Larger zebras for focus peaking

[Keith_W]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I occasionally use live view for shooting in low light. But I find that the zebras are rather too subtle and difficult to see. Is there any way to make them more prominent? 

[Joakim]

Focus peaking depends on sharpness, that is micro contrast, to work. Maybe there's not enough contrast when you're shooting in low light. Have you tried it in good light for comparison?

[pop]

The visibility of the focus peaking also depends on the contrast delivered by your lens. Some lenses will produce an insufficient contrast when fully open. I have learned to rely on the range finder in low light, even at some dimly lit parties. But then, my camera is the M  with its somewhat mediocre EVF.

[UliWer]

The peaking indicators are only helpful, if they really are limited to a small area - showing where the peak of sharpness is. Therefore focus peaking is rather pointless with wide angle lenses and a big dof, since everything gets "peaked" which is misleading.

 

When it comes to zebras one should also remember that their black and white stripes are a rather efficient way to camouflage them in the field. One can change the colours of the peaking lines of the EVF - perhaps a zebra with red stripes sticks out more.

[jaapv]

I occasionally use live view for shooting in low light. But I find that the zebras are rather too subtle and difficult to see. Is there any way to make them more prominent? 

Yes, set the viewfinder to B&W and the peaking to red.

[duoenboge]

and set the contrast to high. Unfortunately it's not possible to choose the contrast for peaking and for the shot independently.

[Steve McGarrett]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I fail to see why Leica doesn't allow to set focus peaking's intensity, like other brands do. In Sony cameras, for example, you can set it to 3 different levels, and, combining it with jpeg settings (contrast and sharpening), you have a relatively wide array of settings to work with... still not perfect in every situation with every lens yet, but definitely a big step ahead.

[Keith_W]

Focus peaking depends on sharpness, that is micro contrast, to work. Maybe there's not enough contrast when you're shooting in low light. Have you tried it in good light for comparison?

 

I haven't tried it in good light, because I rely on the rangefinder in good light. 

 

 

The visibility of the focus peaking also depends on the contrast delivered by your lens. Some lenses will produce an insufficient contrast when fully open. I have learned to rely on the range finder in low light, even at some dimly lit parties. But then, my camera is the M  with its somewhat mediocre EVF.

 

My camera is an M10, and I am using a Summilux 50, and I shoot almost exclusively wide open (especially in low light scenarios where I need focus peaking in the first place!). 

 

 

Yes, set the viewfinder to B&W and the peaking to red.

 

Thank you! Not sure how to do that, time to delve into the manuals. 

[jaapv]

I fail to see why Leica doesn't allow to set focus peaking's intensity, like other brands do. In Sony cameras, for example, you can set it to 3 different levels, and, combining it with jpeg settings (contrast and sharpening), you have a relatively wide array of settings to work with... still not perfect in every situation with every lens yet, but definitely a big step ahead.

The M10 is a rangefinder camera with accessory EVF, and focus peaking is adjusted to longer focal lengths and macro (it is mostly unnecessary with wideangles).

If one would set it to a higher level, it would become progressively less precise.

 

For standard focal lengths, there is the rangefinder.

[@ndy_ellis]

Just a point on terminology.  Zebra-striping is a different feature of some EVF systems (Sony has it) - meant to preview blown highlights. 

[jdlaing]

Or areas underexposed too much.

[Joakim]

I haven't tried it in good light, because I rely on the rangefinder in good light. 

 

 

I meant so you could see what to expect from focus peaking when it works well.

[Steve McGarrett]

The M10 is a rangefinder camera with accessory EVF, and focus peaking is adjusted to longer focal lengths and macro (it is mostly unnecessary with wideangles).

If one would set it to a higher level, it would become progressively less precise.

 

For standard focal lengths, there is the rangefinder.

 

Yes, just as the M240 (with a better accessory EVF).

But an adjustable focus peaking level is just a software line... if one doesn't need it, just keep it off (or at standard level).