Creative Mode and Focus are two different things..

Creative Modes choose the Aperture and Shutter speeds automatically. You have no control over them..

AF/MF is for focus. The lens can either autofocus for you, or you can set the focus manually..

Each mode has a place and it is up to you to decide which works best for you. As you gain experience and move out of Creative Mode, Manual Focus can be more beneficial, more accurate, and better for critical focus...

So when people on these forums typically say they use autofocus most of the time - are they referring to AF on their lens or on their camera?.

Do most of the people here set their lens to AF or MF for most of their shots?..

The camera and lens work together to auto focus. Neither can do it by itself..

So when they say they use Autofocus, the lens is set to AF. You cannot turn that off in camera, only by the switch on the lens. (Someone will correct me if there is a camera you can do that with)..

Typically, it runs 50/50. It depends on what the photographer feels is neccessary to get the shot they want..

For Action/Fast moving subjects, Autofocus works well..

For still/static, or when you have time to compose your shot carefully, Manual Focus is the way to go..

Ultimately, it's up to you, the photographer, to decide which to use...

I use autofocus when I have a moving object that I'm constantly having to adjust the focal length for, not giving me time to change the focus as it moves as well...

Cybrid wrote:.

The camera and lens work together to auto focus. Neither can do it byitself..

So when they say they use Autofocus, the lens is set to AF. Youcannot turn that off in camera, only by the switch on the lens.(Someone will correct me if there is a camera you can do that with)..

Actually I think the Nikons have the manual/auto-focus/continuous on the camera. There is a switch next to the lens mount. Not 100% sure as I haven't handled one for a couple months..

The "creative modes" aren't related to autofocus..

Typically there are two settings:.

Auto-focus or manual-focus: this is simply a setting on the lens or body that determines whether the autofocus is on..

Autofocus modes: There are several autofocus modes, but two basic ones - a single shot, and a continuous focus (known alternatley as AI Servo and some other names). Essentially, single shot focuses once, and continuous focuses continuously. You would typically use the first, but for moving subjects lilke wildlife or sports you'd use continuous focus..

I personally don't use manual focus. Because the APS-C digital SLR viewfinders are so small, I find that autofocus is much more accurate (and faster!) than manual focussing...

Cybrid wrote:.

So when they say they use Autofocus, the lens is set to AF. Youcannot turn that off in camera, only by the switch on the lens.(Someone will correct me if there is a camera you can do that with)..

Nikon (except for the Nikon D40/D40x), Pentax, Konica-Minolta and Sony DSLRs all have an AF/MF switch on the body..

Where I think the original poster is confused is that some cameras have a focus motor in the body and some newer lenses also contain a motor. The older lenses were mechanically coupled and rely on the motor in the camera. Newer lenses use their own built-in motor and are generally much faster and quieter. Switching either one to manual will disable autofocus...