CL and assigning the AF-on. (FN or right wheel button.

[davidrc]

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I have a question about the AF-on use on the CL.

hopefully, someone will have used this feature.  When I assign and use (either via the FN or right wheel button), AF-on will action, but once an exposure is made, the action is cancelled, it does not stay “on” for more use, and the step has to be repeated again.

This rather defeats the object.  Am I doing something wrong? Or is my camera not working correctly?  Or is correct and a somewhat limited basic feature?

Any experience anyone?

[davidrc]

Looks like no one is going to inform on this…..pity. I am still in the dark and frustrated with the AF-on.

[jaapv]

I must admit that I do not really understand the question or what you are trying to achieve. The favourite setting in the menu to “on” puts the item in the first menu screen   Pushing the button on a wheel will only display the activated control. I recommend consulting the manual. 

[davidrc]

40 minutes ago, jaapv said:

I must admit that I do not really understand the question or what you are trying to achieve. The favourite setting in the menu to “on” puts the item in the first menu screen   Pushing the button on a wheel will only display the activated control. I recommend consulting the manual. 

Perhaps lost in translation, as the saying goes.

I thought I had made it pretty clear….I have done what you say, the feature is active and in use. Disregard the position from where I am using it for a second.

I have the option selected and in use.

When I use the feature, the focus locks, (AF-L) but the point is, have I mistook this feature for being a full “back button”, actively locked until cancelled?

As, when in use, it cancels the AF lock after an exposure is made.  At least my CL copy does.

Having a AF lock separate to the the shutter release is of little use unless it is locked until cancelled and stays locked throughout several exposures.

So, the question was, is my copy working as intended or have I missed something or is the CL faulty, perhaps has a bug.

in this instance the manual is not of use.

Other people’s guidance will tell me more, hopefully.

So, you are a CL user, how do you use your AF lock?

 

 

 

Edited October 24, 2023 by davidrc
Typo and additions

[jaapv]

Shutter half press. Exposure histogram and AE compensation wheel. 

[davidrc]

7 hours ago, jaapv said:

Shutter half press. Exposure histogram and AE compensation wheel. 

Hi Jaap,

I phoned Leica yesterday and a guy confirmed that the AF-L is actually working as intended. Which is actually all I wanted to know and have confirmed.

I happen to think the AF-L option is not particularly useful and of limited use. Hence the question of is it actually working right.

As you point out, or seem to, there are other ways to do the same thing on the CL. 

I think, as often is found on here, an assumption is made that someone doesn’t know how to operate something, if the reader can’t understand what is initially being asked.

* Anyhow…..a suggestion for Leica if anyone is reading…the AF-L option should have a firmware update to make it into a full ‘back button’. Which means, that when activated the focus lock can be separated from the shutter release and allow any number of successive exposures to be made….without having to keep pressing the focus lock each time after a single exposure, to make it lock again.

That would be better than using manual focus to achieve the same thing.  Other camera makers do it, it is practically universal….but apparently not on any Leica.

 

[jaapv]

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Manual focus correction is also possible at shutter half-press. 
Referring to the  manual is caused by many newcomers treating the forum as a replacement for their reading glasses.  

[ruskkyle]

Since the day of its appearance via firmware upgrade, I have shared your frustration with the implementation of this feature, @davidrc. If the ‘lock’ cancels after one shot, it’s not really a lock, is it? Pointless.

[davidrc]

3 hours ago, ruskkyle said:

Since the day of its appearance via firmware upgrade, I have shared your frustration with the implementation of this feature, @davidrc. If the ‘lock’ cancels after one shot, it’s not really a lock, is it? Pointless.

I think it is all about what the user is doing, which can cause frustration. Having a single use ‘lock’ (because it is actually locking) and active is better than a half shutter press depending on what you are doing.  Then again, the fn button is the wrong place for it unless on a tripod.

A wheel centre button instead?, don’t quote me on that as being available, but that would stop another probably more useful action put there.

Now I have actually had it confirmed that the feature is a ‘one shot’ action, I will fit it into my camera usage where useful.
That said, it won’t be much.

The problem is that I think a dslr back button focus is a specialist feature.  Constantly taking photos in a certain situation, but not by tracking.  But needing focus constantly locked.
Leica must have decided users would not use the CL that way.  I think it has surprised them that it is being used in more diverse ways than they thought it would be.  A versatile camera.

It is also possible there was no room ‘left on the chip’ to have it constantly on. Any chip made can only have a certain number things it can do (simple layman's terms) or complications of actions.  Having said that, on till deselected I would have thought stood a chance of being able to be programmed if a one shot can be there.

Well, I have news for them.  Some do have a use for a ‘true’ BBF.  Landscapes especially, on a tripod also, too.

It is not how they envisaged.  With so many added firmware features, a complex (and it is) new design wasn’t really thought fully through or it was rushed out.  I assume the latter.

Anyhow, there are a few situations where is would be very useful for me.  Waiting for the right light in between a few same shots and having the focus locked without the need to use manual focus.  Time and repeated action, by non manual focus, it would be very useful.

Their AF lock feature is just removing the same action away from the shutter button.  Limited need, and probably best left on the shutter (when you have the need) other than lock it on and wait for that one off moment. 
Then start all over again? No, you wouldn’t do that.  I can’t think of one situation I would do that.

So, my AF lock is…..manual focus.  Well, in most situations when I need to lock, not all, but mostly.

It is not ideal.  But then again, I have a certain dealer to thank for misinforming me, as it is a major inconvenience.  I was told pre sale that there was a BBF, it had been added by firmware.  You can’t try everything.  I should have. 
Same one that told me the 23mm was the best lens.
Depends on what and how you want to use something, which I think most of us know.

Fortunately, one of the main reasons for a CL is the EVF and the good manual focus.  Without it, I simply would not have bought it.

A true AF lock would have been even better, much actually, because manual focussing can be slow and tiring all the time if 100% used.

If another tweak of the CL was possible, I would love it if a on till off lock was added.  How about it, Leica?

Edited November 25, 2023 by davidrc