Manual focus is the direct control of a camera/lens's focus by the photographer. This is generally accomplished by turning a focus ring which is mechanically coupled to the lens's focus, but some cameras without focus rings allow manual control over the autofocus motor.
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Optimal settings to capture firework at night using Nikon D3200 with 18mm - 105mm Zoom Lens? [duplicate]
I tried take photos of firework using my Nikon D3200 with 18mm - 105mm Zoom Lens in Aperture Mode. But I cannot get a good focus since if happens in sky at different heights. This made most of my shot ...
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3answers
81 views
Will it be a significant drawback to use a Nikkor af 70-300mm f/4-5.6G on an Nikon body without an AF motor?
I am a beginner at the moment and I am planning to buy Nikon D5100 + Nikon Nikkor AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G, also with the kit lens (18-55mm VR lens). My question is both the camera and this particular ...
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6answers
4k views
How to manually focus Nikon d5100 at very low light conditions?
Suppose I have to short in very low light so I have to set up shoter speed to 10-20 sec.
Live view and autofocus doesn't work in this case and view finder give you a little help since it is to dark.
...
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1answer
86 views
Misfunction of Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 on manual focus?
I have a Canon T3i (600d) and two lenses: EF-S 18-135mm and EF 50mm f/1.8.
While working with manual focus, I can shoot out of focus (on purpose) with the 18-135 (as expected).
But with the EF 50mm, ...
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2answers
156 views
Do I use the camera or lens switch to change between auto and manual focus?
I own Nikon D7000 with 18-105mm lens. I am bit confused how the auto focus and manual focus switching works, particularly with my gear. The confusing part is both the camera and lens have an A-M ...
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1answer
124 views
What to do when manual focus doesn't work on a Nikon DX lens after DIY repair?
I have a Nikon 55-200mm DX auto focus lens. I recently repaired the bayonet mount myself - all went well. But when I went to use the manual focus option on the lens, the focus ring remained locked, as ...
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2answers
160 views
When is a 180° split focusing screen better than a 45° one?
My camera eventually ended up with severe scratches on the original plain matte focusing screen.
eBay currently offers:
an exact replacement for $20.45
one with a 180° split image rangefinder for ...
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3answers
87 views
Is there any difference between using a full manual lens for Nikon F-mount or using lens for another mount (say m42) with an F-mount adapter?
I'm looking for a very cheap (~$50), fast (large aperture), full manual (non-CPU) lens for my Nikon D7000.
After searching on eBay, I found that the same lenses (e.g. Vivitar 135mm f/2.8) are cheaper ...
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7answers
361 views
Is using live view for accurate manual focusing really better?
Commonly I hear of landscape photographer who rely on live view to focus now.
The process I use is:
Tripod mount the camera
Switch lens to manual focus
Enter Live View
Live View zoom to maximum ...
32
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5answers
6k views
Why don't DSLRs come equipped with “classic” focusing screens (split prism, etc)?
I have a hard time manual focusing my Canon EOS 350D.
Compared to the few higher spec DSLRs that I played with, and that have a pentaprism, my Rebel's (pentamirror) viewfinder feels crammed and ...
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13answers
5k views
How does one get manual focus right with a fast-aperture lens?
I have got an old lens (f1.4) that I have to use only with manual focus on a DSLR. Well, it is difficult for me to get the subject on focus. Although on focus according to the viewfinder, the actual ...
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2answers
328 views
Is it safe to manually-focus the Nikon 18-105 while in autofocus mode?
There are only A and M settings, no A/M. but I just noticed that Nikon website has mentioned three focus modes for this lens: Auto, Manual and Manual/Auto
I'm confused if this is only a typo or is it ...
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2answers
174 views
Automatic vs Manual Focus [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When is manual focus better than autofocus?
Perhaps this question has been asked before. I understand that in some cases, automatic focus cannot be used, for example, ...
28
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6answers
1k views
When is manual focus better than autofocus?
We all know that autofocus is very convenient for everyday shooting, especially on cameras with tiny viewfinders that make manual focus difficult (like my Nikon d3000).
However, just like the ...
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4answers
337 views
Autofocus performance of different brands at night
Are there huge differences in the ability to focus in low light between different brands and models?
I have a Pentax Kx with a Sigma 30mm 1.4. My problem is, that the camera's autofocus does not work ...
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3answers
521 views
Easier ways to pre focus a distance on a lens without manual focusing meter?
