Manual or AutoFocus?

[Skhilled]

I know to use manual focus if the camera just doesn't get it right using autofocus. But the question is, is there any other times when manual focus is better than autofocus?

[jimthetrain]

I find using manual focus shooting with my macro lens a bit more productive. Zoom in with the liveview feature and adjust manually from there. On a tripod with remote release of course.

[picsfor]

Bucket loads - as said, when using live view and with macro.

Any shot using a tripod. Close ups all round. When focus won't give you the lock you want.

To be honest, auto focus is only really good for moving subjects - the rest of the times is just being lazy! 

[Oldboy]

Bucket loads - as said, when using live view and with macro.

Any shot using a tripod. Close ups all round. When focus won't give you the lock you want.

To be honest, auto focus is only really good for moving subjects - the rest of the times is just being lazy! 

I'm lazy then, as I mostly use auto-focus even on macro shots, but they are mostly hand-held. 

[picsfor]

Maybe i still like to rely on the tried and trusted methods.

When technology fails, it is us that we have to fall back on...

[Skhilled]

Thanks for the comments.

I've been using it for macro shots because I find I can focus more on exactly what I want easier. I've actually been using the macros hand-held. But they have been turning out surprisingly good! I would have thought there would have been more blur or lack of sharpness...not that they are perfect mind you. LOL

My camera doesn't have live view. I'll have to give manual focusing a shot the next time I use my tripod. I started to go out tonight and try some light trails but just wasn't up for it...maybe tomorrow.

[Markulous]

I've tended to use AF more with the 7D and use MF when I'm too lazy to shift the focus point and aim/focus/recompose isn't the solution - but most of my macros are MF

[greypoint]

One point to remember if you're happy to use manual focus, is the huge number of old manual focus lenses out there that can sometimes be picked up very cheaply.

[Skhilled]

Very cheaply works for me! LOL

[Jonathan]

Autofocus. First, last, always.

If that doesn't work then manual with focus assist.

If that doesn't work it's probably going to be out of focus anyway.

[Graham]

 As long as I select the correct focus point, then auto tends to be quicker and more accurate than me.
                     Graham.

[rksmith51]

At my age auto focus an absolute god send, in saying that I was shooting my grandaughter on a bouncy castle last week and it had mesh type "windows" there was no way auto focus could lock on to a moving child through that, its the only time I've had to rely on my eyes to get close to focus for ages. I reduced the aperture to f8 for better DOF and cranked up the iso it worked OK I suppose.

[Skhilled]

Yes, autofucos is quicker than me too! LOL