Does metering mode affect sharpness with M42 manual-focus lenses on a Canon EOS camera?
Asked 7/19/2012
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I'm using old M42 manual-focus prime lenses on a Canon EOS 600D/T3i with an adapter. I'm finding it hard to get consistently sharp photos and was told that the camera's metering mode might affect results. Is there a best metering mode to use with M42 lenses, and can evaluative, center-weighted, or other metering modes change focus accuracy or sharpness? If not, what actually helps when trying to get sharper images with manual-focus M42 lenses on EOS bodies?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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I'm afraid changing the metering mode won't affect your ability to focus properly. If your lens doesn't have any kind of reporting of an achieved focus, you have basically 2 options
1.) focus using your viewfinder, and practice, practice, practice. Over time you'll get better.
2.) focus using your LiveView. This way you can zoom in, check the focus etc.
However, I believe the second approach is good only if your subject stands still and you have a tripod. At least for me it's easier to use a viewfinder if my subject moves, because that way I have more stability and freedom comparing to holding my camera in front of me, trying to see something on that LCD... Not mentioning the struggle when you try to focus using LCD during a bright sunny day.
Originally by user10413. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user10413
14y ago
0
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Metering mode does not change lens sharpness or make manual focus more accurate. Evaluative, center-weighted, and similar modes only affect how the camera measures light for exposure, not where focus is set.
With an M42 manual-focus lens, sharpness mainly depends on your focusing technique. The most helpful options mentioned were:
- Practice focusing through the viewfinder.
- Use Live View and magnify the image to check focus more precisely, especially for static subjects.
- For moving subjects, the viewfinder may be easier to use because it is steadier and faster.
- On Canon bodies that support Magic Lantern, some users find trap focus helpful when used with a chipped adapter.
Exposure can also be simpler in Manual mode, since some adapted manual lenses may not report aperture correctly to the camera. In that case, take a test shot, review it, and adjust shutter speed/ISO/aperture as needed.
So: choose a metering mode based on exposure preference, not sharpness. For sharper results, focus carefully, use Live View when possible, and expect a learning curve with manual lenses.
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