Right Image:
Digital SLR,
Tokina 300mm f-4 ATX lens
1/350 sec at f-4, aperture priority. Multi-pattern
metering and autofocus. Bogen monopod and ball head.
Autofocus is without a doubt a very useful feature, but
having an AF camera doesn't guarantee sharp pictures unless you learn
how to use it. Like
other features such as different metering system, autobracketing
high speed motor drives,
autofocus should be used when it is really necessary and turned off when not needed. I
don't always use my built-in camera meter, or shoot at 5 frames per second all the time. I
use these features among others depending on the situation, and autofocus is no different.
Autofocus with tracking has made high speed shooting much easier. You no longer have to
worry about focusing while shooting birds in flight. Today's autofocus cameras do a good
job most of the time. For people with less than perfect vision, or in low-light
situations, AF is a great aid. At times however, manual focus is the only way to go. I
switch to manual focus when I'm shooting stationery subjects such as a landscape,
architectural, still life, or even portraits. One of the problems with autofocus cameras
is the point of focus that you need, usually falls outside the AF indicator. You have to
first focus, press and hold focus lock, recompose your shot, and take the picture. If you
need to readjust your tripod or exposure, this whole procedure can become really
difficult. In situations like this, manual focus is much easier. Actually, going totally
manual, and that is, manual focus, manual mode, and ignoring your built-in meter is much
easier and faster in some situations. If I'm shooting a landscape or a building, I always
use manual focus and manual mode. This gives me much more control over my pictures, and if
I'm shooting a middle tone subject in bright sun, I ignore my meter and use Sunny F-16
rule. By using manual focus, I can decide my point of focus and figure out depth-of-field
and adjust much faster and easier than using autofocus.
Right Image:
Digital SLR,
Tamron 70-210mm f-2.8 lens
1/750 sec at f-5.6, aperture priority. Multi-pattern
metering and autofocus.
When you use autofocus you force
yourself to use what your camera has focused on, but your camera doesn't know how you want
your pictures to be. When photographing a landscape, a building, or similar subjects,
compose your shot and switch to manual focus and find a point that will give you the
depth-of-field you need.
You can easily adjust focus without having to move your camera
around. Autofocus is best used with fast moving subjects. When shooting wildlife or
sports, having an autofocus camera with tracking can make difficult shots much easier.
Cameras with larger AF indicators allow faster focusing and tracking. You can quickly lock
on target and shoot. Autofocus can come in handy in many situations, but you have to learn
when and how to use it. Don't think just because your camera is capable of fast autofocus,
it can give you the pictures you want. Even the best models need to be used in manual
focus sometimes.
Recommended Lenses
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for
Canon SLR Cameras
4x Zoom Lens variably extends
from 100mm to 400mm focal length / For use with Canon 35mm SLR Cameras.
A truly professional L-series
telephoto zoom lens with Image Stabilization, making hand-holding practical
even at its 400mm focal length.
Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens
Nikon's new 80-400mm high-power
zoom lens features an innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) system that allows
handheld super telephoto shooting. The Lens'
VR system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the
equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster.