So... who switched to AF/modern film cameras?

mweintraub · May 21, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Get a Fuji GA645!

There are no candid photos with the GA645's AF.

segedi · May 21, 2014

I was at the local camera store this weekend and had my Canon Elan 7e with me - bought a 40mm f/2.8 to slap on it - and the staff commented they had never seen the tech in use. The store still has some NOS A2e's but they aren't allowed to play with them. One at a time, they gave my 7e a try, calibrated and then used the eye-focus control and were amazed. It worked for each of them, but it is a finicky system. Doesn't work 100% of the time, but when it does, it's great!

Thomas Bertilsson · May 21, 2014

PDH said:
Early autofocus had just one focus point, modern autofoucs has a number to chose from, my Sigma SD 9 has just one, the SD 14 has 5, i usally use just the center point.

My Canon EOS3 tracks the movement of my eye and will focus where I'm looking.

The autofocus clearly does not know where to focus, but it makes some pretty educated guesses. With the eye tracking it's truly a superb experience and amazingly accurate.

dynachrome · May 23, 2014

I have a number of AF cameras but rarely use them with AF lenses. The AF Nikons include an 8008S, N90S, F90X and six N2020s. They are all nice to use with AI or AIS lenses even if some AF lens functions are missing. The finders are bright, they all have TTL flash metering and they have interchangeable focusing screens. By now there are all ancient by AF standards but they are very handy for use with manual focus lenses. The focus confirmation feature can often be helpful, especially with slower lenses.

Russ - SVP · May 24, 2014

I use my older manual focus cameras and lenses, and the more modern auto-focus film cameras and glass. I don't really have a preference for one over the other.

NedL · May 24, 2014

dynachrome said:
I have a number of AF cameras but rarely use them with AF lenses. The AF Nikons include an 8008S, N90S, F90X and six N2020s. They are all nice to use with AI or AIS lenses even if some AF lens functions are missing. The finders are bright, they all have TTL flash metering and they have interchangeable focusing screens. By now there are all ancient by AF standards but they are very handy for use with manual focus lenses. The focus confirmation feature can often be helpful, especially with slower lenses.

My 50+ year old eyes might benefit from that. Which of those models have focus confirmation? Does the F100 have it?

Chan Tran · May 24, 2014

I switched back to the F3HP from using the F5 for a number of years. Tired of the new control layout and failed to see advantage of AF.

TomNY · May 24, 2014

I use both but I admit I've leaned more heavily on AF in recent years. I just don't have the eyes for MF anymore. Zone focusing works out for a fair bit of what I do. It was very frustrating when I started to get those results that were a little out of focus.

walbergb · May 24, 2014

I cut my photographic teeth on MF Pentax (K1000). Over the years I accumulated lots of Pentax gear including an LX. I missed a lot of shots because I spent too much time focusing. Decided to switch to AF. Now I have a Nikon F5, fewer lenses, and more usable negatives. The F5 is a BIG camera, but I love all the features. I was given a Nikon F, so I still take some MF shots-landscapes & still life.

jonasfj · May 25, 2014

I'm sure that with just a little bit of praise you will not find that manual focus will prevent you from getting the shot.

I've been developing my preferences over the years, mainly within the Nikon SLR system and my experience is that what I grab when I leave my house is what I need. Right now I seem to prioritize light weight and mobility before auto focus. With a little bit of practice manual focus is no big deal. I do prefer automatic light metering and aperture priority. The matrix metering of my FA rarely lets me down. Thus my bag has over the years boiled down to:

Nikon FA
28/2.8ais
50/1.2ais
105/2.5

If I need more than one film I might bring an FE or F4 body. My F4 body also go in the bag if I need my 70-200/2.8AFS or 17-35/2.8AFS.

For digital I bring a point and shoot or my D5100. Perhaps I'll get a D800 or its r rumored follow up D800s one day.

Groet,

Jonas

Skickat från min GT-P5210 via Tapatalk

bluemooze · May 25, 2014

I enjoy using my:
Minolta Maxxum 9xi
Minolta Maxxum 7
Minolta Maxxum 9

Canon EOS 1
Canon EOS 3

Hexar AF

Olympus Stylus/Epic

Eyesight isn't what it used to be now that I'm in my 60s.

Hatchetman · May 25, 2014

I have an EOS 3, but don't use it a whole bunch. Good for party snapshots and that sort of thing.

ozphoto · May 25, 2014

Had to trade in my full FD kit for EF when d*****l became the requirement for work. Unfortunately, replacing everything was well out of reach $$$-wise, so I had to choose the lenses I'd need for work over the lenses I loved to use for personal work.

Sadly, that meant parting out my 300 f2.8, 90mm f2.5, and 180 f2.8 and *not* replacing them. (Still looking for a used 70-200 f2.8 EF Canon, which I'm sure I'll find soon.)

I did keep my MF Tamron 28mm f2.5 though - I love using it for street photography on my EOS-1; set and forget.

benjiboy · May 25, 2014

I didn't switch, I'm happy with my 3 canon New f1's.

fotch · May 25, 2014

I have had a taste of auto focus with digital and for the most part, don't like it. Many times, either the focus is on the wrong thing or it endlessly goes back & forth and cannot make us its mine. With manual focus, almost always, my shots are in sharp focus, so that is how I shoot with film & my Nikon DSLR.

