The camera hunts and won't focus

Why it happens

• The scene is too dark for the autofocus sensor.
• A plain low-contrast surface (wall, sky) gives the AF nothing to lock onto.
• The lens is closer than its minimum focusing distance.
• Live view / video AF on older DSLRs is inherently slow.

How to fix it

1. 1

   Aim at a high-contrast edge near your subject — an eye, a pattern, a lit face — then recompose.

2. 2

   Turn on the focus-assist lamp or add even a small light.

3. 3

   Step back: every lens has a closest focusing distance.

4. 4

   Use the viewfinder on DSLRs; switch to single AF mode in dim light.

5. 5

   Switch to manual focus for night scenes — focus on distant lights at infinity.

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