We all use the autofocus (AF) systems in our DSLRs on a daily basis, they are one of the most important aspects of our cameras – without them achieving perfect focus would mean a slow manual process. We have all heard terms like “Phase Detection” or “Contrast Detection” and know they are referring to the AF system, but what does it actually mean? What is actually going on behind the scenes in our cameras?
[rewind: 6 tips for better dslr autofocus and getting sharper images]
Phase Detection AF
Probably the most common type of AF in DSLRs today is what is called “Phase Detection” AF. Phase detection is achieved by dividing the incoming light into pairs of images and comparing them.
If an image in out of focus then the two images will not line up, and based on how far off they are the camera knows which way to focus the lens to achieve that perfect sharp focus. I am greatly over simplifying this for the sake of space and time, but hopefully you get the idea. Check out this illustration below to get a better feel for it.
Contrast Detection AF
Contrast Detection AF is another common AF system found in DSLRs. In most Canon and Nikon DSLRs when in live view or video mode Contrast Detection is the primary form of AF. Contrast Detection AF systems measure the contrast difference between pixels on the sensor, which naturally increases with perfect focus.
The problem with this kind of AF is that it does not involve any actual measurements and in bad lighting conditions it can be thrown off, all of this leads to contrast detection AF systems being much slower – in general – than phase detection AF systems.
Dual Pixel AF
Canon just released the new EOS 70D which sports an all new “Dual Pixel” AF system. It is the first of its kind, but since we are talking AF I figured this should be discussed as well.
Dual Pixel AF is sort of a merger of Phase Detection and Contrast Detection AF systems. They took the Phase Detection qualities of a Phase Detection AF and put it into a sensor based AF system like the Contrast Detection. The result is an amazingly fast and accurate AF system that looks to be the future of sensor based AF systems.
The downside to this system is that it suffers from the same limitations as far as focus tracking that the contrast detection suffers from. So for the foreseeable future classic phase detection AFs don’t seem to be going anywhere.
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Hopefully this overview has given you at least passing understanding of how your camera’s various AF systems work. Make sure to check out our tips for achieving better auto focus and sharper images post from a little while back for way to improve your keeper rate.
[via Digital Camera World]
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This would be a good article if the diagrams above were large enough to read. I clicked on them hoping for an enlargement but no such luck.
For Phase detect AF, are the two images compared the one going up to the viewfinder and the one going to the autofocus sensor at (3), or is the beam from (2) split into two and one goes to (3) while the other goes to (5) and that’s where the comparison is made to decide on how to focus?
Sorry, the diagram’s not really clear to me.
The beam from (2) is split into two and one goes to (3) while the other goes to (5), that is where the comparison is made. The beam that goes up into your viewfinder is not modified at all.
If one a part of my DSLR’s viewfinder, say the Mirror, or the glass element is dirty or out of place; will that create a false-positive focus?
Reason I say that is I manage to have out of focus shots on both my 50mm and new 24-105, by just a small amount of back/front-focussing in good light, but if I manually focus or focus in Live-View it’s a lot sharper, and definitely in focus.
Not every shot is out of focus, but only… maybe 3/10 will be useable on a good day
There are many things, including what you mentioned, that could cause your shots to be out of focus. I highly suggest checking out the “tips” post that Matt wrote up here- > https://www.slrlounge.com/six-tips-dslr-autofocus-sharper-images-qa