The X-T5 Setup Course — Lesson 3: Autofocus Mastery

Fine-tune your AF system for precision and performance

📍 Estimated duration: 55-70 min
→ Includes hands-on configuration time — go at your own pace and test settings.

🔹 Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 3 of The X-T5 Setup Course, a four-part series designed to help you configure your Fujifilm X-T5 for maximum efficiency, reliability, and creative control.

Now that your camera’s physical controls and custom interface are in place (see Lesson 2), it’s time to dive into one of the most critical systems on the X-T5: Autofocus.

This lesson focuses on unlocking the full power of the AF system — from understanding core modes like AF-S and AF-C to mastering Subject Detection, Face/Eye AF, and custom AF-C behavior.

Whether you’re capturing portraits, action, wildlife, or working with manual lenses, optimizing your autofocus setup ensures your shots are sharp, intentional, and confidently framed.

This lesson is divided into seven focused modules:

1. AF Basics & Modes Overview — Understand the difference between AF-S, AF-C, and MF — and when to use them.

2. AF Area Modes — Learn how Single Point, Zone, and Wide/Tracking behave, and how to select the right one.

3. AF-S Behavior & Optimization — Tune Pre-AF, Focus/Release Priority, and settings for static subjects.

4. AF-C Custom Settings — Control tracking sensitivity and zone behavior with advanced AF-C parameters.

5. Face/Eye & Subject Detection — Harness AI tools for tracking people, animals, vehicles, and more.

6. Focus Lever, Focus Area, and Display Tweaks — Refine your interface for fast and precise AF point control.

7. Manual Focus Aids & Hybrid Focusing — Combine MF with AF tools like peaking, instant AF, and magnification.

🔁 With the right setup, the X-T5 becomes an extension of your vision — let’s make autofocus work for you.

🔹 Module 1 – AF Basics & Modes Overview

📍 Estimated duration: 6–8 min
→ Understand how to choose between AF-S, AF-C, and MF — and why it matters.

Autofocus on the Fujifilm X-T5 is powerful, but to get the most out of it, you need to understand the three core focus modes: AF-S, AF-C, and MF. Each mode is suited to different types of subjects and shooting styles.

This module helps you choose the right mode for your scene, and introduces the AF/MF Setting menu, where most related options live.

🔘 AF-S (Single Autofocus)

Best for static subjects such as portraits, landscapes, or still life.

• The camera locks focus when you press the shutter halfway (or use AF-ON).

• Recompose after locking focus while keeping the shutter button half-pressed.

• Ideal when the subject isn’t moving.

✅ Use for still subjects, tripod work, or controlled environments.

🔘 AF-C (Continuous Autofocus)

Best for moving subjects, from sports to street to wildlife.

• The camera continuously adjusts focus as long as the shutter is half-pressed or AF-ON is held.

• You can track a subject across the frame.

• Works with Tracking, Zone, or Subject Detection for intelligent focus behavior.

✅ Use when your subject is in motion or likely to move unexpectedly.

🔘 MF (Manual Focus)