manual or auto focus: is it me, am i the only one who doesn't get bent out of shape over the prospect of manually focusing a camera? i was reading articles where the writers made a big...

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

is it me, am i the only one who doesn't get bent out of shape over the prospect of manually focusing a camera? i was reading articles where the writers made a big deal out of looseing auto focus.i started before there was autofocus,i used a monster zoom handheld and manually focused.today when i feel like it i use my manual focus lenses on my current digitals.all but one of my lensed for my medium format camera are manual.any of you fellow old timers still ok with useing manual lenses?

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I'm with you.

Autofocus has its place (snapshots, action) but if you are taking your time, manually focusing is as much a part of making the photograph as framing the shot.

After all, the camera is a machine, not an artist.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

As I grow older and passing 70, auto focus seems so much easier with these eyes. To each his/her own.

Sarge

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

sarge69 wrote:

As I grow older and passing 70, auto focus seems so much easier with these eyes. To each his/her own.

Sarge

i'm 73 so i'm not putting you down.when i attatch my 2x converter,and stop down the lens,most of the time the auto focus doesn't work anyway.

deanc2006 Loc: lancaster ohio

I shoot in low light that will not allow auto focus to work even on the 70-200 but i also do birding and use auto focus for flight shoots

smsouthers Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

bull drink water wrote:

is it me, am i the only one who doesn't get bent out of shape over the prospect of manually focusing a camera? i was reading articles where the writers made a big deal out of looseing auto focus.i started before there was autofocus,i used a monster zoom handheld and manually focused.today when i feel like it i use my manual focus lenses on my current digitals.all but one of my lensed for my medium format camera are manual.any of you fellow old timers still ok with useing manual lenses?

I am actually just learning to manual focus. Thanks everyone for the tips, and their views!

redpepper Loc: Central NY

I'm 48 and consider myself an old timer! My first Canon was manual focus, so I enjoy using it when I've the time. My new Sigma lens doesn't manually focus well, but its auto focus is right on when you have the proper point selected. I prefer auto when kids are the subj and action shots and always use manual on group shots where I have more than 2 tiers. I'm disappointed that a lot of today's newer lenses promote a better auto focus system over manual.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I use both.

My lenses (almost all) have full time manual focus so I override the AF when necessary (which isn't often)

penguinpete

I come from before auto-focus as well. I'm 61. I will admit that I had to get a KatzEye focusing screen, to compensate for the fading vision making manual focusing difficult, but I still consider that it is my vision and not the camera's that is responsible for the success or failure of the shot.

-- Pete

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

bull drink water wrote:

is it me, am i the only one who doesn't get bent out of shape over the prospect of manually focusing a camera? i was reading articles where the writers made a big deal out of looseing auto focus.i started before there was autofocus,i used a monster zoom handheld and manually focused.today when i feel like it i use my manual focus lenses on my current digitals.all but one of my lensed for my medium format camera are manual.any of you fellow old timers still ok with useing manual lenses?

I have no problem as to how or when to use manual focus, and at times really prefer it, but at times AF works much better. It is almost impossible to MF and get a good shot of a BIF!

I did find I was having a problem with MF but have now found out I am developing cataracts meaning an operation on the one eye soon and probably the other with-in a couple of years. MF is hard when you are having trouble seeing! Poor eye site make MF very difficult as many of you that are getting older know. I did order new glasses to use till I can get the operations done. I will see how well that helps in the next week or so.

Jim D

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I find each has it place - some things I do better with manual focus, some with auto. My default is auto focus

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Since I still have a lot of older "pro" glass, I shoot usingMF more often than not. If I have an AF lens on the camera I do use AF as AF lenses are not able to nail focus as easily with their shorter "throw". What it boils down to is I MF when I am shooting macro & static subjects & I use AF & AF lenses for more fast action shots...I do have a split prism screen on my old D70s & I have one for my D300, but I haven't installed it on that camera yet. I am still able to focus using the new screens on DSLR's even though they are optimized for AF lenses. I have presbyopia but it doesn't affect my ability to focus yet. I have more of a problem getting up after laying prone on the ground to get a macro shot

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

On small lenses that I can hold steady I have no problem using manual focus and do so if the conditions warrant. But with a large heavy lens (Sigma 150-500) I can't hold it steady enough to do manual focus - okay on tripod though. Additionally, as I get older (66) I think that the autofocus will at some point do better than I can.

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

I also have Sigma telefoto lens. On AF they take forever to focus on moving subjects, especially BIF. I'll prefocus in AF on a site then switch to MF on the same site so I can catch the action.

katbandit Loc: new york city

sarge69 wrote:

As I grow older and passing 70, auto focus seems so much easier with these eyes. To each his/her own.

Sarge

im 61 and my eyes don't seem to do what they did when i was 30..lol ..that being said i adjusted my optical viewer to my eyesight on the camera ..then i let the lens do the actual focusing for me..everything else i shoot manual...it would take me too long to focus as pinpoint sharp as i used to..i just have to make sure that i have the focus point on the spot i want most focused..