Focusing Your Mirror Booth Camera: The Ultimate Guide

Focusing a camera for a mirror booth is a unique but common scenario. It requires two measurements: the first from the film/sensor plane to the reflecting surface (i.e. a mirror), and the second from the reflecting surface to the subject. These two distances are then added together to get the correct focus mark. This process is known as pulling focus. It is important to note that the light from a reflection travels to the mirror and then from the mirror to the lens, which is why both distances need to be measured. If only the distance to the mirror is measured, the camera will focus on the surface of the mirror rather than the subject reflected in it. Additionally, when setting up a mirror photo booth, it is recommended to use a DSLR camera with good battery life and a wide-angle lens to capture large groups.

Switch camera mode from MF to AF

To switch your camera mode from MF to AF, follow these steps:

• Ensure your camera is in the correct position: mounted inside the booth, with a person standing in front of the mirror where your guests will be.
• Locate the button on your camera lens that allows you to switch between AF (Auto Focus) and MF (Manual Focus).
• Press this button to switch from MF to AF.
• Half-press the shutter button, and the camera will automatically focus on the subject.
• If desired, you can then switch back to Manual Focus and take a test photo to ensure the camera is correctly focused.

It is important to note that your camera will not be able to focus in low-light conditions, so ensure your subject is well-lit. Additionally, check that the LED Ring is not obstructing the lens's free movement.

AF-C and AF-S are two popular auto-focus modes offered by digital SLR cameras. AF-C is ideal for capturing moving objects, while AF-S is better suited for stationary subjects.

Press the shutter button halfway

Pressing the shutter button halfway down is a key step in the process of taking a photo with a camera. It is especially important when hand-holding the camera, as it helps to reduce physical pressure on the camera, which can cause blurry photos and mess up your focus point and/or composition.

When you press the shutter button halfway, you are initiating the autofocus feature. This means that the camera will focus on the subject in the frame. On some cameras, you can switch between autofocus and manual focus, so you may need to switch to autofocus if it is not already selected.

The two-stage shutter button is a standard feature on many cameras. When you press the shutter button halfway, it is like a half-press, and when you press it fully, it is like a full-press. This is true for both physical and virtual shutter buttons.

By pressing the shutter button halfway first, you are giving the camera time to focus, and then when you press it fully, the picture is taken. This helps to ensure that your photo is sharp and in focus.

It is important to be gentle when pressing the shutter button, as too much force can shake the camera and affect your photo. Additionally, if you are in aperture priority mode, pressing the shutter button halfway may also set the shutter speed for you, so be aware of that and switch to manual mode if needed.

Switch back to Manual Focus

To switch back to manual focus on your camera, you will need to follow a few steps. Firstly, it is important to note that the process may vary slightly depending on your camera and lens combination. However, in general, you will need to locate the focus mode switch on your lens barrel or camera body and slide it to the "MF" (Manual Focus) position. This will allow you to take control of the focus and ensure a sharp image in situations where autofocus may struggle.

For high-end lenses, the switch is usually located on the side of the lens barrel, allowing you to easily toggle between AF (Auto Focus) and MF. Some cameras may also have a dedicated switch on the camera body, often located near the lens. If you don't have a physical switch, you can adjust the focus mode through the camera's menu system.

Once you have switched to manual focus, you can begin fine-tuning the focus. This is typically done by twisting the focus ring on the lens. By doing so, you can adjust the focus until the image appears sharp through the viewfinder or on the display screen. It is recommended to twist the focus ring back and forth through the zone of sharpness to ensure your subject is in perfect focus.

Additionally, you can utilise the distance numbers marked on the lens barrel to help judge the distance between your camera and the subject. These numbers can be especially useful in low-light situations or when shooting through glass, where autofocus may struggle.

It is worth noting that different camera models may have slightly different methods for switching to manual focus. For example, the Sony α7R II allows you to switch the AF/MF/AEL switch lever to the AF/MF position and then press the AF/MF button to toggle between autofocus and manual focus. You can also adjust these settings through the camera's menu system.

By following these steps and making the necessary adjustments, you can effectively switch back to manual focus on your camera for a mirror booth setup. This will ensure that you have precise control over the focus and can capture sharp and well-focused images.

Test the camera by taking a photo

Once you have set up your mirror photo booth, it is important to test the camera by taking a photo. This will ensure that the camera is focused and that the lighting is adequate.

To test the camera, follow these steps:

• Place a person (the subject) in front of the mirror, right about where your guests will stand.
• Switch your camera from Manual Focus (MF) to Auto Focus (AF). There should be a button on your camera lens that allows you to switch between these modes.
• Press the shutter button halfway, and the camera will focus on the subject.
• Switch back to Manual Focus to lock in the focus.
• Take a test photo to ensure the camera is focused correctly.

Note that the camera will not be able to focus in low-light conditions, so make sure your subject is well-lit. Also, ensure that the LED ring is not obstructing the lens from moving freely.

If you are using a DSLR camera, consider the following tips for optimal photo quality:

• Set up your photo booth with the appropriate distance and angle in mind, especially if you want to capture large groups.
• Use a wide-angle lens (17-55mm f2.8) for large groups that are close up or a zoom lens (24-70mm f/2.8) for groups that are farther away from the mirror.
• Ensure proper lighting around your booth to enhance picture quality.
• Consider the battery life and camera lenses available when choosing a DSLR.

Measure the distance from the camera to the reflecting surface and from the reflecting surface to the subject

When setting up a camera to focus on a subject reflected in a mirror, it is important to understand that the camera is focusing on the reflected subject, not the reflective surface. The light from the reflection travels to the mirror and then from the mirror to the lens. Therefore, to achieve sharp focus, you need to measure the distance from the camera to the reflecting surface and from the reflecting surface to the subject.

To illustrate this, imagine you are taking a photo of yourself in a mirror. The distance from the camera to you, via the mirror, is twice the distance from the camera to the mirror. Your camera will indicate the focus distance as that longer distance.

So, when setting up a camera for a mirror booth, you need to take two measurements: the distance from the camera to the reflecting surface, and the distance from the reflecting surface to the subject. Add these two distances together to get the correct focus mark.

It is important to note that the shot will follow the same principles of depth-of-field. So, if the subject is further away from the reflecting surface, objects closer to it will be more out of focus. Therefore, when pulling focus to reflections, you have to account for two different marks—from the camera to the reflective surface and then from the surface to the subject.

Frequently asked questions