What's the fastest way to toggle AF/MF on SL2?

[thighslapper]

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16 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I really like my SL2 as well and in many ways prefer it to the S1R. But I don’t know if I would keep it in preference to the Panasonic. If leica can get Fotos working on my Android phone then I might not complain about the fixed screen. If I could assign the play button so I didn’t need to lower the camera from my eye I might not complain about all the buttons being on the left.

*IF* Leica had kept the original button layout I’d definitely prefer the SL2, but they didn’t and I lean slightly to the Panasonic overall. However, I’ll almost certainly use the SL2 more because of the 30 minute exposure time.

Gordon

yes ........ two excellent cameras, and both infuriatingly let down by just a few features that prevent them being almost perfect.

 

[Leicaiste]

They will need to sell you the S2 and the SL3. 
 

😉

[Tinbird]

On 12/25/2019 at 12:47 PM, SrMi said:

There should be no difference in focusing speed between BBF and shutter-button focus, unless you are using pre-focus. All professional wildlife photographer I met use BBF.

I see your use case. You prefer using shutter button to focus and would like to switch between AF and MF without removing your eye from EVF. I have not seen anyone doing it that way, but everybody has its preferred workflow. On SL/SL2 that can be done only with Panasonic and Sigma lenses.

Hi SrMi,

I use BBAF almost exclusively on my pro-DSLR's (for a wide variety of subject matter and situations), and I really like it. I've just spent HOURS trying to figure out how to DISABLE (or decouple) AF from the shutter release button on my new SL2, but I have failed to do so. Accordingly, I cannot yet see any way to use BBAF in the traditional manner (removing AF from the shutter release, and using BBAF to control AF, and the shutter release button ONLY for exposure metering and shutter release). I've read many, many posts on this and other forums, but I cannot find any clear way to use BBAF on the SL2. Is it possible, or not? Again, my desire is to COMPLETELY REMOVE AF FROM THE SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON, and assign AF EXCLUSIVELY to either the joystick on the back of the camera, or (even better) to the smaller FN button between the EVF and the joystick (which I'm quite certain isn't possible on the SL2). I AM aware that I can activate AF with the joystick on the back of the SL2, and that I can HOLD the joystick (keep it depressed) and it will "override" the AF functioning of the shutter release button, HOWEVER, this is only true IF one keeps the joystick firmly depressed continuously, because the moment the joystick is released, the shutter release button immediately becomes active again and will attempt to refocus every time it's half-pressed. Traditional BBAF on DSLR's (at least the way I have my DSLR's configured) simply disconnects all AF functions from the shutter release button and re-assigns them to a back button, which I find to be a very elegant arrangement, since, once focus is achieved (with the back button), I can actually RELEASE the back button and capture images; recompose my frame; make other adjustments as may be needed; and wait for the "decisive moment," all without ever having to RE-ENGAGE FOCUS for an image that's already in-focus every time I touch the shutter release button (assuming my camera-to-subject distance remains fixed, of course). Any and all constructive guidance on how I might configure the SL2 to achieve the same or similar functionality would be most sincerely appreciated!

P.S. I've also been unable to select the "Auto Panning" option from Main Menu > Panning Mode > Auto Panning. All other modes are white font and selectable, however, "Auto Panning" is subdue grey and is NOT selectable. I've tried both the 24-90 and 90-280 native SL lenses on the SL2 body, but in neither case was Auto Panning selectable from the menu. Can you (or anyone else) offer any guidance?

Edited January 2, 2020 by Tinbird
typographical error

[Leicaiste]

Put the lens in manual mode in the menu, and the AF will only be on the joystick. 

[LocalHero1953]

Yes, just switch to MF and you can have BBAF on the joystick - the same way it's always been on the SL1. Think how many upper case letters you'll be able to save.

[Tinbird]

4 minutes ago, Leicaiste said:

Put the lens in manual mode in the menu, and the AF will only be on the joystick. 

Leicaste!!!!!

How in the WORLD did you figure this out?! I just followed your advice AND IT WORKED!! I was racking my brain for HOURS wrestling with the issue (I've read the SL2 Instruction Manual THREE TIMES now, front-to-back (English language only!), and I must say, the typographical, grammatical, and even pictorial errors strewn throughout are just shocking! The narrative on AF Operating Modes vs. AF Metering Modes is particularly egregious!).

Hey...any advice on my second question ("Auto Panning" mode is greyed-out in the Main Menu and therefore not selectable)? I've cycled through every imaginable combination of AF settings and modes, and tried both the 24-90 and the 90-280 SL lenses on the SL2 body, but all to no avail. The "Auto Panning" mode seems to be dormant. Could it be a premature hint of a future firmware functionality (like the 187 MP "Multi Shot" mode rumored to be coming soon)...?

Thanks again for your incredibly prompt and spot-on advice, Liecaste! I hope I can return the favor one day!

~ Tinbird

[Tinbird]

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10 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Yes, just switch to MF and you can have BBAF on the joystick - the same way it's always been on the SL1. Think how many upper case letters you'll be able to save.

