auto focus vs manual

[qtox91]

what do you guys use?? and if you use manual how did you get started using it and how did you practice?

[SusanH1970]

I rarely use manual focus. I shoot in full manual mode, but use auto focus 99.9% of the time.

[qtox91]

im the same way, i always shoot in manual but the only time i ever use manual is when my camera is struggling to fing the right AF point.

[Jim Bryant]

Auto focus all the time, unless it's so dark that the focus won't lock on.

[autofocus]

I don't get it...why do people want to focus manually when today's auto focus systems are fast and accurate. As others have said, manual is OK when the camera does not see enough contrast on the subject, or too dark for it to function properly, but why risk losing the shot as you fumble with manual focusing. Guaranteed, you cannot focus any faster than what the camera is going to do for you. Not to mention your own eyesight, how your viewfinder diopter is set, and the fact there no longer is good focusing screens built in like the cameras of old had.

[i speak in math]

I use manual focus a lot because the lens I like best was made in 1975 before autofocus existed. The focusing ring is amazingly dampened and is so easy to manually focus. Not to mention that when shooting macros, auto focus is a bit cumbersome.

[tech]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Not to mention that when shooting macros, auto focus is a bit cumbersome.

+1 for the macro point...for me personally some of the fun of photography goes away with AF...its more interesting the other way around..but then thats just me

[teaking]

Im with the auto focus crowd, if technology makes my life easier and gives me auto focus on a plate im taking it

Macro work, low light and sports like motor sports seem to be areas where manual focus and waiting for your subject to hit your focus point seem to give better results.

[CaptainNH]

As my eyes age, I've used AF more and more. Being able to manual focus is a must though - there are all those low light / low contrast scenes where the AF just won't lock on.

It's good to flick over to MF every once in a while to keep your skills up.

[leonaashlee]

Have to use auto focus due to vision issues...and often have to use auto settings as well.