My AF cameras allow me to pick what spot I want in focus in a quick, easy fashion.
So does my MF camera. I turn a ring until the exact point I want comes into focus.
The whole difference is that:
- with mf you have a really huge number of selection points, spread across the whole viewfinder; the accuracy is better with well lit static subject; the speed is slower; easier to use with tripod
- with af you have a small number of selection point, grouped near the image center; the accuracy is better with dimly lit dynamic subject; the speed is faster; difficult to use with tripod
With static well lit subjects or when using tripods mf wins; with low light and/or dynamic subjects af wins. The whole thing is that, for dynamic subjects, it's much better to get a sharp shot with bad composition ("you can fix that later in Photoshop" (TM)) than an out of focus shot with good composition ;-)
cheers, caveman
