Help with Focus

[mdonahoe1]

I am not sure if this is the correct forum. I am wondering what happened here. I was sure I focused in the center of this leaf but the sharp focus is on the left and blurred everywhere else.
16580

AP
f5.6
1/125 sec
ISO 280
50mm

Just noticed metering mode set to pattern....is that what the problem is? I don't even know what that means!! Is there a standard metering mode for everyday shooting? Any suggestions appreciated.

[eyerkish]

Hi Marianne,

What focus mode were you in at the time? AF-S, AF-C, AF-A? That may have had something to do with it.

[SJGordon]

The camera probably picked a different focus point just as you tripped the shutter. Or if you were shooting real close with Macro, you might have shifted just a tiny bit as you took the photo.

As for the metering mode, they all have their uses and while I generally have mine set to spot or center-weighted, I find myself changing it to the other modes quite often to match what I am shooting and the look I am going for.

[pipedesign]

I think Scott may be right - I am struggling with the same issues.
My Nikon D7000 allows single point focus or 53 point focus but I have just realized not all are available in each mode - manual allows it of course - there is sooooooo much to remember when you shoot

[mdonahoe1]

Thanks guys for all your commens. This is a manual focus lens, but I had the camera body set on AF. I am going to do some series experimenting with shots to see what is going on.