File :-(, x, )
manual focus Anonymous
hi /p/!
manual focussing, how do I do it?

my mom's SLR got those crazy built-in lines that are visible through the viewfinder and tell you what's in focus and what ain't.
But My 400D got nothing the like.
I've got those fancy lenses from the old SLR and an adapter to use them with my 400d but manual focussing is a bitch. What I see through viewfinder is just not big enough to spot exactly what's in focus.
I need your advice, /p/!

pic only slightly related.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
Stop down to f/2.5 or smaller. Tighter your aperture, better chance you have of getting it in focus.

Also, bracket focus. Bits are cheap on a 400D.
>> VF-19
Manual focus without a focus aid (micro prism or split image) is slightly tricky, but do-able.

The trick is to pay attention to the image in the viewfinder, as you focus, it'll "pop" into focus; as in it'll be in focus and will stay in focus for a little bit as you rotate the focusing ring on the lens.

You may want to practice with a nice contrasty object (a can of Coke works pretty nicely, as it's red and white) to get the technique down.

As always, practice, practice, practice, until you get it right.

Just keep in mind that modern lenses, by and large, have a short focus throw, minimum focus distance to infinite focus distance can be as little as a quarter turn on the lens focus ring. You may over/under shoot your focus target. This is partly how autofocus achieves it's fast focusing speed.
>> Anonymous
>>159867
I may be misunderstanding you, but you say to stop down to f/2.5, but then talk about a tight aperture? Any modern SLR will the the aperture wide open while you focus, then close it down to whatever you set it at when you press the shutter.
>> Anonymous
OP picture is such an optical mindfuck

IT'S MOVING AND SHIT
>> Anonymous
>>159873

i think he's saying that at 2.5, you will more chances of having the shit in focus than 1.8 or lower
>> Anonymous
the focus confirmation can also help if you want to MF

half press shutter and rotate focus ring, AF points will light up if they achieve focus lock.
>> Anonymous
>>159873
When you use a manual focus lens on a Canon DSLR, you have to open up stop down manually to focus and expose. The EF mount doesn't support aperture indexing with non-electronically controlled lenses.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
this thread is now about visual mindfucks
>> Anonymous
Are there no add-ons that simplify the process of manual focussing? And why are those viewfinders with a focus aid nowhere to be found in modern cameras?
>> Anonymous
>>159886

Buy a focusing screen.
>> Anonymous
>>159886
because modern cameras are made with autofocusing in mind. older manual focus cameras had manual focusing in mind.

also: http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/item--Canon-400D-Focusing-Screen--prod_400D.html
>> Anonymous
>>159881
Eww... Then I wasn't misunderstanding anything, I just didn't know :P

On the plus side, I <3 using aperture rings.

OP: I've never used them, but http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/item--Canon-400D-Focusing-Screen--prod_400D.html might help.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>159873
What>>159878said. If you're a bit stopped down, you'll have more depth of field, so if you're a bit off on the focusing it won't matter.

>>159886
http://katzeyeoptics.com/ sells replacement focusing screens with the old-school manual focus aids.

As to your second question, here's why SLRs no longer have 'em by default:
http://www.jayandwanda.com/photography/dslr_man_focus/man_focus.html
>> Anonymous
400D does not do focus confirmation unless you have either EF lens switched to manual mode or a chipped adapter which tells the body the same. Also, manual focus on 400D is shitty since you can't use the old "focus with large aperture, then step down" because the viewfinder lies about DoF.

http://www.jayandwanda.com/photography/dslr_man_focus/man_focus.html

Your options are: Katz Eye or similar third party micro-prism focusing screen, adapter with focus-confirm chip, EF lens, better body, or only ever use your manual lenses at F4.0 or smaller or focus-bracket like crazy.

/Also has a 400D.
//Keeps cursing it all the time.

///This thread is about focus screen which doesn't show true dof.
>> Anonymous
If you have a 40D you can swap your focusing screens easy and there are ones from Canon that are cheap.
>> Anonymous
The whole "focus screens don't show that you're out of focus below f/x" thing runs counter to my experience. Manually focusing at f/1.4 on semipro (40D, D300, etc.) and higher DSLRs has never been a problem for me; in fact, it's easier the faster the lens gets.

Never tried it with an entry-level DSLR, except putzing around with one in a store with the f/3.5 kit lens attached.
>> Anonymous
>>159917Manually focusing at f/1.4 on semipro (40D, D300, etc.) and higher DSLRs has never been a problem for me; in fact, it's easier the faster the lens gets.

are you using live view with 10x magnification

even a monkey could do it
>> Anonymous
>>159902http://www.jayandwanda.com/photography/dslr_man_focus/man_focus.html

That page is TLDR. Someone summarize for me.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>159917
1. Switch to Av mode
2. Hold down the DoF preview button
3. Notice how the view in the viewfinder doesn't change until you go from f/2.5 to f/2.8
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>159922
Summary: Modern SLRs don't have manual focus aids because you touch yourself at night.
>> Anonymous
>>159921
No.

I will use live view when it's appropriate, and I will admit it's easier, but focusing it accurately through the viewfinder is very much possible. Did it before live view and do it without live view.

Why would I go into a thread about SLR finders talking about using live fiew?
>> Anonymous
bcause you're a faggot?
>> Anonymous
>>159926

No seriously.
>> Anonymous
>>1599253. Notice how the view in the viewfinder doesn't change until you go from f/2.5 to f/2.8

rofl, i can't see shit until i'm at like 9.0
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>159930
Hey, if you don't believe me, read the article.
>> Anonymous
>>159936

Come on, ac. Indulge me, you know you want to.

It's not like you've got anything better to do. :/
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>159938
Fuck you. It's a 24/7 party here in Buffalo.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOsoronery...
>> Anonymous
>>159938
I'll indulge you:

Because people these days are whores for autofocus. Autofocus dims viewfinders, but people want those, too, and aren't willing to work their fingers a little bit to have them. So they do a little black magic to brighten them up, but it messes with how easy it is to see if it's in focus or not. But people don't care these days.
>> Anonymous
>>159942
Those being bright viewfinders.

Fuck me, I'm great at proofreading everything but 4chan posts.
>> Anonymous
>>159942
too many pronouns