Manual Focus

[JDRoth]

Hey guys. I am big into nature photography, especially birds. Because of that auto-focus isn't usually going to pick out a bird that is almost the same color as the tree's it is in. That forces me to manually focus a lot, which I love to do, but I am just not very good at it. Because of that I would LOVE tips on how to do it well and fast, especially in semi low light like a cloudy day. Thanks so much!

 

[rainking]

Why can't you use auto focus single servo and auto focus on the bird?

 

[Destin]

What kind of camera body do you have? The camera body/lens combination really can make a hug difference.

Ever try focusing on an old manual focus film SLR with the split focus assist in the viefinder? quick and easy. Another reason for this is that the focus ring on the lenses rotated more.

The problem with DSLR's is that they don't have this focus assist (other than a small dot that lights up in the corner when you hit focus). Also, the smaller, dimmer viewfinders of aps-c crop sensor bodies make it even more difficult.

I'm sure there are some techniques that can help, I'm just trying to point out that the equipment isn't optimized for manual focusing.

 

[JDRoth]

Because often the bird has brush in front of it causing it to focus on that. Or the camera (D90 with a tamron 200-500) spends too much time trying to autofocus on the bird and by then the bird could have flown off and moved out of position. This is especially bad on birds in flight.

I should have mentioned that what I do when I am out birding is first get 1 good clear enough shot so that I can use it as a head count and if need be identification, then I worry about artistically photographing the bird.

 

[KmH]

Todays digital cameras are not optimized for manual focusing.

The focus screeen in the camera has no manual focus aids, lens focus rings are geared to have little adjustment sensitivity, and viewfinders are not as brite as they were in pre-auto focus days.

Many photographers replace the focus screen in their cameras with one that does have manual focusing aids.
KatzEye™ Optics - Custom Focusing Screens is a very popular source for focus screens.

Manual focusing is a dying art because of auto focus systems.

Focus in front of the desired focal point, turn the lens focus ring past focus - so focus is then behind the focus point, and then turn the lens focus ring slowly in the opposite direction to come back to a sharp focus.

 

[JDRoth]

KmH mind explaining how those work?

 

[dandaluzphotography]

I do a lot of landscape stuff and I have been using only manual focus for about 1 month now.

My camera's auto focus sucks in low light (xsi) so I have to use manual focus in those situations.

One trick I learned from a buddy is to zoom in half way using live view, then setting the focus. Everything in the live view screen is now in focus (focus to infinity). And you only have to do this once unless the scenes changes.

When I started doing this, I didn't trust my eyes. Things looked in focus but not totally. I'd take the shot and when I looked at it at home, it was in perfect focus. Trust your eyes.

For shooting sports or animals, you really can't use manual focus because of all the sudden movements, but for stationary scenes, I wouldn't do it any other way.

Guys, If I missed something, please correct me.

Hope this helps.

Danny

 

[Destin]

I do a lot of landscape stuff and I have been using only manual focus for about 1 month now.

For shooting sports or animals, you really can't use manual focus because of all the sudden movements, but for stationary scenes, I wouldn't do it any other way.

Danny

I know a guy that shoots sports (football and soccer) with a D700 and only a manual focus 300 F2.8. So it can be done for moving subjects. You just need to learn how to track movement with it.

It's not something I know how to do, so I can't give advice on how to do it.

 

[dandaluzphotography]

I know a guy that shoots sports (football and soccer) with a D700 and only a manual focus 300 F2.8. So it can be done for moving subjects. You just need to learn how to track movement with it.

It's not something I know how to do, so I can't give advice on how to do it.

I should have said, I can't do it. That sounds really difficult, but I guess with practice you get it.

Danny

 

[JDRoth]

If you all think manual focus is really the way to go then ill take advice on that too. I own a D90 and usually shoot with my Tamron 200-500 lens.

 

[KmH]

KmH mind explaining how those work?

The central part of the screen is split. The two halves lineup only when focus is achieved.

Click on the link I provided you and read through the information.

 

[JDRoth]

Any tips on autofocus?

 

[Destin]

Any tips on autofocus?

Use a single autofocus point, try to stick with the center one on your camera as it is the only cross type (I think) so it will be the most accurate. Just put that point over the bird and focus, it should work.

 

[JDRoth]

Ok thanks very much!

 

[djacobox372]

Take advantage of the speed of modern dslrs and bracket your focus--holding the shutter down while you smoothly focus from slightly behind to slightly in front of the subject.

This only really works with very heavy lenses, as the focusing action will shake the camera with lighter gear.