Manual focus?

Just wondering if anyone routinely (or maybe not so routinely) uses manual focus instead of autofocus?

I do, not on a Canon camera though.

daystar wrote in post #8469080
Just wondering if anyone routinely (or maybe not so routinely) uses manual focus instead of autofocus?

With Live View, all the time.

We use manual more than autofocus, as we shoot primarily macro. The DoF is so shallow that manual focus is virtually required.

I'll use manual focus if the location is really dark or if I'm photographing aircraft taking off or landing.

I frequently use manual focus for a final touch-up of focus before making an image. All of my lenses ("L" zoom lenses) allow full-time manual focus and I use only the * button to activate autofocus on my 20D.

Normally, I will first autofocus by touching the * button. Then, if I feel it is necessary, I will rock the manual focus ring back and forth and find the mid-point between two similar out-of-focus positions either side of "in-focus".

Oh, yes. We also use split-prism focusing to get our manual focusing right on.

SkipD wrote in post #8469355
Normally, I will first autofocus by touching the * button. Then, if I feel it is necessary, I will rock the manual focus ring back and forth and find the mid-point between two similar out-of-focus positions either side of "in-focus".

Same here. It's a sound technique for achieving the best focus.

I wish I was more successful with that technique.
I don't know if its my eyes, my lenses, camera, or focus screen (or some of each), but in most situations, autofocus works much better for me. My lenses seem to have a short throw/very sensitive to manual focus (canon 17-55 IS & 135L mainly), and I have trouble seeing critical focus in the viewfinder anyway.

I do find live view & magnification useful.

I find MF in most situations very difficult indeed through the 450D's small viewfinder. Live View helps a lot. A split prism screen would be useful.

My technique is similar to SkipD's All of my lenses have FTM capability. I won't buy a lens that does not have it - I use manual focus too much.

SkipD wrote in post #8469355
I frequently use manual focus for a final touch-up of focus before making an image. All of my lenses ("L" zoom lenses) allow full-time manual focus and I use only the * button to activate autofocus on my 20D.

Manual focus, live view, for macro and landscapes...

arkphotos wrote in post #8473147
My lenses seem to have a short throw/very sensitive to manual focus (canon 17-55 IS & 135L mainly), and I have trouble seeing critical focus in the viewfinder anyway.

Some of the "kit" lenses that I've tried out in stores really are horrible for manual focus. A tiny movement of the focus control (some of them I cannot even call "rings") often makes a HUGE difference in focus. These lenses are useless, in my opinion, for manual focus.

All three "L" lenses that I use - 16-35 f/2.8L (original version), 24-70 f/2.8L, and 70-200 f/2.8L IS - have rather decent manual focus controls in addition to being full-time-manual capable. I don't have any problem making a small adjustment to focus with any of them.

I only resort to manual focus when AF fails, shooting astro, macro, or using live view.