Ivan Muller Posted January 13, 2011 Share #1  Posted January 13, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been trying out the face detection mode with my viefinder for close up portraits and I am quite happy with the results. I know 'gimmicks' like this are considdered beneath competent photographers but I though I would give it a try!  The central focus mark becomes too much of a guestimate on anything other than flat walls or more distant subjects. Close-up portraits, unless subject head is in the centre of the viefinder is also difficult.  I took this image against a plain side window lit wall. For this one I used f2.8 and focus is sharp on the mouth but ever so slightly out on the eyes, At f4 and f5.6 mouth and eyes are in focus and pin sharp, with pleasing out of focus areas towards back of head and torso.  Focussing speed is a bit slow but accurate. Exposure was spot on but I increased the contrast and blacks a bit for effect.  I have set one of my profiles for face detection so can switch modes fairly quickly but still a bit of a pain to go to the menu.  Of course viewing matters with the screen will probably be easier but I find that optical viewfinder use is brighter and I can hold the camera steadier. Parrallax is still a bit of a guestimate....But the enclosed pic is uncropped and the top framing was where I wanted it to be.  So in the end I am quite hapy with another 'work around the performance issues of the X1' method. I wish my 5d had face detect focussing..... 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/141586-anyone-use-face-detection/?do=findComment&comment=1557099'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 Hi Ivan Muller, Take a look here Anyone use face detection?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robert blu Posted January 13, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Interesting, I'll try it (one more thing to try!). Just curious if you tried it in a vertical (portrait) orientation and result. ciao robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #3 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Vertical works fine. Parallax is a bit more of an problem - for me at least. I suppose one can allways fall back on the screen if framing is too difficult. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaBraz Posted January 13, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted January 13, 2011 The police use it a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted January 13, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted January 13, 2011 I've used it with good results, of course it defaults to 11 point if it fails to find a face. I tried it for the same reason as you, I like using the viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #6  Posted January 13, 2011 Enclosed a vertical portrait before I had the viewfinder. I had just got the camera and used the face detect before I knew how to move the central focus point.....which is quite cumbersome in any case.  I printed this pic of my daughter up to size A0, and although its a bit soft if you look closely, at normal viewing distances it looks superb! 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/141586-anyone-use-face-detection/?do=findComment&comment=1557173'>More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 13, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Ivan, Â You are one who appears consistently to take gorgeous photos with the X1... Â Cj Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share #8 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Hi Cj, Â Thanks, but you should know by now its not me, but the camera.....! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted January 13, 2011 Share #9 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Ivan, Â Actually, I am quite sure it was you and not the X1 behind the great photos, just look at the multitude of complaints on this camera to ascertain this fact hahah... Â CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted January 13, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Ivan, I dare to say your great pictures are because of you AND the camera ! robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted January 13, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted January 13, 2011 I used face detection for about the first week and then switched to spot focus. When shooting indoors at f2.8, I found that while face detection would focus on the face, it wasn't necessarily on the eyes. I always try to spot focus on the eyes and then shift the camera. At higher f stops in good light, face detection works fine. Â The eyes have it by ffacker, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECliffordSmith Posted January 13, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Hi All, Â I have used it on the few occasions when I have wanted to take self portraits holding the camera where the spot focus becomes difficult to control. In all other circumstances I use centre point spot focus mode or manual and reframe for off centre subjects. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
h00ligan Posted January 13, 2011 Share #13 Â Posted January 13, 2011 I agree on the parallax Ivan. Is only accurate at intermediate distances...not too far or it goes off as well...that I find annoying as I mostly bought it for landscape shots and it isn't precise enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted January 13, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Edward, Ivan -- can you guys explain what you mean by the parralax being a problem with the viewfinder? I'm not sure I understand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycioni Posted January 13, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Edward, Ivan -- can you guys explain what you mean by the parralax being a problem with the viewfinder? I'm not sure I understand. Â In the most general terms - the difference between what an accessory viewfinder (in the hotshoe) sees and what the lens sees. If you use the frame-lines in the Leica X1 viewfinder mounted on the hotshoe you will be relatively safe - but as you move closer to the subject the difference becomes more pronounced between what you see as opposed to what is recorded, you will need to adjust for that. Â The rear display on the X1 used as the viewfinder sees pretty much what the lens sees.... Â Cheers, Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted January 13, 2011 Share #16 Â Posted January 13, 2011 Ahhhh, got it. If you purchase one of the old adjustable viewfinders that were made for 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, you can leave the frame lines set for 35mm and adjust the tilt lever on the base to correct the parralax, so that the framing matches up with the LCD at your preferred distance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
h00ligan Posted January 14, 2011 Share #17 Â Posted January 14, 2011 Yah. It's good for in betweens. Just not close or far... they compromised correctly I suppose, I'm just not sure if I'll bother, though I do feel it adds a good level of stability when held looking through the vf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 15, 2011 Share #18 Â Posted January 15, 2011 Ugh, I tried it and got handbag recognition. Too gimmicky by far. Unfortunately I just can't rely on the X1 for close-up portraits; with RF I focus on the eye. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Muller Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share #19 Â Posted January 15, 2011 Hi NZDavid, Â Actually my tests so far has given me excellent results using the face recognition and the optical viewfinder when I am doing static portraits of a single person/face . Only drawback is that the focus is a little slow, and of course one doesnt know or have a visual confirmation that it did actually focus on the face. When using f4, on very closeups eyes are in focus as well but back of head is out of focus. Gimmicky or not it works for me and works very well with the optical viewfinder and so far not one out of focus image... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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