Why manual focus

[Ron Evers]

I like to use manual focus because it allows me to easily isolate my subject even if it is buried in a clutter of foreground & background that would drive auto focus nuts. You get quite used to manual after a short while.


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In my opinion, you would be hard pressed to capture the small subjects in these shots using auto focus. What you see here are crops of larger frames so the subjects were quite small in relation to the whole image. I suppose it is like like trying to get the eyes sharp in a portrait.

 

[tirediron]

Good point Ron, although I find that manually focusing with newer bodies to be a real challenge. I love using my F5 in MF with a split-prism screen, but the digital bodies, especially the D300 is tough. Even more so because the focusing rings on modern lenses don't seem to have that firm feeling that older lenses did. For shots like the ones you've posted, I generally go with a single-servo auto-focus and use a single focusing point, but I have to admit it doesn't always work very well.

 

[LightSpeed]

Nice shots Ron. I use Manual focus all the time myself. Try using auto focus on shots like these and you'll be all day trying to lock focus. Then the inevitable happens. The subject disappears while auto focus hunts.

 

[Robin Usagani]

to be honest, I would have no problem focusing on any of these shots with AF. Plenty of lights!

 

[Dao]

to be honest, I would have no problem focusing on any of these shots with AF. Plenty of lights!

I agree with you.

 

[Ron Evers]

Good point John, about modern lenses being more awkward to manual focus than the vintage glass I use.

 

[Ron Evers]

to be honest, I would have no problem focusing on any of these shots with AF. Plenty of lights!

I agree with you.

I'm skeptical. I would like to see some shots with the subject buried in the surroundings.

 

[Dao]

Well, I had one some what close. The Robin was surrounded by grasses. The shot was taken with single center AF point. And that was done with AF (aim at the eye) then recompose. I can try to take another shot tonight to show a better example.

 

[MohaimenK]

I'm skeptical. I would like to see some shots with the subject buried in the surroundings.

Ron, couldn't you have used focus point" with that high of aperture? I have taken shots like this w/out issue. Only time I had problem was when I was at the Zoo and the subject was inside the fence.

***BTW Ron, I would say your MF in each picture is SPOT ON :thumbup:

Here are couple examples.

1st. AF with Focus Point

2nd
MF as I couldn't get any focus at all of the bird inside the fence

 

[pbelarge]

I have used spot/af with my 7D and seem to have pretty good luck.
With my 5Dii, I would need to go to mf for tight shots like you have presented.

Low lighting presents a whole different set of circumstances, and mf becomes the method.

 

[LightSpeed]

In my humble opinion, it's not that it can't be done. It's the aggravation associated with it when the lens bounces around trying to lock focus. Even single point has issues with small subjects buried in or surrounded by particulate.

 

[MohaimenK]

I have used spot/af with my 7D and seem to have pretty good luck.
With my 5Dii, I would need to go to mf for tight shots like you have presented.

Low lighting presents a whole different set of circumstances, and mf becomes the method.

Yeah, the 7D focusing system is extremely good compared to the 5DMK2.
I'm hoping (and I'm sure many other 5D owners also) that they really do something about that with the MK3 . I guess we'll find out in 2011.

 

[Geaux]

I know the reason behind this thread, as I read it in the 'other one'. Just like with anything in Photography, there is a time and place for everything. Shooting a portrait in a wide open area vs a bird buried in branches are totally different settings. Single point AF and recompose for a portrait isn't an issue and I don't see a point in MF something like that. If it works, it works ...

 

[Ron Evers]

Dao, that robin shot is an easy one no matter manual or auto. My image #5 is the best example of what I am talking about.

 

[Christie Photo]

Well... I always prefer that I control the equipment, both exposure and focus. But, the vast majority of what I shoot is nailed down. I'll venture into the auto realm when shooting something rapidly changing, whether it's the lighting or a moving subject. The gear can react much quicker than I.

-Pete