Manual Focusing: 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...

jnurm99 Loc: Clarkston, Michigan

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.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

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.

When I use my 105 Nikon Micro Nikkor lens, I ALWAYS manual focus. So to answer your question, for critical focusing I use manual.

pappleg

At least two scenarios I can think of may call for manual focusing: AF relies often on contrast and some very low contrast scenes, such as fog, can prove difficult for AF systems. Another is macro photography where there is very shallow depth of field and even close portraits with wide apertures may place focus someplace other than where you want it needing manual to focus on the part of the scene you want.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Sometimes, us old farts who learned our skills (whatever they are) on purely mechanical film cameras, just prefer to focus manually.The thing that bothers me about manual focus with todays auto focus lenses, is the short "throw" of the focus ring.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

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.

That's the beauty of digital photography. So many features - so much to learn. Auto focus, manual focus, single focus, continuous focus, matrix focus, hocus pokus focus. And then we have lenses with focus motors inside and lenses without, and camera bodies with focus motors inside and camera bodies without, as well as compatible lenses that autofocus and non-compatible that don't. It never ends.

jnurm99 Loc: Clarkston, Michigan

I guess what I am concerned about is , Is there the ability to manual focus with the lenses I will have •AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens. There is no manual AF switch on them. Is that solely driven by the camera setting of manual?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

jnurm99 wrote:

I guess what I am concerned about is , Is there the ability to manual focus with the lenses I will have •AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens. There is no manual AF switch on them. Is that solely driven by the camera setting of manual?

You should be able to divine the answer from "the manual". My D7000 has a switch on the camera body to toggle between Manual and Auto focus.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Today's cameras autofocus so well it is rare to need to manually focus. Unless you encounter those rare occasions, you may never want to manual focus. The technique is to live view, then magnify the view on the area you want in focus, then focus. Obviously, this is only good on stationary subjects. Micro photography is one case where it might be desirable, especially if one is taking multiple shots, each focused slightly different, then combining them for HiDef.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

PHRubin wrote:

Today's cameras autofocus so well it is rare to need to manually focus. Unless you encounter those rare occasions, you may never want to manual focus. The technique is to live view, then magnify the view on the area you want in focus, then focus. Obviously, this is only good on stationary subjects. Micro photography is one case where it might be desirable, especially if one is taking multiple shots, each focused slightly different, then combining them for HiDef.

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!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

jnurm99 wrote:

My question is there ever a need to manually focus on a subject? Under what circumstances would that be?

I use manual focus whenever I don’t point and shoot.

jonjacobik Loc: Quincy, MA

When the subject you want in focus is not where your camera is looking - The camera setting for AF-area mode is set for one point, or 9 points, in the center of the field, and your subject is in the left third of the frame. Focus on the subject and move the camera, gives the subject time to move out of focus. Focus manually after pressing the shutter half way, and your subject will be in focus.

I love the "P" feature.

toxdoc42

today's cameras have no real optical focus aide. They do have a little green light that shows your focus agrees with the camera's, but it isn't the same as manual focus with an old film camera. Also, you will need to use LV and magnification to better judge if the image is in focus, or. better yet, buy a magnifier for your vir=ewfinder. I have a NEEW right angle adapter that has up to 3X magnification, helps a lot.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

pappleg wrote:

At least two scenarios I can think of may call for manual focusing: AF relies often on contrast and some very low contrast scenes, such as fog, can prove difficult for AF systems. Another is macro photography where there is very shallow depth of field and even close portraits with wide apertures may place focus someplace other than where you want it needing manual to focus on the part of the scene you want.

This is the best answere...its nothing to do with 'old farts'or 'having to'...it is about knowing why and choosing to

jnurm99 Loc: Clarkston, Michigan

Looked at the manual for the lens and there is a focusing ring.. I was worried that with the lenses it didn't have that ability... thanks for all your responses.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

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.

99, welcome to the Hog!!!
Yes, there are a few times to MF. as mentioned when the scene doesn't have enough contrast or light or if the cameras AF system can't handle it.
Otherwise there is virtually NO reason to ever MF. The camera can focus a LOT better and WAY faster than any human can. No matter how long you shot manual cameras, it's a computer!!!
SS