AF vs MF

[c0ntr0lz]

when out shooting, which do you use more?

[Olegis]

AF.
I find the MF pretty useless on my 10D due to relatively poor viewfinder.

[CyberDyneSystems]

99% AF .. at least.

[robertwgross]

Lately, about 99% manual focus for long wildlife shots.

I've been using the long end of my 100-400mm lens with two 1.4 teleconverters, which puts me out to f/8, so there isn't any autofocus left. At first, that was kind of a PITA, but my left hand has learned the focus ring now.

---Bob Gross---

[c0ntr0lz]

yeah that's something too
robert brought up the fact that he uses MF while taking not quick photos.
i guess if you're taking photos where you have to be quick you'd use AF more.

[Jesper]

Auto focus most of the time, but sometimes manual focus works better.

With AF, the camera more or less randomly chooses a point to focus on within the area of the selected AF sensor. Sometimes that's not what you want, for example in macro photography (where the DOF is often very thin). For macro photography, I always use manual focus.

[Paul_O]

90% AF for me, I find it's a lot more accurate than me most of the time using manual focus :oops:

Paul

[dhbailey]

Only having had my 20D for a week, I have to say 90% AF.

Equally important, though, would be a question regarding the use of all the AF points or do people single out one spot?

I find that for broad-scope pictures, such as landscapes, I use all the AF points, but for most other shots I find that I am singling out the central AF point and using the old focus-lock-and-reframe method to get the picture I really want.

What do others do?

[Cadwell]

Equally important, though, would be a question regarding the use of all the AF points or do people single out one spot?

What do others do?

Nearly always AF.

Always a single AF point. Usually the centre one but occasionally one of the others.

[peter/c]

AF 99.9%. Due to a defect..My Eyesight, Can't MF to save My life or at least I couldn't with the 300d. haven't tried 20d much yet at MF.
peter.

[FlipsidE]

It all depends. I prefer AF *most* of the time as most of my shots are Macro shots or shots of my niece (who is ALWAYS on the move). But, there are those times when my camera just won't focus on what I want it to focus on at macro distance. So, I use MF. It's rare, though.

FlipsidE

[c0ntr0lz]

peter/c i'm in the same boat, can't ever tell what is really in focus. may have to get contacts just to shoot.

i agree about the macro/closeup that's when i use MF

[Scottes]

AF, except with a TC on my 400s when I can't AF, or when doing Macro.



I've been using the long end of my 100-400mm lens with two 1.4 teleconverters, which puts me out to f/8

Bob, I'm surprised at this statement from you! That comes out to f/11 - 2 TCs at 1 stop each brings f/5.6 to f/11.

[ron chappel]

For me it's nearly allways autofocus,center point .I'm totally used to the focus and reframe thing now
From all the lens testing i do i've found that AF kicks butt completely.Not only is it consistant but i've allmost never beat it by manually focussing :shock: .

I have several manual focus lenses i use on EOS and allways have to take a few pics to be sure i've got a well focused one

[steven]

I shot 99% in AF.

But I think this a function of the focus screen.
I'm planning on getting a fucusing screen that has split focusing and prism.
With the fucusing screen that comes with the camera is usless for MF at least for the elderly poor eye sight people like me :wink:

[robertwgross]

Bob, I'm surprised at this statement from you! That comes out to f/11 - 2 TCs at 1 stop each brings f/5.6 to f/11.

Did anybody claim that they were each stock teleconverters? I certainly didn't.

If I start with f/5.6 and use one stock teleconverter, then I'll be at f/8, so no autofocus. If I start with f/5.6 and use two stock teleconverters, then I'll be at f/11. However, I don't have to play by those rules. I use one Canon type and one "rigged" type, and that still leaves me at f/8 and a little underexposed.

So, what is surprising? I thought you knew all the tricks.

I study which branch the hummingbird is going to land on, in advance, then manually focus on the branch. A minute later, the little guy lands, and I snap the shot.

---Bob Gross---

[Scottes]

If I start with f/5.6 and use one stock teleconverter, then I'll be at f/8, so no autofocus. If I start with f/5.6 and use two stock teleconverters, then I'll be at f/11. However, I don't have to play by those rules. I use one Canon type and one "rigged" type, and that still leaves me at f/8 and a little underexposed.

That explains it. You're physically at f/11 (you *are* increasing the focal length without increasing the aperture), but only f/8 is being reported to the camera. This still seems unlike you.


BTW, when are you ever going to post some of these birds you shoot? After hearing some of your stories like this, I'm quite curious to see the results.

[Persian-Rice]

I find the viewfinder on the 10D awful for MF'ing. Its almost impossible...........

I mostly AF, and if I have the time to do MF, I will.

[Belmondo]

Mainly AF, although I'm starting to trust it less and less. When time allows, MF seems to give me better odds of the desired result.

[robertwgross]

If I am given this choice:
(1) Play by the rules and miss the shot.
--or--
(2) Cheat the rules and get the shot.

Which do you think I am going to do?

I've never had the Canon police pull up and write me a citation for illegal equipment.

I have no extra web space available, and I am disinclined to pull down something good to put up something temporary. Someday I'll have to get more hosted capacity.

Besides, I don't want to publish any images that are fine enough to print from, yet if they aren't fine res, then they don't look so hot. I think we are all in agreement that photos look their best when printed large.

---Bob Gross---

[timmyquest]

I spent $2,000 on a camera becaues it AF's fast...what'ya think :lol:

[Scottes]

If I am given this choice:
(1) Play by the rules and miss the shot.
--or--
(2) Cheat the rules and get the shot.

Which do you think I am going to do?

Yeah, I go through a lot of superglue and velcro, but they get me the shots. :D



I have no extra web space available, and I am disinclined to pull down something good to put up something temporary.

Yep, I hear you.

[pradeep1]

I used to use all manual focus cameras. Then I bought a ElanII in 1992 and noticed that my photographs were more crisp and better focused. I then realized that my eyes are not that great for focusing for some reason. I don't wear glasses and have good vision, but for some reason, I can't quite focus as well as a good AF sensor can. Of course, I do use MF in all of my macro work, where the DOF is very thin, but then I also manually focus bracket to make sure I am getting the shot I want.

I now use AF about 90% of the time.

[robertwgross]

Yeah, I go through a lot of superglue and velcro

It doesn't take very much superglue to keep the hummingbird feet on the branch.

---Bob Gross---

[RoB_m]

the 10D viewfinder doesn't have a prism? :[

i'm used to my canon A-1 so i kinda like manual focus.
if i'm doing action, auto focus.

if i'm doing still life or landscape, manual focus.

[Scottes]

Yeah, I go through a lot of superglue and velcro

It doesn't take very much superglue to keep the hummingbird feet on the branch.

Try a Great Blue Heron sometime.
:D

[robertwgross]

Try a Great Blue Heron sometime.


I had a Great Blue in my viewfinder on Monday, and it did not see me, so it stayed put for a minute without any glue. They have such a stupid gaze anyway.

Hummingbirds make the biggest challenge for me. Just the slightest turn of the head, and the iridescent colors come alive. But you almost have to be right on the shutter button, snapping away, to get it. The male Anna's has a look like "What do you want?"

---Bob Gross---