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| 5 Situations When Manual Focus is Better than Aut; Something to share. | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 13 2007, 10:49 PM (350 Views) | |
| Shadow | Nov 13 2007, 10:49 PM Post #1 |
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Global Moderator
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5 Situations When Manual Focus is Better than Auto Focus Digital Cameras present photographers with an ever increasing array of Automatic and Semi Automatic shooting modes. Most of these center around different ways of exposing your shots - however many cameras also give options for different focusing modes (auto, continuous focusing for moving subjects and manual). It’s no wonder then that many photographers never make use of their camera and lens’ ability to focus manually. In fact this week I spoke with one DSLR owner recently who hadn’t even noticed the manual/auto focus switch on the side of his lens. When is Manual Focus Better than Auto Focus? Let me start by saying there is no right or wrong time to use either manual or auto focusing - both can produce great results in almost all circumstances - however there are a few times when you might find it easier to switch to manual focusing: 1. Macro Work When doing macro photography I almost exclusively switch to manual focusing. The narrow depth of field in these shots mean that you need to be incredibly precise with focusing and being just a smidgeon out or having your camera choose to focus on the wrong part of your subject can completely ruin a shot. To use it you’ll also probably want to use a tripod to eliminate any movement of the camera which can make focusing either in manual or auto mode frustrating. Manual focusing puts the control completely in your hands when shooting in this very precise setting. 2. Low Light Shooting in dimly lit environments can be difficult for some cameras and lenses when it comes to focusing. You’ll know when your camera is struggling in Auto mode when every time you go to take a shot the lens will whirl from one end of it’s focusing options to the other and back again before deciding on where to focus. This can really lengthen your shooting process and make taking quick candid shots quite frustrating. Switch to manual mode and you can quickly find your focusing point and get the shot you’re after. 3. Portraits When shooting portraits focus needs to be precise. The majority of your shots of people will need to have their eyes in perfect focus and so switching to manual focus will give you complete control to enable this to save you from having to line up the focusing points on your camera on the eyes, press halfway down and then frame your shot. Manual focusing in portrait work helps to ensure the viewer of the image is drawn to the part of the face that you want them to notice. 4. Shooting Through Glass/Wire Fences If you’ve ever shot through anything like a window or a mess/wire fence you’ll know how cameras will often get confused on where to focus your shot. Whether it’s shooting out of a plane window, taking a shot of an image at a museum or photographing animals through fences at the zoo - you might find your camera is confused. Manual focusing will avoid this completely and allow you to get things just right - focusing upon the subject behind that glass or fence. If you do this in conjunction with a large aperture (which decreases depth of field) and get in close to the fence or glass you might well eliminate it completely from being noticeable in your shot. 5. Action Photography Shooting fast moving subjects (like racing cars, planes, bikes, running animals etc) can be a frustrating experience when shooting with auto focus. Even the continuous focusing modes can get left behind or confusing if you’re not panning with your subject smoothly. One way to overcome this is to switch to manual focusing and pre focus on a point that the subject will move through - and shooting at that point. You need to get your timing just right - but you’ll find that it’ll often give better results than relying upon auto focus modes (particularly if you shoot in continuous shooting/burst mode). Homework (Sounds like going back to school) Shooting in manual focus mode is a skill that you need to learn and practice. While you will have more time to get it right when shooting still objects - it can become more difficult when shooting moving subjects - so practice. This week set aside an hour or two with your camera to shoot only in manual focus mode. Practice on a variety of subjects including some moving ones. While your practice session might not produce great results the skill that you learn will be useful to have. |
![]() My iP4S Street Photography Blog Just a Shadow | |
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| Ming | Nov 13 2007, 10:53 PM Post #2 |
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90609866
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hi bro shadow , for number 3 , is there such a lens with the feature SOFT ? i have seen a few with this , is it in the lens or ... ??? so when taking portraits , it does not have to be so sharp ... ? |
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Ask ... Absorb ... Equip ... Execute N E X with M I N G HERE ! A P - Ming HERE ! Macro-Ming HERE ! Pano-Ming HERE ! Food ! Food ! Foods ! HERE | |
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| Shadow | Nov 13 2007, 11:06 PM Post #3 |
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Global Moderator
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Well, Sony do have a 135STF lens. It has 2 apertures inside the lens that one can use to control the softness feel one desire. It depends on what kind of feel you want the portrait to be. Dreamy effect? IMHO, a portrait may not be necessary sharp. |
![]() My iP4S Street Photography Blog Just a Shadow | |
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| Ming | Nov 13 2007, 11:16 PM Post #4 |
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90609866
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thank you bro shadow for your good points on MF here !
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Ask ... Absorb ... Equip ... Execute N E X with M I N G HERE ! A P - Ming HERE ! Macro-Ming HERE ! Pano-Ming HERE ! Food ! Food ! Foods ! HERE | |
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| Trigger Happy | Nov 13 2007, 11:58 PM Post #5 |
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Alpha Jedi Member
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we've been touching a lot on MF lately. its ironic, given the a700's take up and its improved AF. but yes, i agree, MF is key in many situations. perhaps we should have a MF outing. not allowed to use AF :lol: |
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---------------------------------- Many are culled, few are chosen | |
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| Galdor | Nov 14 2007, 08:52 AM Post #6 |
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I'm just a Newbie Cameraman
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You can add a soft filter too. Normally this filter is used for portrait shoots. |
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My photography journey Minolta.Konica Minolta.Sony A Little Patience Harvests Advantages | |
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| Ming | Nov 15 2007, 12:11 AM Post #7 |
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90609866
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thanks bro galdor but using filters not for me yet ... i find using filter quite troublesome ... don't know leh , maybe now is not the time ... thanks to mr shadow for the good advises & tips on this topic !
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Ask ... Absorb ... Equip ... Execute N E X with M I N G HERE ! A P - Ming HERE ! Macro-Ming HERE ! Pano-Ming HERE ! Food ! Food ! Foods ! HERE | |
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4:49 PM Jul 11