So this is a quick post tonight. Sitting around watching a Pens game tonight, and looking forward to my own hockey clinic that starts tomorrow evening!

Anyway, this is a quick little reminder for something to pay attention to if you use an SLR. Mainly because this recently happened to me and it took me a few photos to catch it and fix.

I'm talking about making sure that your viewfinder is in focus.

If you overlook this, none of your photos will be as sharp as they should be.

Before writing this up, I decided to do a quick search online to see what others said. I found multiple websites that recommend you get the camera to autofocus on a subject, then adjust your viewfinder with the diopter adjustment knob. If you dig out your camera's manual, you'll find that this is indeed wrong.

You actually want to focus on the elements inside your viewfinder window - the AF points, grid lines, whatever data your SLR provides in the viewfinder window. You are supposed to do this while completely ignoring anything in the field of view through your lens.

To make this easier, I actually do the opposite of the various sites I found suggested. I intentionally defocus the lens to cause a completely blurred image through the lens. That allows me to focus on those AF points and grid lines so much better - particularly if you can find a fairly light background to blur.

Keep this in mind next time you pick up your camera. Give your viewfinder a quick check to make sure it is in focus before you start taking photos. Sometimes it gets bumped putting the camera in your bag - which I assume is why mine was out of focus that day not too long ago.

By the way, if you're totally confused as to what I'm talking about, take a look to see if there is an adjustment knob near your viewfinder with a +/- label - that should be the diopter adjustment knob for your viewfinder. Try my suggestion about defocusing the lens and see if your viewfinder is focused. If all else fails, refer to your camera's manual.

- Bill