Lens question

[AuroraCanvas]

I am pretty new to the DSLR camera. Everything I have learned has been on my own or via the net. I bought a used Nikon D3000 mostly because of the demo mode. I have the kit lens 18-55 and the 55-200. I just bought a SB-600 used. That flash is awsome, I am really excited. I have always wanted to know how to take good pics, but now I have a 3yr old and 9mnth old.

I just bought a Tamron 17-35mm, it is a really good looking lens and I have taked some neat pics. However, the D3000 does not have a focus motor in the body. So, I have a lens that I have to manual focus everytime. Many times when I take a cool pic, it is just a bit out of focus. (a tiny bit) It almost seems harder with the kids.

That is the background info, here is the question. Will I get better at manual focus or should I move to an auto focus until the kids are older. I will have no trouble selling the 17-35, as I did not pay much for it.

If the 17-35 is not the lens for me, can you advise?

[RoadrashPaul]

IMO, you need to get a AF if you are going to get any good shots of moving kids. I have a 4 year old and my AF struggles to get him sometimes You must be a lot better than I am if you are getting any kind of decent shots using manual focus and shooting kids.

[mikeSF]

For shooting moving targets like kids, AF lens are the way to go. I do use some of my older manual focus lens for subects that are not moving but i always use a measuring tape and measure the distance from the front of the lens to the subject the set the lens to that distance using the distance on the scale of the lens. Even then some of the pics are not sharp so I do minimal adjustments to get it right. Good luck. When the kids are grown and have thier own children they'll appreciate all the pics you are taking as they grow.
Mike

[TightLip]

Having come from the dark days of medium format and manual focus, we had few problems with focusing even on moving subjects. It's really a matter of adjusting to what you have. There are some other "tricks" like using a higher f-stop to increase your depth of field. Also, do you wear glasses?

[tnjavelin]

Might be silly to ask but, have you dialed in the viewfinder focus, if so equipped?

[AuroraCanvas]

I don't wear glasses. I am pretty sure I don't have a view finder focus. At least, I don't find any information on this.

[mikeSF]

Here is a decent article on your camera. It may help you out with learning how to adjust some of the settings.
Mike
http://www.dcresource.com/revi...-feel