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How Do I Improve Manual Focus Skills?
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Oct 10, 2020 10:41:22   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
Architect1776 wrote:
Your T6 has the same sensor as my 7D and likely a better processor.
As has been stated that with your camera live view fully magnified works best to get best focus.
Also no IS etc. so you need steady hands or a tripod or fast shutter.
Finally the adapter degrades the image slightly due to the extra glass elements. I went through 3 different brands until I found a decent one, Fotodiox with AF chip. I still use live view though and a tripod.
The photos attached are with the 7D and a Canon FD 80-200mm f4 L lens.
It is an incredibly sharp lens on a FD/FL/R camera but loses a bit on the EF mount due to the adapter.
That is why I am saving for a RF camera with IBIS so the full sharpness can come through with NO glass in the adapter.
Have patience with the lenses, just make your next camera a RF one with IBIS.
Finally just have lots of fun.
Your T6 has the same sensor as my 7D and likely a ... (show quote)


I appreciate the information. I think each lens has a character all its own. I love how my 50mm captures natural light. Looking forward to figuring out this one.

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Oct 10, 2020 10:42:19   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
uhaas2009 wrote:
I tried the same with Nikon 7000 and Nikon 810. With the 810 was easier to focus vs. 7000. I even exchanged focuscreen(7000) to split screen to have the same effect like on the film cameras. This split screen does not have the same quality as the film camera and I gave up because my eyes aren’t that good.
I saw how it how it works on a mirror less camera-focus peaking- what looks like way easier to use vs dslr



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Oct 10, 2020 10:42:56   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
tomad wrote:
Here you go:

"Six techniques to help you nail manual focus"

https://www.dpreview.com/videos/6635747518/dpreview-tv-six-techniques-to-help-you-nail-manual-focus?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-october-07&ref_=pe_1822230_539596760_dpr_nl_447_38

Great! Thanks!

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Oct 10, 2020 10:53:02   #
rmcgarry331
 
One of the problems using an FD lens on an EOS body, is the flange to film (sensor) distance is greater on EOS than it was on FD. In other words, FD lenses focus in front of the sensor on an EOS body, resulting in the effect of a short extension tube. Canon did make two adapters, one for macro and close-up work where you do not need infinity focus, and one that acted like a short teleconverter, allowing full focus range. However, this adapter only fit the long white L series FD telephotos. Several manufactures do make an optically correcting adapter, but it is my understanding that the optics are poor.
I do regularly use my FD 50mm macro lens with my t3i body, by using an inexpensive macro adapter. With this setup I can successfully focus on objects up to about 12” from my camera. I use live view mode on my camera setting 10x magnification. I find the tilt/flip screen indispensable for this. As most of the time I’m on a tripod, I also use a USB tethering cable from Tether Tools, to tether into my laptop running Canon’s DPP4 software, giving me a larger view of the object to assist with focusing.

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Oct 10, 2020 13:20:36   #
wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN
 
User ID wrote:
AF SLR viewing screens are nearly useless for MF. Compare directly to that FTb finder screen and see for yourself.

IIRC you can opt for an adapter with a chip to activate the electronic in-focus indicator in your AF SLR and be free of attempting nearly impossible subjective sharpness judgements in your optical finder. I put a real focusing screen into a Canon SLR. It helped with lenses 50mm and up, but wide lenses still require switching to the LV magnifier.

When you need really critical focus you hafta switch to LV and use the magnifier.

“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

Seems Paul and I were writing our replies simultaneously so please excuse all the redundancy. OTOH it’s now very clear that “great minds think alike” (occasionally) :-)
AF SLR viewing screens are nearly useless for MF. ... (show quote)


My favorite 35mm film camera to shoot with FTb with spot meter. I miss the pre auto focus split focus screen, I'm still not a big fan of auto focus, to many times the camera and I disagree on what we want in focus. I've set up my Sony to show what is in focus by giving it a red highlight. In some ways it is better than the old split focus because it will show depth of field (Sony lenses do not stop down at time of picture only, as you change the aperture, it stops down so you are always seeing the finished pictures depth of field.

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Oct 10, 2020 13:28:14   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
The old film cameras had a center split screen fine focus, todays auto focus in most cases is as good or better than manual focusing.
The only time I found manual focusing is better is macro. And then I manually focus and fine focus with the camera on a track ( moving the camera slightly in or out)

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Oct 10, 2020 13:45:10   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
wmurnahan wrote:
My favorite 35mm film camera to shoot with FTb with spot meter. I miss the pre auto focus split focus screen, I'm still not a big fan of auto focus, to many times the camera and I disagree on what we want in focus. I've set up my Sony to show what is in focus by giving it a red highlight. In some ways it is better than the old split focus because it will show depth of field (Sony lenses do not stop down at time of picture only, as you change the aperture, it stops down so you are always seeing the finished pictures depth of field.
My favorite 35mm film camera to shoot with FTb wit... (show quote)


I believe the FTb never had a split focus screen but a microprism screen.

