SL AF Eye Focus question

[jto555]

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Hi, as a non SL user I have one question. Does the SL's AF "do" eye focus, similar to the Sony A7R iii, or is the AF just face detection?

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[LD_50]

From the US Leica site:

 

“Focusing can be set either by a simple tap on the touch screen on the part of the subject you wish to focus on, or automatically, by enabling the eye detection function. Here, the Leica SL focuses sharply on the eye that is closest to the camera. “

 

I’ve tested it but have not always seen focus on the nearest eye as described.

Edited December 23, 2017 by LD_50

[LocalHero1953]

I haven't done rigorous testing, but I switched to 'face detection‘ AF for portraiture after I found it really did seem to focus on the eyes. It took one technical step out of my hands and thought processes, allowing me to watch the expression of the subject in the VF, and not continuously adjust the composition or move the focus point manually onto the eye.

[lx1713]

I haven't done rigorous testing, but I switched to 'face detection‘ AF for portraiture after I found it really did seem to focus on the eyes. It took one technical step out of my hands and thought processes, allowing me to watch the expression of the subject in the VF, and not continuously adjust the composition or move the focus point manually onto the eye.

I haven't really touched on the eye focus feature so this is helpful. Thanks. Thought it was just face detection. Could have used it today 

I've been using it for video though and it's quite nice paired with AFc.

[jto555]

From the US Leica site:

 

“Focusing can be set either by a simple tap on the touch screen on the part of the subject you wish to focus on, or automatically, by enabling the eye detection function. Here, the Leica SL focuses sharply on the eye that is closest to the camera. “

 

I’ve tested it but have not always seen focus on the nearest eye as described.

So the camera has it. However, from what you are saying it could be improved, so maybe in a firmware update.

[LD_50]

What I have seen with the Summilux-SL 50 is sometimes it focused on the eye farthest from the camera or simply hunted long enough that I prefer to use single point with manual override as needed.

 

The manual and the menus still mention face detection while the web site mentions the eye AF I quoted. It mentions this in a section regarding the two zooms, where DOF may simplify the process to focus on the eyes.

 

I do believe there is a lot to be done with software to make this as useable as Sony’s most recent implementation.