Manual focus

[Goldcoin79]

Hi all

I have always used auto focus with my camera so just wondering when you would use manual focus?

 

[o hey tyler]

Hi all

I have always used auto focus with my camera so just wondering when you would use manual focus?

When you are shooting macro, using live view, or when AF doesn't cut the mustard.

FWIW, I find it extremely difficult to MF with an APS-C DSLR with a pentamirror viewfinder.

 

[Buckster]

I use manual focus with old lenses that don't have AF (such as my 500mm f/4.5 L), self-portraits, macro work, and whenever the AF insists on targeting something other than what I want it to target.

 

[480sparky41 40]

Hi all

I have always used auto focus with my camera so just wondering when you would use manual focus?

When it's too dark for AF to work, or you have a slow lens (max. aperture f/5.6 or less), or the AF screws up, or when I don't trust AF, or when I shoot landscapes, or HDR, or focus stacks, or when I want to decide on where the focus point is (not some software engineer in some far-off land)..........

 

[KmH]

Auto focus doesn't work in all shooting situations. Manual focus when it doesn't, or when you want to manually focus.

Unfortunately, today's DSLRs lack the manual focusing aids cameras had before auto focus became standard issue (about 1987).

 

[480sparky41 40]

...........Unfortunately, today's DSLRs lack the manual focusing aids cameras had before auto focus became standard issue (about 1987).

Where there's a will, there's a web site.........

 

[o hey tyler]

or when I want to decide on where the focus point is (not some software engineer in some far-off land)..........

You don't need to use manual focus to do that. You can use autofocus and recompose the shot. That allows you to move the focus of the image wherever you want to within the frame.

 

[480sparky41 40]

or when I want to decide on where the focus point is (not some software engineer in some far-off land)..........

You don't need to use manual focus to do that. You can use autofocus and recompose the shot. That allows you to move the focus of the image wherever you want to within the frame.

Only if there's a subject that the AF can latch onto that just happens to be at the same distance as I want the focus point to be at.

 

[o hey tyler]

or when I want to decide on where the focus point is (not some software engineer in some far-off land)..........

You don't need to use manual focus to do that. You can use autofocus and recompose the shot. That allows you to move the focus of the image wherever you want to within the frame.

Only if there's a subject that the AF can latch onto that just happens to be at the same distance as I want the focus point to be at.

I myself haven't run into that issue, but I'm not saying you haven't. I use back button focus, and focus/recompose pretty much exclusively. However, I shoot portraits and weddings mostly, so I don't really have time to manual focus. In shooting landscapes, it could very well be a different story.

 

[Solarflare]

Well I am strongly hoping that in 2-3 years when I will probably no longer be able to resist the urge to get a better camera there will be something out with which I can actually focus manually in an efficient way.

With my G11 manual focus was possible, but solved in an extremely idiotic way - you always had to start again at the very beginning for every shot and you had to turn the dial many, many times.

Until then, my main rule about manual focus: avoid at any cost, learn to use the autofocus better instead.

 

[jake337]

Well I am strongly hoping that in 2-3 years when I will probably no longer be able to resist the urge to get a better camera there will be something out with which I can actually focus manually in an efficient way.

With my G11 manual focus was possible, but solved in an extremely idiotic way - you always had to start again at the very beginning for every shot and you had to turn the dial many, many times.

Until then, my main rule about manual focus: avoid at any cost, learn to use the autofocus better instead.

I would say learning to manual focus is very important. What will one do when lighting or aperture is affecting autfocus negatively?


There is a reason all of the new AF-S lens have simultaneous auto-focus and manual focus. For re-adjusting manually on the fly.

It may not be always needed but is definitely a great skill set to have when needed.

When shooting with manual focus lens you do not have to turn the focus many, many times.

 

[jake337]

You don't need to use manual focus to do that. You can use autofocus and recompose the shot. That allows you to move the focus of the image wherever you want to within the frame.

Only if there's a subject that the AF can latch onto that just happens to be at the same distance as I want the focus point to be at.

I myself haven't run into that issue, but I'm not saying you haven't. I use back button focus, and focus/recompose pretty much exclusively. However, I shoot portraits and weddings mostly, so I don't really have time to manual focus. In shooting landscapes, it could very well be a different story.

It entirely depends on your technique when re-adjusting. If you can "see" your focus plane pretty well you can re-compose accordingly. It's all about how you turn your body and camera.

 

[Solarflare]

Uh-hu.

There is nothing to "learn".

My viewfinder is so small I cant even see the picture completely when looking through it. I have to move slightly up and down to see the borders, or the information displayed below it. Granted, I wear glasses, so somebody who doesnt may move closer and actually be able to see whats going on in there. But thats how it is for me.

And manual focus on my D5100 is like this : you move until whatever you want is sharp, then you continue to move until its blurry again. Then you try to find about the middle of the area that looks sharp. Then you better take multiple pictures at different positions that look sharp. And then on the computer you still might find out that you have missed focus in every single instance.

Lifeview is no help either. The D5100, unlike my previous camera, the G11, doesnt display a 100% crop of the central area. So I cant really see more than in the viewfinder.

 

[jkzo]

...........Unfortunately, today's DSLRs lack the manual focusing aids cameras had before auto focus became standard issue (about 1987).

Where there's a will, there's a web site.........

vow, there appears for every advancement in technology there exists ways to go back

 

[Solarflare]

IIRC KatzEye introduced some other problems.

P.s.: Hmm cant find anything about this. Not sure. Of course it would be a huge help with manual focus but I remembered some problem with either metering or autofocus introduced by it ... ?