Why I hate AF.

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Archive 2010 · Why I hate AF.

cogitech
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p.1 #1 · Why I hate AF.

Coming soon, to a thread near you....

Feb 07, 2010 at 12:06 AM

mMontag
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p.1 #2 · Why I hate AF.

Hey cogitech - you might get a better understanding & response on the Canon Forum!

Feb 07, 2010 at 12:48 AM

brainiac
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p.1 #3 · Why I hate AF.

I was trying to AF today. It just sucks. Reverted to a manual focus alt, simply for the usable focus ring. 'Nuff said.

Feb 07, 2010 at 01:01 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #4 · Why I hate AF.

I'm not even sure why I own an AF (although it does a nice enough job, Canon 100 2.0) ... I rarely use it, but just in case I've got it. Maybe I'll pick up an AF for some Long Glass, but otherwise MF is the only way I seem to think these days.

Feb 07, 2010 at 01:10 AM

makron
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p.1 #5 · Why I hate AF.

I've "befriended" AF because it focuses faster as well as more accurately than me for wide-open wide angle still shots.

Feb 07, 2010 at 01:52 AM

cputeq
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p.1 #6 · Why I hate AF.

I've tried MF with birds. Doesn't work too well.

<3 AF for things that don't sit still.

Feb 07, 2010 at 02:53 AM

alexandre
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p.1 #7 · Why I hate AF.

I like both. But there's nothing better than MF when shooting candids without hurry or landscapes.

Feb 07, 2010 at 03:24 AM

helimat
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p.1 #8 · Why I hate AF.

alexandre wrote:
I like both. But there's nothing better than MF when shooting candids without hurry or landscapes.

+1

Feb 07, 2010 at 03:32 AM

telyt
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p.1 #9 · Why I hate AF.

cputeq wrote:
I've tried MF with birds. Doesn't work too well.

Works OK for me:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Feb 07, 2010 at 03:49 AM

systemlayers
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p.1 #10 · Why I hate AF.

I am new to photography (less than a year) and i find myself manual focusing more and more and af less and less.. i think it makes me feel more in control and help me focus on making "the shot" more.
I started off just machine gunning my shots, but got very few keepers.
Now that i slow down and think about pressing that shutter i'm finding i get more keepers.
Manual focus seems to fit in with that ideology well.
Plus there's many situations where AF is almost useless.. landscape, macro, very low light (unless you want to infrared people to death).

Feb 07, 2010 at 04:05 AM

jcolwell
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p.1 #11 · Why I hate AF.

cputeq wrote:
I've tried MF with birds. Doesn't work too well.

Works OK for me, too. Mamiya A 300/2.8 APO + 2xN TC on 1DII, handheld.

Although I normally use AF for this kind of stuff.

Feb 07, 2010 at 04:19 AM

shaunmlavery
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p.1 #12 · Why I hate AF.

I just sold all of my canon stuff for this reason, well and among a couple others. Here I come leica. I hope it was worth it. If not, I can always return to crappy manual focusing rings on the canon lenses.

Feb 07, 2010 at 04:56 AM

shaunmlavery
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p.1 #13 · Why I hate AF.

With that, we are to automated as a soceity aren't we? Automatic transmissions, microwaves, washers, dish washers, AF, auto iso, auto WB, etc.

Hardly any of the above work well.

Ok, I'll admit, I do appreciate the washer a good deal.

It's funny to me how simple humans try to make things and the original thing is usually always better. I love my manual car and when I shoot my camera it is in manual as well. Heck, I didn't even know what any of the other modes in my 5D where. I do know it has "print button" though.

Feb 07, 2010 at 05:03 AM

JimU
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p.1 #14 · Why I hate AF.

i prefer my MF 50s, manual ISO, manual WB, manual transmission but long for a dish washer. my AF 35/1.4 & AF 85/1.4 have nice thick & direct focusing rings, but are not dampened. AF is pointless at night.

Feb 07, 2010 at 05:54 AM

Bifurcator
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p.1 #15 · Why I hate AF.

alexandre wrote:
I like both. But there's nothing better than MF when shooting candids without hurry or landscapes.

I like both too. I think my AF/MF switch is almost worn out. I like to use AF first, hit the MF/AF switch with my pinky finger, and then fine tune or focus for DOF in MF.

For moving targets like birds, cars, bikes, houses, dogs, walking/running people, and stuff, I like to use tracking though. Free point tracking ROCKS! Tracking plus continuous mode is nice too but while my camera's tracking is very fast my continuous speed sucks!

Feb 07, 2010 at 06:25 AM

Norman my love
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p.1 #16 · Why I hate AF.

I think Canon just better start making some better manual focusing screens. Theirs suck.

Feb 07, 2010 at 06:25 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #17 · Why I hate AF.

Here's an interesting question, based on something that will never happen:

Suppose Canon decided to sell a second version of all their L glass, with no AF, but longer-throw & more highly-damped focus rings.

When you did buy a Canon lens, which would you choose?

Personally, I'd get the AF, because (with the possible exception of the 35L & 85L) that's the only reason I own any Canon glass in the first place.

Feb 07, 2010 at 07:03 AM

jan_haidn
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p.1 #18 · Why I hate AF.

If there was an eyecontroled AF. With some 100 AF points al over the screne. Other than that I prefere eyecontroled MF.

Feb 07, 2010 at 07:07 AM

Bifurcator
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p.1 #19 · Why I hate AF.

I'd get the manual version. Can we remove their in-lens anti-shake too?

Feb 07, 2010 at 07:08 AM

tootalew
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p.1 #20 · Why I hate AF.

Shaun nailed it. Focusing is one of the most fun steps of photography and one of the hardest to master. I am not going to rob myself of the pleasure by letting the camera do it. The car analogy drives it home, I love to drive a car with a manual trans. Maybe this is a sign of someone that likes to be in total control.

Feb 07, 2010 at 07:10 AM

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