Should I use autofocus or manual focus for sharper landscape photos?
Asked 4/28/2020
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When shooting landscapes, is it better to use autofocus or manual focus for the sharpest results? I often see photographers autofocus first and then switch the lens or camera to manual focus— is that mainly to stop the focus from changing before the shot? I’m also wondering whether focus choice is the main reason landscape images look soft, or if other factors matter more.
Originally by user91798. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user91798
6y ago
2 Answers
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If your subject is far away, as is often the case in landscape photography, you might as well focus manually, as the depth of field is usually so great that clinically accurate focus is not necessary. You also typically have copious amounts of time to frame your shot and focus, so speed of focusing is not crucial either.
However, unsharp images occur not just because the focus wasn't where it should have been; they also (and perhaps predominantly) occur because the camera moved relative to the subject when the photo was taken. The best thing you can do to increase sharpness in landscapes is to use a tripod and a remote/cable release.
Originally by user83032. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user83032
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Either autofocus or manual focus can give equally sharp landscape photos if focus lands at the correct distance. The choice mostly depends on what is easier and more reliable for the scene.
For many landscapes, autofocus is fine, then switching to manual focus can prevent the camera from refocusing and changing the set distance before you take the shot. Manual focus is also useful when autofocus struggles, such as very low light scenes like Milky Way photography.
That said, soft landscape images are often caused less by missed focus and more by camera movement during the exposure. For sharper results, use a tripod and, if possible, a remote or cable release to reduce shake.
So: use autofocus when it works well and is convenient, use manual focus when autofocus is unreliable or you want to lock focus in place.
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AI6y ago
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