Manual vs Auto Focus

indeedies · 11-21-2009, 12:37 PM

To those of you who have used both, is there a vast difference when using a manual focus. I've taken some advice that a lot of you have given to others and just found a Nikon E Series 50mm 1.8 lens for pretty cheap. Will I miss the auto focus when I'm out snapping away or will this be just another tool I can use to make my pictures look the way I want? And I tried searching for reviews on this lens to no avail. Have any of you used this particular lens/series?

Thanks for the help!

**Pugs** · 11-21-2009, 12:40 PM

I personally have a lot of trouble with manual focus. Even with my glasses, my vision isn't ideal and without an aid like a split-image screen, I struggle.

PatrickHMS · 11-21-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pugs

I personally have a lot of trouble with manual focus. Even with my glasses, my vision isn't ideal and without an aid like a split-image screen, I struggle.

Same here, MF is useless to me.

My camera will show a green "in focus" light to me when shot is in focus, but I still prefer to AF.

Sold every last one of my MF lenses, even had a Nikkor f/1.2

T-town photographer · 11-21-2009, 12:55 PM

I in the past have always loved MF lenses. With that said I am finding that as i grow older and after an eye injury that I can see the use of auto focus. I still shoot with manual focus but I may be of the minority here and not the majority.

The nice thing about nikon is you can find an older lens and put it on a newer body. You may have to use an external meter but I have one so it doesnt make that much of a difference to me.

Michael

**KmH** · 11-21-2009, 12:57 PM

From Wikipedia: Nikon F-Mount

Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. All were specified as AI-S, but not branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E."

DScience · 11-21-2009, 12:58 PM

lol

Manual focus is fun. After just shooting hundreds of shots all day using AF, it's fun to take your time and manually focus on things. It makes it more challenging.

DScience · 11-21-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by KmH

From Wikipedia: Nikon F-Mount

Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. All were specified as AI-S, but not branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E."

I don't know if this is necessarily true. I have an AI-S lens, and it says Nikkor on it. It's definitely of great build quality as well.

Stosh · 11-21-2009, 01:03 PM

Without a split-image screen, manual focusing is very difficult for everyone, regardless of how good your eyes are. That's because your eyes can easily focus in front of or behind the screen and you never really know where your image is focused. Manual focus is a fun change if you enjoy tinkering, but only with the split-image. For anything action related, forget it. Manual focusing is extremely difficult.

**KmH** · 11-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DScience

Quote: Originally Posted by KmH

From Wikipedia: Nikon F-Mount

Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. All were specified as AI-S, but not branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E."

I don't know if this is necessarily true. I have an AI-S lens, and it says Nikkor on it. It's definitely of great build quality as well.

If you don't know, perhaps, find out. Nikon has other AI-S lenses, that are not E-series. The AI-S simply describes the functionality of the E-series line.

There is a ton of Nikon lens info on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F-mount

**usayit** · 11-21-2009, 01:16 PM

Modern DSLRs weren't designed for manual focus.... Lenses are not damped properly, lack of focus screens, and most don't have a bright enough viewfinder.

IgsEMT · 11-21-2009, 01:26 PM

Two ways that i used to MF was either gestimate, at which point I woudn't dare shooting it wide open, something like f/7.1 to f/11 was my range OR split screen viewfinder - something like this one Nikon D300 Focusing Screen - Katz Eye Optics.

indeedies · 11-21-2009, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the quick reply guys! I may still up getting the manual focus because it's only like $10 but I'll still request the AF for my birthday next week lol. I have the d70s and am just getting used to all the features so worrying about having to focus as well may prove more than I can handle

Thanks again!

Dwig · 11-21-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by indeedies

...Will I miss the auto focus when I'm out snapping away...

It depends a lot on what camera body you will be using. Unlike older manual focusing cameras, most of the modern DSLRs have viewing screens that are good for viewing, often better than the old cameras, but that function rather poorly as focusing screens. A fast 50, like the f/1.8 E-series, should focus without much difficulty.

Another consideration is that the AIs lenses, like the E-series, don't have the electronic meter coupling that many modern Nikons rely on. You may find that the camera's meter is partially crippled or completely disabled.

