Getting so frustrated, need advice please.

[h00ligan]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I haven't been using the x1 all that much as of late, because the few times I needed to take photos (want doesn't come into it when it's still 105 degrees out, sorry!) I felt my 7d could offer a better result.

 

That said, today my girlfriend asked me to take some shots of a promo spot on the news for her animal shelter. The idea was a people and pets on parade spot with a sponsoring costume shop.

 

Inside, the light as you might imagine was abysmal. Not only a lack of it, but multiple sources with different temps.

 

I knew I would be standing very near the reporter and videographer, so I thought 'Hey! today will be a great day to actually use the X1, it's nice and quiet'.

 

From the get go things were hurried, never been to the location.. the cameraman and reporter kept shifting where they were going to be, I had to basically just roll with them.

 

Autofocus was clearly not fast enough for this (really, not just digging here) despite trying to prefocus, so I attempted some zone focusing. The problem here was I had to crank the iso to get the aperture up and spend all my energy trying to gauge distance

 

I wound up using 1/60 f5.6 3200 and set the focus distance to ~6ft.

 

Being so concerned with trying to gauge distance, I forgot everything else I've ever learned about photography apparently, as the pictures were a disaster... really really bad.

 

Now I know there's operator error at play here (I need to practice zone more) but really is there anything any of you more experienced photographers can offer on shooting those kinds of situations? It wasn't like trying to shoot ice hockey, it was like trying to shoot a child walking at a brisk pace.

 

When I can GET a shot with the x1, they sometimes really blow my mind.. but it seems for me, based on shooting non stationary people as my main subject, that i miss soooo many shots due to either af being too slow, or my own lack of technique with zone focusing.

 

Maybe I'm not prefocusing correctly... before the action started, I tried to focus on as close to the spot as possible.

 

Anyway, I'm not bashing the x1, I'm asking for legitimate help, maybe recommend some exercises for me (please bear in mind people in Arizona are typically VERY averse to having their photo made by strangers). If I can't learn to work around this, or Leica doesn't get some speed out of the projected firmware update, I'm going to have to sell this camera on. It's hard to justify $2000 sitting on a shelf but for the 2 times a year I decide to take landscapes.

 

Thanks for any ideas or pointers, exercises, etc.. I'm just very disappointed with the results of my recent attempts.

[wda]

Edward, if it was bright enough for people to work in the location, I am sure autofocus should have been possible. Choose a contrasty target to set AF.

 

Simulate the location for some test pix. Manually meter your environment. Choose a subject and shooting angle. Select forced flash and take a test exposure. The odds are that the flash will dominate. If so, progressively wind in decreasing EV adjustments until you are happy with the balance between ambient light levels and your camera flash. You may be surprised at the possibilities.

 

What I have described could apply to any camera, but do try it with your X1 in order to prove to yourself that you can work in such locations with the X1. Also you will have some basic settings which you can apply elsewhere, adjusting manual exposure followed by flash compensation to give the desired results.

 

I rarely use flash, but it can be a situation-saver in some circumstances. I hope this approach helps.

[h00ligan]

It could autofocus, it was just too slow to do so really. Unfortunately I couldn't really pan to follow and they were walking at me - at a fastish pace.. the af was taking too long.

 

Thank you for the other words of advice. I really don't want to use flash either! and in this case couldn't because of the television camera.

 

Obviously on the 7d, I'd frame, set my focus spot, turn on servo low speed, shoot wide aperture. Because the af was so slow, I had to go zone, which obviously necessitated higher f-stop.

 

I like your idea about metering by hand, I'll be honest and tell you I've always relied on camera metering. The white balance of the photos is a disaster too. The x1 didn't do anything wrong, nor do I think I did - it was just such a mixture to to salvage even a couple of shots I have to get close, then do adjustment layers in photoshop.

 

I will read again what you wrote now, and try to learn some new things - thank you for your time in response.

[JeTexas]

I've been having a terrible time with indoor shots as well. I'm getting better, but I flubbed an entire scholarship dinner a couple weeks ago because I attempted to use the X1 instead of my D70s.

