Auto vs. Manual focus

[pfritzd]

Hola all,

For portraits, what are you guys & gals using? As I am getting more and more into this "hobby", I am finding myself struggling to trust my eyes versus the camera's eye. For the most part, the autofocus hasn't let me down to often, but there are those shots with a very shallow DOF that I am missing. And it is not that the pic is totally out of focus, but it isn't what I would consider sharp.

Just wanted to get some of your thoughts on how you deal with this issue.

Gracias

[L Stegall]

I use manual focus for macro work for sure. With shallow DoF, it is hard to get the focus where you want otherwise. Other times, I will use auto focus, but not always. Just depends on what I'm doing.

[monique_evette]

I don't mean to change the subject, but I have a quick question about focusing. I use my camera in Manual mode all the time, but I have noticed that it will only focus with the far left focal point. However when I do it in automatic it uses all of them? Any clues?

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by monique_evette

I don't mean to change the subject, but I have a quick question about focusing. I use my camera in Manual mode all the time, but I have noticed that it will only focus with the far left focal point. However when I do it in automatic it uses all of them? Any clues?

What camera? You should be able to manually select the AF point or have it in AUTO AF mode. My guess, your camera body is in AUTO AF mode when in AUTO mode, but in Manual it's in SINGLE AF POINT mode. There should be a controller to move that point around. Without knowing the camera body, I'd suggest breaking out the manual.

[Aric C. Hoek]

Originally Posted by pfritzd

Hola all,

For portraits, what are you guys & gals using? As I am getting more and more into this "hobby", I am finding myself struggling to trust my eyes versus the camera's eye. For the most part, the autofocus hasn't let me down to often, but there are those shots with a very shallow DOF that I am missing. And it is not that the pic is totally out of focus, but it isn't what I would consider sharp.

Just wanted to get some of your thoughts on how you deal with this issue.

Gracias

Getting back on track here...

My favorite portrait lense is the 135 2.0 prime. Prime meaning that the lense does not change focal length. Now, as far as focus goes, I kind of feel that each camera can be a bit different, as if it had it's own personallity. A nikon camera with a Nikon lense attached to it may behave a bit differently with a Sigma lense attached to it.

The bottom line is, that you are learning the nuances of your equipment, and becoming a bit more professional. Don't argue with the camera. Learn what it is doing and follow it's lead.

[L Stegall]

Oh, I missed the part about what you are using. My favorite portrait lens is the 85 mm f/1.2 L. Also a prime, great bokeh. I'm going to have to check out the 135 as well sometime.

[pfritzd]

Gracias ... I've been kicking around getting a prime for sometime ... the time may have come

[monique_evette]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

What camera? You should be able to manually select the AF point or have it in AUTO AF mode. My guess, your camera body is in AUTO AF mode when in AUTO mode, but in Manual it's in SINGLE AF POINT mode. There should be a controller to move that point around. Without knowing the camera body, I'd suggest breaking out the manual.

OMG I am such the idiot! I have the cannon rebel xt and some how I moved my focal point. I knew you could do that, but since I didn't know how that didn't cross my mind, but apparently thats what I did. Thats it, now I know my brain is not working ... I'm going on vacation...

[Daniel Bates]

On the Canon bodies I've tried, the "switch AF point" button is under the thumb at the top right of the back panel. The one-series bodies have a "switch to registered AF point" slightly to the left which resets the AF point back to a predefined location (in most cases, the center point).

[monique_evette]

Hey get on Hello, its been awhile!

[Gabby498]

I use auto focus almost exclusively. When you are pushing seventy Nikon does it better. I shoot a lot of portraits and I seldom use a tripod. On the D200 I have my AF-ON set to hold focus as long as I hold the AF-ON button down. I use the center sensor, press the AF-ON to focus on the eyes, recompose and fire. Works like a charm for me. (this only works on Single Servo - Continuous Servo will continue to focus even if I hold the AF-ON button. This is maybe one of the problems you are having, recomposing and then the camera refocuses on a different point.

[chenology]

on my KM7D i usually use direct manual focus (dmf) to fine focus after auto
but sometimes i'll switch between via the af/mf button on the back