manual focusing?

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I am looking at the 50mm f1.4 to use with my Nikon D40, I have heard lots of good things about this lens on TP even when you need to manually focus on the D40. However I have just read an article (it was on some American website) that manually focusing with the D40 is really tricky and should be avoided!

Is this correct? i haven't done much in manual yet and I have a lot tolearn but can anyone tell me:

1. How tricky it is to manual focus with the 50mm and,
2. How do you manually focus with the Nikon D40 and 50mm?

I know not all of you will know the answer to this question but here's hoping someone does!!
 
I have just hade ago with my m8's D40 and 1.4 50mm and i found it ok but AF would be much nicer
 
Trust me if i can do it anybody can do it, really not that hard at all as long as your eyesight is ok. There is a little green dot in the viewfinder that appears when you have your subject in focus so i would say give it a go and don't be daunted :)
 
Am I missing something here... coming from the days pre autofocus, here's what you can do:

Look through the viewfinder, turn the focus ring until you see your subject is in focus and then shoot!! :wave:

I think the reference to tricky autofocus is with some of the cheaper kit lenses, where the focus ring is right at the end of the lens and is "loose", offering little resistance to being turned.
 
Damped focus rings found on most of the better lenses are much easier to use than the cheaper versions that OutLore mentioned - I'd go for it if it were me, some of my best shots have relied on manual focussing or overriding the AF anyway :thumbs:
 
Thanks now you've cleared that up for me I can get on with getting my hands on one!
 
Yeah, humans are loads better at focusing than the little crappy CPU in a camera anyway. They focus on the tips of noses instead of eyes :)

If you can get a nice damped lens then it will be loads more enjoyable, but any lens can be focused with relative ease - it just takes a bit of practise to get the speed and accuracy sorted. When you can do it yourself you'll actually find its quicker than AF anyway as the camera's doesn't need any confirmation to shoot, it just does which is great for burst fires etc (I got a great fireworks shot using MF on my old 70-300 zoomed right in. Otherwise that'd have been impossible)

Take a look at split prism focusing screens too, they can make things loads easier and most 35mm film cameras come with them anyway - its a real shame digi's don't have them as standard. I bought a 'katz eye' type which is the most expensive and best quality but they don't look that pricey to make so I'm sure cheap chinese copies will be just as good (see ebay)

Have you looked at the voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL-II yet? That's amazing, is designed for new digi cams and is damped (as it's MF only) so will be pretty much the best nifty fifty for your D40x and will most likely be a lens you'll keep despite changing your camera body over the years.

Let us know how you get on fella :thumbs:
 
Thanks for that Theory - bit confused though - what is a damped lens? I am new to photograohy and just when I think I have learned something, something else crops up to baffle me!:thinking: (Just for the record I'm a girlie!!). Thanks again will look at the Voiglander.
 
Hey no probs - a damped lens is one where, when you turn it to focus there is some resistance so it feels nicer and makes it easier to get the focusing spot on. New lenses don't really have that as it would slow down the speed that the camera would be able to focus and shoot.

If you can afford that voigtlander it's really quite special and will hold its value etc... brilliant for flattering portraits :)

And now that I know your a girlie I promise not to call you a fella again! (whoops, silly me)
 
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