Autofocus (single), S1 vs S5ii vs S1Rii ?

[AdjusterBrett]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Pointed question.  I have the S1, SL, and the TL2 - perhaps the trio of some of the worst autofocusing - coming from Fuji, and having had an A7Rii and A7iii - they are quite abysmal when shooting AFs in a crowded and moving scene.  At this point, I'm invested in the L mount (and somewhat addicted to shooting manual on the Leicas) - but I have the money to grab another body.  I'll give three examples where I find the S1 fails (sans pre-focusing and either spray and pray or the 6K).

I have ZERO interest in video nor AFc (if that seems odd, we can discuss, but for now trying to focus - no pun).

Example 1: My 10 y/o has taken up competitive swimming - she has always been 1/2 fish - an when I'm "Trying" to catch a cool shot while she is in the lane (in a competition) - always hoping for the release stroke (closest arm pulls forward out of the water and the head tilts to breath) - with splashed water and suspended water bubbles.  I'm not sure even the most advanced AF would find her eye - this is usually somewhere between 105mm and 400mm (can't get that close to the pool).  This further holds true for time at the pool or waterpark.  This is about 20% of my shots (via AF)

Example 2: We have season passes to Cedar Point (amusement park, roller coaster capital of the world) - so behind a fence near the base of the main hill of a roller coaster - I stand - again longer lens - today only pre-focusing then 6K mode gives me much chance.  Everything I've tried has not worked very well - my a7iii did manage (shorter lens) to pickup humans vs the surrounding, but was not inspired much by it as it didn't get all that much more than the pre-focus 6k mode.  For the record - Pre-Focus and 6K is a PAIN - remember - I do not know which car she is in nor if she is even in this one coming now - so its a lot of work and deletion.  This is about 10% of the shots.

Example 3: imagine 2-5 of her (daughter) closest friends - be it out to the movies, McDonalds, ice cream, soccer game, roller skating - MOVING targets - not ridiculously fast - but moving.  (this is the balance of the shots and likely the most important).

So - question is - has anyone upgraded from the S1 to the S5ii and then to the S1Rii - and if so - can you give me your opinion on the AFs on the newer one (either the S5ii or the S1Rii) compared to the S1 in the REAL WORLD.

If its relevant: Lumix 20-60, 50/1.8 Sigma DG DN 85/1.4, DG DN 100-400, DG DN 105/2.8 and just bought the DG DN 50/1.2 (not in hand yet).

AFc (for me) eats through batteries, so I've avoided it, having not found much increase in the hit rate.  I'm already carrying a boat anchor - filling my pockets with extra batteries - especially when walking 10 miles - just doesn't make sense.  I am just a weekend hack - so perhaps I'm missing something - and do let me know.

Thanx.

 

[jaapv]

I don't use AFC either - well  rarely (BIF using a dot sight)-, as I feel that I lose control over the plane of focus that way. I find the S5ii quite good, certainly better than the cameras you mention. However, being an M shooter for many years, I tend to revert to trap prefocus in the situation you mention. Lenses make a difference too. The Sigma 70-200 is very good. I attempted to shoot the moon eclipse (not a moving subject, I know but still challenging) and there was no way to get decent focus on my 150-600, but the 70-200 @ 200 snapped in right away @ 200 mm. SL2S.

[Archiver]

On 9/10/2025 at 12:33 AM, AdjusterBrett said:

Example 3: imagine 2-5 of her (daughter) closest friends - be it out to the movies, McDonalds, ice cream, soccer game, roller skating - MOVING targets - not ridiculously fast - but moving.  (this is the balance of the shots and likely the most important).

This scenario has never been a problem with the S1 or S5 with me. Using the Panasonic 50mm f1.8 or Summicron 35 SL non-APO gives me a decent hit rate.

On 9/10/2025 at 12:33 AM, AdjusterBrett said:

So - question is - has anyone upgraded from the S1 to the S5ii and then to the S1Rii - and if so - can you give me your opinion on the AFs on the newer one (either the S5ii or the S1Rii) compared to the S1 in the REAL WORLD.

If its relevant: Lumix 20-60, 50/1.8 Sigma DG DN 85/1.4, DG DN 100-400, DG DN 105/2.8 and just bought the DG DN 50/1.2 (not in hand yet).

From what I've read, the S1 II and S1R II have much better autofocus than the S1. Even the S5 has better AF than the S1, surprisingly. AF on the latest gen L mount cameras isn't Sony level, but apparently very serviceable.

It appears that most of your lenses are Sigma; this in itself isn't bad, but Panasonic lenses focus better than Sigma on the first gen L mount cameras.

My preferred AF setting on Panasonic cameras is Field AF, smallest field, with human/face detection enabled. This means that the camera will only detect and focus on people when they are in the vicinity of the single focus area, not outside of it. For sports and mid distance shooting, I place the focus point in the middle upper third of the frame, where the first horizontal grid line appears when using the rule of thirds grid. This corresponds to where the subject's face is likely to be in the frame. For long distance shooting, I place the focus field in the centre, with human/face detection enabled. I imagine that the S1 II models will perform considerably better than the S1 and S5 with these settings.

Edited October 2 by Archiver