AF and the Viewfinder

[ChiILX1]

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For those of you that use the viewfinder I hear that turning the LCD off greatly increases speed. So in that case the perfect AF setting is crucial for great shots.

 

What does everyone prefer to use as a focus setting when going purely optical?

[nippa]

OK I bit

 

Of course turning the LCD off doesn't make a blind bit of difference to focus speed.

What can speed things up is when successive shots are at a similar distance and the camera has not been switched off.

[ChiILX1]

OK I bit

 

Of course turning the LCD off doesn't make a blind bit of difference to focus speed.

What can speed things up is when successive shots are at a similar distance and the camera has not been switched off.

 

Well another user on this forum mentioned a dramatic increase. I can't confirm I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. But it made sense only because the manual itself says (page 98) that if you don't mind having a bit of a lag in the LCD, you can increase focus speed by turning on the high speed AF. So apparently there is a connection between autofocus speed and the LCD.

 

anyway, my question was what AF mode does everyone find most effective when just using the viewfinder.

[Jelico]

For those of you that use the viewfinder I hear that turning the LCD off greatly increases speed. So in that case the perfect AF setting is crucial for great shots.

 

What does everyone prefer to use as a focus setting when going purely optical?

 

I use viewfinder a lot, and I didn't notice any increase of focusing speed. Its slow as usual...

[ChiILX1]

I use viewfinder a lot, and I didn't notice any increase of focusing speed. Its slow as usual...

 

Ok No problem. That guy was wrong. Clear. But please answer my question:

 

What AF mode do you enjoy using mostly with the viewfinder? Thanks.

[Douglasco]

I mainly use 1 point H when using the camera with a viewfinder

[dw3645]

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I read about RichardX1's comment on the sensor used in the X1 is the reason why the AF is slower.

Here it is:

"The AF performance of the X1 is a direct consequence from the sensor choice. Leica picked the 12 MP Sony APS-C sensor for the best possible IQ and high ISO performance. This sensor is developed for use in a DSLR. By itself no problem but... it works with a low(ish) internal frame rate of 24 f/ps. Compact camera's use contrast AF adjusting the focus back'n forth by rapidly comparing frames from the sensor until focus is achieved. The frame-rate of the sensor is a decisive factor for AF speed. Most other compacts use sensors specifically designed for their purpose in a compact with much higher frame-rates. The Panny GF1 and Olly E-Px models - to which the X1 is compared to a lot - use sensors with no less than 60 f/ps. These cameras will always have much faster AF"

 

Now, I wonder if you turn the LCD screen off, does it mean there isn't "fps" issue then, because there's nothing to display? Hence, the AF is faster?

[h00ligan]

No, it's the refresh rate of the sensor, not the screen. It's still going to refresh at that rate as it 'looks around'. Also an improvement with the screen off would likely be either a)placebo b)reduced strain on internal processors.

[ChiILX1]

I mainly use 1 point H when using the camera with a viewfinder

 

Thank you for answering my actual question. Why do you use that setting? For everyone else, I would really like to find out what everyone is using as an af mode with the viewfinder. Thanks.

[bad robot]

I use the same. I point the camera so the object I want focused is directly in the middle (usually a face, or more precisely an eye), half press the shutter, when I feel the lens has stopped moving I then frame the picture correctly and complete the press of the shutter.

 

This process is becoming automatic, I don't really think too much about the shutter lag on a concious level. I just know what the camera can do, and sometimes get that "deceive moment".

[ChiILX1]

I use the same. I point the camera so the object I want focused is directly in the middle (usually a face, or more precisely an eye), half press the shutter, when I feel the lens has stopped moving I then frame the picture correctly and complete the press of the shutter.

 

This process is becoming automatic, I don't really think too much about the shutter lag on a concious level. I just know what the camera can do, and sometimes get that "deceive moment".

 

Awesome very helpful thank you.

[dw3645]

I use the same. I point the camera so the object I want focused is directly in the middle (usually a face, or more precisely an eye), half press the shutter, when I feel the lens has stopped moving I then frame the picture correctly and complete the press of the shutter.

 

This process is becoming automatic, I don't really think too much about the shutter lag on a concious level. I just know what the camera can do, and sometimes get that "deceive moment".

 

Yeah that's what I do. 1 Point H focus in the middle and when I see the solid green light, then I frame it the way I want it to be and press the shutter.

[ChiILX1]

Yeah that's what I do. 1 Point H focus in the middle and when I see the solid green light, then I frame it the way I want it to be and press the shutter.

 

Great thanks!

[h00ligan]

Wouldn't a potential pitfall be contrasty situations and no ael button?

[leicaddict]

Well, I'm still waiting for that viewfinder, but anyway, my camera is always set to high speed face detection AF and I'm very happy with this setting.

[Balivernes]

Yeah that's what I do. 1 Point H focus in the middle and when I see the solid green light, then I frame it the way I want it to be and press the shutter.

 

 

Been doing same as well. There are a few "buts":

 

1) 1 point H focus implies your point of focus is exactly in middle of sensor. The external viewfinder induces a fair bit of parallax. When the stars do not align, you are liable to focus behind or in front of your desired point of focus;

 

2) The general slugginess of the AF means that you are all too often tempted to just squash the release button when you see a fleeting opportunity and leave framing to PP. When you do that you are liable to often miss point of focus.

 

3) When you are near your subject, you are liable to be at what Leica calls "macro" distance (which is far from macro for anyone else). When you are on that side of the scale, you are liable to not be able to focus. When you use LCD, the AF mark turns red, so you know you are too near. When you use viewfinder and squash the release button as above, you take a wonderfully blurred pic. And if like me you turn LCD off when using viewfinder, you will not find out you sc...d up till much later.

 

4) I persist in using VF because LCD is lousy, and I am an old fart.

 

5) If you "prefocus" on "manual", then use VF, the X1 becomes really fast and nimble. But "manual" implies LCD, and manual focus on that LCD is a real chore.

 

6) Considering all the above, using "face detection" when using VF might be a very reasonable choice for people pics. But as I said, I am an old fart, and just cannot "delegate" to that feature.

 

Oh yes, just in case: I love my X1... ;-)