SL 1 Better for MF than AF

[elroustom]

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I've owned my SL 1 for a few years now, love it, but I've been shooting it with adapted lenses, mostly R, some M, and FD macro for negative scanning... On a whim I picked up a Lumix S 1.8/50 and while it's a fine lens (and I'm not underwhelmed by the plastic body either - it's good) I find using the camera in AF is limited and limiting. The joystick no longer magnifies, AE and AF are not so easy to separate, tracking is meh... it's honestly not much better than my Sony a900 was with Minolta lenses, and then it blinks in some situations. Useful, yes, sharp, indeed, faster and more convenient than R or M lenses, sure, in many situations, but not life changing. Anyone else have this same experience, or any advice on getting more from AF on the SL?

[CptSlevin]

3 hours ago, elroustom said:

or any advice on getting more from AF on the SL?

Get SL2S, best AF for 2k USD

[elroustom]

11 minutes ago, CptSlevin said:

Get SL2S, best AF for 2k USD

At some point, yeah. My eyes are are making my film cameras harder to use. Sigh... 

[LocalHero1953]

4 hours ago, elroustom said:

I've owned my SL 1 for a few years now, love it, but I've been shooting it with adapted lenses, mostly R, some M, and FD macro for negative scanning... On a whim I picked up a Lumix S 1.8/50 and while it's a fine lens (and I'm not underwhelmed by the plastic body either - it's good) I find using the camera in AF is limited and limiting. The joystick no longer magnifies, AE and AF are not so easy to separate, tracking is meh... it's honestly not much better than my Sony a900 was with Minolta lenses, and then it blinks in some situations. Useful, yes, sharp, indeed, faster and more convenient than R or M lenses, sure, in many situations, but not life changing. Anyone else have this same experience, or any advice on getting more from AF on the SL?

First piece of advice: don't magnify the view when using AF - it's a waste of time and effort.

Can you explain why "AE and AF are not so easy to separate"? They're different functions. I admit that, while I had the SL 1 for a long time (then the SL2S, now the SL3S), I could have forgotten wrinkles in using the SL1. I never used tracking, just AFs. Nor did I use SL bodies for MF - that's why I had Ms.

I'm not surprised you found AF not life changing - it's a ten year old camera and even at launch was not known as a camera for AF: it had other qualities - and you can say the same about the SL3/SL3-S ten years on. If you want the best AF, then you need another brand.

Edited Sunday at 05:41 PM by LocalHero1953

[Dazzajl]

Like you, I use my SL 601 exclusively with MF lenses. I do have an AF zoom lens but it’s not particularly great or inspiring. I don’t even really think about it as an AF body now. 

[Semerka]

I do not have an SL1, I have an SL2, so not sure it would be the same. 

On the SL2, when an AF lens is on, I use half press of the shutter button and rotate the focus ring to bring up the magnification. It is a bit of a balancing act though. 

Alternatively, you need to switch the camera to a manual focus mode and then a push of the joystick will bring up the magnification.

On the SL2, in the main menu under Customise Control / Joystick it gives you the option to specify what the joystick will do in manual focus mode and in autofocus mode.

Here you can also separate the AF-L and AE-L. 

I hope this make sense. 

I am in the other camp, I plan to get an M lens at some point in the future, but for now I am only using AF lenses, being a hobbyist. 

 

Edited yesterday at 03:41 PM by Semerka

[elroustom]

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Thank you all for chiming in! Glad to hear some of my experiences echoed.  

I figured out my AEL problem. I misunderstood the language in the menu (and the manual). Dyslexia... in any case it's bit better. If I keep my use of the AF system simple it's fine.

At least it's completely quiet,

No, no, I don't need the AF like I did when I shot weddings or portraits. Buying that cheap 50 was enough to let me know I wasn't missing anything.

It's a fantastic camera for lenses I really like: the first version R Summicron 50, Elmarit 28, the M35/2 with the goggles looks really cool on it, and even with imperfections in the glass it's sharp lens.

@Semerka if you get one mf lens that fits the SL well, I'd recommend the Summicron R 50 V1, first version has good character, and if you like shooting macro, find the close up lenses that fit that lens (Elpro a or b or both V1).

[AdjusterBrett]

Have SL (601) - and much like you - if I'm shooting manual - I'm shooting on it.  I prefer it over the SL2S (for handling).  I'm of the small bunch that hoped they would adopt the four bottom layout throughout the line - we lost.  NOTHING I've ever had is so welcomed in hand when using vintage/manual as the SL - for all its lacking in todays market -  its likely with me for life (RX1 is the only other with similar standings, and I've had >30 bodies in seven or eight years).  Its the way I feel shooting it.

Have the S1 and TL2 (YES, 3 DOGS in the AF race).

Have the 50/1.8 and the 20-60.

WEIRD: the 50/1.8 & 20-60 work well on the S1 (AFs or AFc if not too much around), but not so well on the SL (better on the TL2).

HOWEVER - I have a plethora of Sigma DG DN glass - and they work much better on the 601.

PLEASE realize, you are coming close to comparing the historically WORST autofocusing bodies (or I should say I am)...  However - it may be in your best interest to either buy an Sig 45/2 or 50/1.4.   I have the 50/1.2 - no real issues on the 601 - slow - but effective.  I will tell you the 50/1.2 sigma beats the 50/1.8 Panasonic on the SL (601) - however - the 50/1.8 is pretty snappy on the S1 (Panasonic - where it is faster than the 50/1.2 - but the 50/1.2 on the S1 is still faster - noticeably- vs it on the 601).  Think it's something baked into the Lumix line.

I do use AF, then punch in (zoom) to critically focus if its really really important (splitting eyelashes) - but its rare - usually I just roll the dice and get what I get - if you are patient - and the scene / subject allows for the two second delay - its still pretty decent - but if not - then I usually step down and zone (arguably a mortal sin on an f1.2 lens).

Food for thought - $0.02 from the dark side (non pro, non fanboy).

[elroustom]

Thanks @AdjusterBrett that was comprehensive! And there is something to SL, isn't there! The RAW files are deep and malleable. I'll get used to the AF... 

Frustrating how my eyes have changed, but SL is the perfect work-around. Even with glasses on. Such a great EVF.