Portraits in Manual Mode= Help!

[wulf]

In my experience, the manual focus ring on the D40 18-55mm kit lens is sub-par - slender and loose. Overall it is a good lens but for manual focusing pales in comparison to the other lenses in my collection (particularly the two old, manual only primes).

Don't let your present lens put you off the idea of manual focusing with the D40.

Wulf

[Goldie Green]

Originally Posted by sybren

Focus and exposure are two orthogonal concepts, i.e. have nothing to do with one another. There is auto/manual exposure and auto/manual focus.

Changing the shutter speed, aperture, and iso to get proper manual exposure: I believe I have this down with an occasional screw up, which is easily adjusted.

The manual focus is definitely where my struggle is. After testing and reading I think that my kit lens is not supposed to be used for anything other than auto focus. It can do it however it is not going to be a convenience. I say this because it has no focus ring and nobody seems to know what I mean by A/M on the lens itself. (It could just be my wording that is confusing? sorry.)
What is the point of having the choice of auto or manual on the lens? If it really makes no difference?

Originally Posted by sybren

I can imagine sharpness being a factor in this. However, colour and bokeh have very little to do with the way you focus, and more with the exposure (proper exposure gives more saturated colours, and an opened aperture gives more bokeh). I'm under the impression that you're mixing things up in your head, and choosing manual focus for the wrong reasons. Of course, you're the photographer, so you decide how you shoot. Just spend a few more minutes to decide what's really creating the effect you're after.

Yes I think I may say manual focus as a general term for everything involved, steps to getting proper exposure and focusing, etc. I do understand the difference, so thank you for pointing that out. I generally consider the steps we take in our compositions all one in the same. my bad!

[Goldie Green]

Originally Posted by wulf

In my experience, the manual focus ring on the D40 18-55mm kit lens is sub-par - slender and loose. Overall it is a good lens but for manual focusing pales in comparison to the other lenses in my collection (particularly the two old, manual only primes).

Don't let your present lens put you off the idea of manual focusing with the D40.

Wulf

Thank you. That is definitely a very helpful reply, I appreciate it. Was starting to think I had completely confused everyone. I have an easier time shooting, than explaining how I shoot it!

This is where I am a little confused still... the 18-55mm is my first and only lens to date and after reading endless articles/reviews of other lenses (shopping for a new portrait lens) I came to the conclusion that since the ring didn't actually move it wasn't considered a focus ring. That sounds super confusing... I can move the barrel of the lens by hand to zoom in and out yes, but it is not like the other lenses with a small ring that is the only part that moves.

If you can understand what I am trying to say... an explanation of the difference would be helpful just to clarify. I want to buy a new lens but want to know what I am getting before shelling out the dough!

Thanks so much.

[wulf]

Do you have any camera shops (or friends with different lenses) nearby? You might find that a lens in the hands is worth pages of words!

Wulf

[Goldie Green]

Originally Posted by wulf

Do you have any camera shops (or friends with different lenses) nearby? You might find that a lens in the hands is worth pages of words!

Wulf

Oh, I can only dream... I live on Okinawa, a small island outside of Japan and only have one camera store with nothing that I am looking for. Buying online is my only option. I thought of renting a lens or two, but by the time I get it, it's time to ship it back!

Thank you for your help, I think I may just take a chance and see what happens.

[CiiVii]

Originally Posted by Goldie Green;956768 I say this because it has no focus ring and nobody seems to know what I mean by A/M on the lens itself. (It could just be my wording that is confusing? sorry.)
What is the point of having the choice of [I

auto or manual on the lens[/I]? If it really makes no difference?

I know what you mean by A/M on the lens. When you put the switch over to "M", you can focus manually. There is a focus ring, it is just beyond the part of the barrel that you turn in order to zoom. If it is not clear to you, watch your lens while it is in auto focus and push the shutter halfway. As the lens focuses, the focus ring will turn. That's what you use to focus manually once you switch the lens to manual focus. Hope that helps.