focus options A1/A2/A200

pai · 4th January 2005

hmm because of the post on a200 low light focusing, have started thinking about the focus options again.

would like to get a1/a2/a200 users' opinions on which options they use, and when and why.

basically, flex-point vs center-area is no contest lah, use flex-point all the time, else camera happy happy focus on wrong thing.

but what about:

a) single vs continuous
b) full-time AF on or off?

(what the different combinations do can be found here )

my camera is always set at single+fulltime AF. the continuous mode can't really seem to track anything even remotely fast moving, really no point.

i don't know if it's my imagination, but focus speeds seem slightly faster with fulltime AF on (just gut feel).

how 'bout the rest of you? is the fulltime AF worth using, or is it just a waste of battery?

and are the continuous/tracking modes useful in any kind of situation at all?

really hope to find new ways of using the camera better.

thanks!

Agetan · 4th January 2005

On my A2

Single plus Full time AF off ---> 95%
Manual Focus -->5%

Hart

pai · 4th January 2005

thx for input Agetan...

how bout the other Ax users? any tips on focus options?

Flare · 5th January 2005

A1 99.9% Single AF, Flex-focus set to center. Handgrip sensor and full time AF off (conserve battery power, habit from my Dimage 5 heritage)

synapseman · 5th January 2005

Multi-point "intelligent" sensors have come a long way since about a decade ago. But as "intelligent" as they are, they are still no match for the human brain. How can a camera CPU really know which point *I* want to focus on? My Dynax 60 is said to be an improvement over the Dynax 5, with 9 focus points instead of 7.

Hence, whatever camera I use, it'll always be on spot-focusing (or flex-focus tied with AE-spot on the A2.)

I never use focus-tracking (C-AF) either, for the simple fact that they never seem to work as well as advertised. The A2's focus tracking seems to lose its bite on the subject if it moves even at a moderate speed. People say the A2 is not good enough for sports photography because of this. I say, use manual-focus ("trap-focus") and it'll be good enough for any sport during daytime.

pai · 5th January 2005

hmm... so it seems that really no one has found a use for the 'C' mode on the S/C/M switch...

TME · 5th January 2005

Originally Posted by pai

hmm... so it seems that really no one has found a use for the 'C' mode on the S/C/M switch...

Actually I also never use the mode on my Dynax 7... it's not really that accurate.

Xerxes · 6th January 2005

Originally Posted by pai

hmm... so it seems that really no one has found a use for the 'C' mode on the S/C/M switch...

I found the "C" quite useful for hand held Macro shots which I feel that the A200 is great at doing with the anti-shake capability. It helps to keep the focus between half press and shuttle release to compensate for slight movement of body or subjects

.

On the other hand, it is quite useless with subject that moves fairly quickly like kids or animals.

Xerxes · 10th January 2005

Just heard from someone that you can enhance focusing performance when setting anti-shake to "on" full time (as opposed to only active after shuttle is press).

Sound logical to me since the camara uses the image for focusing. Does anyone has any experience with this?

4th January 2005	#1
pai Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lala Land Posts: 1,664	focus options A1/A2/A200 hmm because of the post on a200 low light focusing, have started thinking about the focus options again. would like to get a1/a2/a200 users' opinions on which options they use, and when and why. basically, flex-point vs center-area is no contest lah, use flex-point all the time, else camera happy happy focus on wrong thing. but what about: a) single vs continuous b) full-time AF on or off? (what the different combinations do can be found here ) my camera is always set at single+fulltime AF. the continuous mode can't really seem to track anything even remotely fast moving, really no point. i don't know if it's my imagination, but focus speeds seem slightly faster with fulltime AF on (just gut feel). how 'bout the rest of you? is the fulltime AF worth using, or is it just a waste of battery? and are the continuous/tracking modes useful in any kind of situation at all? really hope to find new ways of using the camera better. thanks!

4th January 2005	#2
Agetan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,594	Focus option On my A2 Single plus Full time AF off ---> 95% Manual Focus -->5% Hart

5th January 2005	#5
synapseman Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,088	Multi-point "intelligent" sensors have come a long way since about a decade ago. But as "intelligent" as they are, they are still no match for the human brain. How can a camera CPU really know which point I want to focus on? My Dynax 60 is said to be an improvement over the Dynax 5, with 9 focus points instead of 7. Hence, whatever camera I use, it'll always be on spot-focusing (or flex-focus tied with AE-spot on the A2.) I never use focus-tracking (C-AF) either, for the simple fact that they never seem to work as well as advertised. The A2's focus tracking seems to lose its bite on the subject if it moves even at a moderate speed. People say the A2 is not good enough for sports photography because of this. I say, use manual-focus ("trap-focus") and it'll be good enough for any sport during daytime. __________________ The synapseman uses Sony Alpha system & Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2.

5th January 2005	#4
Flare Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 Posts: 1,739	A1 99.9% Single AF, Flex-focus set to center. Handgrip sensor and full time AF off (conserve battery power, habit from my Dimage 5 heritage)

10th January 2005	#9
Xerxes Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 97	Just heard from someone that you can enhance focusing performance when setting anti-shake to "on" full time (as opposed to only active after shuttle is press). Sound logical to me since the camara uses the image for focusing. Does anyone has any experience with this?