Manual or Automatic Focus?

[Le Chef]

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I’m curious to know how many owners predominantly use manual focus vs. predominantly auto focus. And if the former how many use the focusing aids - magnification and/or focus peaking?

MTIA!

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[Hans-Dieter Gülicher]

I prefer the manual focus. That`s reason i Like my M 10-R and the others previously.

[bobtodrick]

For most stuff a/f (though exposure is always manual).

Tend to manual focus only on closer subjects.

[MindsEye]

I use both but so far AF more than MF. It seems the longer I use it, the more I use MF. I programmed the thumb wheel button for magnified view to aid in manual focusing. I have focus peaking enabled but not sure how helpful it is. I find magnified view the best for precise focusing (for me anyway.)

There are 3 main scenarios that come to mind where I use MF: First is zone focusing. Second is macro. Third is on a tripod when I have time to get everything just right. Otherwise the AF is pretty good.

I've found that with people the AF sometimes misses, when using Eye/Face/body mode, especially if your subject's face is angled and not directly at the camera. It will get something on the face sharp but if I am shooting wide open or nearly so, I want the closest eye sharp. I suppose I am spoiled by the AF on ILC systems I use and not really a good comparison because they are for different purposes.

All that said, the camera I enjoy the most is my Q3. 

[Ingo]

vor einer Stunde schrieb MindsEye:

 

There are 3 main scenarios that come to mind where I use MF: First is zone focusing. Second is macro. Third is on a tripod when I have time to get everything just right. Otherwise the AF is pretty good.

 

+1

[pcgarner]

AF here for 90% of shots. Zone MF otherwise--love that feature on the Q's lens.

[war]

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With progressively worsening eyesight, I rely on AF most of the time. Most of my MF shots are fuzzy despite peaking and magnifying aids. 

[Carrot]

Always preferred AF on my Q2, but on a trip a few days ago I tried MF and found it a lot better to capture images when you are moving (on a bus). Tested MF out today on my SLS2 with SL50mm and results were worse than using AF. Thinking perhaps that it’s just a lot easier to pre-focus a 28mm lens than a 50mm, and ergonomically easier on a small camera, more of a handful on the SL. Plan to try MF more on my Q2.

[Driften]

I use AF unless the Q2 is having an issue getting focus on something and then manual+peaking. I would say 99% AF

[dpitt]

I prefer manual focus. It is me who decides what I want to focus on. Sometimes AF would be faster, but I think I lost more shots because of AF than because of MF. I often lose time when the AF does not want to focus exactly where I want. I am faster on the M with manual focus than I am on a complex camera with AF. And with AF, I often get pictures that are not focused on what I thought I was focusing on.

A system designed for AF is often very bad at MF, so chose how you want to focus and then chose the lens and gear you want to use. When focusing with EVF, I need magnification focus aid. I never found a focus peaking system that is accurate enough. I use it as an indication only.

Edited August 11, 2023 by dpitt

[Marc B-C]

I have never used mf on my Q2.