To Manuel Focus or to Auto Focus

I have noticed that some photographers use manuel focus on an AF lens(nothing took away their AF). What are the advantages? Is it personal preference?

Thanks,
BirdBoy

Personal preference mostly, but there are some circumstances where the auto focus can easily be "tricked", and manual focus is the logical solution.

Who's Manuel? Is this a hispanic version of Canon's L lens?

<camera talk to lens>...I want you to adjust focus by 1/3 turn
<lens talk to camera> ... si senior

Alot of people use MF for a couple of reasons

1. They are using TC and they have surpassed the minimum aperture needed for the camera to AF.
2. They are shooting in difficult lighting sitations where the camera AF hunts alot
3. They are shooting a scene with lots of distractiosn, confusing the camera (ex shooting a bird in a tree and the camere wants to focus on the branches in front of the bird)

I think, in general, people use MF to assist the camera when AF is not completely working the way they want it.

Richard Manuel? He played in a piano in a band, forgot the name......

I use manual focus sparingly...

I mostly use manual focus when I am shooting macros. In fact, Canon has an alternate focusing screen which is said to provide better manual focus capability when using an f/2.8 lens. I am seriously thinking of adding this to my 40D.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com …s/eos_40d_focus​_screen.do

Katz Eye screens provide a split-image focusing aid; the type I was used to on my Canon manual focus SLR film cameras. I cannot vouch for this one way or another and am just noting it since this is a discussion regarding manual focusing.

http://www.katzeyeopti​cs.com …non-DSLRs--cat_canon.html

RPCrowe wrote in post #8187616
I mostly use manual focus when I am shooting macros. In fact, Canon has an alternate focusing screen which is said to provide better manual focus capability when using an f/2.8 lens. I am seriously thinking of adding this to my 40D.

http://cpn.canon-europe.com …s/eos_40d_focus​_screen.do

Katz Eye screens provide a split-image focusing aid; the type I was used to on my Canon manual focus SLR film cameras. I cannot vouch for this one way or another and am just noting it since this is a discussion regarding manual focusing.

http://www.katzeyeopti​cs.com …non-DSLRs--cat_canon.html

Ron, the Katz Eye screens are highly regarded, but they are on the pricey side. I've read that many people who bought Canon's manual focus screen couldn't tell that much of a difference from the standard screen.

Have you looked into the Haoda Fu screens? He is well regarded, and cheaper than the Katz Eye screens.

http://haodascreen.com​/CanonDSLR.aspx

I use MF for probably 95% of my pictures. Guess I am just used to it. More accurate in the long run.