Manual focus with *ist-D

Just a small thought:

When using the *ist-D with a manual focus lens, I was getting a number of "off-focus" shots.

Turned out I was instinctively relying on the red AF illuminator to guage focus. DOH!

The red AF indicator is not a guide for focus - it's the green hexagon at the bottom of the viewfinder that should be used!

Having realised this, I have disabled the "Superimpose AF area" in all my custom menus - as I only ever use the centre focus point.

...And now I can't decide which I like best: the SMC-A 50/1.4 or the SMC-F 50/1.4

Matt

That's a good reminder. Thanks.

Matt,

You have a choice ?

Hi Matt,

I don't know about the D, but the DL allows you to switch on an audible beep when focus is achieved (for both manual and AF), which is accessed from the menu.. somewhere.

It's useful in bright sunshine if you can't see the settings in the viewfinder very well.

I'm just off out, but it's there somewhere.

Cheers

Liam

After using my DS for a while I also ended up setting the camera to centre AF only as it seems a more natural and effective way of working most of the time. I have found a use for the multi-point AF though as it increases the hit rate markedly when using AF-C with birds in flight.

Liam - the beep is a good point. However, apart from being distracting when you're doing low-light candids, it has another small problem. As you focus, if you rely only on the beep you could have focussed past the point and never be 100% sure you're actually correct.
That was my point regarding the AF red-light overlay. That too can light up as you cross the focus point. The only sure way to check is the green hexagon - that has indicates critical focus (and with the AF red-light overlay off, and beep off, I pay much more attention to it!).

Peter - I assume you're referring to my choice of lens. Yes, it's sickening isn't it I must say that once you've tried the Pentax f1.4 lenses you don't want to give them up easily... there's just something about them

Matt

Sorry if this is too obvious, but with manual focus you turn the focusing ring until the image looks sharp in the viewfinder...All these electronic add-ons are not helping this process....

In reasonable light I don't have a problem seeing the point of focus, although I do acknowledge that not everyone has eyesight that allows them to do that.

LOL! With my eyes, especially in low light situations, I need the AF
Matt

Of course you need to ask the camera to check the focus for you....
ie if you operate as I do with the af with shutter halfway press disabled, then you need to hit the af button otherwise the camera does not bother to check.
strange I find using the af button in normal (AF) operation a joy to use but in man focus just having a play to 'check' the focus it seems a little awkward - maybe just me...
Rob