Daniel81 Posted January 9, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 9, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm new to SL - actually new to EVF and mirrorless too. Can those of you with experience give me suggestions for optimal choices and settings for the SL (in my case with a 75 summicron SL) in shooting movement like for example, my dog running around. What settings are likely to optimise the likelihood of focused action images? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 9, 2020 Posted January 9, 2020 Hi Daniel81, Take a look here Seeking Experienced Advice on Using SL for Movement. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
thighslapper Posted January 9, 2020 Share #2 Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) Put a lead on the dog and tie it to a stake driven into the ground. Changing the camera settings won't make that much difference. Apart from a few notable exceptions, the AF speed, accuracy and tracking of most mirrorless cameras leaves a lot to be desired. The SL is not an exception. The SL2 is a better. At least with the SL you have a very fast continuous shooting rate so statistically you will get some in focus, even if it's mostly by luck. Sorry to be pessimistic, but AF speed and tracking is the most hyped and over - exaggerated capability on any cameras spec sheet. Edited January 9, 2020 by thighslapper 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted January 9, 2020 Share #3 Posted January 9, 2020 vor 12 Stunden schrieb Daniel81: Can those of you with experience give me suggestions for optimal choices and settings for the SL (in my case with a 75 summicron SL) in shooting movement like for example, my dog running around. What settings are likely to optimise the likelihood of focused action images? The settings are explained in this video, runner ballet dancers jumping around: Unfortunately, there are no English subtitles. You might, therefore, want to send an email to Paddy here: https://neunzehn72.de/uber-mich/. Just make sure you address him with ‘Moin’ no matter what time of day. 😂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted January 9, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 9, 2020 Original SL. Or SL2. If the later then Leica make a bunch of videos for Youtube that go through the AF settings in English. If the original SL the options are basic. The SL2 is vastly better than the SL for AF. Neither is particularly strong at continuous AF but the SL2's single shot AF is excellent. Having said that I have many fine shots on my dogs from the original SL but mostly where they're still or moving slowly. I do have to disagree with Thighslapper saying "Apart from a few notable exceptions, the AF speed, accuracy and tracking of most mirrorless cameras leaves a lot to be desired". Sony, Olympus, Canon and Fuji's tracking AF meets or exceeds most DSLR's tracking abilities, especially the Sony's, except for a few very top end examples from Nikon and Canon. Leica and Panasonic, unfortunately, fall somewhat behind. Things like eye and face AF just aren't available on a DSLR. Nor is AF close to the corners of the screen through the OVF. Unfortunately though, the SL and SL2 are not ideal for capturing fast movement, especially if it is erratic. It's doable but you'll need to use techniques ike prefocusing etc. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted January 9, 2020 Share #5 Posted January 9, 2020 err...... so all the mentioned cameras are perfectly capable of capturing images of dogs running about with a high degree of accuracy ??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aktenschrank Posted January 9, 2020 Share #6 Posted January 9, 2020 38 minutes ago, thighslapper said: err...... so all the mentioned cameras are perfectly capable of capturing images of dogs running about with a high degree of accuracy ??? I only can speak for Sonys (rx100 VII & A9) and I can confirm that both have absolutely no issues tracking & nailing focus on even specifically the eyes of dogs running around erratically . Both Leica & Panasonic are well behind the curve here (great in other aspects though! Don't get me wrong...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted January 9, 2020 Share #7 Posted January 9, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 15 minutes ago, Aktenschrank said: I only can speak for Sonys (rx100 VII & A9) and I can confirm that both have absolutely no issues tracking & nailing focus on even specifically the eyes of dogs running around erratically . Both Leica & Panasonic are well behind the curve here (great in other aspects though! Don't get me wrong...) correct ...... and that was what was alluded to in my 'notable exceptions'. Until the latest Sony technology and software trickles down into other cameras I remain unimpressed by most of the others ..... at least where running dogs is concerned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel81 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted January 9, 2020 5 hours ago, Chaemono said: The settings are explained in this video, runner ballet dancers jumping around: Whoa - I don't understand the German but those dancer and runner action shots are taken at f2.0!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel81 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted January 9, 2020 I think I will wait for a super bright sunny day, go out with the dog at high noon, set my camera to like f 15 and 1500 shutter speed see what kind of action focus I can get under those conditions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel81 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted January 9, 2020 52 minutes ago, Aktenschrank said: Both Leica & Panasonic are well behind the curve here (great in other aspects though! Don't get me wrong...) I'm a little surprised a brand like Leica (the Porsche of cameras) would be so 'behind the curve' on action tracking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel81 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted January 9, 2020 I guess I did pretty well with these the other day on a bright snowy day. Both are with an SL, the 75 SL summicron lens. Both at ISO 800, 1/2000 second and f11 . . . Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/305186-seeking-experienced-advice-on-using-sl-for-movement/?do=findComment&comment=3888485'>More sharing options...
