My Focusing Skills Are Lousy

Laurence · Expire: 2016-06-19

I have heard often here, that AF has been providing more "keepers" for focus sharpness than MF lenses.

I guess I am in that group, sort of, because I have difficulties focusing, especially with the longer zoom like the 70-210 SP Tamron.

I don't have an AF lens to compare with, but I'm losing about 30% of my shots due to poor focus, EVEN with focus confirmation on the K110D. Shocked

I find myself, at certain focal lengths, overriding the confirmation, and those shots have been the "keepers".

With medium format, I never have a problem with focusing, but this is about 135 (35mm) system lenses for me.

I would like to hear of others' views on the focus issue. Are you losing some images because of focus? Are you losing as many as I am on average? Do you get better focus with AF or with MF lenses? How well is your focus confirmation working?

My 60 year old eyes certainly aren't as efficient as they once were, either.

Laurence

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I rarely lost focus under 200mm with Nikon D50+MF lenses,above 200mm I lost some. Without split screen with Olympus-E1 I lost every second picture at least or more worst. With split screen I also lost many , but significantly better than without that. Another reason I frequently use low exposure time, so many of them not focusing problem.
I had a few AF lenses, basically kit lenses+a cheap zoom Sigma 70-300mm APO DG. Sigma always loose focus at around 300mm Smile

Kit lenses focused fine , but picture quality to me was super crap especially Olympus kit lens 14-45mm. Like a compact camera result Shocked

So I never waste my time any more with AF lenses.

A G Photography · Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Bologna - Italy

I'm not 60 but I have strong myopia and I don't have a lot of problems with MF except with ultraopen settings (around 1.4-1. Cool

where I need to "bracket" the focus or switch to the magnified liveview when I use the Oly e410.

One huge difference is using glasses or contact lenses. With contact lenses my eyes are far more fast and precise and they grow tired a lot less.

All in all I had more problems with AF than with MF, move the AF point and losing the moment, backfocus, wrong focus with some patterns, etc...

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

There was another poster on another forum that was having focus confirmation problems on his Pentax.
It turned out that he thought focus was confirmed when the light blinked. The light should be steady on. I'm sure you are not making the same mistake?
I must admit I find the Pentax AF fool proof. It is the same as auto focus so if it isn't right then your AF lenses wont be right either.
I have both the K100 and K10. The view screen on the K10 is fantastic but the K100 is also very good, I use both cameras almost equally and use MF lenses 90%+

'All in all I had more problems with AF than with MF, move the AF point and losing the moment, backfocus, wrong focus with some patterns, etc...'

I agree with that I have always found MF faster with 90% of shots. Try Pre focus and slight adjustment with AF !

I'm 58 and my viewing eye is way out. I should wear glasses but don't. The camera eyesight correction is OK for me. Years ago before all cameras had such adjustment I had to have correction lens made.

Bruce · Expire: 2014-11-22

I have the 400d with original screen... and Ive given-up. The confirm adapter get me close but never spot-on and I need spot-on or it gets deleted. Only one solution for me... BRACKET FOCUS SHOTS... on still life only! I spin the focus ring and burst away 10 snaps or more per shot. I can fill an SD card in no time! Spend lots of time on the computer just deleting wasted shots but I sure do squeeze every drop of juice from a lens.
I wish someone would tell me Im doing it wrong... as Im a newbie!
Im hoping an upgrade to a live view cam is going to help me.

padiej · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 7:13 am Post subject:

DSLR pentax K100d - I need help from the AF-System, but 20% is out of focus, I would need a splitt screen, like SLR.

I get my first SLR-Pics next week, all without AF, all with MF on splitt-screen, I will report the results.

