[Jon12345]

Why would you want a manual focus ring? Is there not an auto focus on most camcorders? As a rank beginner, I am not sure of the benefit.

Thanks,

Jon

[redsox_mark]

All camcorders have auto focus. But as with still photography, there are times where you may want to use manual focus. Most if not all camcorders also have some sort of manual focus, but some of these (e.g. if they are on a touch screen or a small dial) can be hard to use. A focus ring is a way to do easy and accurate manual focusing.

[rhubarbe]

Imagine you are at a firework display and your cam is on autofocus. A mortar goes up and explodes - the cam thinks, "Ooh, a light, better focus on it," and by the time it is nearly focussed the light goes out.

Repeat, hundreds of times.

And because you'll have been concentrating on the filming you'll not have watched the display properly. What a waste of time and money.

Repeat with the cam on manual focus at infinity.

You see?

[Mr Cheese]

A simple pull focus shot?

[rhubarbe]

He wanted to know what was wrong with autofocus. I just gave an example.

[senu]

Manual focus is there because auto focus systems have their limitations and can get confused ... They dont always work well or quickly enough. Sometimes they simply just dont work at all when the light is too dark. or too bright

Even when lighting is OK, Auto focus may not always know which part of a scene you want in sharp focus and if it uses a large aperture to expose the image, it will be so easy for the foreground or background to be out of focus with pleasing results
The Problem arises when it doesnt know within the scene which is foreground, main subject or background. You may end up shooting , say a wedding scene where the Bride and groom are OOF and the background or flowers are in sharp focus..
Having manual focus is a bonus when the amounts of contrast ( needed for AF) are not enough to rely on autofocus
Having a ring rather than a toggle is a more intuitive and "natural" way to achieve sharp focus manually
HTH

[dejongj]

Another practical example, your child is at a Christmas play and there are people in front of you that move, or other children in front of your one....With autofocus it is near impossible to keep your own child in focus, hence a manual focus ring is brilliant!

[gronow]

A couple of excellent examples illustrating that manual focus is useful.

In all my years of filming I've never used it though! Just feel it may not be worth getting hung up on for the casual user.

Simon

[senu]

Originally Posted by gronow

A couple of excellent examples illustrating that manual focus is useful.

In all my years of filming I've never used it though! Just feel it may not be worth getting hung up on for the casual user.

Simon

Probably not, although the Hi def camcorders with slow or hunting AF make make MF a good thing to have.
It is sods law that you end up " needing " something if you don't have it though and also remember casual users may develop a less casual interest as time goes on
Its definitely a must have for still photography though