Dslr Camera Question on Lens.

SeraphxWings

Commendable
Mar 1, 2016
2
0
1,510
I'm looking to buy my wife and dslr camera so she can stop using her aunts, but I need to know can you put a manual focus lens on any camera. I'm trying to stay low cost in case she gets tired of photography but she is picky and has to have manual.
 
Solution


At $250, you are NOT looking at a real DSLR + lenses.
That would be a point and shoot, or possibly a bridge camera.

Some of the current 'bridge' cameras do have...

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator


Almost all DSLR lenses have a manual focus option.
Which cameras were you considering, and in what budget?
 

SeraphxWings

Commendable
Mar 1, 2016
2
0
1,510


I'll be honest I have no clue about anything camera related and I was looking about 250$ max she showed me 4 different brands a couple months ago that she liked; nikon, Canon, Fujitsu(?), and olympus.
 
Manual focus disappeared when film cameras became obsolete, it's all autofocus now so the photographer can concentrate on composition and, optionally, manual exposure for those situations that demand it.

You don't need manual focus to be creative with your photography, in fact autofocus is actually more accurate I find.
It liberates you so you can be even more creative.
 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator


At $250, you are NOT looking at a real DSLR + lenses.
That would be a point and shoot, or possibly a bridge camera.

Some of the current 'bridge' cameras do have manual focus.
But as stated above, don't have that as a line in the sand. The current autofocus is very, very good in almost all realms and conditions.

I have 2 Fuji's.
HS10 bridge camera (with manual focus)
X-T1 mirrorless. Interchangeable lenses, but much more expensive.

But...to reiterate...$250 does not get you into DSLR (with interchangeable lens) territory, unless you find an old used one.
 
Solution
While I agree that autofocus is accurate enough and faster that I use it most of the time, I do occasionally use manual focus especially in low light when the autofocus tends to hunt more.

Be aware that while autofocus lenses can be switched to manual mode, there are actually two types of autofocus lenses:

  • ■ Regular autofocus - camera focuses automatically. You cannot nor should you try to focus manually. Turning the focus ring manually while in this mode could damage the autofocus motor. To focus manually, you must first switch the lens from autofocus mode to manual focus mode, then turn the focus ring.
    ■ Autofocus which allows manual input. Canon calls it FTM (full time manual), Nikon designates it M/A. These incorporate a clutch mechanism with the focus ring, allowing you to manually change the focus even when the lens is in autofocus mode without risk of damaging the focus motor.
Unfortunately, at your budget most if not all the lenses are going to be the former type.