Who really uses AF, and why?

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[phillipb]

I use AF 99% of the time because my eye sight is poor. I'm not too concerned about speed, but I do hate hunting.

[Glen]

Adam, the viewfinder is small on the lower models DSLR, plus not many lenses come in MF versions. There is a big difference between AF and AFS, AFS has the motor inside the lens, better matched and is much faster.

[MCWB]

It's more important with the D70, as the viewfinder isn't very big, so it can be difficult to manually focus precisely. On the other hand, AF usually works very well (if you understand how AF works), so I use it. If it gives me the same result 99.9% of the time as MF but much quicker then it sounds good to me.

[jberth1]

I can't quite figure this out.
There appears to be so much discussion about focus speeds, AF, AF-S, SWM, HSM, etc (any other acronyms I can get in there?)

When I had a 35mm SLR, both the body and lens were MF/AF, but I manually focused... hmmm, let me see.... 99% of the time. Also, being in the television industry (and doing some time as a camera op) we certainly don't have AF, it's all manual, and rocking through to crack focus is just one of those things you do.

The Auto Focusing speed and abilities of a lens seems to be an important issue amongst some people on these forums. (?)

How many of you out there use AF, and why?

Am I missing something here?

I recently had the chance to pickup and use an OM2 a mate has just picked up 2nd hand - cheaply. I have to say - MF on that camera is such a pleasure I wouldn't want anything else. The split prism was accurate, the viewfinder bright, and HUGE

I put that OM2 down, picked up the D70, and honestly thought 'why would anyone want to use MF on a D70'. Honestly, the viewfinder is so small and dim (yes, even with the battery in wheN the viewfinder is brighter) it's just like looking down a really small toilet roll. The green dot focus confirmation is a joke when using MF, and with such great AF-S and HSM lenses around I just don't see a need to use MF unless you're doing some critical macro shots with a very narrow DOF which you need in just the right place.

Old AF mechanisms and bodies were probably a step back from a nice MF system, but newer gen AF systems are a pleasure - fast, accurate, and easy to use with multiple focus points, fast tracking of moving subjects, and one less thing to have to think about in time critical situations.

Cheers

Justin

[redline]

manual lenses are great, esp long lenses you can easliy save 3/4 for the price of the af equal. although you do miss out in certain situtions depending on you focusing speed.

[BBJ]

For me when you are chasing a motorcycle at over a 100mph i need all the help i can get,hence the faster it can track the better. I have had a play with mf but yeh AF for me.

[aswcheng]

How many of you out there use AF, and why?

When I was using film cameras, it's MF most of the time. But these days I prefer to use AF, mainly due to my aging eyesight. I still like to MF when taking close-up shots as I find the AF tends to miss or hunt, but it's getting harder & harder...

Andy

[Andyt]

As stated above, when using the older film camera's manual focus with the split prism type was a pleasure and a natural part of taking the pic.

With todays "high performance" lenses and cameras is there a need to manual focus?. These days I am concious of my aperture and speed settings in relation to the end result I am trying to achieve e.g DOF which I think is more important with regards to being "creative" when composing a pic.

With action & moving subject shots (refer BBJ post) I dare you to manual focus! with todays digital SLR, particularly when shooting continously, I use AF-C & spot metering often and achieve great results with focus spot on.

Its either in focus or not

IMHO

[Catcha]

I agree as i'm someone still learning, I sort of feel guilty that i'm letting technology take over what I am suppose to do. I read a bit about how you should set the shutter speed to this and the apperture to achieve this, both Simultaneous. AF is just so much easier. Especially when taking pictures of fast cars, last thing you want is to focus adjust apperture and pan from point A to point B.

One thing I have learnt is that only adjusting shutter speed captures the picture but some parts of the car is out of focus? guess this is where REAL manual skill is needed. But obviously BBJ produces some shots I would die for in AF. guess its just practise practise and practise

[spada]

Hi
I use it most of the time, because my eye can see clear at a far distant, it is good enough for me, only situation I use manual is at night shot, or macro where i want to focus on a particular point.

regards
Spada

[birddog114]

With the D2 and D100,
I always shoot with AF, unless I used the MF lenses or shooting macro.
My eyes are still good to use MF, even in darkness, coz the viewfinder of the D2s are large and more clearly with the DK-17M mounted.

Why should you think of using MF on the tiny viewfinder of the D70 with AF lens? and again technology of AF giving you more accuracy in focussing, you won't miss the subjects/ targets.

I heard lot of people having problems with their eyes in using MF lens and MF, that's true and they switched to all AF lenses after.

[sheepie]

Add up the rather small viewfinder on the D70, but more the fact that the eye I try to see it with is pretty stuffed, and you end up with the conclusion I NEED AF!
I don't find it a particular hinderence accept for it's occassional slowness - but it is miles better than the alternative (for me anyway!).

It is a good question though, as many of us (myself included) would have grown up without AF but are now quite happy to let it take over.

[Oneputt]

In practice I use both. For any sort of macro work I always use MF, but for almost everything else I use AF and for all of the reasons previously stated.

I too am in the situation where my eyesight is not what it once was, and I appreciate any help I can get.

[Killakoala]

I only use manual focus when i have to, in low light or with the 70-300 when it starts to hunt, which is quite often. Of course i always manually focus my 500mm F8 Reflex as there is no AF option.

[Doughnut]

Most of my photo shoots are landscapes which I predominantly use MF.

Cheers.

[DionM]

Why do I use AF?

1. Because I can.
2. It's accurate.
3. MF on modern bodies is woeful due to rubbish viewfinders.