Manual focus...

kelly1

Hello folks,

just wondering if anyone here is using manual focus and if so how do you do it and what advantages does it have?

Is manual generally more accurate than automatic? I don't really understand how you achieve accurate focus looking through a view-finder.

Thanks.

charybdis

I don't do it very often with my DSLR because the viewfinder is small (because of the APS-C sensor), dim (because of the semi-silvered mirror that allows autofocus), and poorly suited to manual focus with large-aperture lenses (because of the ground glass optimised for use with slow zooms). When I do manual focus, I usually rely on the AF system's focus confirm as opposed to actually assessing the image's focus in the viewfinder.

magicbastarder

yep, manual focus is rarely enjoyable on lenses not designed as MF lenses.

kelly1

magicbastarder wrote: »

yep, manual focus is rarely enjoyable on lenses not designed as MF lenses.

That's interesting. How is it easier with MF lenses?

charybdis

magicbastarder wrote: »

yep, manual focus is rarely enjoyable on lenses not designed as MF lenses.

That, too. Poorly damped focusing rings with short throws and without hard stops don't make the experience any easier.

magicbastarder

the lenses 'feel' better, certainly compared to any AF lenses i've tried in MF mode. they're designed from scratch without motors, so there are fewer compromises to get a manual focus control in.

CabanSail

MF on bodies designed for mainly AF is not as easy as the some bodies which were meant for MF. My old Nikon FTn had a split prism focus system which was very easy to use. There were two half hemispheres in the centre on the viewfinder where that part of the image was split when out of focus but aligned when in focus. Simples.

I must admit I mainly rely on AF now in DSLR bodies.

Maj Malfunction

I dont use manual focus anymore. Most DSLR's will allow you to select the object you want to focus on and you can lock the focus on that subject if you wish.

Only time I've swapped to manual focus was when using some filters which seemed to confuse the autofocus in which case its a case of best guess and making sure the image looked sharp through the view finder.

JayEnnis

I manual focus up close and for posed portraits but that's about it really.

unreggd

If im at a jammers gig in a tiny venue, I'd usually use Live View + Manual focus

nilhg

Manual focus = tripod + live view, for me anyway except very occasionally when I'm trying to focus up close with my "macro" lens.

magicbastarder

SLRs only use a beam in low light conditions.

ah, it's spam.