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View Full Version : do you switch your EF lens to AF......

elfyrulz
4th of June 2004 (Fri), 23:09
..when taking a fast moving subject or switch to manual?
robertwgross
4th of June 2004 (Fri), 23:37
As a general rule, AF works good. Manual focus depends a lot on your eyeball and finger dexterity. The autofocus motors in my lenses work a hell of a lot faster than I can twist the manual focus ring.

However, if light is dim, then you might not have enough light for the lens and body to decide on an autofocus point quickly.

We don't know what camera you are using, so we don't know exactly what shooting modes your camera offers or what limitations those mode have.

We don't know if you are using a flash unit that has autofocus assist working.

---Bob Gross---
Jim_T
5th of June 2004 (Sat), 07:43
Autofocus is what EOS is all about... You should be leaving it in AF pretty well all the time.

The DSLR EOS viewfinders are pretty poor at manual focusing.. They aren't as large and bright as what you get on a 35mm camera. Because of that, manual focusing can be a challenge on DSLR's. (Full frame models like the 1Ds excepted). I wouldn't want to be trying to follow a moving object AND trying to keep it in focus at the same time. Especially with a long lens where DOF is pretty narrow.

When shooting moving subjects with my 10D, I use AI servo. When I half press the shutter, the camera tracks whats in the center focus square and keeps it constantly in focus. It works very well and won't let you take a shot if you're out of focus.
CyberDyneSystems
5th of June 2004 (Sat), 10:53
On my 10D.. I actually used to install the "Angle Finder C" just to overcome the lack of visible detail in the viewfinder for manual focus... (it maginifys the viewfinder up to 2.5X)

Fortunately,.. the "1" series viewfinders are clear as day compared to the diminutive 1.6X factor cameras like the 10D and 300D


There are definately times when Manual can blow away the EOS auto... especially if you are using a non HSM lens.. like the 50mm f/1.8

Check out this example..

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34145&highlight=

Macro seems to be the ultimate case for Manual focus... it is realy the only way to go.