Focusing on dark subjects

[leica1215]

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Having difficulties use AF on dark subjects, so I tried manual focus, but how am I going to get relatively fast and accurate focus?

 

Hence the subject is a bit dark, the red outlined ( focus aid) won't do any good, I barely can see any outline in red on dark subjects, also the focus ring doesn't have any reference mark , how do you guys deal with this type situation?

 

 

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[ramarren]

Focusing ideas:

 

• If you want to use scale focus, switch to Manual focus and half press the shutter release. Look at the top LCD and you'll see the focus distance plus near and far focus limits in the readout. Turn the manual focus ring until the right zone is set. 
• If you want to improve the view for dark or silhouetted subjects and manually focus with the EVF, you can either crank up the exposure compensation until the subject is clearly visible and focus, then restore the exposure compensation to what you want for the exposure. Or you can switch the metering pattern to Spot mode, center the spot on the subject so that it is properly exposure in the viewfinder. Focus, then reset where the spot is to reflect the correct exposure. 
• For AF in very dark circumstances, use the illuminated assist. Yes, it's sometimes annoying to people and cannot be used if you want to make photographs without being noticed, but there are few options for AF systems other than adding enough light to enable accurate operation. 
• The other option that does work for either MF or AF is to look around and pick another object that is in better light and is at the same distance as your selected subject. Focus on that and, while holding that focus point, reframe for your subject. 

 

G

[rubaga]

I will just mention that for me focusing on dark subjects became better since upgrading SL to firmware 3.0

[leica1215]

I will just mention that for me focusing on dark subjects became better since upgrading SL to firmware 3.0

What's the difference before 3.0 and after??

 

 

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[rubaga]

What's the difference before 3.0 and after??

 

 

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3.0 is the latest firmware for SL. Its release documentation states that a lot of improvements were made to focus. I noted that focusing in dark situations became better. I suggest you upgrade your camera to the latest firmware. Any service centre will do that for you or you can do it yourself via owners section of Leica site.

 

https://owners.leica-camera.com/home

[Marac]

I have only recently bought the 24-90,  FW 3.0 made improvements in the AF, it seems totally fine, before this I used M lenses but was convinced by the improvements suggested in the latest FW update to go ahead and get the 24-90.

 

I remember last year playing with the SL and 24-90 and not being very impressed at all by its AF so the FW update is a definite must have for AF

[ramarren]

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I've had the 24-90 since I bought the SL. I guess I'm not all that dependent upon AF because it never bothered me and seemed to perform just fine, even with the original v1.1 firmware my camera came with. I tend to prefer focusing manually and using the joystick button to force AF when I want it.

 

Firmware v3.0 has definitely improved focusing, however, for both my SL zoom lenses: It's become faster, more accurate, etc. 

[douglas fry]

I switch the camera from PAS to PASM (or the other way) on exposure preview, usually reserved when shooting with flash in a studio but helpful at other times when shooting with contrasty/backlit subjects

[steppenw0lf]

When I use manual focus I typically use R or M lenses (or Contax and Nikon). The advantage - they are much smaller. And the mechanical lenses give me a better feedback (direct steering, no fly by wire).

The SL lenses I use mostly with AF or in "back button mode"  (which is set to manual focus, but AF is still working - on the joystick).

 

Manual focus is very important for me - so are the adapted lenses, especially the macro lenses. I wonder what I will do when Leica ever announces a native macro lens .....

[ramarren]

A native macro lens would be nice for the SL lens portfolio, but I doubt I'm in the market for one. I have both the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm and Macro-Elmar-R 100mm (in short mount with the Focusing Bellows-R) ... Don't need anything else there, and see very little point to autofocus for macro work. 

[sillbeers15]

A native macro lens would be nice for the SL lens portfolio, but I doubt I'm in the market for one. I have both the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm and Macro-Elmar-R 100mm (in short mount with the Focusing Bellows-R) ... Don't need anything else there, and see very little point to autofocus for macro work.

I've not been much of a Macro user. Correct me if I'm wrong, shouldn't macro focusing be optimized through movement than focusing? In that respect the AF be redundant?

[ramarren]

I've not been much of a Macro user. Correct me if I'm wrong, shouldn't macro focusing be optimized through movement than focusing? In that respect the AF be redundant?

 

 

Exactly, that's why it's not particularly important to me to have a native, AF capable macro lens. A geared focusing rail is the right way to fine tune focus with macro work. 

 

However, macro lenses can be used for more than just macro work, and for those uses many like to have AF. I use my Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm as a general purpose lens too, but I am happy to focus it manually. (The Macro-Elmar-R 100mm f/4 I have is the short mount version for use with the Focusing Bellows-R so it's a it bit more difficult to use it as a general purpose lens unless you are using the setup with a tripod.)