My friend's kids - OOF?

[candidrachel]

I took this photo of my friend's children using manual mode and natural window light.

I quite like this candid shot but I don't know if its my eye sight or whether the focusing is slightly soft.

What do you think?



Here is the exif:

ISO 400
f5
Focal length 43mm
1/125
tamron 28-300 lens (my trusty lens)
no flash

[autofocus]

Rachel, when you say manual mode...do you mean camera settings and / or focus??

[candidrachel]

I mean both manual setting and manual focus.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

I mean both manual setting and manual focus.

Rachel...why are you insisting on focusing manually? It doesn't buy you anything unless the lighting conditions or subject matter makes it difficult for the camera to auto focus. I don't think there are too many people who can beat the speed and accuracy of today's auto focus cameras. Plus, today's cameras just don't have the focusing screens embedded like the cameras of old.

Vince

[candidrachel]

To be honest I ALWAYS use auto-focus because its easier and more accurate but this time I did it "the old fashioned way" - and its a pain in the ass!

Thanks for your reply and I agree 100%

By the way, I heard that its a good idea when you take your lens hood off to change the setting to manual focus otherwise by twisting it on or off you can interfere with the auto-focus mechanism - is that true?

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

To be honest I ALWAYS use auto-focus because its easier and more accurate but this time I did it "the old fashioned way" - and its a pain in the ass!

Thanks for your reply and I agree 100%

By the way, I heard that its a good idea when you take your lens hood off to change the setting to manual focus otherwise by twisting it on or off you can interfere with the auto-focus mechanism - is that true?

I doubt very much there's any truth in that...unless it's a cheapo third world lens

[Vagebond]

Canon itself recommends switching from autofocus to manual for lenses on which the barrel turns and extends/contracts during autofocus, because of strain on the autofocus mechanism. In my case that's the 18-55 mm. and 55-250 mm. EF-S IS kit lenses on my EOS 450D. So I think better safe than sorry.

[AnnaBee]

It's a sweet picture, the focusing looks okay to me -- the only thing bothering me about it is the intensity of light on the little girls face. The lighting doesn't seem balanced.

That's in my newbie opinion.

[candidrachel]

Found the info: It's on my Sigma 70-300mm lens instruction leaflet it says: "When mounting or removing the filter, the lens should be in the manual focus mode, and should be held by the front of the lens barrel in order to avoid damaging the lens and camera".

I knew I'd seen it somewhere.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

Found the info: It's on my Sigma 70-300mm lens instruction leaflet it says: "When mounting or removing the filter, the lens should be in the manual focus mode, and should be held by the front of the lens barrel in order to avoid damaging the lens and camera".

I knew I'd seen it somewhere.

I think if you remove / replace a lens with the camera's power on that may be what they are saying...the best thing to do is to always turn off your power before changing lenses. So there'll only be a mechanical connection, and no electrical connection which is what could be damaging. Plus, this this will decrease the chances of getting dust on your sensor as an added benefit.