I like the manual except...

[Phoenix_Jackson]

I got a nice third-party lens with a nice aperture scale and focus ring. I don't mind focusing on manual since it's what I often do with my 50mm 1.8. I mostly use a tripod and take a lot of time.

But this time it's almost the opposite. I'll most likely shoot hand-held, subject moving, and a probability of low-light. I could handle that with my canon nifty-fifty. But with my third-party lens ( 85mm 1.4 prime that I really really want to use), the focus indicator (the one that blinks red along with a beep) doesn't work. LCD view is a no no because it gets really dark from apertures f/5.6 and smaller (what's with that anyway?).

Is there a way to work with this? Will a focus screen help me with this (which one?)? Or a certain technique I should start practicing with?

[RichardTaylor]

Use an external Canon flashgun or the Canon ST-E2 for auto focus assist?



.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

Will that help me more to focus with a non-AF lens?

[RichardTaylor]

I didn't realise it was a manual focus lens only. It won't help.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_Jackson

... I'll most likely shoot hand-held, subject moving, and a probability of low-light.

You do realize that is the kind of scenario where you're utterly screwed with manual focus, right?

I could handle that with my canon nifty-fifty

Well, yah. The fifty autofocuses.

But with my third-party lens ( 85mm 1.4 prime that I really really want to use),

Oh, let me guess. The Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4? Or an adapted C/Y Planar 85/1.4?

... the focus indicator (the one that blinks red along with a beep) doesn't work.

Well, of course not. There's no electronic communication between the lens and the body. You have to chip the damn lens if you want AF confirmation. It's one of the reason some lens adapters have them.

LCD view is a no no because it gets really dark from apertures f/5.6 and smaller (what's with that anyway?).

It's because you're stop-down metering when the Canon body doesn't sense a lens on the camera (i.e., no chip; no contacts=>stop-down metering). The aperture, as you close it down gets smaller, so you have less light. When you use a Canon EF lens, the aperture is held wide-open for you all the time so that as you (and the camera) focus and compose the image, you'll have the most light to see by and the lens is only stopped down to the setting right before the image is taken.

With a manual lens, as you stop down, you're actually stopping the lens down to a smaller opening, so there's less light, and the more you stop down, the darker it gets. This is why I'm always warning folks there's no aperture control from the camera with manual lenses. You have to focus and compose with the lens wide open, THEN stop the lens down to take the image.

Why the hell you got an f/1.4 lens to shoot moving stuff in the dark at f/8, though, I don't get. I usually get an f/1.4 lens to shoot at f/1.4.

Is there a way to work with this? Will a focus screen help me with this (which one?)? Or a certain technique I should start practicing with?

Personally? I think you should sell/return the Samyang 85/1.4 if this is the way you plan to use it, and just go with an EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. Save yourself a lot of heartburn and frustration. Manual focus lenses are better used for subjects that aren't moving fast or crazies who relish this kind of challenge.

You could buy an AF confirm chip (I'd recommend big_is's EMF chips, as they let you record the aperture setting you used if you know how to use it, but tastes vary) and glue it onto the ring (hopefully in perfect alignment with the camera contacts so you don't hit the wrong contacts). But that could be more risk than you want to take. And it'll only get you AF confirmation, which may not be all that accurate.

Focus screen depends on what camera you've got. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you've got a camera that does interchangeable focus screens. They can be a real pain to handle, otherwise.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

My apologies. I think I should reword the scenario. I only thought of the possibilities of the worst case. Handheld, if in case I'm not all set with my tripod and stuff yet (or walking around looking for a spot) and want to capture a moment. Moving, not really fast (most of the activities are folk dances and stuff) but surely moving at a speed of normal walking. Low light, only if the weather is cloudy as most of these events will happen in the afternoon. If the Samyang is still strongly not recommended then I guess I'd have to use it elsewhere.

As for using it stopped down, I'm still figuring out when and where to use such wide apertures, honestly. I mostly go with f/8 and smaller unless I really want those shallow DOF, which I'm still struggling with.

I like using manual focus (as I often do with my 50mm and 18-55mm but not the 55-250mm). This lens though is a bit over my head and that's why I'm asking for help. And returning it would be rude to my boss who actually gave it as a gift (it's rude to return gifts in our culture).

But thank you for enlightening me with my dark lcd issues, along with the EMF chip. But I think I won't go that way for now. It's a bit much.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_Jackson

My apologies. I think I should reword the scenario. I only thought of the possibilities of the worst case. Handheld, if in case I'm not all set with my tripod and stuff yet (or walking around looking for a spot) and want to capture a moment. Moving, not really fast (most of the activities are folk dances and stuff) but surely moving at a speed of normal walking. Low light, only if the weather is cloudy as most of these events will happen in the afternoon. If the Samyang is still strongly not recommended then I guess I'd have to use it elsewhere.

As long as you've got enough light to shoot by and you can focus in time manually, then the Samyang should be fine. And yes, shooting with it wide open is going to be a challenge, so stopping down a little can help.

... This lens though is a bit over my head and that's why I'm asking for help. And returning it would be rude to my boss who actually gave it as a gift (it's rude to return gifts in our culture).

Hey, it's rude to return a gift in any culture, but it doesn't stop people from doing it. That's why gift receipts were made.

If you're shooting with a 40D/50D/60D, you could use an EF-s focus screen. It's the "super-precision" matte screen, which is a little darker than the default EF-a the camera came with, and it can render the DoF more accurately with wide apertures.

My first suggestion, though, would be to get used to composing/focusing with the lens wide open, and THEN stopping down before taking the shot. That should help you be able to see things more clearly in the viewfinder.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

I'm using Canon 60D. I will be purchasing EF-S as soon as I can. I just hope it won't affect much when I do night shooting.

Thank you for the tip. Especially composing wide open and then stopping down. It'll not only help me getting proper focus but will also help me learn more shooting on such wide aperture.

[JFSanders]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_Jackson

I'm using Canon 60D. I will be purchasing EF-S as soon as I can. I just hope it won't affect much when I do night shooting.

Thank you for the tip. Especially composing wide open and then stopping down. It'll not only help me getting proper focus but will also help me learn more shooting on such wide aperture.

It will effect your night shots with the EF-S unless you have time for your eyes to adjust. Do like inkista says and open the aperture to focus and then stop down and shoot. If they are moving then you have to do it like the old newspaper guys did it. F/8 and learn how to estimate distance to subject really well! Preset your focus distance and only adjust when you have time. Lots of flash is good too.

Jim

[Phoenix_Jackson]

Thank you for warning me with night shots. I won't be using the same lens (or its kind) at night though. I hope it'll be easier using canon's lenses despite EF-S.

I'm up for the challenge and "how the old newspaper guys do it" sound mighty interesting. If it's a matter of practicing, I'll get there. I guess I need to hunt down old newspaper people.

Your answers have helped immensely. Thank you both.