Do AF adapters work?

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Michael Bird
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I have a Canon 1000d and also a selection of old M42 and PB lenses. I have bought some adapters of E-bay to enable me to match them together but being a cheapskate only bought the manual ones.

I've been trying all day, and am getting better but focusing at F1.8 is a right pain in the bum. I even have a F1.4 arriving soon so would like to get it right.

So my question is do the Auto AF adapters work well or are they just a gimmick, they cost almost three times as much so I thought I would ask first.

TIA
 
I could be wrong but unless they somehow manage to interface the mechanical link between the m42 ones and your cameras they wouldnt be able to, maybe with the auto AF the focus confirm will still work.

Once again could be wrong but im going to guess they wont work
 
Ahh yes they do work but not quite as you think, its the AF confirm they work with, basically in your viewfinder when focus is achieved there is a small circular light that pops up (at least it does in nikons im not 100% sure with your cam) even while in MF it shows that the subject is in focus or should be, you still have to MF but it just lets you know when you have got the focus.
 
I think I understand.

You manual focus it until the red light appears in your viewfinder then you should be in focus.
 
I'd have thought that focussing at f/1.8 wouldn't be too bad due to the relatively narrow depth of field - your subject will either be in focus or very definitely not.

Focussing at f/16 should be a lot trickier for a couple of reasons; your viewscreen will be a lot dimmer, and it won't be quite so obvious when your subject is at it's absolute sharpest due the increased dof.
 
Pretty much Doc, i dont take it as gospel though as i have an old 50mm 1.8 e series and ive had a few out of focus shots even when it claims its fine, i use it as a rough guide and then tweak it if i feel it needs it, probbably not worth the extra cost
 
I would agree that the AF confirm adapters do help, but are not a magic bullet. There is still some scope for fine focusing even once the focus has been confirmed.

I now have a really good MF live view (A450), but chipped adapters also allow the use of aperture priority mode with metering.
 
Scarecrow said:
I'd have thought that focussing at f/1.8 wouldn't be too bad due to the relatively narrow depth of field - your subject will either be in focus or very definitely not.

Focussing at f/16 should be a lot trickier for a couple of reasons; your viewscreen will be a lot dimmer, and it won't be quite so obvious when your subject is at it's absolute sharpest due the increased dof.
Click to expand...

Ah - tip for that one is to do the focusing wide open, then stop down, check composition's same, meter and shoot.

In answer to the OP's question - the AF adaptors really should be called AF Confirm adaptors, and they help, but the key is getting used to how to use a full manual lens. Ensure that the diopter setting on your viewfinder is spot on - if you've a camera with liveview, set the camera on a solid tripod and focus the lens on something suitable using liveview. Then adjust your diopter settings to make the viewfinder as pin-sharp as the liveview screen.
Then using the manual lens is simply down to routine. Focus on wide-open aperture,stop down, meter, check final composition, shoot. You can also "focus bracket" by taking a series of shots gradually pulling focus from front to rear (or vice versa if that floats your boat!) It's all down to practice, but at least with digital it doesn't cost extra for ever shot - getting it right on film cameras is a much more costly affair :)
 
Cheers guys this has been really helpful.

BigYin you have gave me some fantastic ideas and I totally agree practice is the answer here. I also agree about the view through the viewfinder. On mine it seems to dither from what I see through the viewfinder and what I achieve as the outcome.

So I'll match the liveview and the diopter and see what happens.
 
Slapo said:
I wonder if these AF confirm adapters could be used for trap focusing. Has anyone tried it?
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What is trap focusing?
 
Scarecrow said:
I'd have thought that focussing at f/1.8 wouldn't be too bad due to the relatively narrow depth of field - your subject will either be in focus or very definitely not.

Focussing at f/16 should be a lot trickier for a couple of reasons; your viewscreen will be a lot dimmer, and it won't be quite so obvious when your subject is at it's absolute sharpest due the increased dof.
Click to expand...

You would think so but on digital APS-C viewfinders (which are small and dimmer) you can't tell whether your focus is bang on or just a tiny bit out. You'll never notice it in the VF but believe me the final result looks completely crap.
 
D0c said:
What is trap focusing?
Click to expand...

Some cameras can be set to release the shutter when focus is confirmed - basically keep turning the focus ring, and let the camera decide when to take the picture.
 
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