Re: [Leica] Pros and autofocus

[Duncan Young <dunk@mincom.com>]

On Sun, 1 Mar 1998, John McLeod wrote:

> 
> This post is intended for Harrison and other pros on the list, but I thought
> others might be interested too.
> 
> Harrison,
> 
> Thanks for the response of several days ago re how you use your R cameras
> for sports/action photography.  To what extent would you say the views you
> expressed are shared by other pros who must shoot fast-moving subjects, such
> as sports and kids?
> 
> I, too, have found it problematic to use autofocus cameras in such
> situations since one is forced to learn to shoot in altogether different
> ways.  With autofocus, you have to focus first, then compose the shot.  If
> the subject moves, you must refocus and the re-compose (or trust Nikon's or
> others' attempts at "dynamic" focus tracking, etc.).  With a manual camera
> like the R6, you can focus while you are composing, and can easily alter the
> plane of focus as the subject moves.  Sure, you will miss exact focus some
> or much of the time, but at least you don't have to keep shifting the little
> focus point back to your subject, and then re-compose.  Comments
> appreciated.

I am not a pro, but I will still make a comment, I thought the ideaa of
full time manual override on many of Canons lenses was specifically for this
purpose.  Autofocus, compose, adjust if necesary then shoot.  Also, one
of the more noticable things about the pro lenses in the Canon line up, fairly
good feel to the manualy focusing ( compared to the non pro lenses ).  Just
because its an autofocus lens, doesn't mean you have to use it.  Many is the
time when I have had my autofocus lenses on a tripod, and had autofocus
switched off as I continuously adjust the focus ( In my case its trying to
keep the eye in focus in animal "portraits" ).

The ideal situation for me is to have a lens with the feel of a manual lens,
but with the convenience of autofocus when I choose to use it.  Maybe the
Contax solution isn't such a bad idea.  Now if only they had a mirror lock up
facility on the AX, and an optional leica lens mount ;)

    Duncan