In applying zone focus(focusing at particular distance in advance, before the subject comes in) to shoot a bike that will come into frame, how do I correctly focus at a particular distance with a lens ...
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3answers
509 views
Best metering mode for m42 prime lens?
Recently, I got some old m42 prime lens from Ebay and started playing with them with my Canon T3i/600d. However, it's difficult to get sharp pictures with these manual focus lens as there is no AF ...
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3answers
2k views
How will old M42 lenses work on a Nikon camera?
I wanted to get some cheap old lenses to use on my Nikon DX DSLR (D3100).
However, Nikon has one of the greatest flange distances of all manufacturers, which means that most lenses I can buy (M42 ...
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2answers
138 views
How to set AF in night [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How does one focus for landscape photos in very dark conditions?
Recently I went on a night forest safari trip with my Canon 1100D. I had put the camera in manual mode ...
6
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1answer
214 views
Is there a way to turn off the focus point display on a D7000 when a manual lens is mounted?
I recently got a Katzeye focusing screen for my D7000. Since my favorite lenses are all manual focus, I'm really enjoying this.
Unfortunately, my D7000 helpfully puts a focus point on the focusing ...
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3answers
593 views
Can I use a Fuji HS30 as a training camera before buying a real dslr camera?
I am thinking about buying a Fuji HS30 to my wife, so she can start shooting on full manual, before investing in a dslr and some lenses.
Do focus ring and zoom ring in Fuji HS30 behave like a dslr ...
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4answers
2k views
What is the best auto-focus mode to use for bird photography?
Consider the image below:
How would the shot be focused here? Using Auto-focus or manual?
If there was a cluttered background, will auto focus detect the small bird and sharply focus on it?If manual ...
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1answer
203 views
What is the relation between shutter speed and exposure compensation in aperture priority?
I was using a manual focus lens with canon 600D and notice something in aperture priority mode. When I was applying the exposure compensation of -2EV, I had a shutter speed of 1/20 sec and when the ...
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2answers
327 views
Should I buy a adapter ring with or without AF confirm?
I would like to use my grandfather’s Voigtländer Bessamatic lenses (DKL mount) on my Canon EOS 600D.
I looked for adapter rings and basically found two different types: Simple ones without any ...
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1answer
417 views
Why does my DSLR's viewfinder ignore the aperture ring on a legacy lens?
I have a Nikon D3100, and I am borrowing an old Nikkor 50mm SLR lens (http://www.destoutz.ch/lens_50mm_f1.8_1828564.html). I've had a lot of trouble with that lens, in that pictures that appear ...
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0answers
75 views
Tips to manually focus sharply with viewfinder? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How does one get manual focus right with a fast-aperture lens?
I feel difficult to manually focus via the view finder because of its small size.Its seems to be in good ...
6
votes
2answers
778 views
How does a fly-by-wire focusing lens work?
I have learnt that fly-by-wire focusing is an electrical manual focusing system. But how does this focusing method work?
How do you manually focus with fly-by-wire?
What is the scope of this ...
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1answer
113 views
Pentax DA L lens focusing scale? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How does one focus for landscape photos in very dark conditions?
I have a Pentax K-r with the kit DA L 18-55 and a prime DA 35. As far as I'm concerned, they are good ...
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1answer
322 views
Manual focus in Nikon Coolpix P7100
Is it possible to focus manually with Nikon Coolpix P7100?
I put my camera on a tripod and tried to make photos of full moon this night, however the camera is unable to find focus on the Moon and all ...
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2answers
514 views
Fixing F number in Manual Focus 50mm lens on a D7000
I have a 50mm f/1.2, this lens:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/1435/NIKKOR-50mm-f%252F1.2.html
that I got used from a guy I know. When I mounted it in my D7000 though, ...
3
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1answer
223 views
I almost cannot switch to manual focus on my Canon 17-40 f/4 L lens
Usually troubles with autofocus are related to a non working AF. I've got the opposite issue: AF is working too well. Actually, it is ALWAYS working, and I cannot turn it of.
Even when I switch to ...
4
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1answer
154 views
Image blurry when split image is aligned in the focusing screen
I just bought a used Vivitar V3800N with a Vivitar 50mm 1.7 lens for an intro photography course. I'm coming from a fully-automatic D60, so this fully-manual camera feels really alien to me.
I'm ...
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2answers
200 views
How do I manually focus my macro in poor lighting conditions?
