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Archive 2009 · Using Manual Focus Lens

rtallent
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Using Manual Focus Lens

This may be a dumb question, but I am relatively new to autofocus cameras and I'm having trouble getting used to using a manual focus lens on my 5DII.

I am using a focus confirmation adapter that makes the camera think autofocus is turned on. (It can be set to make the camera think the lens is in manual focus mode.)

How are people who use manual focus lenses doing it? Is autofocus set to single shot? Servo? Is the camera set so that metering and focus are not together on the shutter release?

Live view with magnification works well, but only on a tripod. I use the camera handheld, too.

Any suggestions will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

May 27, 2009 at 07:36 PM

mpmendenhall
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Single-shot autofocus on shutter release half-press works fine for me. Since the camera isn't actually able to control the lens, but only watch for when proper focus appears, the focus mode doesn't matter much. If you're focusing a fast (f2 or faster) lens, you may want to consider switching focus screens to the Eg-s, optimized for fast lenses, and relying less on the focus-confirm indicator. Focus confirm is good on slow/wide lenses with a broad depth of field (which makes it hard to see the sharpest point by eye), but you can often get more reliable and consistent results on faster/longer lenses focusing by eye on a good focus sceen.

May 27, 2009 at 08:07 PM

Qwerty64
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Using Manual Focus Lens

I found AF adapters not to be that accurate, prefer plain adapters instead. I use live view with 5x mag for critical focus all the time handheld under all lighting conditions. Don't understand what problem you are having using it on your camera handheld. Previously I used to use Angle Finder C and Katz Eye microprism/split image screen, but live view has been a godsend and works great, can't live without it now.

May 27, 2009 at 08:20 PM

rtallent
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Thanks for the replies. One part of my problem is that if the camera thinks the lens is not focused, the shutter will not fire. That's why I wondered about focus mode and if metering being separated from the camera's perception of autofocus would help.

As for using live view, the problem is likely nothing more than me having trouble getting used to using it! I have found situations where it is a godsend and others where it seems unnatural and cumbersome.

Maybe skipping the focus confirmation adapter would be a good idea -- I haven't found it to be all that accurate, either. The Eg-s screen may be the ticket.

Thanks again.

May 28, 2009 at 05:22 AM

tc95
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Make sure you are in Manual mode all the way....turn AF button for the lens to Manual....also....then you should be able to take pictures even out of focus....my D300 (which I sold) was not as finicky as my Sony a900 about this....but all in all once you do the two things above you should be able to shoot.....here is something that I found....if you keep both eyes open when you shoot MF on the camera...I get a better number of keeper shots...and my focusing is usually dead on....I agree with qwerty64 that those AF confirmation rings usually don't hit the mark....but the one I have for my Sony that lets me mount Nikon F lenses on it.....actually is accurate with macro shooting...anything else I would not trust it.....just play with the adapter and see what it is good at and not...

Hope this helps a little...

May 28, 2009 at 07:53 AM

h_rearden
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Using Manual Focus Lens

I'm not sure why tc95 recommends to "Make sure you are in Manual mode all the way". The vast majority of manual focus lens users that I know and converse with both locally and online shoot exclusively in Av mode, unless using flash.

rtallent, you are correct that skipping the AF-confirm adapter will allow you to release the shutter at any time, absolutely independent of whether the camera thinks things are in focus or not. I think the Eg-S is the ticket, indeed, although others will undoubtedly disagree.

May 28, 2009 at 08:13 AM

philber
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Using Manual Focus Lens

mpmendenhall wrote:
Single-shot autofocus on shutter release half-press works fine for me. Since the camera isn't actually able to control the lens, but only watch for when proper focus appears, the focus mode doesn't matter much. If you're focusing a fast (f2 or faster) lens, you may want to consider switching focus screens to the Eg-s, optimized for fast lenses, and relying less on the focus-confirm indicator. Focus confirm is good on slow/wide lenses with a broad depth of field (which makes it hard to see the sharpest point by eye), but you can often get more reliable and consistent results on...Show more →

+1 I use Eg-S also. And the AF mode doesn't matter, all of them work fine with my AF confirm Zeiss lenses.

May 28, 2009 at 09:57 AM

bobbytan
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Using Manual Focus Lens

I tried using live view hand-held but it doesn't work for me - not with bugs and other macro subjects.

Has anyone tried this magnifying eyepiece? I wonder if it helps.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2.3X-Magnifying-Eyepiece-For-Canon-Nikon-Olympus-Sony_W0QQitemZ260416529600QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090525?IMSfp=TL090525154006r27992

Qwerty64 wrote:
I found AF adapters not to be that accurate, prefer plain adapters instead. I use live view with 5x mag for critical focus all the time handheld under all lighting conditions. Don't understand what problem you are having using it on your camera handheld. Previously I used to use Angle Finder C and Katz Eye microprism/split image screen, but live view has been a godsend and works great, can't live without it now.

May 28, 2009 at 12:38 PM

Chococat
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Using Manual Focus Lens

I tired out a magnifying eyepiece at a camera store some time back. Not sure if it is the same one, but honestly it muddied the image up. It did magnify it, but by muddying it up it caused another focusing issue, and a side by side comparison showed that my eyeball focus without it was better.

Yes!!!--I second the comment that you may want to change to the brighter focusing screen. That is what I did.

MF is a matter of practice, and I improved very quickly. The only problems I ever have now with MF come when I am trying to focus very precisely with a superwide angle lens. From 28mm and up I almost never miss, even in low light, but below that level I can have problems if I am trying to focus very precisely or on a specific detail. Maybe my eyes just aren't good enough, or maybe even the brighter focus screen doesn't give me quite enough. I have noticed that the problems with focusing the superwides involve my digital camera (5d2) rather than my film body--they both have a brighter screen, but the viewfinder on the film camera is just better and bigger to begin with. So if you cannot use Live View, the place where the AF confirm adapter is most warranted is with the superwides, it is a help to me there. But even then, best not to rely on it completely--even when it tells me I have focus I take a close look and tweak it a touch or two if it seems slightly off.

