How to manual focus fast on moving subject with D40x?

[miraiyuki]

Hi all, after much consideration, I think instead of jumping into buying another camera body, I've decided to ask anyone who can teach me this more valuable skill -- fast manual focus.

Initially I have intention of getting 18-200vr lens for a walkabout lens. But after testing it, I feel that it's too heavy compared to the tamron 18-250mm lens (which is also cheaper). But if I get the tamron lens, I would have to manual focus all the way, until it's time for me to get a new camera body.

Would anyone please guide me in this? Thanks a million!

[psychobiologist]

fast manual focus? pre-focus based on distance first ~

[miraiyuki]

Originally Posted by psychobiologist fast manual focus? pre-focus based on distance first ~

HI, is there a formula for this? Please elaborate...

[longkangman]

how about hyper focus dist can help ?

[psychobiologist]

Originally Posted by miraiyuki HI, is there a formula for this? Please elaborate...

dun have formula de... if the object is always very far away, i.e at infinity distance or more, and moving, lock at infinity and whack..

if its moving in nearer from infinity then quickly turn back.

in good light, stop down the aperture to abt 4 or 5.6 it ensure better kills per shot :P

[miraiyuki]

I guess I should be more specific on the shooting situations I would encounter when asking advice :P

Here:

1. Taking portraits of people without asking them to pose
2. Taking portraits of people who moves towards or away from me (perhaps in 1-3 metres from me)
3. Taking portraits while I am also moving (in a car, or walking)
4. Taking still objects or people in not more than 3 seconds
5. Taking butterflies,dragonflies or birds

Thanks for help ^V^;

[Scars]

Originally Posted by miraiyuki Hi all, after much consideration, I think instead of jumping into buying another camera body, I've decided to ask anyone who can teach me this more valuable skill -- fast manual focus. Initially I have intention of getting 18-200vr lens for a walkabout lens. But after testing it, I feel that it's too heavy compared to the tamron 18-250mm lens (which is also cheaper). But if I get the tamron lens, I would have to manual focus all the way, until it's time for me to get a new camera body. Would anyone please guide me in this? Thanks a million!

The Nikon 18 200vr, is not that heavy, I thought so at first but get use to the weight after sometimes.
Any way, if I am not wrong ,the new version of Tamron 18 250mm will af in D40/D40x
Have fun

[longkangman]

Originally Posted by miraiyuki 4. Taking still objects or people in not more than 3 seconds 5. Taking butterflies,dragonflies or birds

4, is possible with the marking of the distance on top of the body where we can set the dist.
5, if the subject it is also possible but if bif more difficult but not impossible.

[okl]

Originally Posted by Scars The Nikon 18 200vr, is not that heavy, I thought so at first but get use to the weight after sometimes. Any way, if I am not wrong ,the new version of Tamron 18 250mm will af in D40/D40x Have fun

est how much will it cost ? Im getting nikon 55-200mm vr

[2.8photography]

ive done manual focusing with my 18-200 tamron before - it isnt tt bad

but then for me it was relatively easy - hundreds of birds flying all around in bright daylight. so shutter speed wasnt a prob, was using 1/2000s on ave, f/11, and ISO640 (on accident). but then 1/500s wouldnt have been a prob

just manually 'lock on' to a particular subject, and slowly turn the focusing ring as the subject moves, ensuring that its pretty sharp

of course i had plenty of shots out of focus (couldnt tell on my 2" LCD), but there were some better 1s, like this 1:

[hacknet]

the problem with present autofocus lenses are the fact that the focus scales are all bunched up which makes it very hard to manual focus, makes it even harder at lengths like 200mm...

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Scars The Nikon 18 200vr, is not that heavy, I thought so at first but get use to the weight after sometimes. Any way, if I am not wrong ,the new version of Tamron 18 250mm will af in D40/D40x Have fun

There's a new version of this lens, with in-built motor for Nikon?

[zj2000]

Originally Posted by calebk There's a new version of this lens, with in-built motor for Nikon?

i think it's inly Sigma... To TS why don't you get a sigma 18-200 / 18-200 OS... slightly more ex than the Tamron but at least you can AF... make sure you get the version with the in built motor....

[dreamzcape]

i find changing my focus screen to a split prism type helps. from the on it's pretty much training liao. and like the others said, estimate your prefocus distance and adjust your focusing ring to that distance, use smaller aperture. one method i read is that you can try spotting for markers ahead of your subject eg, taking a man walking away from you but he has to walk past a pole, you focus the pole first, then wait for the man to enter the same focal plane as the pole then snap.