If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
In look at my camera, I see these four Auto-Focus modes
available: - Face Detect - iESP - SPOT - AREA I find that I prefer to use SPOT, because it is often hard to get the auto-focus to target on the specific object you want it to focus on if there is much else around it. AREA is sort of like SPOT, but I prefer to do an auto-focus with SPOT and then frame the picture while holding the shutter button half-way down, finally pressing the shutter button all the way down. I was wondering if the preference for SPOT on my part is heavily in the minority, or if other folks still prefer to not give up the farm and go fully-auto. So, if you would, I'd appreciate replies specifying what is preferred and why that method is preferred. Thank you, DB |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
DudeBoyz wrote:
In look at my camera, I see these four Auto-Focus modes available: - Face Detect - iESP - SPOT - AREA I was wondering if the preference for SPOT on my part is heavily in the minority, or if other folks still prefer to not give up the farm and go fully-auto. I have the Canon 30D, and use center spot. This is really center-area ... it is three times bigger than the marked square, and the area is much too big. Before I got this, my first auto-focus camera, I had always wondered how well autofocus could work for general scenes. Sure, if it all is at infinity, or is flat, perpendicular to the line of sight, it should work. But otherwise, how does it tell what to focus on? Well, I was right to worry. I usually have to focus on one spot and then reorirnt the camera to get the proper framing. Even then, sometimes it gets it wrong. Doug McDonald |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
"DudeBoyz" writes:
In look at my camera, I see these four Auto-Focus modes available: - Face Detect - iESP - SPOT - AREA I find that I prefer to use SPOT, because it is often hard to get the auto-focus to target on the specific object you want it to focus on if there is much else around it. AREA is sort of like SPOT, but I prefer to do an auto-focus with SPOT and then frame the picture while holding the shutter button half-way down, finally pressing the shutter button all the way down. Yes, that's how I work too. I want to control what the camera focuses on. Most of the other modes are intended for single-aim snapshooting: you frame the picture the way you want, and the camera takes a bunch of autofocus readings (one at each place there is a sensor) and "magically" selects which one to use for adjuting the lens (often, the magic algorithm is "take the closest point you found"). I was wondering if the preference for SPOT on my part is heavily in the minority, or if other folks still prefer to not give up the farm and go fully-auto. I think full-auto is for people who don't want to worry about operating the camera (e.g. you loan it to your grandmother for a few shots), or when you expect you will not have time to do anything else. I *can* see selecting a single focus point that is not in the centre, if you know you want to track a moving object but you don't want that object to be framed in the centre of the image. Dave |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
I usually have to focus on one spot and then reorirnt
the camera to get the proper framing. Even then, sometimes it gets it wrong. Doug McDonald I'm much like you in technique then. Most of the time, shots turn out fine when I'm framing a pic. But with this particular model, I need to pull back just a bit from the full 20x zoom range in order to get the type of results I'm used to getting. Thanks for the reply. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
Yes, that's how I work too. I want to control what the camera
focuses on. Most of the other modes are intended for single-aim snapshooting: you frame the picture the way you want, and the camera takes a bunch of autofocus readings (one at each place there is a sensor) and "magically" selects which one to use for adjuting the lens (often, the magic algorithm is "take the closest point you found"). I was wondering if the preference for SPOT on my part is heavily in the minority, or if other folks still prefer to not give up the farm and go fully-auto. I think full-auto is for people who don't want to worry about operating the camera (e.g. you loan it to your grandmother for a few shots), or when you expect you will not have time to do anything else. I *can* see selecting a single focus point that is not in the centre, if you know you want to track a moving object but you don't want that object to be framed in the centre of the image. Thanks for the reply. Instead of Auto, I usually use this mode: "P - Set the optimum aperture value and shutter speed for the brightness of the subject." I don't change much from the default settings, but this mode seems to give me more options from which to choose. My father used to have an old Pentax that had this very cool focusing dot in the middle of the viewfinder. I'm talking some 20+ years back. It was sort of "divided" into two areas and you set the focus with the ring until those two areas were crystal clear. It worked incredibly well, and the light meter thing on the side of the viewfinder showed you what your shutter speed was, I think. I certainly wish that the EVF in today's point and shoot type of cameras had that focus feature. Thanks again for your reply. Happy Snappin'! |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
DudeBoyz wrote:
So, if you would, I'd appreciate replies specifying what is preferred and why that method is preferred. Manual. 'Cuz I take my time. And that's a good thing. Practically, when I do use AF, I find centered is easiest. Point, focus, lock (half-depressed shutter release) re-compose, shoot. However, mixing AE modes and the above is tricky. On my cameras that is usually 'hold AEL' for the exposure lock and hold the shutter half-depressed for the focus lock. Also why I shoot manual exposure a lot. -- -- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm -- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin -- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch. -- usenet posts from gmail.com and googlemail.com are filtered out. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
Thanks for the reply. It's helpful.