Some of the chip adapters put the camera in an MF mode some in an AF mode. If it is not letting you shoot if it does not sense focus then you have one that is putting you in an AF mode. If so, just turn it until the camera senses focus, and keep the button half depressed and tweak it until you yourself are satisfied. If you keep it half depressed after it senses focus it will still let you shoot even if you adjust it. Actually there is a benefit to either adapter, because with the one that puts the camera in an AF mode, it will allow the assist beam on the flash to aid. The real problem with the one that puts you in an AF mode is that it might lock in the metering when it senses focus and not change it as you stop down--check as you are stopping down and make sure it is changing. If it isn't, then everything will be underexposed, and the adapter is pretty useless unless you are only going to shoot wide open.

May 28, 2009 at 01:02 PM

Kamik
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Using Manual Focus Lens

I'm currently using a magnifying eyepiece with my 5D, the nikon DK-17M. Not sure how good the one you posted works, but the nikon works great for me. That combined with the EE-S screen and manual focus is pretty easy for me. Personally, I'd rather rely on my eyes than a focus-confirm adapter. I'd say go with the EG-S screen and see if that helps you.

May 28, 2009 at 02:33 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Using Manual Focus Lens

The newer AF chips are programmable, so you can switch from AF to MF. In MF mode, you will still get a focus-confirmation beep/prompt but it will allow you to trigger the shutter regardless. I find those AF chips that will not release the shutter until you have "achieved focus" pretty annoying as it doesn't work most of the time.

Chococat wrote:
Some of the chip adapters put the camera in an MF mode some in an AF mode. If it is not letting you shoot if it does not sense focus then you have one that is putting you in an AF mode.

May 28, 2009 at 03:33 PM

Valorin
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Is there no way to get a Canon to be in 'shutter release priority' regardless of what lens is attached?

May 28, 2009 at 03:40 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Ha Ha .... I just ordered one from Adorama for $38, with a replacement Canon eyecup (to use as an adaptor) from eBay for $9. This magnified (1.2x) eyepiece plus the Maxwell Hi-Lux EG-S screen should make a huge difference .... I sure hope so!

Kamik wrote:
I'm currently using a magnifying eyepiece with my 5D, the nikon DK-17M. Not sure how good the one you posted works, but the nikon works great for me. That combined with the EE-S screen and manual focus is pretty easy for me. Personally, I'd rather rely on my eyes than a focus-confirm adapter. I'd say go with the EG-S screen and see if that helps you.

May 28, 2009 at 04:37 PM

rtallent
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Using Manual Focus Lens

bobbytan wrote:
The newer AF chips are programmable, so you can switch from AF to MF. In MF mode, you will still get a focus-confirmation beep/prompt but it will allow you to trigger the shutter regardless. I find those AF chips that will not release the shutter until you have "achieved focus" pretty annoying as it doesn't work most of the time.

Yes, mine can be programmed to make the camera think it is an AF lens in MF mode. The focus confirmation seems to be even less accurate in this mode, but at least I can fire the shutter at will. I think I'll program it into MF mode and take the advice of the posters who recommend the Eg-s focusing screen and see how things go.

Thanks to all for the advice.

May 28, 2009 at 07:58 PM

I Am Luna
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Valorin wrote:
Is there no way to get a Canon to be in 'shutter release priority' regardless of what lens is attached?
Why would you want this?

May 28, 2009 at 08:25 PM

CharChar
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Where to buy the Maxwell Hi-Lux EG-S screen?

May 28, 2009 at 10:35 PM

bobbytan
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Using Manual Focus Lens

You can email Bill Maxwell at [email protected] or you can call him at 770-939-6644. Unfortunately he does not have a web site.

The screen is not cheap though. You can either supply him your Canon screen, or you can order the Hi-Lux EG-S screen for your 5D II for $205 + s/h.

CharChar wrote:
Where to buy the Maxwell Hi-Lux EG-S screen?

May 28, 2009 at 11:29 PM

dcad10
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Using Manual Focus Lens

Valorin wrote:
Is there no way to get a Canon to be in 'shutter release priority' regardless of what lens is attached?

By shutter release priority do you mean the camera doesnt have to be focused to fire?
You could try Custom Function #4 (?) - swtich from 0 to 1...which will switch Auto focus onto the ( * ) button instead of half press.

May 29, 2009 at 12:09 AM

CharChar
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Using Manual Focus Lens

bobbytan wrote:
You can email Bill Maxwell at [email protected] or you can call him at 770-939-6644. Unfortunately he does not have a web site.

The screen is not cheap though. You can either supply him your Canon screen, or you can order the Hi-Lux EG-S screen for your 5D II for $205 + s/h.

Thx.

May 30, 2009 at 07:57 AM

dave chilvers
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Using Manual Focus Lens

bobbytan wrote:
I tried using live view hand-held but it doesn't work for me - not with bugs and other macro subjects.

Has anyone tried this magnifying eyepiece? I wonder if it helps.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2.3X-Magnifying-Eyepiece-For-Canon-Nikon-Olympus-Sony_W0QQitemZ260416529600QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090525?IMSfp=TL090525154006r27992

I purchased one similar and it didn`t help mainly because live view( the correct focus) doesn`t agree with the focus screen anyway, I find on all my cameras that live view always just brings things more into focus after first focussing on the screen.

May 30, 2009 at 06:06 PM

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