How can I identify lenses with full-time manual focus override?
Asked 12/25/2011
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I’m looking for lenses that let you manually adjust focus without switching autofocus off first — often called full-time manual focus (FTM) or manual focus override. Canon USM lenses often have this, but I’ve seen Sigma HSM lenses that still require switching AF off before manual focusing. Is there a reliable way to identify which lenses from Sigma and other brands support this feature, and what other brand-specific names should I look for?
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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This is known as full-time manual focus override (FTM).
If you look at the Sigma product catalogue (PDF) it mentions within each lens description if it has that feature.
Tokina AT-X PRO series lenses have what they call a Focus Clutch mechanism that allows you to override the AF. The only lens I'm familiar with is the 11-16mm f/2.8 which has this feature.
The only Tamron lens I know of is the 70-300mm Di VC. The 17-50mm VC unfortunately doesn't have it.
Canon USM lenses have the feature as pointed out in the original post.
Nikon AF-s lenses have the feature. Set a switch on the lens to M/A and you can manuall override focus.
You may need to have your camera's autofocus setting to single AF rather than continuous servo (or whatever your brand may call it) otherwise it will not let you adjust, or will override your manual adjustment.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The feature you want is generally called full-time manual focus override (FTM), though brands use different names.
Common names include:
- full-time manual focus
- direct manual focus (DMF)
- quick-shift autofocus
- manual/auto mode
A practical way to find it is to check each lens’s specifications in the maker’s catalog or product page. For Sigma, the product catalog typically states whether a lens has this feature. Canon USM lenses commonly support it. Nikon AF-S lenses often do as well, usually via an M/A switch setting on the lens. Tokina has used a focus clutch mechanism on some AT-X Pro lenses, and some Pentax lenses call it Quick-Shift.
One answer also points to lens search tools that let you filter by focus-drive features such as “AF with quick-shift.”
One caveat: on some camera/lens combinations, manual override may not behave as expected in continuous-servo AF modes, so single-shot AF may be required.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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