Portraits: Auto Focus or Manual Focus, which is best? Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and...

toast

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact.

Thoughts. Thanks! :)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

toast wrote:

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact.

Thoughts. Thanks! :)

I'd go with manual focus. Though, it may be difficult to see the very minor differences in comparing MF to AF.
--Bob

ggttc Loc: TN

rmalarz wrote:

I'd go with manual focus. Though, it may be difficult to see the very minor differences in comparing MF to AF.
--Bob

I'm going to agree...I have shot manual most of my life...but todays auto focus systems are truly competitive with manual focus unless you have a focusing screen specially designed for manual focus (i.e split )...set your AF to AF-S...single point focus and see what happens

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

toast wrote:

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact.

Thoughts. Thanks! :)

Not true. Each can be effective.

DerBiermeister Loc: North of Richmond VA

rpavich wrote:

Not true. Each can be effective.

Can you elaborate? Are you talking mainly on close up shots?

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

toast wrote:

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact.

Thoughts. Thanks! :)

Using auto, which I like because I can never really tell through the view finder, I use the single focal point (dead center) on all photos, portraits or not. If I focus on a subjects eye I seem to get accurate, tack sharp focus most every time.

With auto or manual there will be times when it will be slightly out so that's why I never shoot a single shot but always 3 to 4 or perhaps more then pick the one I want.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

toast wrote:

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact. Thoughts. Thanks! :)

Unless you have a professional model who can hold his/her head steady the subjects head is really constantly moving, in-out, side to side, even up-down. Although these movements may be slight, using manual focus will often be off by the time you click on the shutter release. Therefore, IMHO auto focus using point focus on the eye is a better option for most portraits.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I find that on a lot of lenses the manual ring is not very sensitive so I have a hard time getting really accurate focus.
Having said that, I don' shoot people, so it might be easier with a near by subject
I use 'flexible spot points', different cameras companies call them different names I assume and set the focus point on the eye (of birds in my case)for AF.

Jim Bob

rpavich wrote:

Not true. Each can be effective.

:thumbup:

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Get a camera with eye priority...set it and forget about it...it's way more accurate/faster than trying to nail the focus manually.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

toast wrote:

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact.

Thoughts. Thanks! :)

The trouble with manual focus with today's autofocus lenses is that the cameras and lenses have been optimized to use autofocus and manual focus is more difficult. I don't know if any cameras today have split image focusing screens, which helped a lot with the accuracy of manual focusing, and the manual focus rings on today's autofocus lenses are smaller and less precise than they were on older manual focus lenses. Myself, I find that the autofocus today is so good, I don't have any desire to go back to manual. I usually try to shoot portraits with at least a 5.6 aperture anyway, so I have some DOF to fall back on.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

JohnSwanda wrote:

The trouble with manual focus with today's autofoc... (show quote)

Another option might be focus peaking...but I'm guessing that the OP doesn't have that feature either.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Depends on your eyesight, your autofocus, and whether the subject is holding still. Only way to know is to try it both ways.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I am a professional portrait photographer and always use AF. Now, I AM very careful where I place that AF point, and I am mindful of where I want my aperture based on the size/depth of a group. That is just my way. Those that use manual focus get great results also. So the answer is...........both work.

One advantage to AF is the that it is usually quicker and with kids that might matter.

Anyone that tells you only one way works is blowing smoke.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

toast wrote:

Let's say I want to focus on the eyes of my subject. I recently read an article that claimed manual focus is more precise and exact. The writer claimed that in auto focus mode, even if the Auto Focus points locked on the eyes the focus is not exact.

Thoughts. Thanks! :)

On a digital camera with a standard focusing screen, you may get better results with autofocus - especially if you use live view, which achieves focus directly on the sensor - not through a path that includes a semi-transparent area on the mirror, and a couple of other tiny mirrors - all of which need to be in absolute perfect alignment for accurate focus.

If you want to use manual focus, you might want to look into a focus screen replacement - like this - http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Replacement-Split-Focusing-Screen/dp/B005ODKAZ8

One manufacturer - Katz Eye - is going out of business, so these things might be hard to find.

The differences may be splitting hairs though. You probably want to check this for yourself - I personally get better results using autofocus.