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  1. #1
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    Camera Question for Photography Enthusiasts...

    Not sure if I can explain this concisely... Remember the days before autofocus and digital cameras - like the old Nikon 35mm camera where you had completely manual focus? How do I get that level of control with a digital camera? I have a Sony SLR that I've had for 10 years now. I like taking macro pictures of fungus and such (weird, I know) but the manual focus using the focus ring is abysmal. It's like it's interpreting the focus for me and I can never get it just right so I have to rely on the semi-auto focus for the best results.

    If I were to purchase a DSLR, does that provide true manual focus using the focus ring? Or, will it still have that weird digital focus as the ring is turned? Not sure if that makes sense...

    I'm looking to keep it to less than $1,000 for the camera body and lens or two. I don't need all the bells and whistles. If I could have my old 35mm camera but with the ability to store the pictures on a card rather than wait to send film in, that would be perfection.
    Chad
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  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Riverbug View Post
    Not sure if I can explain this concisely... Remember the days before autofocus and digital cameras - like the old Nikon 35mm camera where you had completely manual focus? How do I get that level of control with a digital camera? I have a Sony SLR that I've had for 10 years now. I like taking macro pictures of fungus and such (weird, I know) but the manual focus using the focus ring is abysmal. It's like it's interpreting the focus for me and I can never get it just right so I have to rely on the semi-auto focus for the best results.

    If I were to purchase a DSLR, does that provide true manual focus using the focus ring? Or, will it still have that weird digital focus as the ring is turned? Not sure if that makes sense...

    I'm looking to keep it to less than $1,000 for the camera body and lens or two. I don't need all the bells and whistles. If I could have my old 35mm camera but with the ability to store the pictures on a card rather than wait to send film in, that would be perfection.
    For less than $1k, you are looking for an older DSLR, however those cameras are not mirrorless, which won't give you the minute detail a mirrorless one will. For a mirrorless DSLR, expect to pay $2-3k at the low end and between $1-2k on lenses.

    A pawn shop might be a decent starting place once you are armed with model numbers and manufacturers.
    Mark & Mary. Full-timing across the USA (and Canada)!
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  3. #3
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    There are quite a few DSLRs that have manual focus, if you do want to go mirrorless it will be more $$ B &H Photo is a good place to poke around to find what you're looking for. If you are a warehouse club member there are often good deals on mid range DSLRs

    Also there is nothing weird about fungus pics, I like taking fungus pics too. So that might make us both weird!



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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Riverbug View Post
    Not sure if I can explain this concisely... Remember the days before autofocus and digital cameras - like the old Nikon 35mm camera where you had completely manual focus? How do I get that level of control with a digital camera? I have a Sony SLR that I've had for 10 years now. I like taking macro pictures of fungus and such (weird, I know) but the manual focus using the focus ring is abysmal. It's like it's interpreting the focus for me and I can never get it just right so I have to rely on the semi-auto focus for the best results.

    If I were to purchase a DSLR, does that provide true manual focus using the focus ring? Or, will it still have that weird digital focus as the ring is turned? Not sure if that makes sense...

    I'm looking to keep it to less than $1,000 for the camera body and lens or two. I don't need all the bells and whistles. If I could have my old 35mm camera but with the ability to store the pictures on a card rather than wait to send film in, that would be perfection.
    With the right lense you can achieve this. I lock the focus on the body and then you can manually adjust the lense. I do not have a newer dSLR, though. Old Nikon D90.

  5. #5
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    So perhaps mirrorless is the key here. I've read about them but the issue I have is nobody really talks much about how manual focus works. It seems people maybe aren't familiar anymore with how the old 35mm cameras used to work and I wonder if they just don't understand what I am looking for. Now I know I can check out a mirrorless (don't mind used) and see if that does what I'm looking for.

    Thanks for all the input!
    Chad
    2023 23LDE 965W Solar, Victron Multiplus, Solar Controllers, Cerbo GX, 4x280AH DIY Lithium Batteries, SeeLevel Tank Monitoring, Shock Absorbers (Replaced 2022 22MLE)
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Riverbug View Post
    So perhaps mirrorless is the key here. I've read about them but the issue I have is nobody really talks much about how manual focus works. It seems people maybe aren't familiar anymore with how the old 35mm cameras used to work and I wonder if they just don't understand what I am looking for. Now I know I can check out a mirrorless (don't mind used) and see if that does what I'm looking for.

    Thanks for all the input!
    Keep in mind that (usually) both the camera body and the lens has focusing capability. You will need to research a camera body that you can lock the focus on (it'll be a menu setting). Then you can use the lens to focus.
    Mark & Mary. Full-timing across the USA (and Canada)!
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by MoonShadow_1911 View Post
    Keep in mind that (usually) both the camera body and the lens has focusing capability. You will need to research a camera body that you can lock the focus on (it'll be a menu setting). Then you can use the lens to focus.
    Thanks. Getting the camera to allow manual focus hasn't been my problem. The problem is that it doesn't focus like the old cameras, when I turn the focus ring on the current camera it incrementally focuses and never gets as crisp as I would like. I'll check out some new ones and specifically mirrorless and see if that does the trick.
    Chad
    2023 23LDE 965W Solar, Victron Multiplus, Solar Controllers, Cerbo GX, 4x280AH DIY Lithium Batteries, SeeLevel Tank Monitoring, Shock Absorbers (Replaced 2022 22MLE)
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    Adaptive Steering, Ultimate Camera Pkg, 20" Wheels, 397 Amp Dual Alternator, ARE Topper (Replaced 2004 F150)

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Riverbug View Post
    Thanks. Getting the camera to allow manual focus hasn't been my problem. The problem is that it doesn't focus like the old cameras, when I turn the focus ring on the current camera it incrementally focuses and never gets as crisp as I would like. I'll check out some new ones and specifically mirrorless and see if that does the trick.
    It'll be a combination of both. You would set the camera to macro mode, lock the focus on the subject, fine tune the focus with the lens. Not much has changed with the lenses from 35mm to digital, just the mounting system for the most part.
    Mark & Mary. Full-timing across the USA (and Canada)!
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  9. #9
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    Hi Chad, I believe Incan help. All newer lenses have auto focus. I also was film/darkroom for years. Went to digital 12 years ago kicking and screaming. It is the best of both worlds. I personally don’t use auto focus on macros. Depending on the outcome you want…all in focus or some in focus with nice bokeh. Both can be achieved with the distance you have your lens from the subject. Please feel free to reach out, I have been professional photographer for 20+ years. My website www.jeanneschnoor.com. Email: [email protected].

    Jon and Jeanne Schnoor
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  10. #10
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    while the mirrorless would be nice I really don't see a need for your usage. I have Nikon D200 & D70 and both will allow manual focus and if that is your goal you should also be able to find some good prices on older manual only lenses as most people don't want them anymore. I haven't been able to focus manually in years and was really surprised how well the camera does.

    I would not be surprised if some of the newer lenses don't have a manual focus ring but it is easy to verify.
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