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Oct 10, 2020 14:42:10   #
Tomedbob
 
I have poor vision and needed a way to magnify the view for manual focusing as well. My efforts took me down the path of getting a cheap tablet and mounting bracket to attach to my tripod. Then I found an app that will allow me to see the image on the tablet using the live screen mode and the image is as big as my tablet screen - 8 inch by 5 inch. I could have used a laptop and Canon software, but needed something more portable for in the field. I connect the tablet to the camera via the usb cable plus a usb "on the go" or OTG cable that matched my tablets usb port. The app I used also allows me to control the camera from within the app. I have an android tablet and the App I use is called Tether Monkey. That author wrote other apps that may be more suitable for your needs. The free version is great, but the paid version adds more capability and removes ads. My camera is a CanonT2i and Canon's apps dont do what I needed. They rely on wifi which my camera does not have, thus the need for a tethered connection. Anyway, I am very pleased with what this allows me to do and manual focusing is not an issue with my setup.
A bonus is with my tablet mounting bracket, I dont have to get down on my knees and strain my neck to look at the back screen of my camera which is pre- pop out and swivel technology. I just adjust the angle and positioning of the tablet mount to let me see what I need without straining.
I hope this helps you.

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Oct 10, 2020 14:55:30   #
wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN
 
Architect1776 wrote:
I believe the FTb never had a split focus screen but a microprism screen.


I'm sure you are right. It has been so long I've used it, I also used an EF and A1 (sold that one), I'd have to dig it out to check. Once I got digital, my only film has been 120 b&w with Rollie and Hasselblad, so to be honest, it has been probably close to 30 years since I used it.

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Oct 10, 2020 15:40:04   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
If you have a vision problem lt the camera do it. Todays cameras do a great job. The choice you must make is how to let the camera do it. That as a spot meter or a group or aria,

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Oct 10, 2020 16:05:38   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
Tomedbob wrote:
I have poor vision and needed a way to magnify the view for manual focusing as well. My efforts took me down the path of getting a cheap tablet and mounting bracket to attach to my tripod. Then I found an app that will allow me to see the image on the tablet using the live screen mode and the image is as big as my tablet screen - 8 inch by 5 inch. I could have used a laptop and Canon software, but needed something more portable for in the field. I connect the tablet to the camera via the usb cable plus a usb "on the go" or OTG cable that matched my tablets usb port. The app I used also allows me to control the camera from within the app. I have an android tablet and the App I use is called Tether Monkey. That author wrote other apps that may be more suitable for your needs. The free version is great, but the paid version adds more capability and removes ads. My camera is a CanonT2i and Canon's apps dont do what I needed. They rely on wifi which my camera does not have, thus the need for a tethered connection. Anyway, I am very pleased with what this allows me to do and manual focusing is not an issue with my setup.
A bonus is with my tablet mounting bracket, I dont have to get down on my knees and strain my neck to look at the back screen of my camera which is pre- pop out and swivel technology. I just adjust the angle and positioning of the tablet mount to let me see what I need without straining.
I hope this helps you.
I have poor vision and needed a way to magnify the... (show quote)


That actually sounds like a great idea. My T6 has wifi capabilities and I have used it with my phone. I have an android pad. I bet I could use it either with wifi or a tether. Something to try this weekend. Thanks!

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Oct 10, 2020 16:11:50   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
wmurnahan wrote:
I'm sure you are right. It has been so long I've used it, I also used an EF and A1 (sold that one), I'd have to dig it out to check. Once I got digital, my only film has been 120 b&w with Rollie and Hasselblad, so to be honest, it has been probably close to 30 years since I used it.


I was just playing with my FTb yesterday. So recent memory.

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Oct 10, 2020 18:00:52   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
kenievans wrote:
My problem with AF is getting the right thing in focus.


If you were shooting Nikon I'd suggest Steve Perry's book on focus.

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Oct 11, 2020 04:54:43   #
wingate2417 Loc: Quincy, Ca.
 
Why don’t they put a range finder on dslr when you attach a manual lens.

Gary

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Oct 11, 2020 15:28:09   #
User ID
 
wingate2417 wrote:
Why don’t they put a range finder on dslr when you attach a manual lens.

Gary


Kinda like the Fuji Pro series or the Leicas.

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