As far a quality, the E-series lenses are very good. Optically, they are close matches to the Nikkors of the period. Mechanically, they weren't a match to those old Nikkors, but they are a rugged and durable as most of the modern AF lenses and better than many.

ecnal · 11-21-2009, 03:35 PM

I use manual focus sometimes if I'm photographing something that won't change for a while. Like something in a lightbox. It's not going anywhere, the light isn't going anywhere and you have time to mess around and get the sharpest image you can.

wescobts · 11-21-2009, 04:53 PM

I'll use manual when distance is at infinity and I need a faster cycling between shots, maybe some action or moving subjects, otherwise it's on AF.

11-21-2009, 12:37 PM	#1
indeedies Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 186 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Manual vs Auto Focus To those of you who have used both, is there a vast difference when using a manual focus. I've taken some advice that a lot of you have given to others and just found a Nikon E Series 50mm 1.8 lens for pretty cheap. Will I miss the auto focus when I'm out snapping away or will this be just another tool I can use to make my pictures look the way I want? And I tried searching for reviews on this lens to no avail. Have any of you used this particular lens/series? Thanks for the help!

11-21-2009, 12:40 PM	#2
Pugs I gotta make more TPF time! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 926 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I personally have a lot of trouble with manual focus. Even with my glasses, my vision isn't ideal and without an aid like a split-image screen, I struggle. __________________ -Pugs Nikon D300: - Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 DX GII - ProMaster 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 - Nikkor 50mm AF f/1.8 D - ProMaster 55-200mm AF f/4-5.6 LD Macro - Nikkor 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6 G - Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DL Macro Super Konica Autoreflex T2 & nT3 - Hexanon 50mm AF f/1.7 - Hexanon 52mm AF f/1.8 - Hexanon 100mm AF f/2.8 - Spiratone 135mm Auto Spira-Tel YS f/2.8

11-21-2009, 12:51 PM	#3
PatrickHMS TPF Junkie! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 1,264 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 39 Times in 30 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Pugs I personally have a lot of trouble with manual focus. Even with my glasses, my vision isn't ideal and without an aid like a split-image screen, I struggle. Same here, MF is useless to me. My camera will show a green "in focus" light to me when shot is in focus, but I still prefer to AF. Sold every last one of my MF lenses, even had a Nikkor f/1.2 __________________ Been into Photography since 1969. Current Digital equipment ~ Nikon D80, D40, Nikon 18-55mm non-VR, Nikon 55-200mm VR, Sigma 18-50mm constant f/2.8 HSM Macro, Nikkor AF 35mm f/2, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8, Nikkor AF 35-105mm f/3.3-4.5 Macro, tons of filters, several flash heads and tripods. My favorite camera bags are the Tamrac 610 and 612.

11-21-2009, 12:57 PM	#5
KmH Image Maker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,939 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 218 Times in 209 Posts My Gallery: (0)	From Wikipedia: Nikon F-Mount Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. All were specified as AI-S, but not branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E." __________________ » » » » » » » » » » Price Update 3/14/10: Nikon D60 w/grip « « « « « « « « « « « « « Sale ends 3/21/10 - price updated 3/14/10: Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR G » » » Keith. . . .NAPP member - referral link: https://www.photoshopuser.com/signup/?aid=luhgxq&code=friend

11-21-2009, 12:58 PM	#6
DScience TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,182 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts My Gallery: (0)	lol Manual focus is fun. After just shooting hundreds of shots all day using AF, it's fun to take your time and manually focus on things. It makes it more challenging. __________________ My 365 project! Flickr Nikon D300s Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AI-S "It's not about what you see.....it's about how you see it."

11-21-2009, 12:55 PM	#4
T-town photographer Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tulsa Posts: 173 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I in the past have always loved MF lenses. With that said I am finding that as i grow older and after an eye injury that I can see the use of auto focus. I still shoot with manual focus but I may be of the minority here and not the majority. The nice thing about nikon is you can find an older lens and put it on a newer body. You may have to use an external meter but I have one so it doesnt make that much of a difference to me. Michael

11-21-2009, 12:59 PM	#7
DScience TPF Junkie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,182 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by KmH From Wikipedia: Nikon F-Mount Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. All were specified as AI-S, but not branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E." I don't know if this is necessarily true. I have an AI-S lens, and it says Nikkor on it. It's definitely of great build quality as well. __________________ My 365 project! Flickr Nikon D300s Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AI-S "It's not about what you see.....it's about how you see it."

