FTM Focus - When do you use it?

PMan0 · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

I own and love my Canon 70-200 F4 L but just started realizing that I don't use its FTM focus feature. When does this feature typically come in handy?

Where do you find yourself most often using it?

Am I missing out by not using it?

tfd888 · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

It's a very handy thing to have. For people that AF using the * button, they can just MF at anytime without having to flip the MF switch and instantly start AF if need be.

crn3371 · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

I really don't think you're missing out on much. With the dim viewfinders and lousy focus screens on most dslr's manual focusing is kind of a pain. The only lens I manually focus with is my macro.

PMan0 · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfd888

It's a very handy thing to have. For people that AF using the * button, they can just MF at anytime without having to flip the MF switch and instantly start AF if need be.

Okay, so I do use the * buttom to AF - would I AF first with this button and then 'tweak' using the focus ring? Then lock exposure with half shutter press (recompose if necessary) and shoot?

Paul

BlueTsunami · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMan0

Okay, so I do use the * buttom to AF - would I AF first with this button and then 'tweak' using the focus ring? Then lock exposure with half shutter press (recompose if necessary) and shoot?

Paul

Exposure locking and Auto Focusing can be interchanged (as far as what goes first) but its usually the Manual Focusing that's done after Auto Focusing (one case being Focus and Recomposing, and adjusting the focus for the slight change in focus).

One may want to exposure lock first (like the sky... so half press the shutter first), Auto Focus on the subject (using whatever focus points), if the composition calls for the subject to be outside the AF points thats when you recompose and touch up via Manual Focus.

phreeky · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

On my lenses without full-time MF I've NEVER missed it. That's not to say that others don't find it useful, but I really do think people overstate its importance.

In fact I also think that of AF speed. Cheap consumer telephoto zooms have very little trouble tracking a jet zipping past in my experience. Ironically I think the slower focusing lenses are the ones that need full-time MF more as you can then easily twist the focus to near-enough and then AF quickly from there.

bohdank · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

I only MF with my MF lenses or when shooting macro or near macro. The importance of MF override on USM lenses is highly overstated, imho.

tfd888 · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMan0

Okay, so I do use the * buttom to AF - would I AF first with this button and then 'tweak' using the focus ring? Then lock exposure with half shutter press (recompose if necessary) and shoot?

Paul

That or not even AF at all and MF the whole shot without ever touching the * button.

What I'm getting at is that it's very easy to switch back and forth between AF and MF if need be using this method or to correct the focus after AF'ing if need be without having to fumble for the switch in tough lighting conditions or take your eye away from the viewfinder.

PMan · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfd888

That or not even AF at all and MF the whole shot without ever touching the * button.

What I'm getting at is that it's very easy to switch back and forth between AF and MF if need be using this method or to correct the focus after AF'ing if need be without having to fumble for the switch in tough lighting conditions or take your eye away from the viewfinder.

This makes absolute sense - I've never tried it. Next time I get outside with my camera (a bit cold and snowing right now) I'll certainly test drive the FTM focus.

Paul

KCMO Al · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

Air shows with my 100-400. I can zoom in to 100 to pick up the plane as it begins it's cross, then zoom out and compose and focus with the push/pull focus ring. Very handy and works very well. Also as stated, macro. I set the magnification I want, then use the focus rail to isolate what I want in focus. (I also use M exposure for both of these situations as well.)

elader · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

only when I have an extension tube on my 85 do I MF.

Sean · 2nd of February 2010 (Tue)

I have been using FTM on my 300 F4L IS with spectacular results. I have a feeling my AF Micro Adjustments are off, and just haven't re-brickwalled that combination to my satisfaction. Manual focus has been stellar however. Can't get enough of it.

artyman · 3rd of February 2010 (Wed)

It's very useful for tracking or getting initial focus on birds hidden in foliage before hitting the AF button.

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#1
PMan0 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4	FTM Focus - When do you use it? I own and love my Canon 70-200 F4 L but just started realizing that I don't use its FTM focus feature. When does this feature typically come in handy? Where do you find yourself most often using it? Am I missing out by not using it?

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#2
tfd888 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA, USA Posts: 1,793	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? It's a very handy thing to have. For people that AF using the * button, they can just MF at anytime without having to flip the MF switch and instantly start AF if need be. __________________ Alexander R.O. 1D-Mark III ~1D-Mark II ~ 60D ~ 20D (Gripped) (70-200mm L 2.8 IS) ~ (17-40mm L 4.0) (Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 EX DG Macro RIP) ~ (50mm 1.8 MKII) ~ (Alpex 35mm f/2.8 M42 mount) ~ (430EX II) ~ (Yongnuo YN-560 III) My Website - My Blog - My Flickr

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#3
crn3371 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SoCal, USA Posts: 7,199	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? I really don't think you're missing out on much. With the dim viewfinders and lousy focus screens on most dslr's manual focusing is kind of a pain. The only lens I manually focus with is my macro.

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#6
phreeky Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 3,368	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? On my lenses without full-time MF I've NEVER missed it. That's not to say that others don't find it useful, but I really do think people overstate its importance. In fact I also think that of AF speed. Cheap consumer telephoto zooms have very little trouble tracking a jet zipping past in my experience. Ironically I think the slower focusing lenses are the ones that need full-time MF more as you can then easily twist the focus to near-enough and then AF quickly from there.

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#7
bohdank Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 14,024 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? I only MF with my MF lenses or when shooting macro or near macro. The importance of MF override on USM lenses is highly overstated, imho. __________________ Bohdan - I may be, and probably am, completely wrong. Gear List Montreal Concert, Event and Portrait Photographer Flickr

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#10
KCMO Al Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,101	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? Air shows with my 100-400. I can zoom in to 100 to pick up the plane as it begins it's cross, then zoom out and compose and focus with the push/pull focus ring. Very handy and works very well. Also as stated, macro. I set the magnification I want, then use the focus rail to isolate what I want in focus. (I also use M exposure for both of these situations as well.) __________________ Film: Leica M-4, Elan 7E, Rolleiflex 2.8f, Pentax 645 -- Digital: Canon Pro-1, EOS 5D Mk III EOS Lenses: Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX - Canon EF 17-40 f4.0L - Canon EF 24-105 f4.0L - Canon EF 35 f1.4L USM - Canon EF100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS USM - Canon EF100 f2.8 Macro - Other stuff: MR 14EX - 430EX - 580EXII - ST-E2 - TC1.4x - TC-80N3

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#11
elader Goldmember Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,374 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? only when I have an extension tube on my 85 do I MF. __________________ Eric FJR1300 rider 5D mkIII and 1D MkIII 16-35L \| 24-105L \| 70-200L f/2.8IS \| 85 f/1.8 / 50 f.1,4

2nd of February 2010 (Tue)	#12
Sean Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 1,714 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? I have been using FTM on my 300 F4L IS with spectacular results. I have a feeling my AF Micro Adjustments are off, and just haven't re-brickwalled that combination to my satisfaction. Manual focus has been stellar however. Can't get enough of it. __________________ Canon 50D - 17-55mm F2.8 IS - 300mm F4L IS - 70-200mm F4L IS - 50mm F1.8 - 580EX II & 430EX - Full Gear Listing Flickr - C&C Always welcome.

3rd of February 2010 (Wed)	#13
artyman Cream of the Crop Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 13,619 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: FTM Focus - When do you use it? It's very useful for tracking or getting initial focus on birds hidden in foliage before hitting the AF button. __________________ Art that takes you there. http://www.artyman.co.uk Ken Canon 7D, 350D, 15-85, 18-55, 75-300, Cosina 100 Macro, Sigma 120-300

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