Low Light Autofocus

[Oly5050]

What do u guys do when u are taking shots in dark and noisy places? If the question is bad, let me elaborate. The AF, even for the E3, using a 14-54 sometimes may have difficulty getting a focus. I find that there is probably about a 20-30% of OOF for shots. But because I am aware of this, I take the time to try and ensure and have managed to reduce it down to 10-15%. Also, I chimp after every shot, zooming it in to check focus.

What are your solutions?

1. Attempt manual focus - I find it a little hard, cos the place is dark, and my manual focus may not be very accurate. I find that if the AF works well, it is super sharp.

2. Switch on AF confirmation beep - Does not work in noisy places.

3. Switch on AF Assist - Probably the best option, but the strobe may irritate people.

4. Any other options I din think about short of carrying a light to help AF

[grantyale]

Perhaps use the external flash's AF-assist but switch off the strobe output?

[microcosm]

For paparazzi style shooting, go manual.

Otherwise, use the assist lamp on your FL flash when focusing in such situations. Not much other workarounds.

[Mikefellh]

To be honest before 2002 I had never used an autofocus camera, but back then my SLR (that I used for 20 years) had a focus assist aid on the focus screen, a split circle prism. You can get one of those for your FourThirds camera form companies like Katzeye:
http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

Now how did I survive photographing in dark places without autofocus, I look for something that is light against the dark and position the contrast on the focus aid. Sure I had the occassional out of focus shot, but at least today there's the LCD so you can see instantly.

Actually today the way I'd do it (without having a focus aid) is look for contrast in what you are shooting, half press to lock focus, and then TURN OFF the autofocus (assuming your subject doesn't change the distance between you)...if you have to refocus just tap the AEL/AFL button.

[nokkieg]

On the topic of shooting in low light conditions, will changing the AF Sensitivity from small to normal help in any way? Assuming that what you are focusing on is a human face?

[aryanto]

Originally Posted by nokkieg On the topic of shooting in low light conditions, will changing the AF Sensitivity from small to normal help in any way? Assuming that what you are focusing on is a human face?

Yes. change to Single AF, from 11 AF sensor choose only the middle one, and metering choose center AF. Aim at the eyes if you can cos have black and white there (contrast), this assumes you have zoom lense which can zoom to roughly the face, unless you want to focus on different part of the body

[selamatlzh]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 What do u guys do when u are taking shots in dark and noisy places? If the question is bad, let me elaborate. The AF, even for the E3, using a 14-54 sometimes may have difficulty getting a focus. I find that there is probably about a 20-30% of OOF for shots. But because I am aware of this, I take the time to try and ensure and have managed to reduce it down to 10-15%. Also, I chimp after every shot, zooming it in to check focus. What are your solutions? 1. Attempt manual focus - I find it a little hard, cos the place is dark, and my manual focus may not be very accurate. I find that if the AF works well, it is super sharp. 2. Switch on AF confirmation beep - Does not work in noisy places. 3. Switch on AF Assist - Probably the best option, but the strobe may irritate people. 4. Any other options I din think about short of carrying a light to help AF

I always carry FL36 with me for these kind of condition. Will turn off the flash but just uses the AF assist beam to help to AF.

[aryanto]

Originally Posted by selamatlzh I always carry FL36 with me for these kind of condition. Will turn off the flash but just uses the AF assist beam to help to AF.

eh? can do this? how? share the setting please.

[Benares]

Originally Posted by aryanto eh? can do this? how? share the setting please.

Set "AF Assist" in your camera menu to "ON". When a compatible hotshoe (FL-36[r]/50[r]) flash is mounted, the red-beam will shine and help with the AF assist. If the hotshoe flash is not mounted and the on-body flash is popped up, it will simply strobe the subject to help achieve AF.

Since everybody knows that the pop-up flash strobes can really be irritating/annoying, it is advisable to not turn on "auto-pop-up flash" with the above settings.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by selamatlzh I always carry FL36 with me for these kind of condition. Will turn off the flash but just uses the AF assist beam to help to AF.

Originally Posted by aryanto eh? can do this? how? share the setting please.

Of course have the FL-36/50 powered on, and AF Illumination toggled to ON, BUT set the flash mode on the camera to "NO FLASH"...this will still allow AF Illumination to function, but the flash WON'T fire.

[selamatlzh]

well explained guys. just to add abit more, FL50 throws even a bigger beam which will help in even more difficult environment.

but then again consider the weight of both :-)