I'm using my Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro handheld all the time together with a flash rig and it works wonders. Most of the time I have an Eg-S focusing screen installed as well which makes it even easier ...
8
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5answers
359 views
Are there DSLR lenses that don't allow for manual focus?
I am looking into getting a Nikon soon (either a D3100 or a D5100). One of the reasons that I am upgrading from a point and shoot is because I want to have more control over the camera's functions. In ...
3
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1answer
249 views
How can a teleconverter allow manual focus lenses to autofocus?
I've found that some discontinued teleconverters, such as the Pentax F 1.7x AF Adapter and Nikon TC16A, enable autofocus with manual focus lenses. How is this possible? Does this system have any ...
4
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3answers
1k views
How can I find infinity focus on a kit lens with no markers?
I have a kit lens which has no markers. What would be a recommended way to find infinity focus on this lens?
I plan to shoot objects at night -- not necessarily stars or the moon. So, adjusting the ...
3
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4answers
594 views
Does my SLR have an indicator to help me use manual focus quickly and accurately?
I have Nikon D5000 which lacks in-body focus motor. I also have imperfect vision. When trying to manual-focus, results are not perfect. I could save a fortune by buying AF rather than AF-S lenses.
...
31
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7answers
4k views
How can I get sharp manual focus despite poor eyesight?
I suffer from astigmatism. It's only mild, though I feel it's affecting what I'm seeing when looking through the viewfinder. Frequently, after shooting a photo with my Canon EOS 7D, I'll load it into ...
2
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2answers
199 views
Why doesn't pixel peeping with magnified Live View give the sharpest possible image?
I've seen this comment (most recently in this question), or similar, in several answers here on photo.SE: "Pixel peeped images aren't likely to look sharp".
Why is that? It would seem to me that if ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I accurately focus manually on an APS-C DSLR?
My favorite portrait lens is the Nikon 50mm 1.4G. I love the light and what it is capable of. My problem with it is that on my D90 the AF is sometimes horribly slow, and in many cases (mainly low ...
4
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1answer
439 views
What might cause stuck focus on a manual lens?
So, today I dropped my ME Super. When I picked it up I realized that the focus ring of the 50mm f2 lens attached didnt turn.
My question is, what could cause this? Could it be that the threads inside ...
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2answers
505 views
'Bokeh' effect with autofocus switched off in manual mode (Nikon-D90)
I want to understand how focusing works in Manual mode in my D90. I switched off the autofocus buttons in the Kit lens and the camera body. I have changed to the manual mode. Now, when I try to ...
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2answers
230 views
How can I find which lenses have “Continuous manual focus”?
Canon lenses with USM auto focus can be called "continuous manual focus" (at least some). By this I mean that you can override the AF without switching it off. I've found this very handy, and I often ...
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2answers
460 views
How to focus manually when you don't have a live view in the DSLR?
Nikon D3000 doesn't have a live view which means that the scene can't be seen on the LCD screen.
So, how do you use the manual focus in such cases? Hit and trial, or is there a way out?
5
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2answers
512 views
Why does Zeiss manufacture only manual focus lenses?
I've heard that Zeiss's quality is very good/great but I'm also curious if it has anything to do with the "manual focus only".
I have read this question but it only partly addresses my question. Is ...
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1answer
1k views
How do I use manual focus on my Canon PowerShot SX210 IS?
When I turn to manual focus setting in the camera, a bar appears on the right side of the screen which has measurements like 1 2 5 m. Increasing on decreasing that bar doesn't show any effects on the ...
6
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4answers
568 views
Which is better - autofocus and recompose vs. manual focus?
In some occasions autofocus doesn't focus what I intend it to. What is the better option - to use autofocus, focus what I want and recompose, or use manual focus in that situation?
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1answer
151 views
What types of rangefinders are there and what are the differences between them?
I have watched videos on YouTube showing the view through the M9 viewfinder, and it appears that only a small window in the middle allows you to focus. However, I once tried out an old Voigtländer ...
3
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4answers
249 views
Is it possible to get a larger screen for live view, for precise manual focus?
I've been doing some test macro shots lately and it's been a pain to focus sharp. The macro lens already minimizes DoF and makes things hard but I've been thinking of an external screen that I can ...
6
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3answers
420 views
Do still photographers use follow focus, as filmmakers do?
Is a follow focus system beneficial to photographers in low light or other situations? Almost all professional filmmakers use a similar system to manually focus lenses, but I am not aware of ...