Daniel81 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted January 9, 2020 and . . . Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/305186-seeking-experienced-advice-on-using-sl-for-movement/?do=findComment&comment=3888489'>More sharing options...
frame-it Posted January 10, 2020 Share #13 Posted January 10, 2020 19 hours ago, Daniel81 said: I'm new to SL - actually new to EVF and mirrorless too. Can those of you with experience give me suggestions for optimal choices and settings for the SL (in my case with a 75 summicron SL) in shooting movement like for example, my dog running around. What settings are likely to optimise the likelihood of focused action images? here you go....11 pages of advice/examples/arguments 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaemono Posted January 10, 2020 Share #14 Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) It requires PDAF and Leica won’t use it because it degrades image quality. BTW, the α9 comes with an OLPF. Not that this has anything to do with AF but it makes the pictures less sharp when viewed at 1:1 magnification. Edited January 10, 2020 by Chaemono Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrMi Posted January 10, 2020 Share #15 Posted January 10, 2020 51 minutes ago, Chaemono said: It requires PDAF and Leica won’t use it because it degrades image quality. BTW, the α9 comes with an OLPF. Not that this has anything to do with AF but it makes the pictures less sharp when viewed at 1:1 magnification. Has Leica stated anywhere that the reason for not using the sensors with PDAF is image quality? I thought they did not use it because their manufacturer (TowerJazz?) does not have sensors with OSPDAF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caissa Posted January 10, 2020 Share #16 Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) Robin Sinha shows how to set up the SL2. These are the basic modes (children and pets, runner). Wildlife is another option, and team sports, where things are visible, then hidden, then visible again. That’s it. And then you need time and experience with the camera (and knowledge about the behavior of the models/animals). (Whatever the marketing guys may tell you.) Maybe Sinha will also make a tutorial about these additional modes. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cpVaernkTnA How often do you take action shots ? For me it is less than 1% of the time. And usually they are not too important for me. So this AF topic gets much too much attention, probably because Sony is pushing their marketing machinery. (Including the majority of all “influencers” and self-appointed experts on the web.) Take a look, if Sony improves a feature of their cameras, then this feature is suddenly THE crucial feature for buying the next camera. A classic case of marketing. I actually really hate to see all fora filled with this topic. But check the images you find great and would like to hang on your walls. What percentage of the memorable images is action photography ? For me, I find not a single one on my walls. I wonder how it is with other hobbyists ? And with Pros ? (Some will have mainly action, because they are specializing in it. Others probably almost none. Action fotos tend to get boring very soon. Unless it is about your favorite sports activity. ⛷⛹🏼♀️🏇😁 ) About the SL there is not a lot to say and to setup. It is 4 years old and also the AF. (Compare with a 4 year old Sony.) So switch to SL2 if you regard this as your main interest. For all other topics the SL is still excellent (and now very affordable.) Edited January 10, 2020 by caissa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem331 Posted January 10, 2020 Share #17 Posted January 10, 2020 6 hours ago, Daniel81 said: I guess I did pretty well with these the other day on a bright snowy day. Both are with an SL, the 75 SL summicron lens. Both at ISO 800, 1/2000 second and f11 . . . Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! They are very nice, but you are operating with a DOF of about 6m probably or more if you’ve cropped- you don’t need AF, tracking or even continuous shooting for this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caissa Posted January 10, 2020 Share #18 Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) What’s wrong with using dof ? I would call this know-how and experience. Maybe cleverer than always buying the latest high-end camera ... Edited January 10, 2020 by caissa 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem331 Posted January 10, 2020 Share #19 Posted January 10, 2020 6 minutes ago, caissa said: What’s wrong with using dof ? I would call this know-how and experience. Maybe cleverer than always buying the latest high-end camera ... Absolutely nothing. My point is that you can shoot this with an M3. You do not need any of the new technology. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted January 10, 2020 Share #20 Posted January 10, 2020 8 hours ago, thighslapper said: err...... so all the mentioned cameras are perfectly capable of capturing images of dogs running about with a high degree of accuracy ??? Pretty much. yep. Canon Just released a MAJOR update to the AF of the R. Went from zero to hero overnight. Fujifilm did so a couple of months ago for the XT3. The Olympus EM1X did well out of the box and most of that has now been added to the EM1 mk2. Sony is still class leading but the others, especially Canon have made large strides forward in the last 6 months. The only one of these I don't have is the Canon and the EM1X. I was especially impressed with the XT3 update. Much of the time it held on like my A9. When it gets really crazy the A9 really does pull ahead though. I honestly have little need for AF like this. I mainly got those cameras just because the tech was so interesting. The SL2/S1R and X1D are, for me, more than i usually need and far more enjoyable to use. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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