Joy of using manual focusing on ZD lenses

[microcosm]

Over the years, I find myself reaching for the little lever on the E-1 and switching to manual focus for my shooting, and in a way, I am enjoying photography even more than ever. I cannot explain why is this so, when the AF is there anyway... even on the new "test camera", I find myself going manual focusing yet again. Maybe it is the viewfinder on the pro cameras are easier to focus, or maybe it is just me. Old skool. But I find that there are a couple of advantages when using manual focus...

1. You keep your composition without having to move your AF point to the exact spot where you want the focus to be, this is in a way critical for me as I shoot fast moving objects... like hyper lead guitarists on stage in difficult lighting. I need to keep my composition and as little movement as possible. No more low light focusing/hunting issues with the 50-200... I am the SWD!

2. Sigma lenses are amazingly easy to use in manual focus. Because unlike the ZD lenses, they are not fly-by-wire focusing. But once you get used to the ZD lenses, they are equally fast.

3. This is not technically explainable, but you "feel" your subject more when you manual focus.

So... anyone has anything to add?

Reasons for you to go all manual? (For me , everything is manual now).

[OlyFlyer]

Well, I don't know about the ZD lenses, but I find manual focus quite easy with OM lenses. In fact, just a short while ago, I took these images using my OM 35mm f/2.8 lens.





Somehow I have problems to get the feeling right with ZD lenses. Probably only due to lack of practice. I do hoever agree, it is nice to be able to set the focus where I want to. The only problem is that the ZD lenses are very sensitive, the slightest touch on the focusing ring and the focus is offset. With OM lenses the ring is not so easy to turn which makes them easier to handle. I wish Oly would have build in some kind of friction brake to make the ring harder to turn.

[schon]

Originally Posted by microcosm So... anyone has anything to add? Reasons for you to go all manual? (For me , everything is manual now).

i've tried focusing manually when i shoot with my zd 50 f2, and well the whole point of me getting a f2 lens is to shoot in low light, and that's when this guy starts to hunt like mad when i use af. so i tried mf.

and abt mf, let's just say my eyes don't make good af sensors, especially with the viewfinder of my e510. but of course, i shouldn't be blaming my camera when its my eyes that aren't discerning enough.

[olymac]

But that is why I am back into SLR photography ..... started of with a rangefinder a long, looooooong time ago ... a Electro 35GSN. Was so impressed with the "making 2 diamonds into one" magic ... compare to other cameras used then who only had the one half man, full man and many trees symbols on the 3 clicks focusing ring (Olympus Pen 35).

Learned my ropes with a super black (not fully auto lens) Zenith SLR and to the magic of split (diagonal and otherwise) focusing screens, Accumatte etc. Left conventional and started on digital with Auto everything on a pocket and now back to SLR with AF ..... and a ?focus by wire kinda MF ..... but I think I know what you mean ... watching the pics snap into focus ... didn't get that with the pocket/prosumer type digital cameras

[tom yam soup]

NIKON!!!!!

[DaXiong]

Recently i borrow a 50mm f1.4 from a fren of mine... Manual Focusing with L1's small & dark viewfinder is really torturing... But i love to torture myself.. ha ha... It's hard, but i believe practice make prefect... (Just bought a magnifier eyepiece to make the MF easier )

Manual focusing 'makes' me to think more ("forces" might be a better word) ...
as there is no more metering on the body.. everytime i chg aperture, i got to compensate the exposure... Since there is extra works while changing aperture, i will try to think hard hard, ensure what aperture is needed for each pic..
When i use AF lens, i seldom consider so much... Just shoot & change setting, shoot again..

It is really FUN to use MF lens. See the image from blur to sharp, sharp to blur.... it adds joy to my photography...

however, my MF speed is far too slow... still need to practice harder.. i m a beginner in MF...

Any tips to get faster MF?? Hope gurus here can give me some guide & tips... Thanks

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by tom yam soup NIKON!!!!!

It has NOTHING to do with the brand of camera used...what is being discussed here is an issue with most dSLRs since manufacturers neglected to have focus aids (focus prism/microprism) on their focus screens. Yes you can buy third party screens from companies like Katzeye, but this is something that should have been included in manufacture of EVERY dSLR!!!

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by Mikefellh It has NOTHING to do with the brand of camera used...what is being discussed here is an issue with most dSLRs since manufacturers neglected to have focus aids (focus prism/microprism) on their focus screens. Yes you can buy third party screens from companies like Katzeye, but this is something that should have been included in manufacture of EVERY dSLR!!!

I think wat this derranged fellow (I mean that in a nice way ) is try to convey is that MF is more challenging on 4/3rds cameras due to the smaller size of the viewfinder.

This for me is the biggest hurdle with regards to MF.

I've tried my friend's D80 (I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself!) and the viewfinder is collasal!

