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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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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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 ...
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6answers
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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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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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4answers
2k views
Can manual focus be faster than autofocus?
Recently I've gotten into street photography, and I've noticed there are some situations where it is technically impossible to autofocus, to be precise, when you have moving objects and don't want to ...
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2answers
1k views
Why am I allowed to turn my focusing ring beyond infinity?
Is there a good reason why I can turn the focusing ring on my lenses beyond infinity mark on focusing scale? Following recent questions here and here, it sounds like a real usability issue.
...
17
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2answers
806 views
Disadvantages of split-prism focusing screens?
I'm considering getting a microprism focusing screen for my Nikon d3000 (specifically, the KatzEye). Hopefully this will help tremendously with manual focusing, but I suspect there must be some ...
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5answers
1k views
When would one need manual focus override?
In lens reviews, ability to override auto-focus manually is often referred to as a good (and important) feature.
I have rarely, if ever used that feature, so I feel I might be missing out on an ...
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3answers
884 views
How can I get better focus when a subject is moving towards or away from the camera?
When shooting events or action photos, engaging people, I often find that frontal (or rear) perspective may be very expressive, but my problem is focusing when the subject moves towards the camera (or ...
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7answers
795 views
How can I improve focus using both manual and auto on a candle flame?
I got my new tripod and 50mm F/1.4 sigma on my Nikon D7000 and was testing it out doing some shots of a flame on a candle.
The below image is the sharpest i was able to produce. In review of my 50+ ...
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4answers
758 views
Why buy an expensive manual focus lens?
What are the benefits of (expensive brand new) manual focus lenses? Why did you, for example, buy a manual focus Carl Zeiss 85/1.4 rather than an auto-focus Nikon 85/1.4? I'm not concerned with ...
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6answers
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How can I get everything in focus?
I have a Canon 550D with 70-200 f4 and 50mm prime lenses. Although the camera has built-in 9 focal points, I sometimes face a strange problem. Here's a sample photo:
In reference to the above pic, ...
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4answers
834 views
How do you manually focus accurately without a focusing screen?
I have a Canon 1000D and it doesn't come with a focusing screen. Sometimes my camera cannot focus in low-light. I'd like to manually focus, but without a focusing screen I haven't been able to do it ...
9
votes
2answers
551 views
What is manual-priority autofocus?
I have been looking at the Nikon AF-S 35mm f1.8 lens and it has two focus settings:
Manual Focus
Manual-Priority Autofocus
What is "manual-priority autofocus"?
8
votes
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 ...
8
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7answers
399 views
Focusing an entry-level DSLR
I like really really sharp photos.
Even with a prime lens, I seem to be able to do noticeably better with my 450D by manually focusing using live view at maximum zoom than by using auto focus (even ...
8
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7answers
373 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 ...
8
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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 ...
8
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3answers
530 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 ...
8
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3answers
293 views
Which setup should I choose for taking pictures of Trick-or-Treaters tonight?
I've dug up my dad's old Pentax K1000 SE, along with his old lenses, and picked up some 400 film. I'm wondering which of these lenses I should go with to get the best shots tonight (outdoors, no ...
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5answers
385 views
Precise focus in self-portraiture
I've been trying to take some self-portraits, but I often have to struggle with the auto/manual focus. I don't miss by a lot, but I really want sharp focus in the eyes. I'm using a 50mm/1.8 around ...
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3answers
1k views
How should I chose a manual focusing screen for my Pentax K10D?
I am considering buying a split focusing screen, replacing the original one. I would like to use some split/microprism screen to ease the focusing of the manual lenses. I own both kit lenses (18-55, ...
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5answers
375 views
In which situation should you not use the manual focus?
Couple of weeks back, I discovered the power of manual focus, and now for each and every shot, I use manual focus!
Are there some situations where manual focus doesn't make much sense and we should ...
6
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4answers
572 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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3answers
421 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 ...
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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 ...
6
votes
2answers
790 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 ...
6
votes
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 ...
6
votes
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
516 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
330 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 ...
5
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3answers
592 views
Nikon D50 and Nikkor AI manual focus lens
I have a D50 and I would like to use my manual focus lens (a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI) from my analog SLR. It fits on the mount and all seems to be good, but the status on the LED display blinks F - - ...
5
votes
3answers
347 views
In film cameras with film advance levers, what happens if I don't crank the lever all the way?
In film cameras with film advance levers, what happens if I don't crank the lever all the way? Will the lever 'remember' the last position it was at and keep the shutter button locked until I crank it ...
5
votes
1answer
205 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
788 views
How to I enable focus indication when focusing manually?
I've read that it is possible to have a lamp lit up when your picture is in focus when you are focussing manually. How do I enable this feature on a Canon 5D MkII?
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3answers
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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 ...
4
votes
1answer
156 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 ...
4
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1answer
464 views
How to manual focus Nikon Coolscan 4000 using Vuescan?
How to be sure that the scanner (Nikon Coolscan 4000) focuses correctly and if not, how can I manually focus it using Vuescan?
4
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1answer
441 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 ...
3
votes
4answers
599 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.
...
3
votes
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 ...
3
votes
4answers
250 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 ...
3
votes
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
167 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 ...
3
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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 ...
3
votes
2answers
339 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 ...
2
votes
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 ...
2
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3answers
896 views
Problem in using 70-300mm non VR lens with Nikon D5000
I am finding it quite difficult to use my 70-300 Manual focus non-VR lens with D5000. Learnt it from experts that 70-300 non VR lens does not perform well with D5k though the lens mounts on this body!
...
2
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2answers
233 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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3answers
89 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 ...
