EXIF: How can I tell which shot if taken AF and which MF?

[condyk]

I'm experimenting most days this week with using manual operation only and, at the same time, looking to see if I can squeeze any more performance by using MF rather than AF. Two questions ...

1) What would make life easier is to see on a shot by shot basis, via EXIF data, which shot was AFand which MF! By nature, I am not a 'take careful notes as I do stuff' type person and I would rather just play and then check everything when I get back to the laptop and then learn which setting are broadly generating best results for each lens.

So, can I see AF/MF info in EXIF and if not, any other way of knowing after the event? I use the viewer in Photoshop CS and I don't see it there. Is there another one that shows more info?

2) I kinda feel MF is a tad sharper. Very (totally!) unscientific, but wouldn't that generally be so, or does it indicate AF on a specific lens is not as sharp as one might like? I suppose it's a 'depends' type answer?

Any help appreciated before I head back to the comfort zone of the green box and P settings :lol:

[slin100]

The focus mode is stored in the Makernote section of the EXIF. I'm not at my personal desktop to see which program can display this information. I would, of course, expect that the Canon viewer program would display this.

[BrandonSi]

The markernote section of EXIF is not a standard field, so this may differ from camera to camera or manufacturer to manufacturer.

[condyk]

The focus mode is stored in the Makernote section of the EXIF. I'm not at my personal desktop to see which program can display this information. I would, of course, expect that the Canon viewer program would display this.

Steven

I don't use Canon Viewer. I bring shots in via XP Pro and then PS CS. Neither properties tab in XP or the PS CS EXIF show any 'Makernote' data that I can see.

[jimchapin468]

Sounds like you need to start using Canon Viewer.:p

[condyk]

Is that the one you used to help you monitor testing of your 24-70 L? :lol: :lol:

[jimchapin468]

Thats it -- Actually I have got a new 24-70 at home waiting for me. I sure hope it is better. Any ideas on the best ways to test this? Thanks for your help -- and wish me luck on this lens -- Jimmy

[LightRules]

Thats it -- Actually I have got a new 24-70 at home waiting for me. I sure hope it is better. Any ideas on the best ways to test this?-- Jimmy

Send it to me and I'll test it for you...:D

[gasrocks]

When I am testing something out - different settings, manual vs. auto, etc. I use a free program called exif viewer. Puts the exif info into a table for all the pix in any folder - easy to see where you changed settings, has thumbnails of each pix, and more.

[condyk]

Gasrocks ... YOU-rocks :lol:

Does the job fine and dandy and as usual the best things in life are free!

[Tom W]

To anwser the original question, if I'm shooting, it's easy to tell - the AF ones are in focus and the manual focus ones are not. :)

[condyk]

Yes ... I know AND have to say tho' that I was getting worried as my best lens, the Sigma 100-300mm f4, has given great results at times and mediocre AND abismal! Really it is down to me learning the full manual approach to photography and NOT the lens. Because I wasn't monitoring shots I lost track and when I got a great shot next to a dull and unfocused one then I needed to know EXACTLY what was happening or I may have got into the latest fashion of 'is my lens working!?

Luckily, I have check the images with the little utility (an amazing thingy!) that I think are AWESOME and they are all AF so I am happy ... maybe I need to get my eyes tested tho' as some of those MF shots are truly, madly, deeply bad :lol: They make Jimmy's Duck and Dog look attractive :p

[Tom W]

They make Jimmy's Duck and Dog look good :p

Actually, the duck image wasn't real bad, but that was a pretty ugly duck. I have seen similar, though:

http://www.pbase.com/photosbytom/image/44947385