BebuLamar

The fastest car now in term of acceleration (0-60) has no transmission. That is it does have gear box but only 1 gear and is permanently engaged to the motor.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

Yes, automatics are faster, but perhaps not as satisfying to use as standards.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

There’s nary a posting of any length on this forum that doesn’t eventually bring out the literal and the word police. There’s a big between casual suggestions and orders.

BebuLamar

And some very good photographers never could shoot very fast. They would have to focus, compose, then load the film before making the exposure.
I would love to shoot those cameras but the cost per shot is way too much for me.

Urnst Loc: Brownsville, Texas

I don't do birds.

srt101fan

srt101fan

You probably have more support for your point of view than you realize....

BebuLamar

I did think he made a mistake. He got the responses he didn't expect. That's the mistake. I am not saying he is wrong. I am saying it's mistake because he thought the responses were different.

srt101fan

Sharing ones joy in a particular approach to photography and suggesting others try it is not a "mistake".

BebuLamar

Suggesting something that nobody cares is a mistake. As you can see I and you are both already shooting in manual so we don't do it because his suggestion. Others are not going to do it. And that I considered a mistake.
None of the response is "Oh yeah I think I will try it".

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"Would you please post any images of birds in flight using manual focus."
billnikon as per your request...

Street Scene (Editorial)

Film: TriX ASA 400 shot at ISO 800
Developer: D76 1:1
Illumination: Heavy Overcast
Venue: Hagerstown, Maryland circa 1980

Hope this helps billnikon

Camera: Nikon F3; Lens: 50mm f1.4 AI Nikkor (manual focus)

(Download)

pjeffers51 Loc: Richmond texas

I shoot mostly manual but there are times that I will use auto. I think it helps to shoot manual and understand what the camera is doing for those times when auto just will not get the shot you want.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"I've been using manual focus and exposure modes... I'm getting much more enjoyment out of the process... Give this a try!"

Urnst totally understand your initial premise here... I've grown found of vintage Nikon glass and have been using it a lot now... That said please allow me to suggest avoiding using the inference "...I am also getting better pictures..."

The term "Better" is highly subjective... and as you might have noticed has caused some "push back" to what could have been a delightful post... Many of the hobbyist on UHH honestly believe that their persona is established by having the the latest "In Style" a.k.a. Chic kit. I now completely respect and honor their mindset here and try to avoid using words like "Better" on UHH any more...

In support of your initial premise Urnst below please find my most recent work with a manual lens...
In this case with the legendary AI-S 75-150mm f/3.5 Series E Nikon
This lens is showcase in Nikon's "NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights"
https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0042/index.htm

btw that vintage manual focus lens was made famous by Galen Rowell's breathtaking image of the rainbow over the Dali Lama's palace in Tibet

Hope this helps Urnst
All the best on your wonderful photographic journey...
.

Lake Fountain at f/8 and 1/2000

(Download)

Lake Fountain at f/8 with an 8 second Exposure with a B+W 52mm 10 Stop ND Filter

(Download)

AI-S 75-150mm f/3.5 Series E

(Download)

PipeTobacco

I can definitely understand your idea... especially with your manual transmission analogy. I *much* prefer driving a manual transmission vehicle.

Unfortunately, for me.... I am unfortunately clumsy and not particularly adept at using the manual settings on my camera. So.... unfortunately it becomes a continuing problem..... in order for me to GET BETTER at manual settings, I would need to PRACTICE using them more (like driving a manual transmission). But.... in my real world photography efforts.... I am usually in situations where I am nervous I will miss a shot I would like as I try to do the work manually.... so.... I end up using the automatic settings probably 95% of the time.

Now.... *IF* I could spend more time working on my "art" photography ("art" may be questionable ) I would have more comfort using manual settings there.... where there really isn't the "pressure" to get a specific image.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I only play with manual when time is not an issue. No birds in flight. But birds not in flight, manual allows me to focus where I want to focus.