auto focus and why don't people manually focus.

[paulbrogden10]

Hello Guys and gals

I wanted to talk about photography in general here as I watch alot of youtube reviews and get very anoyed at people reviewing lenses such as the sigma 150-600 complaining that it is not sharp. I am sorry to say this but when I look at their images they seem to be ignoring the rest of the photo as I can clearly see that the image is sharp.

In many instances I can see the branch near to the bird their trying to photograph is sharp to my eye any way. It seems to be auto focus is a fine bit of technology but it will never be able to do the job better than the human eye can. I wonder why people never use manual focus more often. When I went to college I learned every thing regarding manual focus processing film and the like it seems to me auto focus has made people lazy.

Come on people use manual focus more often. A true photorapher does not need auto focus to get the image he needs. It seems to me a skill that photographers have forgotten. It takes time to practise many times when the auto focus started hunting because it got confused i would use manual control and get the image messing about using auto focus can make you miss the shot your after.

I remember my first SLR in the film days and loved the eye detection focus as I was the one chosing which part was in focus just by looking at it I really miss that meathod of focusing. Take care Paul.

[Waddizzle]

Bad eyes, you and me both. 

Read your camera's manual, and learn to use the various focus points and focusing modes.  I have found that I get more "keepers" with moving targets when I use all of the focus points, instead of just the center, with the camera in AI-Focus mode.

[cicopo]

I don't remember where I read it but AI Servo is recommended over AI Focus on those cameras which offer both but so far none of the 1 series bodies I own even have AI Focus which is a hint that info was right.

[Waddizzle]

"I don't remember where I read it but AI Servo is recommended over AI Focus on those cameras which offer both but so far none of the 1 series bodies I own even have AI Focus which is a hint that info was right." 

You're probably right.  I always get them mixed up.  I want the mode that switches to tracking if the subject moves, and gives a focus lock confirmation.

[FBurr]

Embarrassed to admit it, but I always have to break out my manual on that issue when I'm going to shoot a sporting event.

[Waddizzle]

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@FBurr wrote:
Embarrassed to admit it, but I always have to break out my manual on that issue when I'm going to shoot a sporting event.

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I know out of my three settings in the camera, I want either "One Shot", or the "One In The Middle", which I have just checked is called "AI Servo".  Hmm.  Hmmmmm.

[ebiggs1]

The difference between AI-servo and AI-focus is AI-focus doesn't work.  AI-servo does.  AI-focus is supposed to focus and refocus when the subject moves and is supposed to give confirmation when it does.

My preference for most shooting is One-shot with the center focus point only.  My 2nd choice for moving subjects is AI-servo with just the center focus point.  IMHO, of coures as always and worth every cent you spent on receiving it.

[kvbarkley]

In other words, you do manually what AI-Servo is supposed to do Automagically..