Backpage Posted January 5, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted January 5, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm a long time Leica (film) user and tomorrow I'm headed to the store to (maybe) buy a X1. On my M Camera, or any other manual camera, I can use the scale on the lens to preset a focus range. Can one do the equivalent on an X1? More specifically, if the X1 is in aperture priority mode...can it be preset so that everything between x and y is in focus? So for example, if the camera is set at f8, can the focus be set so everything between 5 meters and 30 meters is in focus? Â I'm asking because I've read so many gripes about the AF. I know how DOF works and I've always used a preset to shoot quickly and to control what I want in focus. Â Hope I've been clear with my question. Â Many thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 5, 2011 Posted January 5, 2011 Hi Backpage, Take a look here Manual Focus Question. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ECliffordSmith Posted January 5, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted January 5, 2011 Hi, Â The manual focus implementation on the current X1 firmware does not display the focus distance and depth of field determined from the set aperture. The only thing that is displayed is the focus distance and the scale progresses very quickly so accurately setting a distance is not easy. Â Having said this, a forum member who had been to an X1 demonstration/course commented that he had briefly used an X1 with a beta version of the version 2 firmware and that the scale had been increased to include more distance markers and that the depth of field had been included. The AF speed had been improved too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 5, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted January 5, 2011 Thanks, that part of the firmware looks to me to be extremely useful if we choose to use MF. it sure beats turning that wheel and looking at the LCD.....and it will be better in the dark too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backpage Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share #4 Â Posted January 5, 2011 @ Ed. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 5, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted January 5, 2011 According to DOF Master, if you set the X1 in manual focus at 2m everything from 1. 06m to 18.6 m will be in focus. 2m is indicated on the manual focus scale at present. I have had good results at f11 and everything is still acceptably sharp... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted January 5, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted January 5, 2011 what about if you turn the camera off for some reason and then back on again, will it stay usefully at 2m, or whichever was your last manual focus setting or reset by default back to infinity again, as it does at the moment? what is the reason for the default being set at infinity, bearing in mind that this is an f2.8 short lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted January 6, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted January 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) No, it doesn't stay at the last manual setting. That would be a good update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest badbob Posted January 6, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted January 6, 2011 No, it doesn't stay at the last manual setting. That would be a good update. Â I don't know of any digital camera with electronic focus that stays at the last setting when shut off and turned back on. Maybe because cameras with purely electronic focus haven't been considered serious or professional, and the mfr's weren't thinking about trying to restore a zone focus when turned back on. If the camera is purely elecrronic focused, and you wanted to restore a "setting" at turn-on, wouldn't you have to write something to permanent memory just like other settings on the menu that aren't served by a physical wheel? Sounds like a unique situation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparth Posted January 7, 2011 Share #9 Â Posted January 7, 2011 not to mention, but it's also extremely frustrating to scroll the wheel left for 25 seconds or so in order to obtain manual focus on the MFD of about 30cm. i often shoot manual on the x1 at that distance and the fact of ALWAYS having to scroll that damn thing is insane. it is clearly a flaw to my eyes, or at least let's say it is not going fast enough, preventing me sometimes to get the shot i want. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 7, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted January 7, 2011 Its finger exercising for you haha, but I wish they put a wheel on the left too so I can train my left thumb too:eek: Â Cj Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted January 7, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted January 7, 2011 I don't know of any digital camera with electronic focus that stays at the last setting when shut off and turned back on. Maybe because cameras with purely electronic focus haven't been considered serious or professional, and the mfr's weren't thinking about trying to restore a zone focus when turned back on. If the camera is purely elecrronic focused, and you wanted to restore a "setting" at turn-on, wouldn't you have to write something to permanent memory just like other settings on the menu that aren't served by a physical wheel? Sounds like a unique situation. Â The code side of it should be quite easy with the will to do it. It would make some sense as the lens would then behave more like a true manual focus. Â If you focus on an object using AF, then switch back to manual it stays at the focal length. That can be quicker sometimes than the scrolling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECliffordSmith Posted January 7, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted January 7, 2011 Hi BadBob, Â The D-Lux 4 does actually give you an option of setting manual focus resume which is quite useful. Â Hi Sparth, Â I often use the AF to focus on something very close then switch to MF. The MF will start from the last focused distance. Saves going through the entire 'throw' from infinity to close focus. Â What does surprise me however is how much subtle control over critical focus this large range of focus distances provides. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 7, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted January 7, 2011 IMO an accurate clearly marked distance scale will address most if not all MF concerns, particularly in street shooting with the X1. Thing is most manufacturers appear to want to eliminate distance scale window. Top-of-the-line Nikon "G" lenses now all have limited or none. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECliffordSmith Posted January 7, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted January 7, 2011 Hi, Â Yes, I quite agree. I am very happy with the X1 but an improvement to the MF scale and the DOF being displayed would be very nice. I personally like setting everything to manual and coupled with a longer power save delay would make a real difference to my photography as I do not take many shots and often find the camera has powered down. Â I am less confident that Leica can do anything about the half press lag in fully manual mode but it has never cost me a shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 7, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted January 7, 2011 The auto exposure of the 1 is fine, but I also prefer manual settings. This is because I now an okay understanding of how the X1 exposes based on the scene, and also know what post processing can achieve. This is from playing with the camera frequently since Feb and the fact that given its size, it tends to be with me more than any other camera. Â But I use exclusively AF for most shots, only for landscapes I may put it to MF. And since I shoot relatively little landscapes I hardly use MF. For portraits and most shots I tend to shoot wide open, I find that at 2.8 the camera renders in a way to my eyes with the most "leica look" if theres ever such a thing haha...and yes, I find the AF speed fine for those shots. Â When/if the accurate MF and distance markings become a reality via the firmware update, I may finally decide to shoot differently just to get the "Leica street shooting" experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted January 8, 2011 Share #16 Â Posted January 8, 2011 It is understandable that the X1 forgets the set focus distance when you switch it off. What is less acceptable, and in fact a complete turn-off for me, is that the camera forgets it also when it does itself automatically go on standby (I understand that this is the case). This makes it practically useless for extended street shooting. Â The thing should have had a manual focusing scale. Such cameras do not have Korsakoff's syndrome. Â The old fart from the Mechanical Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick parker Posted January 17, 2011 Share #17 Â Posted January 17, 2011 yes i hate not finding the focus setting i left it on. it's the combination of little things like this that makes the camera impossible to work with. x1 in my experience is the smallest and the best looking camera for tripod work all it needs is a better lcd screen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 18, 2011 Share #18 Â Posted January 18, 2011 Yes, it looks great but you should see the puzzled looks in the monastery where I was taking shots with a tripod meant for my dslr...haha looks like there isnt a camera on top of the tripod it was hilarious! Â generally I think it defeats the purpose of having a tripod since you lose portability. I normally do not bring the tripod. I also have a "gollilapod" (came free with X1 from the shop) but honestly havent used it before. Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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