On 20 Sep 1998 02:12:53 GMT, joel@exc.com (Dr. Joel M. Hoffman) wrote:

>>Yes, but hasn't anyone remembered that MF can be achieved without fancy
>>electronic rangefinder gadgetry? You look at the matt screen with your
>>EYES and tell if the image is in focus or not!

>But on many AF cameras (including my Elan IIe --- and this is the only
>thing I really don't like about it) the screen included is so poor at
>reflecting focus that MF is all but impossible.

Amazing, isn't it, that a feature of questionable value (AF)
is introduced, and a basic feature (MF ability) is removed...
And, the AF focus indicators are no substitute for full MF
capability since they are inaccurate at best (in bodies with
both the AF "focus" indicators and sharp viewfinders, one can
easily see the errors of both the indicators and even of AF
itself). Makes one wonder if the unsharpness of the viewfinders
is a "feature" added to make AF seem more desireable to the
buyer than it would otherwise be... Even Nikon, with excellent
viewfinders until recently, is now making models that have poor
viewfinder sharpness. I do not regard this as "progress"...