 

I've been having better luck treating it like a rangefinder and just setting the manual focus to the approximate distance and shooting away. I've also been experimenting with burst mode, but it's irritating that whether you snap off one shot or six shots, you have to wait a good 30 seconds before you can shoot again.

 

If I use it for another indoor party event, I will use an external bounce flash. The onboard flash is too close to the lens and give everyone red eye -- or in a dog's case, green eye.

 

It's definitely a different animal than anything I've shot with before.

[prk60091]

Ed:

 

May I ask what focus mode are you using?

 

I don't understand these "slow" AF posts. I use the 1 pt spot focus and have no issues focusing in ordinary daylight situations and with the lighting situation you describe there shouldn't have been an issue.

[Guest stnami]

It is that urge to make the X1 better than it is and become all round camera and use the camera beyond it's capabilities.

 

I got a very cheap DS1s ($200 not $2000) useless for most things but a great little bnw camera for up to 800 iso in reasonable light and that is all it gets used for. The colour is a bit hit and miss with landscapes and still situations.......great when all the gods smile but otherwise frustrating and not to be trusted in general everyday situations.

 

 

Leica would have been better served making the X1 a manual focusing camera, sure the freaks would complain but it would have made for a good little cam.

[rob_x2004]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I use the 1 pt spot focus and have no issues focusing in ordinary

 

Maybe you know what you are doing. Out of interest does it have an AF focus button you can assign in MF? So you can blip AF?

[NZDavid]

I have to agree with stnami here. I had to shoot of a couple of celebrity Masterchef winners from NZ and Oz with the X1 for a publisher -- low light, indoors, not ideal -- focusing was abysmal, and I had to shoot a whole heap to nail a decent shot, when the M would have focused perfectly first time. The X1 is a lovely camera, scenics won't move, but for fast PJ work I don't think it's the best choice frankly.

[h00ligan]

Ed:

 

May I ask what focus mode are you using?

 

I don't understand these "slow" AF posts. I use the 1 pt spot focus and have no issues focusing in ordinary daylight situations and with the lighting situation you describe there shouldn't have been an issue.

 

1pointh. Btw I prefer Edward. Thanks. I'm really not sure how you aren't having af issues. If you have a group of people walking at a brisk pace towards you' date=' you can lock af and take an in focus pic? By the time the af were to lock they'd be a step or two closer in my experience.

 

Maybe you know what you are doing. Out of interest does it have an AF focus button you can assign in MF? So you can blip AF?

 

That was a nice constructive insult, thanks, especially since you've never used one apparently.

 

It is that urge to make the X1 better than it is and become all round camera and use the camera beyond it's capabilities.

 

I got a very cheap DS1s ($200 not $2000) useless for most things but a great little bnw camera for up to 800 iso in reasonable light and that is all it gets used for. The colour is a bit hit and miss with landscapes and still situations.......great when all the gods smile but otherwise frustrating and not to be trusted in general everyday situations.

 

 

Leica would have been better served making the X1 a manual focusing camera' date=' sure the freaks would complain but it would have made for a good little cam.[/quote']

 

I agree so far. Ithink beyond the slow af the wheel for manual focus is a disaster. It should have been a no brainer to use a focus ring around the barrel. I could have focused and shot 2-3 times for each auto focus.

[tom0511]

The only thing I would think of is to use more pre-focus. Focus on something else why she is walking towards you and then press the shutter when she is passing the point you focused on. Then pray that you hit the right moment. Do it 5 times and 1 shot might be fine.

Other than that wait for moments when they dont move.

Other than that I would try to close the f-stop to gain some DOF (if there was enough light).

Over all as a user of the x1 and D700 I can tell you there are some things where the x1 excells, but others where it is just much harder (near to impossible) to get the shot with the x1.

Frankly if I need to photograph something where I want to be sure to get the shot it is usually my DSLR (Nikon).

[wda]

It could autofocus, it was just too slow to do so really. Unfortunately I couldn't really pan to follow and they were walking at me - at a fastish pace.. the af was taking too long.

