I read about the lack of auto focus and you have to always focus manually. Is it true?
1319811
Actually if you have the right Canon camera you can get Magic Lantern which is a firmware companion that you load on each SDHC card where you want additional tools for the camera. The two you will want to enable are 'Peak Focus' and 'Magic Zoom'. These features allow you to use the LCD to achieve perfect focus on your subject. Peak focus will highlight the areas in the LCD frame that are in focus with red dots surrounding those objects in focus while the Magic Zoom will allow you to zoom in and verify that what you have in the crosshairs in the display is in focus (the zoom box will glow green when the crosshair area is in focus). This lens is FANTASTIC with these augmented features for both motion and still photography. The other folks that answered earlier are probably unaware that Magic Lantern can compensate for the manual focus nature of this lens. This is my "go-to" lens for everything. You will quickly learn how to focus with the tools described and it won't bother you one bit that the lens is not automatic focusing.
1319812
Yes, you always have to focus this lens manually. It works great for shooting video but can be really tough to focus manually for photos.
2006132
Its manual focus works fine for me. I have the a7r and have had no problems using manual focus.
1486865
The manual focusing is "by-wire". It's very natural, I found it easy to get used to and easy to use.
830316
In auto mod it changes. But in the manual mode you select your f and focus manually.
996369
I tried my camera right before answering your question. If there is decent light, it auto focuses, but sometimes it takes a little while. You can zoom as you film, but it focuses faster and with more clarity when using the lower optical zoom range. I still love this camera... However, if you decide to buy it, make sure you get the fastest memory card for HD digital cameras (it only take the tiny ones), otherwise it is too slow taking pictures.
1409499
The camera only has good quality auto focus when in the fully automatic mode. When using other programs the auto focus mode is not a top priority feature for the software. The auto focus takes a while to adjust the more you use the zoom feature. I love the camera. I own several high end Nikon SLR's but have more fun with this unit. There are several good books available from Amazon which are excellent on explaining the many features of the camera.
621439
nope, nope, nope. You can use an autofocus lens on it....so long as you manually focus the lens.
1063893
Yes you can also use a manual focus. it isn't something that I would use but it is there
872972
Not well quite simply. The maximum lens aperture is not a small enough f/stop number, you will lose autofocus and unless shooting in very bright light on high contrast subjects even manual focusing may be difficult.
142359
seems to be an epidemic. same problem no autofocus. if I use the zoom to get in focus then pics come out ok but not good.
980020
No, not in auto-mode. But you can fine tune the focus when you switch to manual focus on the lens, and you leave the camera set for auto focus.This is different than other Pentax lenses that don't have the switch on the lens, this may be due to the fact that this lens was built by Tamron. I don't find this to be a big deal though, and enjoy the lens a lot!
2012320
Yes. Zoom and Focus are manual with the inner ring for the later. It s a little bit to freaky not so gradual control. Its endless so no physical connection with lens I guess.
2046269
For all practical purposes, no. Depending on your camera, it will auto focus, but only on one point, and the focus is always jumpy. There is no smooth transition available.
1261017
yes there are automatic setting for the camera. Auto-focus works as long as you use a sony e-mount lens.
1102566
It works very well in Auto (or Auto+), but if you want to shoot RAW or get creative with your shots, then you will need to use one of the semi-automatic shooting modes or full manual mode (all of which work very, very well too)
1726838
No. But you can use manual focus, or with autofocus set on the center, maintain the focusat that distace by holding the shutter button half way. Alternately with autofocuse set on subject the focuse will follow the chosen subject with okay but not perfect results.
2008388
It won't auto focus or auto expose on anything, as it is totally manual. It's worth every penny, though.