Originally posted by davids8560 Hi! So, like, I am kind of new, and I want to get this joke. What's it refer to? Sorry but I'm really honestly serious, if you could explain it!
I bought a Pentax Fa 50mm f/1.4 which auto focuses just fine at f/1.4 because the depth of field isn't really that narrow. It depends on the lens, understand its nuances and you'll get the hang of it. Typically lens reviewers complain about this because they are of the Canikon school of photography, which is a photojournalism style with f/2.8 zooms. They find themselves out of their depth because they don't know what to do with a f/1.4 lens.
Originally posted by davids8560 So if eventually I get a fast prime I should expect to have to manually focus when shooting very wide?
No ! You'll be fine on a modern AF f/1.4 you just have to practice how to use narrow depth of field photography. I bought an old fully manual Pentax M 50mm f/1.7 which has a ridiculous narrow depth of field making it near impossible to use on close ups - but with practice and patients I'll get it. Much old lenses can have a ridiculously narrow depth of field which makes them interesting, but you'll be fine on a modern model (1990's and older).
Originally posted by davids8560 Do you think it's possible to learn photography just by shooting a lot and trying different settings? Because to be frank I am not so big on lots of reading and book study, and it seems like my photography study and reading list is growing longer and longer and piling up big time! LOL
When you are new, you need to keep it simple and don't over think it:
* Put the camera on Aperture priority and experiment with depth of field.
* Watch your white balance. Put it on auto or change it to experiment ("shade for shooting" in the shade etc.)
* Watch your ISO setting. Put it on auto or increase the ISO when you want a faster shutter for capturing fountains or fast action.
* and hold the camera steady.