Focus Peaking on Manual Focus on the SL2

[aspherical]

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I'm still learning my SL2, which I've owned for a little over two weeks. I'm thinking focus peaking is perfect for manual focus, but I can't get it to work. Any tips?

[frame-it]

1 hour ago, aspherical said:

I'm still learning my SL2, which I've owned for a little over two weeks. I'm thinking focus peaking is perfect for manual focus, but I can't get it to work. Any tips?

IF its ON in Capture Assistants >

then cycle through by pressing the FN button several times

[dpitt]

Even if you get it to work, IMO the best way to critically focus is the magnification aid. I use both and just use the focus peaking as a rough indication, then bring up the maximum magnification to focus on my subject.

Edited September 23, 2023 by dpitt

[trickness]

On 9/23/2023 at 2:51 AM, dpitt said:

Even if you get it to work, IMO the best way to critically focus is the magnification aid. I use both and just use the focus peaking as a rough indication, then bring up the maximum magnification to focus on my subject.

I've got to agree here. Focus peaking to me is never as accurate as magnify and focus, and when it's on you can't even really tell what you're truly focusing on. I have one user preset set without it, another with, and I go back and forth as the situation needs. Magnify/focus/shoot is ALWAYS more accurate for me

[helged]

3 hours ago, trickness said:

I've got to agree here. Focus peaking to me is never as accurate as magnify and focus, and when it's on you can't even really tell what you're truly focusing on. I have one user preset set without it, another with, and I go back and forth as the situation needs. Magnify/focus/shoot is ALWAYS more accurate for me

+1.

[kimvilar]

Also, I think it has been mentioned already in the forum but focus peaking does not work if you have the 'enhanced lived view' setting enabled. So just make sure it's disabled.

[LBJ2]

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On 9/22/2023 at 10:57 PM, aspherical said:

I'm still learning my SL2, which I've owned for a little over two weeks. I'm thinking focus peaking is perfect for manual focus, but I can't get it to work. Any tips?

 

14 hours ago, kimvilar said:

Also, I think it has been mentioned already in the forum but focus peaking does not work if you have the 'enhanced lived view' setting enabled. So just make sure it's disabled.

"enhanced lived view= no focus peaking"✅

This has tripped me up more than a few times and bears repeating, for some of us that might have forgotten...again 😉

FWIW, I found manual focus on the SL2 to be accurate with both focus peaking and no focus peaking mode. However, I prefer to turn off focus peaking and just use magnification because the various focus peaking colors can interfere with the color of the subject and/or lighting conditions and it takes too long to switch peaking colors in the moment. *This might be why some feel focus peaking is not accurate for some circumstances. However, if focus peaking is needed ( some may find it necessary), then it can be helpful to try different colors and also set the focus peaking color to "low" so it doesn't over power some of the details. 

Edited September 25, 2023 by LBJ2

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, LBJ2 said:

 

"enhanced lived view= no focus peaking"✅

This has tripped me up more than a few times and bears repeating, for some of us that might have forgotten...again 😉

FWIW, I found manual focus on the SL2 to be accurate with both focus peaking and no focus peaking mode. However, I prefer to turn off focus peaking and just use magnification because the various focus peaking colors can interfere with the color of the subject and/or lighting conditions and it takes too long to switch peaking colors in the moment. *This might be why some feel focus peaking is not accurate for some circumstances. However, if focus peaking is needed ( some may find it necessary), then it can be helpful to try different colors and also set the focus peaking color to "low" so it doesn't over power some of the details. 

Focus peaking indicates the zone of maximum edge contrast and thus basically DOF. DOF is inherently inaccurate for critical focus. 

[algrove]

MF mode is so important with native SL lenses when you have time and where with a half press of the shutter you get 3 focus parameters in the top screen-near, far and point of focus.

[hirohhhh]

On 9/24/2023 at 9:38 PM, kimvilar said:

Also, I think it has been mentioned already in the forum but focus peaking does not work if you have the 'enhanced lived view' setting enabled. So just make sure it's disabled.

BINGO! I spent the last 30 minutes trying to make it work and was about to ask what was wrong. Then I read your advice, and it solved the issue. Thanks!

[masjah]

As Jaap says, focus peaking  is related to depth of field. I use manual focus R lenses, and I always open the aperture up to minimise depth of field before focus. Then use magnification and focus peaking, then stop down to working aperture. It's a bit cumbersome, but I almost always shoot static subjects.

 

[ClydebankPhotos]

Thanks for the info regarding FN button, at least now I know, was driving me mad as I had peeking enabled and saw it working.New SL2 user here 

[Abram]

On 9/24/2023 at 1:38 PM, kimvilar said:

Also, I think it has been mentioned already in the forum but focus peaking does not work if you have the 'enhanced lived view' setting enabled. So just make sure it's disabled.

So THAT'S why I could almost never get focus peaking to work! It was driving me nuts and I'd given up trying. I didn't realize there was an Enhanced Live View setting (which was enabled on my camera). My fault for not reading the manual, but I've been slowly learning this system as it's more complex than the Ms I'm accustomed to.