Focus limiter on 90-280mm

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Is there any way to set a focus limiter on the 90-280 ?  

 

Was shooting a F15 Eagle performing some aerial performance with the SL and 90-280.  Despite setting my camera to AFC, High Continuous Shutter, Focus Tracking and Field Focusing mode, the SL with the 90-280 had a hard time trying to focus on a F15.  60-70% of the photos are OOF even though the aircraft is just flying across from Left to Right.  When the aircraft was coming straight at me, the OOF rate is 80-90%.

Basically, the SL with 90-280 was just struggling to lock focus even with the focus tracking mode.  It was hunting back and forth to lock focus from closest focusing to infinity.

Wondering if you guys encountered problems like this and if so, were you able to overcome it ?  

Wish there is a focus limiter on the 90-280 like the other lenses.......Sigh!

 

I had a higher hit ratio with my Canon and Nikon 300/F2.8

 

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[mgrayson3]

Nothing in my experience captures moving objects better than a Canon or Nikon pro body. My 13 year old 1DsII does a better job than any other camera I've tried. Can the Sony A9 compete? I dunno. The SL focuses instantly on a static subject, but I would still grab the Canon for anything moving.

 

Best,

 

Matt

[ramarren]

I've never used AF for any subject like that: I can always focus faster and more consistently using manual focus, with any camera, when working with planes, racing cars and motorcycles, etc.

[sillbeers15]

Is there any way to set a focus limiter on the 90-280 ?  

 

Was shooting a F15 Eagle performing some aerial performance with the SL and 90-280.  Despite setting my camera to AFC, High Continuous Shutter, Focus Tracking and Field Focusing mode, the SL with the 90-280 had a hard time trying to focus on a F15.  60-70% of the photos are OOF even though the aircraft is just flying across from Left to Right.  When the aircraft was coming straight at me, the OOF rate is 80-90%.

 

Basically, the SL with 90-280 was just struggling to lock focus even with the focus tracking mode.  It was hunting back and forth to lock focus from closest focusing to infinity.

 

Wondering if you guys encountered problems like this and if so, were you able to overcome it ?  

 

Wish there is a focus limiter on the 90-280 like the other lenses.......Sigh!

 

I had a higher hit ratio with my Canon and Nikon 300/F2.8

 

I strated with the same frustration as I did not understand the Contrast Detect Focusing limitation well and that was before the V3.0 Firmware update on my SL. I have been regularing taking Birds in Flight to help myself understand 'what works' and 'what does not work' on the SL focusing system.

 

I'm very sure you were shooting against the light to have encountered the problem of AFC hunting in the wrong direction and getting very poor results. Unfortuntely the Contrast Detect performs very poorly under such backlight situation. Another weakness of the contrast detect is the poor contrast situation. I am certain the reseon you have asked for 'focus limiter' due to the frustration of not even seeing or seeing clearly the subject in the EVF and thus resulting in focus hunting and eventually missed taking the shot. Unfortunately there is no 'focus limiter' function on the SL lenses till date. One way for me to overcome the problem is such that I will estimate my point of shot (even slightly earlier if it were moving in the direction of coming towards me' and find an object with sufficient contrast and in that focus range to prefocus against (could be a tree or building off the frame of shot, then reframe after pre focusing).

 

If not shooting against light, after prefocusing your 90-280 (24-90 does not have such problem as it is not in the mid telephoto range) based on my user experience, just jam the shutter button when you get the moving subject in sight (EVF) even the focusing isn't completely sharp. I only use 'Middle Continuous Shutter' and let the camera continue to focus even the first image isn't clearly in focus. You can be surprised on the results on 'sharply focused' hit rate increasing tremendously. Based on my experience, the SL's 'sharply focused' hit rate might not be as high as a Phase Detect DSLR but certainly isn't poor, also my experience with another photographer shooting a 1DX next to me on the same scene does not encounter perfect shooting under backlight situation. 

 

More practices will help you understand your camera and lens well. Have fun!

 

L1060204 by sillbeers15

Edited February 4, 2018 by sillbeers15

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I think Ramarren may be right.  Using MF might be a better solution for shooting planes.  

It is so far away that it is probably focusing at infinity.  So, since it is already at infinity, MF will prevent the 90-280 from hunting.

Thanks again Ramarren......