Russ - SVP · May 26, 2014

As for Nikon's, the N90s and F100 bodies do splendidly for auto-focus work.

markbarendt · May 26, 2014

fotch said:
I have had a taste of auto focus with digital and for the most part, don't like it. Many times, either the focus is on the wrong thing or it endlessly goes back & forth and cannot make us its mine. With manual focus, almost always, my shots are in sharp focus, so that is how I shoot with film & my Nikon DSLR.

Autofocus does have some challenges. AF drives me nutty when I use cameras that AF when the trigger button is pushed, that's one reason my N90s doesn't get much use. Luckily there are ways around that issue.

Cameras like the F100, F5, and many of the Pro/Pro-sumer level Nikon DSLRs have the ability to turn off the AF function on the trigger button, which means to AF you use the AF button on the back of the camera. It does take a bit of practice to get used to it (break the old habits) but once understood it is fast and easy. If one of your cameras has this option give it a try.

fotch · May 26, 2014

markbarendt said:
Autofocus does have some challenges. AF drives me nutty when I use cameras that AF when the trigger button is pushed, that's one reason my N90s doesn't get much use. Luckily there are ways around that issue.

Cameras like the F100, F5, and many of the Pro/Pro-sumer level Nikon DSLRs have the ability to turn off the AF function on the trigger button, which means to AF you use the AF button on the back of the camera. It does take a bit of practice to get used to it (break the old habits) but once understood it is fast and easy. If one of your cameras has this option give it a try.

Yes, that is what I do with the Nikon DSLR. For the most part, I prefer to use my manual Nikon lens on it. Not a big fan of zooms although they do have their place. I guess I am a control freak and like to make my own settings rather than auto mode. I do like the fact that nearly every manual Nikon lens works on the cameras with auto focus such as the recently purchase N90, that I have not used yet.

Axle · May 26, 2014

I have both, still use both, depends on how I feel.

I enjoy shooting with my Nikon F4 and Contax G2, just as much as my Nikon F3 and Leica IIIc.

markbarendt · May 26, 2014

fotch said:
Yes, that is what I do with the Nikon DSLR. For the most part, I prefer to use my manual Nikon lens on it. Not a big fan of zooms although they do have their place. I guess I am a control freak and like to make my own settings rather than auto mode. I do like the fact that nearly every manual Nikon lens works on the cameras with auto focus such as the recently purchase N90, that I have not used yet.

Different strokes...

My absolute favorite lens on the Nikons is my old 80-200 f2.8 push/pull zoom. With 4x5 though I have found that I'm happy as heck at 150mm, period.

one90guy · May 26, 2014

I use both, FM-10, FG, and F4s which I use in MF and AF.

David

mjs · May 26, 2014

Back in the day I always wanted a Minolta Maxxum 800si. When I saw one on Ebay a few years ago for $69 I grabbed it.

What a lovely beast. I'm getting older so AF has become a welcome aide, and a couple of good zoom lenses are a lot lighter than the kit of prime focus lenses I carried around with my SRT-101. I still do most of my photography with the 4x5 but when I want fast, the 800si is my favorite. I do miss the SRTs, though. And the 58mm f/1.2. And the 85... and...

Stop it!

Mike

Nate10 · May 26, 2014

Looks like most here warmed up to AF, rightfully so. No harm in using it after getting down manual focus. I think the issue is people not getting the basics ingrained first. Manual focusing is apart of the basics.

I haven't jumped to an AF body yet, but I will soon. I just passed down my AE-1 to my sister, and now only have a manual 6x7. I want to get a Canon EOS 3 and one of the film Ricoh GR series cameras.... or a Contax t2 or t3. I'll be plenty satisfied with a medium format camera, a compact 35mm and 35mm slr. Can't think of needing anything more for a long time. AF will be sweet, but I don't see it being more satisfying than twisting the focus ring. It will however serve a great purpose.

MartinCrabtree · May 26, 2014

I have both MF and AF. Been using the AF bodies w/MF lenses in some situations. They all have a place. Having said that I prefer the feel of a good manual lens vs. the light plasticy feel of most AF lenses.

tokam · May 27, 2014

mjs said:
Back in the day I always wanted a Minolta Maxxum 800si. When I saw one on Ebay a few years ago for $69 I grabbed it.

What a lovely beast. I'm getting older so AF has become a welcome aide, and a couple of good zoom lenses are a lot lighter than the kit of prime focus lenses I carried around with my SRT-101. I still do most of my photography with the 4x5 but when I want fast, the 800si is my favorite. I do miss the SRTs, though. And the 58mm f/1.2. And the 85... and...

Stop it!

Mike

A couple of years ago I was given one of these along with two Dynax 7's and a brace of lenses. My copy of the 800si is the JDM version which
is actually called an Alpha 807si, (Alpha symbol). Main difference I can see from Maxxum 800 si is a switch on the left-hand side which operates
a mask in the film gate to produce negs in a panoramic format. For me a totally useless feature. It came with the VC-700 grip and although this makes
it a bit of a beast, (much bigger than my T90), it allows me to power the camera with 4 x AA cells rather than the expensive 2CR5 battery. This also gives
another shutter release for vertical shots.

I like its AF, although perhaps not as fast as the Dynax 7, and it's metering and flash are very sophisticated. I believe it has the most powerful built-in
flash of any 35mm SLR. I was also lucky enough to be given the HS5600 flash unit with its wireless wizardry including auto flash ratios between the
built-in flash and external units. I have lots to learn about this camera and I find it a bit more approachable than the Dynax 7 with its LCD screens and
menus, (Now where the hell do I set option X and what value is it currently set to? Aaaaghhh!! System reset to default values!!)

So... who switched to AF/modern film cameras?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency