videos like this are the ones that make everything even clearer. thanks so much!

[@Saltycures]

It’s 12/22/18 and I was forced to rent a D7100 for the weekend’s family photo sessions...this video is superb, thank you so much!

[@robertwhite6993]

Thorough, but not overwhelming for a beginner, this is great! Thank you!

[@deborenz]

Finally a good explanation, nice and clear voice, very useful, it definitely made me understand a little bit more of my D7500. Thanks!!!

[@gallagherandsons]

i've looked at quite a few videos on you tube but haven't found one yet as informative as yours when it comes to doing focussing where you wants the camera to focus.Keep up da good work.It's much appreciated.

[@mirto5663]

Very helpful, Mike. Lots of info but I will watch your presentation 100 times and maybe it will all sink in.

[@EnricoCamillo]

Very useful and easy to understand ever for non english people. Thank you!

[@watchersofthesky]

That was totally what I wanted to find out. After reading forum after forum and the manual, this was the easiest, and best explained tutorial.My D200 and D300 for some reason were set up with the center focus and bird photography was easy. The D7100 bounces around and drove me crazy in my first 3 days of using....until now. Thanks

[@lesliproduction6796]

Hi Sir Michael, I'd like to tell you that your video is very useful and is saved me today. Since last night when I reset my d7100 to factory set up, I could not get back my focus point to be visible in the viewfinder. I have searched my manual but could not follow and search in the internet for possible solution (any forum) but is still the same. I remember your video and open again from the youtube and is really save my day... now I can go out with my camera and shoot. Thank you very much for posting a video like this.,, please keep them coming.

[@docgwebmaster]

I'm a full-time portrait shooter, but I'm getting into weddings. This tutorial answers a LOT of questions in very little time. Thanks for posting this!

[@paulocaetano4339]

I agree also agree that you are very easy to understand and demonstrate very well too. Your tutorial is set for beginners and semi pros. Enjoyed the video and will follow you from now on. Thanks again

[@dawndouglas1979]

Taking up birding.....got some new camera equipment.....am completely clueless....you are my new favorite person. Excellent teaching! Thank you.

[@coover65]

Thank you Michael. I can read the owners manual cover to cover, but it's videos like yours that really help. Much appreciated.

[@Shestillbeleives]

Very educational : slow and clear speech, showing the buttons & the screen result, colors to memorize better. Awesome tutorial! Merci

[@seaton91pix]

Thank you Michael! That was driving me crazy! I was using a d40x and upgraded to d7100 ... just couldn't figure out how to get the one focal point for sports. I did all kinds of research but couldn't figure it out. The players will no doubt appreciate!

[@naveedjafar246]

Your way of teaching is so easy to understand making such things so easy to pick up thumbsup buddy keep it up

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

just got my D7200. Was a bit confused but no clear. Will take it for a walk tomorrow and practise. Thanks for the instruction.

[@Ketan74847]

Awesome Awesome Awesome...this is the one and only simplest video to understand D7200 focusing system. Thank you very much Micheal and keep uploading such video.

[@yummyoag8216]

Thanks I have been facing the focus problem all the time.after watching this video , I see what I need to do thanks.

[@murtri]

Brilliant. Thank you! I just bought the D7100 and did not understand all these variations which had not been on my previous camera. Very much appreciate this video.

[@glynwilkinson4922]

Very good video with clear instructions on how to set the camera up for focus. Thank you !

[@tamarapounds1860]

This is the BEST tutorial I seen on KZbin for this camera. I'm know I'm way late, but it's simple and easy to follow. I'll look for more of your stuff! Thank you!!

[@josemaria6638]

I found it specially useful. I got the 7100 and as a beginner i can tell you it's one of the best video tutorials. Thanks a lot

[@Mjollnir1234]

Simple, straightforward and to the point. Nice, especially as I'm just switched my entire system from Panasonic to Nikon.

[@helgabeaumont4190]

I also find this tutorial insightful. Thank you for explaining it so clearly.

[@FoxyHam]

I use the AE-L /AF-L back button a lot. Thank you for a very informative video! I need to familiarize myself with my D7100!

[@PeterFortuna]

Thank you for this video. We wash it a few times to get help with our camera for our community service projects. I appreciate your expert advice.

[@phit4life1]

This was a fantastic video. I just purchased my D7100 and was trying to figure this out on my own. Thank you so much and I'll be checking out more of your videos.

[@benalibilel934]

Awesome! Thanks...i m a beginner and it s the first time i understand what diffrent focus modes are made for! Thks

[@davidturcios1213]

Thanks Michael for this awesome tutorial. You made my day !!! Well explained and directed.

[@m.asman.]

Thanks. I just got my D7100. This tutorial help me a lot.. (Terima kasih. Saya baru sahaja memiliki D7100. Tutorial ini sangat membantu saya.)

[@themarvelofmyordinarylife7532]

Thank goodness for this explanation! I haven't picked up my camera for two years and want to shoot a family portrait today. I could not for the life of me remember how to set the single focus point in AF-A! So thankful for this. I absolutely subscribed and will hopefully be trying a lot more settings. Thank you!!

[@rhid1526]

Thank you. This answered all my questions and saved me many headaches.

[@magatas789]

Really enjoyed your tutorial. I learned a lot more about using the Nikon 7100 shooting video. Thanks so much.