Re: [Leica] optical excellence and the human error factor

["CIS" <s_lamb@compuserve.com>]

Am I missing something here?  Manual focus is totally dependant on the
quality of the focussing system (M6 rangefinder mechanism) and the
photographers eyes.  I do not understand why autofocus is being compared to
manual focus.  Of course autofocus is quicker in most lighting situations,
although not always more accurate, as it does not require human
intervention.  As for the low level light focussing of an F5, you may think
it will focus at EV-1 but you will surely miss opportunities.  The focus
mechanism hunts like crazy in very low light - I know because I have used an
F5 for three years.  The SB28 flash with the IR emission helps as the AF has
something to focus on but I do not use the F5 for any non-flash low light
photography now.  Give me the M6 and Noctilux any day and I will trust my
eyes.  I may be slightly out of focus sometimes but at least I get a shot,
whilst the F5 AF would still be hunting around for focus.

Simon

Marthe.Rene wrote:


>
> Well if you can handhold a camera at 1 to 4 sec exposure time manual or
> autofocus you are a better photographer than I.
>
> W.R.T. to EV being used for Autofocus detection capability they are and I
> quote from the owner's manual.
>
> F5 - "Autofocus detection range EV-1 to +19"
>         " Metering range EV0 to 20 in 3D colour Matrix, EV2 to 20 in spot"
>
> EOS 1V " AF working range EV0 to 18"
>                " Metering range EV0-20 for all metering  modes"
>
> As I've said, I use both autofocus and manual focus cameras. You believe
> manual focus is better, fine. I tend to look at focus as just a feature of
a
> camera no more no less and I actually enjoy both.
> Cheers
>
> Rene
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Austin Franklin" <austin@darkroom.com>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 11:23 PM
> Subject: RE: [Leica] optical excellence and the human error factor
>
>
> > > Autofocus or manual focus would give you camera shake handheld at
those
> > > speeds.
> >
> > How's that?  When you manually focus, you are long done focusing prior
to
> > pressing the shutter button.  Also, manual focus uses no drive motor
that
> > has some backlash that will cause a minimal jerking motion that is just
> not
> > generated by manual focus.
> >
> > > The point was that today's autofocus are certainly capable of more
than
> > 1/4
> > > sec at f1.4. The EOS is capable of EV0 and the F5 of EV-1.
> >
> > Not necessarily.  There are many different types of autofocus systems,
and
> > each one has its shortcomings.  Some cameras even use more than one!  If
> > the circumstances are not right, the autofocus just won't work right.  I
> do
> > not believe the EV is directly related to the ability of the autofocus
> > system, just the exposure system.
> >
> >
>