MF vs AF

[Yahvel]

Is it safe to say that i rather stick with MF (Manual Focus) lenses due to the fact that i do not have to worry about certain issues like the error that i typically get on a AF (Auto-Focus) lens when the DSLR Cameras decides to show a pop-up window on my LCD screen notifying me that it cannot communicate with lens because is either dirty or damaged and to be fair i think i can understand this to a certain degree because you all have seen that little golden chip behind the mount of each AF lens ?? well by now you all know that chip is what communicates with the Camera itself and thats why you can Auto-Focus. Many have found work arounds to this problem and in some cases people have used a rubber like those seen on pencils and luckily they have managed to fix the issue but this does not apply to everyone. Sadly i have had this problem already with 4 lenses of mine, My Tokina Zoom Lens, Canon Zoom Lens, Tamron Zoom Lens and last but not least it has also happened on a Sigma Zoom Lens and this is just frustrating.

Am i wrong for saying that i rather have MF lenses than AF lenses ?

Is it ok to say that alot of MF lenses are cheaper than certain AF lenses but yet they are superior than them in quality ?

I will really love to see what is the general opinion of the community on this topic.

THANKS!

[mo]

Having a Pentax (K200D) camera I have never seen an error message.I just switch every setting to M F and forget about it....unless I bump the dial and it blinks at me.
No you are not wrong in saying you prefer MF over AF.

I will be interested to see the responses to this question

[visualopsins]

Yes -- safe to say.

No -- personal preference shared by all(?) mflenses members.

Less expensive, yes, but no, not superior yet not much inferior.

[Yahvel]

[Yahvel]

[elliott]

[fermy]

Here's my 2 cents.
1) Yes I prefer to have MF lenses because they will last longer and I am not tied down to a particular system.
2) IQ-wise it depends on what you compare to what.
3) Money-wise, it's usually cheaper to get good IQ with MF lenses, UWA being the possible exception.

[hoanpham]

#1.
AF only to coverage an event, if really needed. I may use AF less than once a year, but still keep a minimum set.

#2.
Some AF lenses are newer and may not found for MF equivalent, and vice versa.
Example AF: Sigma 4.5 circular FE HSM, Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA - MF: pen F, leica, shift and tilt lenses.

MF can be cheaper/bargains/give-away-prices, but not always. Some of MF lenses are better, but not always. MF can be expensive if they produced in small quantity/collector value, they don't have to be 'superior'. Some low light is only made in MF.

#3.
My dslr suffers with AF accuracy, I sent it to guarantee repair 4 mnd before the guarantee ran out, and got complete new electronic replaced. Then I spend the last months to test run the AF. Otherwise, I don't buy more AF than what I already have. Same as many members here, I use MF for characters and their unique properties. I have 1 AF in 50mm, but 10+ in MF.

[Aanything]

They're two different ways for shooting. Sometimes - for someone - AF is necessary, sometimes it's not only unnecessary, but also annoying.
MF lenses have usually better iq/price ratio, but they can have issue that newer technologies solved easily (first that comes to mind is the coatings), and... They do not focus automatically.

So it's really all down to what one wants to shoot, and how he enjoys better shooting it.

[mo]

[Attila]

Please don't use {OPINIONS} we every where say our opinions..

[hoacker]

This error message has nothing to do with AF or MF lenses. There are lots of MF lenses that communicate with the camera (Zeiss ZE, Canon TS-E). Even when you adapt lenses there may be a communication between camera and adapter (if equipped with a chip).

[SonicScot]

I have had the error message on my Canon, more often with MF lenses than AF lenses. It happens most often when I use Mirror Lock Up and MF lenses, though not with all MF lenses.
The only time it has happened with AF lenses I had to send them both to be repaired.

[Arctures]

As for me I don't care much about any camera errors. I don't remember when have seen it last time. Anyway my MF lenses for me are more important than my cameras. Cameras are changing, prices are dropping down but the great lenses remains longer by far.

[hifisapi]

I own dozens of MF lenses and zero AF lenses. you figure it out for me.

[Misha_M]

[martinsmith99]

I love the way that everyone here is passionate about manual lenses. For me, it's just a cheap way of getting fairly good lenses and have a bit of fun on the way. I love using my FSU RFs and my Canon T90, but I can't say that I have one lens that is better than my AF L lenses.

I have never once had that error show up on 5 DSLRs and I don't know of anyone that has.

[asterinex]

I almost only shoot MF lenses. The best pictures I made are almost always MF ones.

For me a few reasons for MF lenses :

* Character of images, look and feel
* I focus where I want to focus
* More creatif
* Lenses keep their values.
* Switching from ASPC to M43 to FF, no problem Just buy an adapter.
You are quasi system free

[martinsmith99]

[Victor Nguyen]

most of you guys are photographer here... However, I think it's us video guys that revive manual lenses. Here are some reason why video guys like manual lenses

1. Usually cheaper than most autofocus lenses with comparable quality. Main reason why we buy vintage lenses.

2. Manual aperture means being able to adapt to other cameras. Really important in the long run to save cost so you don't have to sell your whole lens collection.

3. Long focus throw helps with getting critical focus. Most photography lenses focus throw is really short.

4. Made out of metal so feel much better than some photography lenses.

[wuxiekeji]

[martinsmith99]

[Yahvel]

[wuxiekeji]

[hifisapi]

I would like to say that I own dozens of mf lenses and zero af lenses. nuff said.