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Manual Focusing
Dec 17, 2017 11:11:24 #
If I have a busy scene and lots of people or animals moving around between me and my subject I'l flip the switch to Manual Focus.
Dec 17, 2017 11:57:11 #
jnurm99 wrote:
I just purchased the Nikon d7500 kit from Costco that comes with 2 AF-P lenses. My question is there ever a need to manually focus on a subject? Under what circumstances would that be? Is it possible with the d7500 to manually focus with an AF-P lens? Is there a benefit to having a manual focus lens and what would be a good one to have? Haven't received the camera yet waiting for it to arrive.
As mentioned by a couple posters, the lack contrast is a big reason to use manual focusing. In the case of the photo linked to below, I had to manually focus using the footage marked on the lens body, (a Pentax SMC-A 50mm f:1.2 that I purchased in 1985...so it's not a reason of GAS. LoL), since I couldn't really see to well either.
Photo info:
*The photo was taken about 2am with only a street light in the distance. The reason for a Tennessee group being there was to honor the Fallen Five of Dallas, TX by holding vigil for 24 hours.
https://www.facebook.com/142634195803011/photos/a.1111491205583967.1073741902.142634195803011/1111491562250598/?type=3&theater
Dec 17, 2017 11:59:29 #
bthomas42
Loc: North Ridgeville Ohio
On the nikon 16-85 lens there is the ability to fine tune the focus after the auto focus completes, this is great for birds and insects on plants to isolate onto the bird or insect
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Dec 17, 2017 12:08:19 #
I often use auto-focus then sharpen further with manual, esp with closeups. The focus point I thought the camera was pointing at sometimes turns out to be just a skosh off of where I really wanted it to be. This technique will serve me well as long as my eyes can do their work.
Dec 17, 2017 15:01:25 #
DaveO wrote:
Live view uses the slower and quite accurate contrast detection in lieu of phase detection and can be another topic to examine! One area of research leads to yet another!
Unless, of course, you have a very modern camera with DPAF in live view, like the 80D.
Dec 17, 2017 15:57:50 #
manual focus give you a chance to take a second look at your composition . maybe in too fast auto focus you did not see that branch in the way .
Dec 17, 2017 16:42:48 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
jnurm99 wrote:
I just purchased the Nikon d7500 kit from Costco that comes with 2 AF-P lenses. My question is there ever a need to manually focus on a subject? Under what circumstances would that be? Is it possible with the d7500 to manually focus with an AF-P lens? Is there a benefit to having a manual focus lens and what would be a good one to have? Haven't received the camera yet waiting for it to arrive.
First off. Welcome to the forum. And congrats to your new D7500. It's almost a D500, lacking a few features. Same sensor though. Autofocus is the way nowadays. Many of us remember that's all there was with SLR cameras of yesteryears. Some great lenses are only manual, such as top of the line Zeiss lenses. Good luck, and enjoy your new bundle kit.
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Dec 17, 2017 17:10:07 #
If there is some particular object in the scene that should be as tack sharp as possible, there is no substitute for manual focusing. Those who grew up on old cameras only had manual focus, but our modern digitals have auto-focus of various flavors. The hitch is will the camera in the background modify your manual focus choice. My Sony a6300 has the habit of that. Of course, it might be my fault as I have fallen into the habit of using the DMR focus mode wherein the camera focuses on shutter button half-press and I spin the lens for manual fine-tuning on a much magnified image. Keeping the half-press steady is my problem. So I have frequent screw-ups.
Dec 17, 2017 18:22:44 #
PHRubin wrote:
Unless, of course, you have a very modern camera with DPAF in live view, like the 80D.
Sorry, I was referencing Nikon systems. DPAV is a Canon attribute in their Live View Mode, no? Can make for another comparison study!
Dec 17, 2017 18:57:04 #
PHRubin wrote:
Unless, of course, you have a very modern camera with DPAF in live view, like the 80D.
Most current Canon have the incredible DPAF that is wonderful for video and live view shooting.
No one else has anything like it.
Dec 17, 2017 19:49:04 #
bmike101
Loc: Gainesville, Florida
what I don't like about manual focus on auto focus lenses is that the dial is too tight. I have such difficulties getting a proper focus! but then again I onlu have an entry level DSLR so perhaps that is the reason (nikon D3200 and the kit lenses).
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Dec 17, 2017 20:04:59 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
I use manual focus for macro and sometimes when I shoot concert and stage photography. With latest features on some cameras like focus peaking and focus magnification, it can be fun.
Dec 17, 2017 20:27:22 #
I regularly switch between AF and manual focus on my Canon SLR. I use the manual setting when I want to select a focus point that would not likely be effectively picked up by the autofocus points. My AF does let me select a focus point on the touch screen but it is often not as accurate as I can be dialing it in myself. Since the AF/MF lens selector makes changing quite simple, I'm not sure why one would choose to buy a manual lens as there are times when AF is a great help.
Dec 18, 2017 00:30:09 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I actually often use the manual focus ring of my lenses to DE-FOCUS, to force autofocus to refocus. There can be various reasons to do that.... wanting the lens focused on a different point... or just in hope of improving focus.
Like some others mentioned, I frequently use manual focus when shooting macro. With close-up work, it's often faster and easier than AF.
Note: Not all lenses will tolerate MF without first turning off the AF. I don't know about Nikon, but Canon "micro motor" lenses must be turned off, or there's risk of damaging the focusing mechanism. Canon "USM" lenses can be overridden any time without concern. And Canon "STM" lenses are also okay to MF any time, but are all "fly-by-wire" where even manual focusing is done electronically (i.e., there's no mechanical connection between the focusing ring and the focusing group of the lens), so they need to be "powered up" before it's possible to MF them. A few USM lenses are fly-by-wire, too (EF 85mm f/1.2L II, for example).
Like some others mentioned, I frequently use manual focus when shooting macro. With close-up work, it's often faster and easier than AF.
Note: Not all lenses will tolerate MF without first turning off the AF. I don't know about Nikon, but Canon "micro motor" lenses must be turned off, or there's risk of damaging the focusing mechanism. Canon "USM" lenses can be overridden any time without concern. And Canon "STM" lenses are also okay to MF any time, but are all "fly-by-wire" where even manual focusing is done electronically (i.e., there's no mechanical connection between the focusing ring and the focusing group of the lens), so they need to be "powered up" before it's possible to MF them. A few USM lenses are fly-by-wire, too (EF 85mm f/1.2L II, for example).
Dec 18, 2017 06:24:11 #
Most useful times to use manual focus are low-light situations where AF just doesn't see the subject to focus on, and sometimes when shooting wildlife when there are lots of trees and other things in the scene between me and the subject (AF sometimes struggles to focus on the subject you want, even when using single focus point), and/or any other situations where there are a lot of objects and the scene is quite busy. Also, if you want to be sure the "eyes" of your subject are perfectly in focus, I may consider manual focus.
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