DudeBoyz wrote: So, if you would, I'd appreciate replies specifying what is preferred and why that method is preferred. Manual. 'Cuz I take my time. And that's a good thing. Practically, when I do use AF, I find centered is easiest. Point, focus, lock (half-depressed shutter release) re-compose, shoot. However, mixing AE modes and the above is tricky. On my cameras that is usually 'hold AEL' for the exposure lock and hold the shutter half-depressed for the focus lock. Also why I shoot manual exposure a lot. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Preferred Auto-Focus Mode?
On Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:00:11 -0400, Alan Browne
wrote: DudeBoyz wrote: So, if you would, I'd appreciate replies specifying what is preferred and why that method is preferred. Manual. 'Cuz I take my time. And that's a good thing. Practically, when I do use AF, I find centered is easiest. Point, focus, lock (half-depressed shutter release) re-compose, shoot. However, mixing AE modes and the above is tricky. On my cameras that is usually 'hold AEL' for the exposure lock and hold the shutter half-depressed for the focus lock. Also why I shoot manual exposure a lot. This topic is rather broad, since it's not pertinent to a specific brand of camera. I've used the Nikon D300 a little, but am using my own Pentax K10D where I find the AF.C (autofocus continuous) is my choice. When I shoot Hummingbirds at my feeders, I focus on a flower stalk poked in the feeder of choice, then remove it and wait for a bird to arrive. I then shoot with a remote button so as NOT to half press the shutter button and mess up my focus. Now, you might suggest I should just wait and do a Manual focus. After hundreds of attempts, I find I'm never able to get as sharp a focus in Manual as the camera can in the method just described. To clarify - I'm using a Sigma 180 mm Macro lens at a distance of about 5 feet. I've never understood why the camera can do so much better focusing than can I, but it's got me convinced. And this is true regardless of whether I use Spot (Center) or Auto (its choice of 1 of 11 points). Olin McDaniel To reply by email, please remove "abcd" from Return address ----------------------------------------------------- "Ignorance is treatable, Stupidity is incurable. Sometimes the difference is hardly distinguishable, however." |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Advice for camera with Movie mode Auto Focus and Tele Zoom Options | Moderator | Digital Photography | 3 | November 27th 07 07:22 PM |
Focus discrepancies in Rebel XT and XTi, manual and auto focus | Bob G | Digital SLR Cameras | 24 | February 4th 07 05:28 AM |
Free Online Video for Nikon D200 on Auto Exposure and Auto Focus Lock | [email protected] | Digital Photography | 0 | April 3rd 06 10:17 PM |
auto focus in digital cameras any different that auto focus in film cameras? | [email protected] | Digital Photography | 5 | November 5th 05 05:20 PM |
I have several Pentax 645 systems. Auto Focus and manual focus | Dmanfish | Medium Format Equipment For Sale | 0 | May 4th 05 07:12 PM |