Originally posted by davids8560 BTW You guys brought up a couple of new terms for me: Limiter? CiF?
Limiter is usually on lenses with very long focus throw (as in, the focus ring turns many degrees, unlike modern lenses where its often less than 90 degrees from nearest to infinity, or even past infinity since there are no markings and accurate calibration seems to be an afterthought). So you can set up to use the full range, or only look for focus in near range, or only in far range.
And AF/MF switch on the lens can be useful, because it allows you to use CiF. CiF is pseudo-focus, true, but it can also be use for wildlife or street, because it triggers when something enters focus. So its more than just poor man's AF. I find it too bad that modern DA lenses do not allow CiF.
I think the AF/MF switch could also be integrated into a focus limiter, which would be really great on some lenses, like the DFA 100mm macro. A limiter would really speed things up, and CiF would make some shots easier.
And you are right, I think there would be a demand for "retro-primes", as we can see by how popular the FA and FA limited lenses are. (which are made for "film SLRs" and are not optimized for digital). Especially a good 24mm or something, bonus points for WR. But its a dream, most consumers want an easy, hassle free lens, with no confusing buttons and knobs. Just one ring for focus... I think soon even this might disappear