11-21-2009, 01:03 PM	#8
Stosh Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 148 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Without a split-image screen, manual focusing is very difficult for everyone, regardless of how good your eyes are. That's because your eyes can easily focus in front of or behind the screen and you never really know where your image is focused. Manual focus is a fun change if you enjoy tinkering, but only with the split-image. For anything action related, forget it. Manual focusing is extremely difficult.

11-21-2009, 01:12 PM	#9
KmH Image Maker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,939 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 218 Times in 209 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by DScience Quote: Originally Posted by KmH From Wikipedia: Nikon F-Mount Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. All were specified as AI-S, but not branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E." I don't know if this is necessarily true. I have an AI-S lens, and it says Nikkor on it. It's definitely of great build quality as well. If you don't know, perhaps, find out. Nikon has other AI-S lenses, that are not E-series. The AI-S simply describes the functionality of the E-series line. There is a ton of Nikon lens info on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F-mount __________________ » » » » » » » » » » Price Update 3/14/10: Nikon D60 w/grip « « « « « « « « « « « « « Sale ends 3/21/10 - price updated 3/14/10: Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR G » » » Keith. . . .NAPP member - referral link: https://www.photoshopuser.com/signup/?aid=luhgxq&code=friend

11-21-2009, 01:16 PM	#10
usayit Sharkbait!!!! hoo ha ha Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North New Jersey, United States of America Posts: 6,154 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 31 Times in 30 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Modern DSLRs weren't designed for manual focus.... Lenses are not damped properly, lack of focus screens, and most don't have a bright enough viewfinder. __________________ Woohooo!!! <exits stage left> My equipment: Right Eye and Left Eye.

11-21-2009, 01:26 PM	#11
IgsEMT TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,373 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 66 Times in 63 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Two ways that i used to MF was either gestimate, at which point I woudn't dare shooting it wide open, something like f/7.1 to f/11 was my range OR split screen viewfinder - something like this one Nikon D300 Focusing Screen - Katz Eye Optics.

11-21-2009, 02:01 PM	#12
indeedies Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 186 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks for the quick reply guys! I may still up getting the manual focus because it's only like $10 but I'll still request the AF for my birthday next week lol. I have the d70s and am just getting used to all the features so worrying about having to focus as well may prove more than I can handle Thanks again!

11-21-2009, 02:45 PM	#13
Dwig TPF Junkie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Key West FL Posts: 1,065 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 72 Times in 70 Posts My Gallery: (10)	Quote: Originally Posted by indeedies ...Will I miss the auto focus when I'm out snapping away... It depends a lot on what camera body you will be using. Unlike older manual focusing cameras, most of the modern DSLRs have viewing screens that are good for viewing, often better than the old cameras, but that function rather poorly as focusing screens. A fast 50, like the f/1.8 E-series, should focus without much difficulty. Another consideration is that the AIs lenses, like the E-series, don't have the electronic meter coupling that many modern Nikons rely on. You may find that the camera's meter is partially crippled or completely disabled. As far a quality, the E-series lenses are very good. Optically, they are close matches to the Nikkors of the period. Mechanically, they weren't a match to those old Nikkors, but they are a rugged and durable as most of the modern AF lenses and better than many. __________________ -------- Dwig happythursday.com

11-21-2009, 03:35 PM	#14
ecnal Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Plymouth, MA Posts: 132 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I use manual focus sometimes if I'm photographing something that won't change for a while. Like something in a lightbox. It's not going anywhere, the light isn't going anywhere and you have time to mess around and get the sharpest image you can.

11-21-2009, 04:53 PM	#15
wescobts I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rochester N.Y Posts: 315 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I'll use manual when distance is at infinity and I need a faster cycling between shots, maybe some action or moving subjects, otherwise it's on AF.

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