Hello everyone!
My name is Paul (new here) and I would like to make a step up to the Leica S system. I had the opportunity to shoot an S for just a few minutes and noticed that the main subjects were often out of focus. I wasn’t able to get a proper selective focus outside the center.
What is your experience with the S and in particular with the spot-only AF system? How does it handle in the wild? How ‘easy’ is it to re-compose and make this camera shine? I really appreciate your professional comments.
Kind Regards,
PaulWelcome Paul,
Regarding autofocus, my initial procedure with primes has been to keep the camera on manual focus and have the rear button set for auto focus. That way, I push the rear button to bring it into focus and release it. Then I can recompose as I wish, with no seeking issues.
Since getting the Zoom, I have switched to AF but not the continuous AF (unless shooting action) and am happy with the result.
I think once you spend more than a few minutes with the camera, you will be comfortable. I used to shoot with a multi spot AF and still preferred to use the center spot with a focus and recompose technique.
Let’s see what others suggest.
JackJackJack MacD;6189 wrote: Welcome Paul,
Regarding autofocus, my initial procedure with primes has been to keep the camera on manual focus and have the rear button set for auto focus. That way, I push the rear button to bring it into focus and release it. Then I can recompose as I wish, with no seeking issues.
Since getting the Zoom, I have switched to AF but not the continuous AF (unless shooting action) and am happy with the result.
I think once you spend more than a few minutes with the camera, you will be comfortable. I used to shoot with a multi spot AF and still preferred to use the center spot with a focus and recompose technique.
Let’s see what others suggest.
JackJack
Thanks for the lightbulb moment. It had not occurred to me that setting the back button to AF would override an MF setting in camera. This is brilliant .. will check it out when I get home
Ed
As a note: That method has worked quite effectively for me on lifestyle shoots.
Richard
Similar to Jack and others, using the back button to set focus and recompose works well and fast (I use the same technique on my Nikon and it is faster than moving the focus cross hairs for me). Have not had any issues with the focus. Picking a good contrast area helps.
We always recommend using the rear button set to AF-S and the focus mode set to MF. Works great for hand-held work to lock on then shoot as well as tripod-mounted work where you are trying maximize DOF by manually setting to hyperfocal. When you press the shutter, the camera doesn’t try to auto focus between shots.
David Farkas
Red Dot Forum
Leica Store MiamiThank you Jack and others for this very helpful information! I really appreciate your time answering the question. All the best, Paul
EDIT: Because of the upcoming CMOS model, I’m going to make use of the trade-in deal and get a CCD based S. Thanks again to all!
David Farkas;6198 wrote: We always recommend using the rear button set to AF-S and the focus mode set to MF. Works great for hand-held work to lock on then shoot as well as tripod-mounted work where you are trying maximize DOF by manually setting to hyperfocal. When you press the shutter, the camera doesn’t try to auto focus between shots.
David,
one thing I allways wonder: When I activate the AF with the shutter release button in S-AF mode the camera will not “fire” before accurate focus is achieved. So I know it is focus priority.However when I use the rear button to activate AF I do not know if the camera is done with fine focus. So it is kind of “shutter priority”. Of course I can see if the camera has focused, but I can not see if it has “fine” focused/is 100% ready/accurate.
What do you think?Paratom;6200 wrote: David,
one thing I allways wonder: When I activate the AF with the shutter release button in S-AF mode the camera will not “fire” before accurate focus is achieved. So I know it is focus priority.However when I use the rear button to activate AF I do not know if the camera is done with fine focus. So it is kind of “shutter priority”. Of course I can see if the camera has focused, but I can not see if it has “fine” focused/is 100% ready/accurate.
What do you think?If you have the acoustic signal turned on, you’ll hear a soft beep when the camera locks on. You can also see the focus confirmation dot in the viewfinder.
David Farkas
Red Dot Forum
Leica Store MiamiThanks! I don’t like acoustic signals but will take attention to the focus confirmation.
I just do not understand why I missed this combination earlier. It is perfect for macro work (and is actually how I have my DSLRs set up). I really do not understand why I assumed that the back button would not override setting MF in camera — ddoooh!
Anyway, a smart sand lizard from today using this method.
Ed
See my post at top of Forum. new Firmware that was supposed to have been released yesterday Aug 14 was supposed to address AF issues many of us were having. I received my Print Issue of LFI yesterday, but one can simply download the Issue through the LFI App. I think it is Page 58 that describes the update in roughly one page. cheers!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.