I wish a cam made for old lenses - full format and with a bright and big viewer like SLR with splitscreen and Focus-controll too.

regards Peter

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

With all respect it seems many of the new user seem to have the problems with focus.
I can assure the one poster that many old SLRs with no eye sight correction and plain screens were a pain to focus, that is why they needed slit image, which wasn't much good with slow lenses.
For example the The screen on my old Nikon EM may be a bit bigger than the Pentax K10 but it isn't half as bright and put a lens of f5.6 or f8 on it and you can hardly see a thing.
Modern DSLRs are a joy to use.
'An upgrade to Live View'
Do you have a PS? You will find focus on an LCD screen very hit or miss.
Live view is OK for studio use, table top macro and getting the shot from an odd angle but focus?
As a photo club member I meet a lot of newbies. I can assure all that focus isn't a problem once you get a bit of practice at it.

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

The more open a lens aperture, the more shots I lose because of misfocussing.
No risk, no fun - no pain, no gain. If an f1.2 shot is on the spot, it is fantastic!

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

with a short subject to camera distance the DOF of critical focus at f1.2 could be as little as a fraction of an inch. That means just a slight movement of the photographers head could throw focus out.

Practice is the only thing to do and it gives a chance to try a lens or two.
Hand held, window light (Very dull) My desk top the camera in the shot is my Canon G5, still used a lot.

One for a laugh. The little Industar f3.5 50mm wide open and the Pentax at 3200asa

Athiril · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

the only thing i find difficult to focus are soft lenses.

Other than that, MF on my 30D is easy as, I do not have any AF-confirm adapters, never needed then, though I can see the value in AF-confirm for some things.

Considering getting a splitprism, my Olympus OM10 has a split-prism is rather nice.

Laurence · Expire: 2016-06-19

NICE replies, with LOTS to consider! That is what makes the forum valuable!

It is looking more and more like I simply need to practice, practice, practice. I am very new to using a DSLR, and while I practice, I'll just continue to bracket-focus around the focus confirmation indicator.

I'm wondering -- could the eyepiece correction diopter have anything to do with this? My best view is with a +2 setting.

I guess I can also see if there is any way to obtain a split-screen for my K110D, it is looking like a few of you feel that is a big help.

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

I am not sure you can replace the screen on a K110/100. A quick look and I can’t see the usual clip. Anybody know for sure?

I have only seen one example of a replacement screen and I wasn’t impressed, neither was the owner. One other member of our local club tried a replacement screen and he wasn’t impressed.
I do think maybe the manufacture fits the best for the camera.
I am probably right out of order here and more than likely wrong but it does seem that once forum members (Not here) buy an item they are very reluctant to admit their mistake. So you only hear the good reports. Personally I wouldn’t have one simply because I am very happy with the standard one.

I wish I could help you more on the focus problem. The two shots I have put up were done this morning on my K100, just a single shot for each. Light was very dim which is why the little f3.5 Industar lens need 3200iso 1/30 sec.
I find that the eyepiece correction is best adjusted by looking at the screen lines rather than a subject.

Farside · Expire: 2013-12-27

Bruce · Expire: 2014-11-22

voe · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:

[quote="Farside"]

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

dickb · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 821

Farside · Expire: 2013-12-27

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

jibbonpoint · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 8:19 am Post subject:

I must come in here. I've observed Rob Leslie being of enormous assistance to many people in the time I've been fortunate enough to have been involved in this & another forum.

His answers to questions that haven't been directed to him personally have been, in many instances, involved & displays a personality that likes to share & help where it can.

I have eagerly waited for his answers to some of my questions & I can't remember a single occasion where he has been challenged. Not that that would matter.

Anyway, I suggest that Rob Leslie be given a "fair crack of the whip."

An old Australian racing expression meaning, let him have a fair go.

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

welcome Jib
we have to thanks Rob for bringing new member Very Happy

don't worry about this place, we are all very passionate and often speak rude
but everybody in this forum have golden heart and dispute are just for animation and never keep for long

Rob Leslie · Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 1103 Location: UK Swindon

Good to see you here jibbonpoint.
I like a fair crack of the whip but I'm not bothered about the odd childish remark.
I left the other place because IMO it had become the Film and large format forum rather than manual lenses and free speach seem to be a thing of the past.
I admit to being outspoken, but I do hope I am sometimes helpfull.

Farside · Expire: 2013-12-27

dancheng · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 7

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

welcome dancheng
thanks for this very useful resource