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Manual focus switch
In the previous post, we talk about auto focus, how it is used and what its strengths and its weaknesses. In this article, we would like to cover details on some of shooting conditions where the auto focus is not the good option and the manual focus is the one that should be chosen to get expected results.
1. Macro/Close Up
When you do macro/close up photography, the distance between the lens and the object can be very close and the depth of field can be very shallow for about few millimeters only. With such close object, the focus can be very difficult when you use auto focus. For instance, when you shoot insects and want to get the focus of their eyes and the auto focus is one in charge. You will find the focus that falls on the eyes is possibly not sharp. For such case, you will need the use of manual focus instead and move the ring by yourself to get the intended part.
Orchid in macro photography
2. Low light
This condition is pretty common where the auto focus will not work properly because the lack of light can make it very difficult for it to find the object unless you use AF-Assist which usually disturbs the object. For some kinds of lighting, your eyes can be better to find the object rather than the camera. When the LCD blinks a message “Subject is too dark”, actually, our eyes are still able to find the focus through viewfinder. So you may co-operate your eyes with the manual focus and you will get sharp image on the objects you want even in low light condition as well. Read the rest of this entry » .
