MF shooting

[khant]

HI

Interested to use manual focus and try it before with nikon kit 18-55 lens.

But it hard to get focus on pix. Is there any setting on lens other than switch to Manual on lens and camera body?

MF focus in only for prime lens?

Pls give me some advice. :dunno:





Rgds,

 

[Rashkae]

1. It's "lens". There is no "len".

2. What camera body are you using? Budget camera bodies, especially the APS-C format, are really not good at manual focus. Nevertheless, you will still get the focus confirmation light in your viewfinder when you have achieved focus on the selected focal point.

 

[khant]

1. It's "lens". There is no "lens".

2. What camera body are you using? Budget camera bodies, especially the APS-C format, are really not good at manual focus. Nevertheless, you will still get the focus confirmation light in your viewfinder when you have achieved focus on the selected focal point.

Hi Thank for your reply.

I am using D2H. Both camera body and lens are set at Manual mode.

confirmation light got sometime in 18mm focal length. But not in 55 mm.

:dunno:

Thank in advance.

 

[Rashkae]

Hi Thank for your reply.

I am using D2H. Both camera body and lens are set at Manual mode.

confirmation light got sometime in 18mm focal length. But not in 55 mm.

:dunno:

Thank in advance.

That means that it can't detect enough contrast to determine the focus. Especially on a camera as old as the D2H (2003), where the sensors only had up to -1EV sensitivity.

 

[khant]

That means that it can't detect enough contrast to determine the focus. Especially on a camera as old as the D2H (2003), where the sensors only had up to -1EV sensitivity.

Hi Thank for your reply.

Meaning to say that, I should not use manual focus lens on my D2H body right?

Because I am planing to buy 70-200 tokina MF f/2.8 from eaby. It offer

effortable price.

kindly advice.

 

[wkteoh]

1. It's "lens". There is no "len".

2. What camera body are you using? Budget camera bodies, especially the APS-C format, are really not good at manual focus. Nevertheless, you will still get the focus confirmation light in your viewfinder when you have achieved focus on the selected focal point.

Aha, just learnt something new here. I didn't know there was such a confirmation light for MF. Thanks for the info Rashkae!

 

[catchlights]

you can consider change the focusing screen of of your D2H to Katz Eye™ Focusing Screen for the Nikon D2H/D2Hs.

you can also look for the China Made split focusing screen at Orient Photo.

btw, usually we use MF as abbreviation for Medium Format, so just use "manual focus" will be less confusing to everyone.

 

[Rashkae]

Hi Thank for your reply.

Meaning to say that, I should not use manual focus lens on my D2H body right?

Because I am planing to buy 70-200 tokina MF f/2.8 from eaby. It offer

effortable price.

kindly advice.

You *can*, but as you've discovered, it can be very challenging. You may be better off changing your focusing screen to something that is more suited to manual focus, like a split-screen.

 

[khant]

Thank for your valuable advice. Now I am thinking of whether I should do challenging on MF shooting with D2H.

 

[Jamesf]

Bear in mind the nikon 18-55 lens with a small focusing ring and turning, is not designed for manual focusing. Try using those AI/AIS lenses, which will be much easier to focus.

 

[haqeel]

1. It's "lens". There is no "len".

2. What camera body are you using? Budget camera bodies, especially the APS-C format, are really not good at manual focus. Nevertheless, you will still get the focus confirmation light in your viewfinder when you have achieved focus on the selected focal point.

I tried manual focussing on my a200, never see any focus confirmtion light? :dunno:

 

[Rashkae]

I tried manual focussing on my a200, never see any focus confirmtion light? :dunno:

Looks like this (look in the bottom-left, courtesy of DPReview)

 

[haqeel]

Ohhhh. Thanks Rashkae.
I thought the confirmation light will be on the square box.
Just like when u AF the green light lid with a beep sound.
Was wrong. Thanks!

 

[horizon_grazer]

Well the camera body u are using may not be the best suited for manual focusing but it can be done
Of course nowadays with the brighter, larger viewfinder & the more accurate in-focus indicator of the FX, it does make the task of manual focusing easier
But many of the CS bro/sis here shoot manual focusing before the rage of FX digital bodies today, many of us shoot macro manual focusing w/ D70 small viewfinder only

Ur lens is also not one that is recommended for manual focusing
more suited are those macro lens or AIS lens with big focusing ring & more turns for improved accuracy

U also need steady hands, good eyesight, correct breathing & shutter pressing techniques to
get good shots in manual focusing, many times more demanding that of AF.
That why u see some good photographers selling away their beloved manual focusing lens that had served them well for years because its very taxing on the eyes & body for some of us, once u reach certain age.. :cry:

Last but not least, shooting in good lighting environment helps a lot in manual focusing
as the contrast is sufficient for you to nail the picture sharply

Well, juz my 2 cents..

 

[gargle]

you have to think about the same issues as with an AF lenses as with manual focus lenses - ie. thinking about your environment. there are no magic settings. you can get a AI/AIS lens quite cheaply and test it out.

tis article gives a good intro...

http://digital-photography-school.com/5-situations-when-manual-focus-is-better-than-auto-focus