Autofocus vs. Manual Focus
Autofocus: Speed and Convenience
What Is Autofocus?
Autofocus is a camera feature that automatically adjusts the lens to bring the subject into sharp focus. Most modern cameras come with highly advanced autofocus systems that can detect and lock onto your subject in a fraction of a second.
When to Use Autofocus
Fast-Moving Subjects (Sports, Wildlife, Action)
Autofocus is your best friend when capturing fast-moving objects like athletes, animals, or vehicles. Many cameras now feature continuous autofocus modes (AF-C) that track moving subjects, making it easy to maintain focus as the action unfolds.
Portraits
For portrait photography, autofocus systems often include face and eye detection, making it easier to capture crisp, well-focused portraits, even when shooting wide open with shallow depth of field.
Street Photography
When you’re working in fast-paced environments like the streets, you don’t always have the luxury of time to manually focus. Autofocus helps you capture fleeting moments without hesitation.
Low Light with Good Autofocus Systems
Newer autofocus systems are optimised for low-light conditions, offering impressive focus accuracy in dim environments.
How to Use Autofocus
Single-Point AF: Best for stationary subjects where you can place the focus point exactly where you want.
Zone AF: Useful for moderately moving subjects within a specific area of the frame.
AF Tracking: Ideal for fast, erratic movements, allowing the camera to lock onto the subject and adjust focus as it moves.
Manual Focus: Precision and Control
What Is Manual Focus?
Manual focus requires you to adjust the lens’s focus ring to bring your subject into clarity. While this might sound tedious, it offers a level of control and precision that autofocus systems sometimes struggle to achieve, especially in challenging conditions.
When to Use Manual Focus
Macro Photography
In macro photography, where depth of field is razor-thin, autofocus can easily miss the mark. Manually focusing gives you precise control over the exact point of focus, especially when you're close to your subject.
Low-Light Situations
Autofocus can struggle in extremely dim light. When your camera is hunting for focus or failing to lock onto the subject, manual focus ensures that you get sharp shots without the frustration of AF missing its target.
Landscape Photography
When shooting landscapes, manual focus allows you to carefully focus on a specific part of the scene, such as the distant mountains or foreground flowers. Autofocus might not always get this right, especially if the scene has multiple focal points.
Night Photography
Night sky photography, like capturing stars or the Milky Way, is a domain where manual focus is essential. You can focus on a bright star or use infinity focus to ensure sharp images.
Creative and Intentional Blurs
When you want to play with focus intentionally, such as creating a soft blur or selectively focusing, manual focus gives you the creative freedom to do so without the camera overriding your decision.
Tips for Manual Focus
Focus Peaking: Many cameras have a focus peaking feature that highlights the areas in focus, making manual focusing much easier.
Live View Zoom: If you’re working with fine details, you can zoom in on the image in live view mode to ensure that you have perfect focus.
Use a Tripod: When shooting with manual focus, especially for landscapes and macros, a tripod can help stabilise your composition while you fine-tune your focus.
Here's one amazing thing Nikon did that absolutely blew my mind!
I've always loved Nikon, and my Zf is the PERFECT tool if you like using old manual lenses. I really struggled to manually focus on DSLRs, but the ability to zoom in using the Z7's electronic viewfinder was a valuable asset. However, roll on a few years and the Zf came along to completely blow that out of the water. This is why...
Nikon clearly thought about all of their amazing glass, going right back to the Nikon S rangefinders of the 1950s and acknowledged that there are some absolutely gorgeous lenses within that line up which many Nikon owners use and love. Obviously, Nikon don't want to release an AF FTZ adapter, I mean why would they? Surely they want photographers to invest in their newer Z mount system to continue to shift lenses. It's a smart move by Nikon since the general consensus has always been that it's the bodies you upgrade, and just continue to use the lenses you have. Is my 135mm f2 D DC lens good enough that I dont want to upgrade to a whole new system? Not for me, in fact I bought my copy of the awesome 135mm f2 after I bought my Zf, rather than shelling out close to £2500 for the Z mount 135 f1.8 Plena. Why? Becuase of what Nikon did!
Nikon took their autofocus system and applied it to manual lenses in a smart way. Whilst there is not physical AF connection between the Zf and the 135mm f2 to drive the lens AF motor, Nikon made manually focussing REALLY easy by letting the autofocus system subject detection box move and turn green when it detects what it's been set to detect, such as a human eye. Fab! Now I get to see quickly if my eye has been focussed on. However, simply assign the front function button on the right hand side of the lens mount (as you look through the viewfinder) and you can zoom in at the press of a button to wherever the AF subject detection box has landed, which if you've set it to eye detect is on your subjects eye. Now you've zoomed right in and can get critical focus REALLY easily! Now THAT is a gamechanger! It's such a simple concept, but brilliantly executed and unbelievably useful.
How to set it up?
Simple, just go to:
Custom Settings Menu -> f Controls -> f2 Custom Controls (shooting) -> Zoom on/off
Enjoy!
Choosing Between Autofocus and Manual Focus: A Practical Approach
Start with Autofocus: In most situations, autofocus is efficient, fast, and reliable. For beginners, it’s a good starting point.
Switch to Manual for Precision: When the autofocus isn’t locking onto the right spot or the lighting conditions are tricky, switch to manual for total control.
Understand Your Gear: Familiarize yourself with your camera’s autofocus modes and learn how to quickly toggle between manual and autofocus. Some lenses offer both autofocus and manual focus at the same time, allowing you to fine-tune after autofocusing.
Conclusion: The Balance of Convenience and Control
Autofocus and manual focus each have their place in photography. Autofocus provides speed and convenience in most situations, while manual focus gives you the control to nail those tricky or artistic shots. Mastering both is key to becoming a versatile and confident photographer.