How to manual focus with Nikon D3000? - 1

I have a Nikon D3000. I'm totally new in cameras, i just use cameras like this for taking pictures of my aquariums for online forums and stuff… And sometimes, the auto focus just doesn't cut it. Especially when trying to focus onto little 1/2 cm long fry (new born fish). And i don't know where the thing is to adjust the focus… Please help

It would help to know what lens you have. But on the side of the lens it should have a button marked with an A or an M. Switch that over to M. Now in your camera setting find a setting that says focus (easiest find when not in live view) and again select M or manual. Then at the end of the lens there's a small ring that rotates even when in auto-focus.Turn that to get your manual focus. It will not turn or take the the picture if you do not do both of those.

Focus is a lens property! You don't focus a dSLR.

Do you have the 18-55mm kit lens? The focus mode switch is on the left side labeled with "A M". Set to A for autofocus or M for manual focus. The focus ring is the ribbed portion of the front tip of the lens. Be very careful with manual focusing. If you turn that focus ring while the AM switch is on A, you might break the focus motor of the lens.

If you have another lens then figuring out which is the focus ring is easy. If it's a zoom lens, the wide rubber ring is for zoom while the narrower one is for focus. If it's a single focal length lens, the rubber ring is the focus ring. Focus rings turn smoothly. Do not confuse with the aperture ring which have hard stops (some lenses do not have an aperture ring).

How to focus manually? Set focus mode to M then look through the viewfinder, pointing at the subject while turning the focus ring. When the subject is sharp, it's focused already. With Nikon, focus confirmation appears as a (large) dot in the status line of the viewfinder and may be accompanied with a beep (or series of toots). If focusing is not achieved turning one way, reverse your turn. If you still can't get to focus your subject, you must be too near your subject. Step back then try again. All lenses have a minimum focusing distance. The kit lens has it at around 1 foot. You can't focus nearer than that.

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Some DSLRs have the auto/manual focusing switch on the body. Your D3000 doesn't. So unless your lens has the AF/M option, you can't focus manually.

A switch on the side of the lens A/M. But be aware that there are limits to how close each lens can focus. Go to a camera store and buy a set of + Diopters close up lenses. Maybe be 52mm in size. Screw in the filter ring in front of lens. About $30.

In front of the body, at the right side when you're facing the lens, is a small switch for the AF. Flick it to M. With the camera on your hands and you at it's back, reach out for the farthest lens ring, the one nearest to the front tip. That's the focusing ring. If your camera is on, a large circle will appear on the status screen in the viewfinder when focus is dead-on. For easy operation, dig in the menu and set focus point to Single-Center. Bear in mind that all lenses have a minimum focusing distance. With some lenses, you can see that on the barrel as you turn the focus ring. If you can't seem to focus at close distances, move back. Focusing on a half-inch subject merits the use of a macro lens.