Leica Expert Recommends iAF

[Cogito]

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I was at the Bild Expo in NYC yesterday checking out all the new cameras/lights etc. and listening to some excellent panel discussions and presentations. In particular, a National Geographic photographer’s story was extremely moving.

While there I told one of experts at the Leica booth that I love my Q3 43, except I’m frustrated by the less than stellar autofocus when used with multiple moving people. She told me I would have better luck not using AFs or AFc, but instead using iAF in conjunction with Eye/Face/Body detect because they’re designed to work together. I’d not heard this before and most of the reviews have advised against using iAF. 

I have some photo shoots planned for this weekend and will try this out, but was wondering if any of you had had a positive experience using iAF in conjunction with eye/face/body detection. 

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[LocalHero1953]

I do exactly that, although I didn't know they were designed to work together. I leave it on iAF (unless rarely switching to MF), but occasionally switch to either Field or Tracking.

I don't actually notice anything clever happening with iAF, though automatic switching between AFs and AFc is logically a good idea, if it works.

The main issue I have is with crowds, when the continuous identification of multiple persons, tracking them, and jumping priority from one to another is distracting and counter-productive. Tracking (i.e. the focus setting) is sometimes better for this, but not always. I'm told Sony and others do it better, but I have no experience. 

[Simone_DF]

It makes sense iAF was designed to work together with eye/face. This is because we would expect a subject to be static, where AF-S would be beneficial, and automatically switch to AF-C in case the subject starts to move. 
But that was not your original problem, and the Leica rep gave you a non-answer @Cogito