SL2 Focus Peaking

[Tkp]

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Hello,
I have an SL2 here to test and was wondering about the intensity of the focus peaking. Combined with a Noctilux 50/1.0 and the original Leica L-M adapter I can barely see the red focus peaking; only when zooming in with the joystick it gets slighlty visible (around the nose of my "model"). Benschmarking it with the focus peaking of the Nikon Z7ii (same lens, Novoflex adapter, third image) shows a much stronger red.

Anything that can be done in theSL2's menus thatI didn't find yet? 

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[frame-it]

set to low, medium or high??

and try switching off auto iso

[Photoworks]

The challenge is that some lenses, like the Noctilux, have low contrast and can't be easily pick-up by the camera.

In any case, I found that most time it is not precise. 

[frame-it]

2 hours ago, Photoworks said:

The challenge is that some lenses, like the Noctilux, have low contrast and can't be easily pick-up by the camera.

In any case, I found that most time it is not precise. 

which is why auto-iso can make it worse

[BernardC]

That's one of the big problems with focus peaking: it can be way too accepting, in which case it tells you that everything is in focus when it really isn't. Or it can be too strict, in which case it barely shows you anything. Your examples show both ends of the spectrum (although I've seen implementations that are even less strict than Nikon's).

My other issue with focus peaking is that it overlays the image in your viewfinder, which means that you won't notice other things happening in your composition. I find that zooming-in with the joystick is way more effective. Leica's EVFs are good enough that you can learn to judge focus without magnification, and only zoom-in occasionally to confirm.

[frame-it]

20 minutes ago, BernardC said:

zooming-in with the joystick is way more effective

exactly

[jaapv]

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2 hours ago, BernardC said:

That's one of the big problems with focus peaking: it can be way too accepting, in which case it tells you that everything is in focus when it really isn't. Or it can be too strict, in which case it barely shows you anything. Your examples show both ends of the spectrum (although I've seen implementations that are even less strict than Nikon's).

My other issue with focus peaking is that it overlays the image in your viewfinder, which means that you won't notice other things happening in your composition. I find that zooming-in with the joystick is way more effective. Leica's EVFs are good enough that you can learn to judge focus without magnification, and only zoom-in occasionally to confirm.

Another problem is the dependence on subject contrast. From time to time virtually invisible, a herd of Zebra under strong sunlight once created a total red-out in the EVF of a Sony- Sony peaking is far too aggressive. In general, it can be quite precise, provided one “walks” the focus to determine the middle of the red zone. 

[pegelli]

17 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Another problem is the dependence on subject contrast. From time to time virtually invisible, a herd of Zebra under strong sunlight once created a total red-out in the EVF of a Sony- Sony peaking is far too aggressive. In general, it can be quite precise, provided one “walks” the focus to determine the middle of the red zone. 

I agree "walking the zone" is the best way to use focus peaking, both on the entire image as well as when zoomed in.

Sony peaking can be adjusted low/med/high, do you know which setting it was at in this case? I always have it at "low" on my sony's which never creates such a problem for me, not even in strong sunlight.

Edited June 28, 2023 by pegelli

[frame-it]

on Jim Kassons Blog he has some excellent explanations regarding focus peaking modes and how they work

[jaapv]

44 minutes ago, pegelli said:

I agree "walking the zone" is the best way to use focus peaking, both on the entire image as well as when zoomed in.

Sony peaking can be adjusted low/med/high, do you know which setting it was at in this case? I always have it at "low" on my sony's which never creates such a problem for me, not even in strong sunlight.

Probably medium but I did not check. I was just irritated  it was really a subject matter. A herd of Zebra is not called a “Dazzle” for nothing. The multitude of moving stripes is meant to confuse predators - and cameras it seems. 🤔 

[Eclectic Man]

19 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Probably medium but I did not check. I was just irritated  it was really a subject matter. A herd of Zebra is not called a “Dazzle” for nothing. The multitude of moving stripes is meant to confuse predators - and cameras it seems. 🤔 

I heard some research that the dazzle of zebras confuses tsetse flies, in that they seem less likely to land on and bite zebras.  This was tested by painting cows in black and white stripes, and it worked for them too.

Isn't Nature wonderful?

[pegelli]

3 hours ago, jaapv said:

I was just irritated

I think switching to "low" might have been a better solution.

[jaapv]

I recall that I did, with little success. The EVF was a sad affair anyway, a NEX 7. And who wants to switch on a Sony button organ  when shooting a dynamic subject?

[pegelli]

31 minutes ago, jaapv said:

The EVF was a sad affair anyway, a NEX 7

I think the technology improved quite a bit since 2011 when this camera was brought out, so I can imagine a SL2 from 2019 works better (as do the later Sony cameras)

31 minutes ago, jaapv said:

And who wants to switch on a Sony button organ  when shooting a dynamic subject?

Just set it up once and you'll be OK forever switching in a spit second and if you want less buttons you can disable them all and the camera will be as user friendly as a Leica

Edited June 28, 2023 by pegelli

[Tkp]

vor 22 Stunden schrieb frame-it:

set to low, medium or high??

and try switching off auto iso

I only have "low" and "high" on the SL2? In any case, not a significant difference.

Switched off Auto-Iso and that seemed to help indeed!

Thanks all for your replies (and the interesting excursion to Zebras, dazzles and Tsetse flies 😉 

 

[Tkp]

vor 10 Stunden schrieb BernardC:

Or it can be too strict, in which case it barely shows you anything. Your examples show both ends of the spectrum (although I've seen implementations that are even less strict than Nikon's).

The Nikon was set to full power (3/3), guess it would be less red in pos 1 or 2, but I didn't test that.

In case anyone is interested in the results, here are the unedited jpgs at full resolution. https://www.picdrop.com/tomklein.photo/W6KcZTgRNV

Interesting to see the strong vignetting of the Nikon and indeed the focus is more hit and miss there. Auto WB on the SL2 looks a bit green though, but that was not the objective of this little unscientific focus test anyway....

 

[mpw]

I started to use focus peaking on the CL which should be similar to the Sl, it become to distracting so just turned it off. I set  my ISO as needed no Auto. I feel that if my eyes says it is in focus it is or close enough. 

[enaggiar68]

I disabled enhanced live view and I still can't get focus peaking to work.  I have a Q2 and it works flawlessly there, so I know what it is supposed to look like.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ed

Edited March 30, 2024 by enaggiar68

[jaapv]

On 6/28/2023 at 5:28 PM, Eclectic Man said:

I heard some research that the dazzle of zebras confuses tsetse flies, in that they seem less likely to land on and bite zebras.  This was tested by painting cows in black and white stripes, and it worked for them too.

Isn't Nature wonderful?

<OT> It is basically to confuse predators, the same as the principle of living in a herd. As Lions mainly hunt on eyesight, they will be confused and unable to distinguish individual animals. I guess one could rank a Tsetse fly as a predator as well

A better defense would be to paint cows white. The flies are attracted by dark colours, especially dark blue. That is why I am always amused at tourists wearing jeans and similar. The guides will position them in the back seats of the vehicles to draw the flies away from the rest of the guests who are dressed sensibly in khaki. </OT> 

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[venividivici]

Just got hit by the missing "peaking" problem.

My SL2-S worked fine, until I upgraded the firmware from 2.X to 5.1 ... then the focus peaking just simply disappeared ! it just disappeared !

I went through all the settings, and couldn't get it back. Updated to 5.2, nothing change, and just updated to 6.0. still no Focus Peaking... 

Could somebody help?

Edited August 17, 2024 by venividivici