Leica Q-Setting for fastest AF

[amelidis@otenet.gr]

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I am not happy with the Q Autofocus unless I am doing something wrong.

I find the autofocus often 'hesitates' and oscillates , between two areas or more.

I would like some advise on which setting gives the fastest response. Should it be AFc or AFs ? Should it be Multi-Area or Single? Face detection or not ? etc

Any advice would be appreciated. 

 

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[nicci78]

• Never use AF-C and you should be fine. 
• Face detection is adequate. 
• Avoid multi-area.
• Use single point. 

[amelidis@otenet.gr]

1 minute ago, nicci78 said:

• Never use AF-C and you should be fine. 
• Face detection is adequate. 
• Avoid multi-area.
• Use single point. 

Many thanks, I was using AFc. And multi-area !! I hope this improves it cause it kinda sucks to have spent so much money on a camera and not be happy with this important aspect.

Thanks again.

[Leica Guy]

I also never use AF-C. I found it hunts too much. 
I do use both multi-field for general photography although it can be fooled and not select the subject I want. Still, I do like it at times. 
Face detect is not great yet on the Q2. My iPhone is amazing and much better in this mode. 
The Spot and Field seem the most accurate and certainly you can more easily select the exact point of focus. 

[amelidis@otenet.gr]

2 minutes ago, Leica Guy said:

I also never use AF-C. I found it hunts too much. 
I do use both multi-field for general photography although it can be fooled and not select the subject I want. Still, I do like it at times. 
Face detect is not great yet on the Q2. My iPhone is amazing and much better in this mode. 
The Spot and Field seem the most accurate and certainly you can more easily select the exact point of focus. 

Thanks!

[piblondin]

On 12/13/2019 at 12:45 AM, nicci78 said:

• Never use AF-C and you should be fine. 
• Face detection is adequate. 
• Avoid multi-area.
• Use single point. 

How do you track a moving subject--say, someone walking towards you? 

[nicci78]

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Of course you can use AF-C in this case. But do not expect DSLR tracking capabilities or recent Sony offering. 
Phase detect rules for this. 

[amelidis@otenet.gr]

1 minute ago, nicci78 said:

Of course you can use AF-C in this case. But do not expect DSLR tracking capabilities or recent Sony offering. 
Phase detect rules for this. 

thanks!

[JuleSolo]

I have read several reviews of this camera and some talk about how this camera has a downside in that it is no good for sports, action, etc and its video leaves a lot to be desired.  I have a Nikon D850 and a full kit for when I want to (occasionally) take fast moving action shots when I might use AF-C - (just as problematic on Nikon as it is on the Q).

The Q is unique in that it is for people that want to take amazing pictures when they are traveling or just walking about and want an almost film like quality that is almost impossible to achieve with other cameras - plus it is a Leica!

So, never use AF-C and try and manual focus on occasion - gives you great satisfaction!

Edited December 25, 2019 by JuleSolo

[danielmfrank]

I use spot AF almost exclusively, and it's fast and accurate. Wish I could lock the focus point in the middle, though -- I frequently bump the directional keys and it wanders off. A firmware fix seems practical, if Leica would do that.

Other AF modes are mediocre at best.

[stuny]

Perhaps another issue is tryng to focus on something with exceptionally low contrast.  If you experience that either change to manual focus or slightly reframe.

[LexS]

On 12/13/2019 at 8:49 AM, amelidis@otenet.gr said:

I am not happy with the Q Autofocus unless I am doing something wrong.

I find the autofocus often 'hesitates' and oscillates , between two areas or more.

I would like some advise on which setting gives the fastest response. Should it be AFc or AFs ? Should it be Multi-Area or Single? Face detection or not ? etc

Any advice would be appreciated. 

 

This is what Thorsten von Overgaard said about this in the book about Q:

"----The AF is one of the clear advantages of the Leica Q, and if I don't use that, then why would I use it at all? Then the Leica M that offers no AF is faster, better and higher quality.
The Leica Q has a very fast focus for today's standard. When you look though the viewfinder, there's a blinking frame(s) indicating what the camera has focused on.
I tend to hold the shutter release button half down to activate the focusing (and wait until the focus frame turns from white to green), then press it down to take the photo.---"

 

[Snooopy]

For street I use AF-C, small single point (cross) and 5B/s rate. The biggest challenge is if the target an me move and we crossing. The normal AF point is to big for shoots like this, becous every time the first picture in the serie will be out of focus. The Q2 need a firmware update with a small "normal" point like the Q1....

Edited December 27, 2019 by Snooopy

[amelidis@otenet.gr]

Hi guys, many thanks , this has all been helpful!!

[sskim]

On 12/27/2019 at 2:57 PM, LexS said:

This is what Thorsten von Overgaard said about this in the book about Q:

"----The AF is one of the clear advantages of the Leica Q, and if I don't use that, then why would I use it at all? Then the Leica M that offers no AF is faster, better and higher quality.
The Leica Q has a very fast focus for today's standard. When you look though the viewfinder, there's a blinking frame(s) indicating what the camera has focused on.
I tend to hold the shutter release button half down to activate the focusing (and wait until the focus frame turns from white to green), then press it down to take the photo.---"

 

Are you referring to Overgaard’s “Leica Q Know-All”? I’ve been looking to get a more detail book on Leica Q but have not found anything besides this one.  It is not cheap so was looking for reviews but came up empty.  What’s your take on the book?  Thanks

[LexS]

@SSKIM:

Leica Q Know All ebook indeed.

Good book, from a special photographer: he has about 14 birthdays per year and then offers some books for a very special price at his site. As far as I remember I bought this ebook for 5 $ from his site.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

On 12/27/2019 at 2:57 PM, LexS said:

This is what Thorsten von Overgaard said about this in the book about Q:

"----The AF is one of the clear advantages of the Leica Q, and if I don't use that, then why would I use it at all? Then the Leica M that offers no AF is faster, better and higher quality.
The Leica Q has a very fast focus for today's standard. When you look though the viewfinder, there's a blinking frame(s) indicating what the camera has focused on.
I tend to hold the shutter release button half down to activate the focusing (and wait until the focus frame turns from white to green), then press it down to take the photo.---"

 

I went to the store today and tested Q indoors. Its AF is not as fast as my older Canon L lenses. But it still sufficiently good enough for non sports. I don’t think I need Q for it anyway. Manual focus experience was very pleasing.

[BradNYC]

For the longest time (current Q2 user and 10+ years Nikon user), I've always used AF-S and single focus parked on/near the rule of 1/3rd's line and toggle using the pad to put on someone's eyeball and bam! locked on focus. Works everytime!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q