OUTSTANDING! Thank you very much, Paul! Leicaiste mentioned the same just moments ago, and IT WORKED!

Hey, Paul...any guidance on the "Auto Panning" mode? This seems to be the ONLY feature on my SL2 which is subdued (greyed-out) and not user-selectable. I tried every-single AF mode and setting, and even two different SL lenses, and no luck. This isn't a huge deal to me, but since the camera is brand new and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it (and get the most from it that I can), I'm just wondering what experience others are having with this feature. Check it out and let me know if you figure it out: Main Menu (tab #5) > Panning Mode > Auto Panning. The other three choices in the Panning Mode menu (Normal; Vertical Panning; and Horizontal Panning) are all white font and selectable; but the "Auto Panning" is subdued grey and not selectable. Could this be a future firmware enhancement waiting to come to fruition (like the 187 MP "Multi Shot Mode")...?

~ Tinbird

[LocalHero1953]

Just now, Tinbird said:

OUTSTANDING! Thank you very much, Paul! Leicaiste mentioned the same just moments ago, and IT WORKED!

Hey, Paul...any guidance on the "Auto Panning" mode? This seems to be the ONLY feature on my SL2 which is subdued (greyed-out) and not user-selectable. I tried every-single AF mode and setting, and even two different SL lenses, and no luck. This isn't a huge deal to me, but since the camera is brand new and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it (and get the most from it that I can), I'm just wondering what experience others are having with this feature. Check it out and let me know if you figure it out: Main Menu (tab #5) > Panning Mode > Auto Panning. The other three choices in the Panning Mode menu (Normal; Vertical Panning; and Horizontal Panning) are all white font and selectable; but the "Auto Panning" is subdued grey and not selectable. Could this be a future firmware enhancement waiting to come to fruition (like the 187 MP "Multi Shot Mode")...?

~ Tinbird

Sorry, no - I don't have the SL2, and that feature is not on the SL1, which I do have.

[Tinbird]

3 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Sorry, no - I don't have the SL2, and that feature is not on the SL1, which I do have.

My sincere thanks, once again, Paul (and apologies for the upper-case excess). I'll tone that right down...

Happy New Year,

~ Tinbird

[NRKstudio]

18 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Yes, just switch to MF and you can have BBAF on the joystick - the same way it's always been on the SL1. Think how many upper case letters you'll be able to save.

The only drawback in this method of using the joystick for focus on the SL2 (thus keeping the camera in MF mode) the submonitor screen does not display the focus distance and the depth of field distance (circle of confusion info); when keeping the camera in AF mode, you can half press the shutter and turn the lens ring for manual focus and have this info displayed on the submonitor.

[grahamhoey]

5 hours ago, NRKstudio said:

The only drawback in this method of using the joystick for focus on the SL2 (thus keeping the camera in MF mode) the submonitor screen does not display the focus distance and the depth of field distance (circle of confusion info); when keeping the camera in AF mode, you can half press the shutter and turn the lens ring for manual focus and have this info displayed on the submonitor.

But using MF and back button focusing with focus peaking on shows what is in focus

[NRKstudio]

Just now, grahamhoey said:

But using MF and back button focusing with focus peaking on shows what is in focus

I agree, it’s determinable what is in focus, just this one feature is not enabled of a numerical display of the bounds of the circle of confusion.  

[Jeff S]

On the S007, I think the DOF top display was decoupled from the half shutter press via FW update.  Don’t think it changed similarly on the SL.  I don’t own either, so can’t verify.  

David Farkas has written about his fondness for the display feature, particularly with landscapes when using wide lenses at narrow apertures; not so much using long lenses with wide apertures.  He uses it to determine hyperfocal distance, keeping the rear reading at infinity while adjusting the focus as far forward as possible.

Jeff

Edited January 4, 2020 by Jeff S

[NRKstudio]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

On the S007, I think the DOF top display was decoupled from the half shutter press via FW update.  Don’t think it changed similarly on the SL.  I don’t own either, so can’t verify.  

David Farkas has written about his fondness for the display feature, particularly with landscapes when using wide lenses at narrow apertures; not so much using long lenses with wide apertures.  He uses it to determine hyperfocal distance, keeping the rear reading at infinity while adjusting the focus as far forward as possible.

Jeff

Very helpful advice, will def try this.  I haven’t encountered an L mount lens with proper focus ring markings, but when the rest of the Art lenses come out, we will be able to manually Zone focus and also set hyperfocal distance.  
 

With the 35/1.2, when you switch your lens to MF mode via on-lens switch, you can still use BBF via joystick focus feature.  So id recommend the user above that there is an easy way to toggle MF: just manually switch (via the lens’ switch) to MF, and thus you can BBF with the joystick, but also use your focus ring to manually focus.  Best of both worlds, now I’ve just been keeping my 35/1.2 Art in MF mode and then using BBF to AFC when needed.  @Tinbird @LocalHero1953 @SrMi

Edited January 4, 2020 by NRKstudio