Updated · 3 min read
Focus bracketing lets the camera take a focus series for you: it shoots a frame, moves focus a tiny step further away, shoots again, and repeats. It’s faster and more even than turning the focus ring by hand, and it’s how most focus stacks start.
How it works
You choose a starting focus point, how many frames to take, and a step size. The camera then works through the series on its own, moving the lens’s focus each time. Most cameras only step from near to far and stop early when focus reaches infinity.
Focus bracketing vs focus stacking
Bracketing happens in the camera and gives you a folder of frames. Stacking combines them into one image, usually on a computer. A few cameras also stack in-camera, which is handy for a quick look but typically saves only a JPEG with cropped edges and no way to fix mistakes. Keep the RAW frames and stack on the computer for the best result. See what is focus stacking.
Where to find it on your camera
| Brand | Where | Settings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R (R5, R6, R7, R8, R10 and later) | Shooting menu › Focus bracketing | Number of shots 2–999, Focus increment 1–10, Exposure smoothing | Increment scales with aperture. Some bodies add in-camera Depth composite (JPEG). |
| Nikon Z and D850/D780 | Photo shooting menu › Focus shift shooting | Number of shots up to 300, Focus step width 1–10, Interval, Exposure lock or smoothing, Silent photography | “Starting storage folder” can put each series in a new folder. |
| Sony (a7R V, a7C II, a7CR, a6700, a9 III, a1 II and newer) | Drive mode › Focus Bracket; Bracket Settings | Number of shots, focus range (step), order | Older bodies need a remote app to bracket. |
| Fujifilm X and GFX | Drive › BKT, with Focus BKT setting | AUTO, or MANUAL with Frames, Step, Interval | Fujifilm suggests Frames 50, Step 5, Interval 0 as a macro starting point. |
| OM System / Olympus | Shooting menu › Focus BKT | Shots 2–999, focus differential 1–10 | In-camera Focus Stacking (3–15 shots, JPEG) with supported lenses. |
| Panasonic Lumix | Drive mode › Bracket › Focus | Step 1–10, number of images, sequence | Post Focus can also stack in camera. |
Settings that work
- Start at the nearest point. Focus manually or with a small AF point on the closest part of the subject. Set more shots than you need; the camera stops at infinity.
- Step size. On scales of 1 to 10, 2–4 suits macro and 4–7 suits landscapes. The numbers aren’t comparable between brands. See focus step size and aperture.
- Aperture. f/5.6–f/8 for macro, f/8–f/11 for landscapes. Smaller apertures soften everything through diffraction.
- Exposure. Manual mode, fixed ISO and fixed white balance, so frames match.
- Shutter. Silent or electronic first-curtain shutter avoids shake. Use a short interval with flash so it can recharge.
- Stabilisation. Off on a tripod, unless your camera recommends otherwise.
Questions
- Which cameras have focus bracketing?
- Most recent mirrorless cameras: Canon EOS R bodies, Nikon Z bodies, newer Sony Alpha bodies, Fujifilm X and GFX, OM System and Olympus, and Panasonic Lumix. Some DSLRs such as the Nikon D850 have it too.
- What focus step should I use?
- Small enough that each frame’s sharp zone overlaps the next. On a 1–10 scale, start around 3 for macro and 5 for landscapes, then check the result for soft bands.
- Why did my camera take fewer shots than I set?
- Focus reached infinity, where bracketing stops. That’s normal for landscapes; it means the series is complete.
- Can my Sony camera do focus bracketing?
- Newer bodies such as the a7R V, a7C II, a6700 and a1 II have it built in. Older bodies can bracket with a remote control app.