[Leica] Re: DOF with AF

["Marthe & Rene" <marthe.rene@sympatico.ca>]

Although I've never used one I understand that on the Canon you select DOF
AE mode, focus on the nearest point you want to be sharp, then do the same
for the farthest point. Them compose the picture and shoot. The camera
selects the best focus point and aperture so that everything between the two
points is in focus.  Not as elegant or as quick as doing it manually with
the DOF scale on the Leica but it achieves the same thing.

I myself prefer the simplicity of a marked DOF scale as with the Leica
lenses.

Rene

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Leica Users digest" <owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
To: <leica-users-digest@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> >Mark Rabiner wrote:
> >> What if you had to take a picture of a chair?
> >
> >Hi Mark,
> >
> >     You focuz a third in.
> >
> > Rich
>
> Not usually easy to do with autofocus. This is the problem with AF. It is
> difficult to tell it "exactly" where to focus. I can only focus on
> something that has an abrupt change in contrast. It may not be able to see
> vertical lines, or horizontal lines. A photograph of that diminishing
> picket fence might be difficult. Or that photograph of the diminishing
> railroad track. Or that chair with vertical slats.
>
> AF is great for wedding receptions, bachelor parties, a two year old, a
> dinner party, etc.
>
> But it sucks big time if you know the "craft" of photography and want to
> focus on a "specific" spot because that will give you the precise DOF that
> you want. In fifty years, I've not yet found a use for AF. I personally
> like to control my photographic result. I don't want a computer algorithm
> dreamed up by some programmer sitting in a cubicle, to attempt to focus
for me.
>
> Having said that, that is precisely what I am doing at this moment. I'm
> writing the algorithm and program to focus the digital camera we
> (PhotoAccess) are designing and producing. But I won't use it. Engineering
> it is one thing. Using it is yet another.
>
> Jim
>
> ------------------------------