So I thought the other day that I could make another poll, this time with focusing modes (I hope this hasn’t been posted before, at least I couldn’t find anything). I tend to use single-point and pin-point autofocus the most often, sometimes eye tracking for portrait needs as that happens to be the most efficient way of doing it for me… So what do you use most often?
auto - “traditional” (pin-point, single-point, wide-area, …)
auto - tracking (subject recognition, generic tracking, …)
manual - preference
manual - lens/adapter design (AF not available)
I don’t focus (pinhole?)
0voters
And also, what do you use for focusing the most often? Now that I’m on mirrorless, I use the LCD quite extensively, but with longer lenses I tend to prefer the EVF as it is a bit more stable.
I usually pre-visualize with my camera hanging on the camera strap. When I’m ready to take a shot, I raise the camera, pre-zoom while I raise it, and very quickly take my shot. I trust the autofocus to get things right. I then lower the camera quickly, so as to resume looking at the world with my eyes, not a screen.
If there’s an aperture or shutter speed to configure, I’ll do that “offline” with the camera hanging on the strap.
I often use the back screen instead of the viewfinder, but I can’t tell you exactly what governs this choice. High and low perspectives obviously work better with the screen, long shots and precise focusing are easier in the EVF.
I use tracking for moving subjects, single for stationary, usually a large-ish area. When shooting animals it’s almost always spray and pray at max drive settings. I have noticed that even a minute movement from the target can completely ruin focus.
Yeah, especially when the screen is fully articulated. I would use the EVF more often perhaps, but since I wear glasses, I have to press against the viewfinder quite hard to maintain vision of the whole frame (even in “small” mode). The advantage of the LCD is that I can see everything and won’t be surprised later that something was sticking into the frame
If there is only one person in the frame, with clear, open eyes, I almost don’t even have to check. The camera will nail a very high success rate.
If there is more than one person the camera’s success rate is still uncanny. But if it gets it wrong, I centre the required person, half-push focus, reframe and shoot.
If the camera persists in being awkward, it’s one button press to change wide to spot. I can either move the spot. or use it to focus and then reframe.
Need to photograph an object (with no eyes) but people are in the frame? Turn off eye-AF, Probably use the moveable spot.
I’m not certain where that all fits in the poll.
I almost never use manual focus. The auto version is just too good. And I’m not even on the latest generation! That probably means I’ve lost some skill, especially compared to film days. But hey, I get many, many more in-focus pics!
PS… I use EVF whenever possible. I have a 3rd-party larger softer eyecup, which is comfortable and excludes ambient light.
I use whatever works in the situation, often that’s a small af point with tracking and other times its a large zone and everything in between. Sometimes with face /eye detect and without it depends on what im doing that moment and its the same for the LCD or EVF. I change everything that can matter during shooting maybe not the bracketing modes but things like priority mode, silent or mech shutter (e front or full mech). Raw type, phone connection, and everything else changes for what is needed
I use DMF with Sony. I use AF-ON to autofocus, then if need be, I keep the button down and manually focus with the lens ring. What I like about it is that it’s auto with a manual override, but there’s no chance of accidentally manually overriding.
I also punch in and focus to make sure it’s focused exactly where I want it. Thankfully with Sony, you can use AF-On even when punched in to 100%.
For me “it depends” if I’m doing macro or not And if I’m not, it depends if I’m doing IR or not as my IR camera doesn’t have a viewfinder (though I really wish it did…).
I think the survey has a small but crucial problem. In my opinion, the answer to the question about the focusing method only makes sense if the photographic context is known.
I never would try to photograph “Birds in Flight” using manual focus. Auto focus with subject detection is simply great. On the other hand, when it comes to macro photography single point auto focus or manual focus is the better choice.
I find mirrorless cameras like the Canon R7 lend themselves to accurate manual focusing using peaking and focus guides. D-SLRs struggled with accurate manual focusing in my view because of the lack of peaking.
Touch screen auto focus should have been included as an option. Works nicely with a camera on a tripod, especially for flowers and macro.
I usually use AF, but I am in the process of learning MF and enjoying it immensely.
I think that the photographers of the pre-AF era got very good results with MF by building up skills and a bag of tricks. For example, one such trick I have learned for a child running around in the park is to visualize the plane that would be in focus using the grass, and start a burst when the child starts to be in that area. I get surprisingly many keepers that way. Of course having burst modes and near-zero marginal cost to extra shots helps, which film cameras did not have.
I also zone focus, and do bursts while turning the focus ring.
I do not dispute that AF is immensely useful and modern cameras have amazing AF. But MF is so much fun.
Yeah, that’s a problem I was aware of, but once you provide context, the options usually narrow down enough that a poll is not needed anymore. Like if I specified action photography there would be obvious answers for what modes to use.
Therefore I think this is more “what’s your favorite photography genre” poll in disguise
You can have that with Sony. I don’t use it. In fact I only rarely use the touch-screen operations at all. I use it in playback. And maybe for menu deep-diving
Hmm, wouldn’t that be auto – “traditional” and focusing using the LCD? That is if you mean tapping on the screen to select a focus point (and additionally have the camera focus as well).
I agree, and I like to use manual focus a lot, although I’m starting to use it a bit less because of gradually deteriorating eyesight. Plus, on my new Sony camera, the autofocus works how I like to use manual focus, which is to punch in.
But sometimes I just like to go out with my manual focus lenses, like my cheap TTArtisan primes and have a more relaxing and contemplative photo session. I find manual focus more relaxing, as long as I’m not trying to focus on any kind of human or animal action. Then I find it more stressful
Me too, but I find using the EVF through my glasses to be practically impossible - sunglare, field of view, smudges from my eyebrows, even bending of the frame - and atrocious visibility as a result.
Not knowing any photographers IRL I just assumed everyone would look above their glasses (not great either, but workable for me) and use the diopter adjustment (which is barely strong enough, but works).
And if I’m not, it depends if I’m doing IR or not as my IR camera doesn’t have a viewfinder (though I really wish it did…).
