Anyone using manual lenses?

condra

I was wondering if anyone here is shooting with manual lenses?
Seems like you can get excellent image quality at the expense of autofocus. But how much of a loss is autofocus?

I just ordered my first fully manual lens, a Samyang 85mm 1.4. For 300 euro, it was a close call between it and a used Canon 85 1.8, which I believe is a great lens with fast autofocus. I just hope I don't struggle without autofocus. It will be used mainly, but not exclusively, for posed portraits at around f2.

I've been doing some focussing tests on my 5d2 with my other lenses, and have learnt 2 important things:

1 - Autofocus doesn't always nail it
2 - Manual focussing through the viewfinder is hit or miss, even in good light
3 - The most accurate critical focussing can be achieved manually, using "Live View" zoomed in

Those of you with manual lenses. Do you use Live View or the viewfinder?
Do you avoid using a manual lens in certain situations, such as with kids milling around? Has your focussing ability improved over time?

Thanks for any replies..

Kenny Logins

I used an old Pentax 50mm f1.8 for a while (on a Pentax DSLR), focused through the viewfinder, sometimes using 'catch in focus' (hold button down and it will only take the shot when focused).

A bit hit and miss.. I'm sure if I had spent more time with it, it would become easier though.

Kenny Logins

I was happy with the pics, even with all the added chromatic aberration (see second pic). It was a ~€30 lens...

magicbastarder

the main issue is that DSLR focussing screens are not designed for use with manual lenses, so you lack luxuries like split microprisms, which are the main focussing aid in my 35mm cameras.
i tried manual lenses on my olympus E500, and gave up; it has a tiny viewfinder and my hit rate was about 33%.

Ben D Bus

condra wrote: »

3 - The most accurate focussing can be achieved using "Live View" zoomed in

I presume you'd need to be on a tripod to do this. That would be a killer for me. I tend to move around like a mad thing when shooting models with a prime lens.

Gregor Samsa

I pretty much only use manual lenses on my Nex 7. It has an EVF, so you get focus peaking and focus zoom in the view finder, which are really handy MF tools. The AF is slow on the Nex, and I don't like the weird servo controlled manual focus on the AF lenses, so I rarely use the couple I have.

On my DSLR (Sony A77) , I only really use manual focus with macro lenses. AF nails it for anything else. Oh, and the Samyang 8mm f3.5 Fisheye (all manual lens), but you don't ever really need to focus that, the DOF is so large.

condra

Thanks for all the replies.

Kenny, even with the CA, those shots look sweet to me. I'm hoping to get an M42 adapter to use some vintage lenses for video at some point, but that's a whole other thread :P

I presume you'd need to be on a tripod to do this. That would be a killer for me. I tend to move around like a mad thing when shooting models with a prime lens.

Works fine without a tripod, but viewfinder isn't ideal outdoors on a bright day, and I find it harder to work fast and reframe when using the viewfinder. Still, getting sharp images is paramount so I will persevere with the viewfinder if needs be.

Did some searching around, and there are some aids for manual focussing...

• LCD screen hood/loupe - helps with using of Live View
• Magic Lantern firmware with focus peaking - helps with using of Live View
• Focussing screen = old school focussing screen "installed" into the camera to aid focussing with the viewfinder.

condra

overkill?

JayEnnis

I shoot primarily manual lenses for personal work as it's what I'm used to coming from a film SLR/Rangefinder backround. Get a good focusing screen and you're golden. It'll help you slow down & think.

For paid work I wouldn't dream of using an MF lens, not worth messing up.

condra

The Samyang lens arrived. I couldn't be happier. Image quality is stellar by my standards.

JayEnnis wrote: »

For paid work I wouldn't dream of using an MF lens, not worth messing up.

I've been testing the lens today, shooting at around F2, manually focussing through the viewfinder, and getting perfect sharpness.

Perhaps though, in lower light, it will be much more difficult. Back to testing for me...

Aside from ambient light, regarding payed work, I suppose it depends also on the subjects. I would be confident using manual focus on a "captive" subject, but for candids, people moving around etc, yeah, autofocus all the way.

Still, I got this lens for posed portraits. If I ever need something for a wedding, I'll pick up a zoom lens with IS and autofocus.

JayEnnis

condra wrote: »

The Samyang lens arrived. I couldn't be happier. Image quality is stellar by my standards.



I've been testing the lens today, shooting at around F2, manually focussing through the viewfinder, and getting perfect sharpness.

Perhaps though, in lower light, it will be much more difficult. Back to testing for me...

Aside from ambient light, regarding payed work, I suppose it depends also on the subjects. I would be confident using manual focus on a "captive" subject, but for candids, people moving around etc, yeah, autofocus all the way.

Still, I got this lens for posed portraits. If I ever need something for a wedding, I'll pick up a zoom lens with IS and autofocus.

I use a 135 f/2.5 for portraits and it's fine as long as I'm shooting from the chest up. If you try shoot a full length it gets a bit harder to focus as the things I commonly use to check focus (catchlights in eyes) are harder to see. Lower light will also make it a tonne more difficult. It won't be possible to focus accurately at f/1.4 as most stock viewfinders are optimised to show DOF at f/2.8

condra

JayEnnis wrote: »

I use a 135 f/2.5 for portraits and it's fine as long as I'm shooting from the chest up. If you try shoot a full length it gets a bit harder to focus as the things I commonly use to check focus (catchlights in eyes) are harder to see. Lower light will also make it a tonne more difficult. It won't be possible to focus accurately at f/1.4 as most stock viewfinders are optimised to show DOF at f/2.8

Thanks for your thoughts Jay. I'll experiment with some full body shots in low light, and I bet you're right, though I wouldn't rule out using Live View to focus, as long as I have a captive subject.

On the Samyang, the aperture is mechanically controlled on the lens, and the viewfinder seems to brighten when I go up from 2.8, so I think this scenario is more "what you see it what you get" than with chipped lenses, but its a moot point because I rarely shoot wider than f2.

Still considering a focus screen, if it can help get me away from Live View in low light.

JayEnnis

What camera are you shooting on? I'm on a 1D and focusing screens can be had for around €30 and they're easily interchangable. Best of luck with it anyway! Have a look into M42 lenses as well, some of them have great character!

condra

5D mark 2