A method for auto focusing an image capture device that can capture several series of video images to be stored, comprising: capturing an autofocus image (120, 420, 520, 620) in a first set with a first focus setting, wherein said autofocus image is not one of the series of video images to be stored; capturing a first series of video images (105,405,505,605) with a focus setting for video image capture, after capturing the first set; capturing an autofocus image (125, 425, 525, 625) in a second set with a second focus setting, after capturing the first series of video images, wherein the autofocus images in the first and second sets are captured with different focus settings than the focus setting for video image capture; wherein the first and second focus settings cause defocus in opposite directions compared to the focus setting for video image capture; and wherein the first and second focus settings are chosen to cause substantially the same amount of defocus in opposite directions of defocus compared to the focus setting for video image capture; evaluating a focus quality of the autofocus images in the first and second sets; determining whether a focus adjustment is needed before the capture of a further series of video images and either (i) adjusting the focus setting toward the focus setting of the autofocus image having a better focus quality, if it is determined that the focus setting for video image capture needs to be adjusted based on a difference in focus quality between the autofocus images (120, 125) from the first and second sets; or (ii) not adjusting the focus setting for video image capture if the difference in focus quality between the autofocus images from the first and second sets is less than a selected threshold value; and capturing a further series of video images. capturing an autofocus image (120, 420, 520, 620) in a first set with a first focus setting, wherein said autofocus image is not one of the series of video images to be stored; capturing a first series of video images (105,405,505,605) with a focus setting for video image capture, after capturing the first set; capturing an autofocus image (125, 425, 525, 625) in a second set with a second focus setting, after capturing the first series of video images, wherein the autofocus images in the first and second sets are captured with different focus settings than the focus setting for video image capture; wherein the first and second focus settings cause defocus in opposite directions compared to the focus setting for video image capture; and wherein the first and second focus settings are chosen to cause substantially the same amount of defocus in opposite directions of defocus compared to the focus setting for video image capture; evaluating a focus quality of the autofocus images in the first and second sets; determining whether a focus adjustment is needed before the capture of a further series of video images and either (i) adjusting the focus setting toward the focus setting of the autofocus image having a better focus quality, if it is determined that the focus setting for video image capture needs to be adjusted based on a difference in focus quality between the autofocus images (120, 125) from the first and second sets; or (ii) not adjusting the focus setting for video image capture if the difference in focus quality between the autofocus images from the first and second sets is less than a selected threshold value; and capturing a further series of video images.