Will switching from a Nikon D5100 to a Canon T4i/T3i improve manual focusing and lens options?
Asked 12/3/2012
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I’m a beginner using a Nikon D5100 with the kit lens and a 50mm AF-S. I’m considering switching to a Canon T4i or possibly a T3i. One reason is that I’ve been struggling to get accurate focus when focusing manually through the viewfinder on the Nikon, even when I wait for the focus confirmation light and select the focus point. Images often still look slightly out of focus on the computer.
I’ve briefly tried a Canon T4i and liked the dedicated ISO/WB controls and touchscreen, although it felt cheaper and was louder. I’m also a little frustrated that some Nikon lenses need their own focus motor, which seems to limit options and raise cost.
Will changing from the D5100 to a T4i/T3i likely make manual focus easier or make me happier long term, or is this mostly a limitation of entry-level DSLRs in general?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Modern consumer grade DSLRs are hard to focus manually. The problem is (IMHO) that they all are designed for auto-focus. The focusing screen on every modern consumer DSLR that I've tried is just ground glass.
In olden times, focus screens had micro-prisms and split-prisms that made it easy to do manual focus. These screens don't work well with slow lenses (F4 or slower) which means they work poorly with all kit lenses. In addition, many low end DSLRs have penta-mirror prisms, which are darker that more expensive pentaprisms, so they pass less light and make manual focus harder.
Some consumer DSLR's allow you to change the focus screen, if you can find one. I've been looking for a proper micro-prism screen for my Canon 50D for two years, and while lots of stores list them, none have ever been in stock.
By all means, follow @dpolitt's advice, see Is there any significant difference between Nikon and Canon? for general brand conversations. Its old, and the details have changed, as each brand is very good at copying good ideas from the other.
Originally by user8620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8620
13y ago
0
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Probably not by much. The main issue is that modern entry-level DSLRs from both Nikon and Canon are designed primarily for autofocus, and their viewfinders/focusing screens are not well suited to precise manual focusing. Small, dimmer viewfinders and the lack of old-style split-prism or microprism screens make tiny focus errors hard to see, especially with kit lenses.
So switching from a D5100 to a T4i/T3i is unlikely to transform manual-focus accuracy. If you need precise manual focus, live view is the better option: magnify the image on screen and focus there. Otherwise, autofocus is usually the practical choice on these cameras.
As for buttons, touchscreen, sound, and handling, that’s personal preference. If one camera feels better in your hands, that matters more than brand loyalty.
A good long-term approach is to choose the system whose ergonomics and lens lineup suit you best, but don’t expect an entry-level Canon body to solve manual-focus limitations that are common across consumer DSLRs.
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