Manual Focus

[GovtLawyer]

I think my photography skills are eroding, and I'm getting lazy. For many years I rejected any auto focus lens. Now, I seem to be rejecting manual focus. I should try to spend a day with the XT and just shoot with manual focus and using the DOF preview button. I just read a thread where the A-DEP mode was unreliable. Wouldn't manual focus and a DOF preview be more reliable than any automatic setting?

[lancea]

Maybe if you've got really really good eyesight ;) Better than mine anyway! I'd never had autofocus until less than 2 years ago. Using my Minolta XD7 with an f/1.7 50mm, the viewfinder with microprism and split-prism was very good for focusing. On my 20D, with an f/4 lens and no "focus aids" I find accurate manual focus difficult. I imagine the XT is much the same unless you have keen young eyes. As for using the DOF buttons - I've rarely used them because things get so dark. I do however make use of the distance-scale quite often. In a nutshell - I'm glad to have AF!

[Rob612]

I have several problems with MF, most of them due to the equipment (I have used non AF cameras for ages, so that is not a problem to me).

1) No split screen/microprism on the focusing screen
2) Viewfinder too small (ok, I know I should switch to a D20 or better...)
3) This the most unpleasant one: usually the MF rings on these lenses are too small (thin) and uncomfortable to me. Also, often in the wrong position.

So, I'll stick to AF as much as I can.

[gasrocks]

I agree with both sides - don't lose those manual skills. But, many people cannot accurately focus manually with a lot of digital cameras. Learn to make the autofocus work for you, is my answer.