symmetron Posted November 28, 2011 Share #1 Posted November 28, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone know what the differences are between 1 Point and Spot focusing modes other than the "area" in the rectangles? Is there any difference in sensitivity? Also, for 1 Point H, the Instruction Manual refers to "less fluent monitor image..." There must be some difference in the focusing algorithm with 1 Point , but there's no mention of any differences other than speed and the above point. Some cameras, have differing sensitivities as a function of focusing mode. Does anyone know what the deal is with the X1? I've been using Spot focusing for awhile, and although it's more selective than a wider area focusing mode, it seems to have some focusing inaccuracy occasionally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Hi symmetron, Take a look here X1 Focusing Modes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Aperture 2 Posted December 1, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 1, 2011 My understanding is that spot focus is with just a central measure by opposition to an array of them - you can see the rectangles in the screen. While to focus with one single rectangle zone might look as been faster due to less data load in fact the focussing might be more difficult as maybe there is no sharp details to focus on. By opposition the array focus might Need more data analysis but it finds ease to identify focus areas (but maybe not the one you wished). Regarding high speed H, in this mode the screen is not refreshed as often and some non fluent images can take place but for me this is not a problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 1, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 1, 2011 I use spot focusing and it only fails if I inadvertently disturb the spot from the desired target before shooting. After experimenting with all modes, 'spot' proved to suit my technique best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted December 1, 2011 Share #4 Posted December 1, 2011 I use spot focusing and it only fails if I inadvertently disturb the spot from the desired target before shooting. After experimenting with all modes, 'spot' proved to suit my technique best. the only problem I have encountered is if I shoot a subject that is close by wide-open sometimes the narrow DOF causes something to be out of focus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted December 2, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 2, 2011 That's a problem? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 2, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 2, 2011 the only problem I have encountered is if I shoot a subject that is close by wide-open sometimes the narrow DOF causes something to be out of focus prk, experiment with the various modes. I have again, today, prompted by this thread. If Spot proves too tricky for you, try the slightly wider area patch 1 zone. If you focusing is accurate, then choice of aperture will help cover your desired DOF. It is usually a compromise between subject/camera movement, sharpness and your personal skills in shooting with any camera. This is not unique to the X1. Incidentally, as a general point with any camera, it is worth spending otherwise idle moments running through a camera's available modes. It is amazing what you forget or have never bothered to learn! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted December 2, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am currently in communication with Leica USA technical regarding focusing inaccuracies with my X1 regardless of subject difference. Occasionally, but regularly, even in very good light (ISO 200, 1/125, f/8, Full Auto, Spot focusing, Macro setting), my X1 will indicate focus lock on (beep and green rectangle), but the image will be blurry; not so much out of focus at one point or another, but just very blurry. See attached images. I'm struggling to determine if it's a setting issue, camera quirk, or problem with the camera. 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/167425-x1-focusing-modes/?do=findComment&comment=1860179'>More sharing options...
andybarton Posted December 2, 2011 Share #8 Posted December 2, 2011 Were you shooting through glass for the first shot? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted December 2, 2011 No, not all. Nothing between me and the subject. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted December 2, 2011 I'm on business travel and without the camera right now, but Leica suggested reinstalling Firmware 2.0. I thought perhaps that possibly with the lens in the "Macro mode", the algorithm was defaulting to a near focus point and would fail. According to Leica, that should not happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted December 2, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 2, 2011 Macro mode might restrict the range over which the lens will focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted December 2, 2011 When I spoke with Leica, they weren't sure about the Macro mode being restricted. They agreed that there is a bias toward near focus, but uncertain as to whether what circumstances could cause it to fail and not focus over the entire focusing range. Typically, most cameras that have a Macro mode will focus over the entire range, but it will take longer to focus because of the increased range. I'll try the "Normal" mode and see if that fixes the issue. If it doesn't, I'll have to send the camera in for repair, reluctantly. Although in the the past I've had excellent experience with Leica service, I've also had a a couple of snafus where the camera was repaired for the reason I sent it to Leica, but another issue resulted from the repair which resulted in returning to Leica for a second time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 2, 2011 Share #13 Posted December 2, 2011 Does it focus manually satisfactorily? For distant views, such as the one above, I prefer to set the camera manually on infinity. It prevents the autofocus hunting and possibly failing, when it encounters air turbulence pockets. Just remember to reset the focus for the next shooting session. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
prk60091 Posted December 2, 2011 Share #14 Posted December 2, 2011 Macro mode might restrict the range over which the lens will focus. i often shoot MacroMode AF and have not found any restrictions over focus. it looks like the camera AF is hunting for focus at the wrong time- it doesn't look to be operator failure - if a reload of the firmware doesn't work - then a trip to Leica is in order for the X1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted December 2, 2011 I'll try reloading the Firmware, for the 3rd time. I don't expect any improvement and will probably, and unfortunately, need to send the camera in for repair. Will advise. Thanks for the inputs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 2, 2011 Share #16 Posted December 2, 2011 Further to my earlier reply, can you focus the camera manually? If so, at least that confirms that the focus mechanism is working. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted December 2, 2011 Sorry; yes, manual focus is fine. However, I've never tried shifting immediately to manual focus once the autofocus event occurs and seeing if there's any anything going on. Frankly, I rarely use manual focus, but have never had any issues with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
symmetron Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted December 9, 2011 So I updated the firmware (3rd time since owning the camera) using a file from Leica USA instead of the website download version; which should have been the same. Anyway, the camera seems to be focusing more accurately and even faster, but haven't had a chance to totally ring it out. So far, so good. Will advise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 9, 2011 Share #19 Posted December 9, 2011 Macro mode might restrict the range over which the lens will focus. Andy it doesn't restrict the focus range; in fact it extends it. The slight penalty is that focusing can take a little longer in Macro mode when shooting at non-macro ranges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnturnerx1 Posted January 1, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 1, 2012 Wow-lots to talk about here. I've only had the X1 for 2 months, and have done a lot of experimenting. I think you have had some of the same problems I had. I also submitted an image to Leica tech, and received nothing much helpful. I sent 4 images, received a brief comment on one image that repeated exactly what I told the techie. So, here goes, and I know I'm going to get 'flamed' for my opinions, but I'm just trying to help you with the experiences I've had. I don't think the X1 is suitable for hand-held use. It focusses so slow, that by the time the focus is fixed, your hand has already moved. I have taken many photos hand-held, and almost always have to go shutter-priority 1/250 (or faster depending on conditions), and aperture-priority depending on conditions or set to auto. I'm speaking of photos outside in the daylight when you can go with a faster shutter speed. Indoors, forget hand-held completely. Use a tripod and slow shutter speeds and self-timer (see my post). I've had many all-blurry or partially-blurry images when shooting hand-held. Interestingly, in my frustration with X1, I compared my raw files to raw images taken with my Nikon D200 (12 mp) and Canon T2i (18mp). I was surprised at the results. I rarely got blurry images with these two cameras, and the quality of the images was very good to excellent, even with the cheap kit lenses I had on them. In X1's favor, when you DO get a really good image, the results are spectacular. This post is too long already. I will do a separate post on the metering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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