Even till a few days back, the answer to the quintessential autofocus vs manual focus question was clear-cut and experts usually recommended manual focus for both photography and filmmaking for crisp, high-quality images. However, in recent times, there have been a lot of improvements in the autofocus technology of the new-age cameras and as a result, answering the question will no longer be as easy. Depending on the camera, the subject of photography, and the location, manual and automatic focus can both be appropriate on their own merits. Let’s take a closer look at the situation to gain a better understanding.
What is Autofocus?
You don’t need to be a professional photographer to know that for every image that you want to capture, there will be a subject that should ideally be in sharp focus. Now focusing the lens of a camera means actually physically shifting the lens elements of the camera until you have captured the clearest version of the image of that subject. For af vs mf, these adjustments depend on a lot of factors including the distance of the subject from the camera and you should know that even the smallest of adjustments can cause huge differences.
Coming to how autofocus works, your camera and its lens combine to make these adjustments automatically with some preset settings. You can do this by slightly pressing the shutter button or the dedicated back button focus.
What is Manual Focus?
Your camera should ideally have a ring that will help you decide which part of your screen you want to be sharp and how sharp. In the news DSLRs, you just have to manually focus on the subject, identify the point of focus, and work with the ring until it becomes sharp. If you are making a video, it will be a good idea to invest in an external monitor with which you can get a better shot at fixing your focus.
What are the Advantages of Autofocus, and When Should I Use It?
Considering that you are a beginner and trying your hand at filmmaking, autofocus will be of great help to you. With respect to af vs mf on camera, autofocus will help you concentrate on the other important factors of filmmaking like lighting and exposure by letting your camera focus on the focusing! Once you have gained some confidence, you can gradually start controlling the focus of the camera manually.
In order to talk about autofocus vs manual focus, imagine a fast-moving subject. It is very much possible that you will not be able to adjust the focus fast enough at a manual level. This is where autofocus will be of great help to you. Also, while talking about autofocus vs manual focus video, for vlogging or for times when you are shooting your own video, it can turn out to be difficult to film yourself while also taking care of the manual focus. Autofocus will automatically make your face sharp in this case. This way you don’t have to worry about the focusing, and concentrate on other aspects of your video.
What are the Benefits of Manual Focus, and When Should I Use it?
The first benefit is of course the most important one. With respect to the topic of autofocus vs manual focus, manual focus lets you be in complete control of your work. You don’t have to depend on what the camera thinks to be the perfect focal point for you and lets you gain the kind of precision you want. So basically, apart from few exceptions you would ideally want to use manual focus in most cases, especially when you feel the need to work with various kinds of focus.
There are some more specific situations when manual focusing becomes your best bet when talking about af vs mf on camera. For example, if you want to take shots of anything that has a shallow depth of field, or if you want to take macro shots, or also if you are working in low light. For macros or shallow depths of field, the point of focus remains incredibly narrow, and it might make your camera slip off of it. Manual focus on the other hand will help you maintain as much precision as you want and maintain the focus where you exactly want it.
On the other hand, for autofocus vs manual focus, if you are shooting in low light, your camera finds it difficult to autofocus by locating the focal point. It will just keep hunting around for one. If you are working on manual focus, you can simply select your focal point and start working.
FAQs on DSLR Autofocus vs Manual Focus
1. Do professional photographers use manual or autofocus?
Do professional photographers use manual or autofocus? A: Professional photographers use both manual and autofocus, depending on the situation. Manual focus offers precise control, ideal for static subjects and low-light conditions. Autofocus provides speed and convenience, especially useful for dynamic subjects like sports or wildlife photography.
2. Is manual focus sharper than autofocus?
Is manual focus sharper than autofocus? A: Manual focus can be sharper in certain situations, particularly when precise control over the focus point is needed. However, modern autofocus systems are highly advanced and can achieve sharp results quickly and accurately in most scenarios.
3. How can I use manual focus better?
- Use Focus Peaking: This feature highlights the in-focus areas in your viewfinder or on your screen.
- Magnify the View: Zoom in on your subject in live view to fine-tune the focus.
- Practice: The more you use manual focus, the better you’ll get at judging the correct focus point.
- Use a Tripod: This helps stabilize your camera, making it easier to achieve precise focus.
4. Which autofocus mode is best?
Which autofocus mode is best? The best autofocus mode depends on your subject and shooting conditions:
- Single-Point AF: Ideal for stationary subjects where you need precise focus on a specific point.
- Continuous AF (AI Servo/AF-C): Best for moving subjects, as it continuously adjusts focus to keep the subject sharp.
- Zone AF: Useful for tracking subjects within a specific area of the frame.
- Face/Eye Detection AF: Excellent for portraits, ensuring the eyes are always in sharp focus.