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by DaXiong Recently i borrow a 50mm f1.4 from a fren of mine... Manual Focusing with L1's small & dark viewfinder is really torturing... But i love to torture myself.. ha ha... It's hard, but i believe practice make prefect... (Just bought a magnifier eyepiece to make the MF easier ) Manual focusing 'makes' me to think more ("forces" might be a better word) ... as there is no more metering on the body.. everytime i chg aperture, i got to compensate the exposure... Since there is extra works while changing aperture, i will try to think hard hard, ensure what aperture is needed for each pic.. When i use AF lens, i seldom consider so much... Just shoot & change setting, shoot again.. It is really FUN to use MF lens. See the image from blur to sharp, sharp to blur.... it adds joy to my photography... however, my MF speed is far too slow... still need to practice harder.. i m a beginner in MF... Any tips to get faster MF?? Hope gurus here can give me some guide & tips... Thanks

Come for the next kopi session...

Originally Posted by holidaydom I think wat this derranged fellow (I mean that in a nice way ) is try to convey is that MF is more challenging on 4/3rds cameras due to the smaller size of the viewfinder. This for me is the biggest hurdle with regards to MF. I've tried my friend's D80 (I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself!) and the viewfinder is collasal!

Wait for the E-3, or get a used E-1. Nothing to do with Four Thirds. Just that it is harder on prosumer cameras. That's all.

[grantyale]

Go get a proper camera and you'll find both AF and MF easier without having to recompse whatsoever. Enjoying what you have it all nice and good but if ignorance is also required.. well...

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by grantyale Go get a proper camera and you'll find both AF and MF easier without having to recompse whatsoever. Enjoying what you have it all nice and good but if ignorance is also required.. well...

Sounds like the best solution is to hire a photographer!

[olymac]

Originally Posted by grantyale Go get a proper camera and you'll find both AF and MF easier without having to recompse whatsoever. Enjoying what you have it all nice and good but if ignorance is also required.. well...

So .... what is a proper camera to you ?

[bousozoku]

I believe that I've said it enough. I've almost always used manual focus with my E-1. I've tried auto focusing fewer than 20 times total since March 2004 when I got the camera.

Shooting action, especially in low light, I tend to know my lenses well enough that I can chase 4 different areas of a gymnasium or other large room and get the shot I want nearly each time, unless of course, more than 1 spot has the shot I want at that time. I would need more camera bodies then, wouldn't I?

I can't say that I feel more in control because my other experience is so minimal. When trying the auto focusing, I felt completely useless as the camera makes guess after guess without a shot. I have got some shots with it, but I could have had more in the same time by manually focusing the lens.

[Teo]

A true photographer will enjoy the process of photography when they have a full control of the camera rather than just a push of button (no diff from p&s camera).

For accurate focusing, it is better to have a split focusing screen else chances is that you may have out of focus pictures at times.

[grantyale]

A proper camera would lock AF when the photographer expect it to, and allows MF with ease by offering a decent view. A true photographer enjoys whatever makes his images talk.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by grantyale A proper camera would lock AF when the photographer expect it to, and allows MF with ease by offering a decent view. A true photographer enjoys whatever makes his images talk.

Care to elaborate a little more? I would love to learn more from your perspective.

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by tom yam soup NIKON!!!!!

Originally Posted by Mikefellh It has NOTHING to do with the brand of camera used...what is being discussed here is an issue with most dSLRs since manufacturers neglected to have focus aids (focus prism/microprism) on their focus screens. Yes you can buy third party screens from companies like Katzeye, but this is something that should have been included in manufacture of EVERY dSLR!!!

Sorry Mike, it was my fault. My interpretation of the "NIKON!!!!! " comment was for this image.



Since about a week, I use Nikon lens cap on my ED50.

I think it was just an innocent comment, not about Nikon being better than Oly. Of course, I may be wrong. BTW, isn't Oly making focusing screens for the E-1? I thoght it has exchangable focusing screen.

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by grantyale A proper camera would lock AF when the photographer expect it to, and allows MF with ease by offering a decent view.

I agree with microcosm. Would you care to explain? You seem to be a Canon shooter aren't you?

Anyway, my AF locks very accurately where and when I expect it to. The only problems I possibly have with manual focus using digital lenses is probably due to lack of experience. I prefer AF if available and MF with legacy (35mm film) manual focus lenses. They seem to work better in my hands in MF mode than digital lenses.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer BTW, isn't Oly making focusing screens for the E-1? I thoght it has exchangable focusing screen.

Yes, for the E-1 Olympus does have two focus screens as it's the only cam (being a pro model) with a user-replaceable focus screen...the FS1 is the standard one (in case you damage the one inside the camera), and the FS2, a focus screen with a grid.

However neither has a prism for a focus aid...personally from what I've seen online Katzeye screens are the best and have the most choice of options as screens are custom made for each order:
http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/cat--Ol...t_olympus.html