 

 

Edward, I hadn't appreciated you were facing moving targets. That does call for focus tracking, not easy with the X1. Even pre-focusing would be a bit 'hit-and-miss'! On the few occasions when I have shot moving objects, I have found a position which simplifies pre-focusing, that is movement is along a constant distance plane. But at a press event, you often have little choice, but anticipate and seize static, or relatively, static moments. Often the best shots occur during a pause in the people flow.

 

With complex mixed colour temperature lighting you have to decide which source is the one you want. If possible, I would always take a reference shot using my WhiBal calibrated grey card. In LR I then neutralize colour contamination and adjust to give me the quality of colour appropriate for the occasion and location. There is no ideal or right solution. But my method does give an excellent starting point.

[Ecaton]

Am having a look at the smallish Sony A33 with 35mm f1.8. And then there is this Zeiss zoom 16-80mm (24-120 equiv), or a 17-50mm f2.8 Sigma. The Nex does not cut it for me, but the A33/55 could be interesting. Nothing new on the things the X1 is not good at. Compact, versatile, fast, good or even great IQ wit the right glass, could the new Sony be it?

[rob_x2004]

That was a nice constructive insult, thanks, especially since you've never used one apparently..

 

Get off your high horse cowboy. I asked if it had a focus button assigned. If you dont understand ask.

And of course Ive never used one or I'd damed well know and wouldnt have to ask.

[jsrockit]

I think you know the answer h00ligan... it was just the wrong tool for the job. If you still had your GF1, it would've worked out better. Let's just hope that the rumored firmware release gives us a real manual focus mode that doesn't fight back.

[Dan States]

The x1 focuses faster with multipoint, but with wide apertures indoors multipoint turns it into a Forest Gump camera...you never know what you're going to get. If you are shooting portraits I'd suggest using the face recognition function as it is a bit faster than spot when the light is low and hopefully it will target the face you want.

 

I know most Leica shooters don't like the idea of multipoint or face recognition systems but for this camera it's the best way to handle spontaneous photography.

 

Best wishes

Dan

[Ecaton]

The x1 focuses faster with multipoint, but with wide apertures indoors multipoint turns it into a Forest Gump camera...you never know what you're going to get. If you are shooting portraits I'd suggest using the face recognition function as it is a bit faster than spot when the light is low and hopefully it will target the face you want.

 

I know most Leica shooters don't like the idea of multipoint or face recognition systems but for this camera it's the best way to handle spontaneous photography.

 

Best wishes

Dan

 

I have the X1 since March, but didn't know it has face recognition:rolleyes:

[Dan States]

It does and it really isn't bad. I think a lot of us are purists who tend to ignore the bells/whistles features (I've still never used image stabilization) but I started using FR and multipoint for street photography out of desperation. In good light it focuses very fast and can capture people walking right at you in sharp focus, even at full aperture. It takes a bit of practice to understand the logic multipoint will use to choose a focus point but it is quite predictable once you get used to it.

 

Low light is a tough situation and if it's really low, like in a night club, it's pretty much hopeless. Time to haul out the S90 in those cases! Those two cameras make a great pair.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[phancj]

Edward,

 

i really like my X1, beautiful pictures from a tiny camera.

 

I also know its limitations, its AF is slow, fixed lens,

 

It is more a travel and lifestyle camera you have with you always.

 

For the situation you described, you probably need not just faster AF, but ideally a good zoom as well.

 

Trying to use the X1 for this and macro will frustrate, I am sure. Why bother?

 

use the X1 for what it is, honestly if you think it doesnt do the job sell it. But betcha you regret when you travel .

 

My two cents.

[prk60091]

Maybe you know what you are doing. Out of interest does it have an AF focus button you can assign in MF? So you can blip AF?

 

if you ask my wife- she will tell you in no uncertain terms that I do not know what i am doing... i am not sure what you mean by an AF button to "blip AF"- please explain.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[JeTexas]

This is the X1 Forum! We are here to learn how to get the most from the X1, not to discuss what other cameras and options we could use instead.

 

I think we all have other cameras we could be using with faster autofocus, zooms, etc. That's not the point. The point is to discuss how to maximize the potential of the X1.