Auto and manual focus question

[sOid]

So, the main complaint I've heard is about the X100 is the bad AF. So my question is: how bad is it really?

Is there any way to preset focus at a certain distance with an indication of that exact distance? For example, could you preset the focus to 2 meters?

Also, is it possible to manual focus in OVF mode or do you need the EVF for that?

 

[Paul T.]

There are plenty, almost countless references to this, on this site and elsewhere. In particular, on the OVF you can have a distance scale overlaid with the DOF, a perfect aid to zone-focusing.

Would like to know more about the bad AF, I've only heard reports that it's on a par with the GF1, which is pretty good.

 

[sOid]

There are plenty, almost countless references to this, on this site and elsewhere. In particular, on the OVF you can have a distance scale overlaid with the DOF, a perfect aid to zone-focusing.

Would like to know more about the bad AF, I've only heard reports that it's on a par with the GF1, which is pretty good.

Apologies. I did do some searches for it, but nothing useful showed up. Might have used the wrong keywords though.

The distance scale overlay sounds wonderful. Would be great for street shots 🙂

Regarding the supposedly bad AF, here are some links. I've read/heard more about it, but didn't bookmark those.

http://www.ephotozine.com/forums/topic/fujifilm-finepix-x100-at-focus-on-imaging-2011-88362

http://www.bjp-online.com/british-j...t/2033505/testing-fujifilm-x100-sample-images

(Especially the comments section, although I know I shouldn't put too much value to those.)

 

[Arjay]

Aha, the 'new product is out and is being used mindlessly' hysteria has set in.

There are other, more thorough reports:

X100 vs. X1 shootout (teaser)
X100 vs. X1 shootout

Apparently, its helpful to first get aquainted with the camera before coming to premature conclusions ...

 

[sOid]

Aha, the 'new product is out and is being used mindlessly' hysteria has set in.

Agreed. That's why I don't visit the DPReview forums. Weirdo's over there. It was to be expected with this particular camera though, because of all the hype involved.

There are other, more thorough reports:

X100 vs. X1 shootout (teaser)
X100 vs. X1 shootout

Apparently, its helpful to first get aquainted with the camera before coming to premature conclusions ...

Thanks, looks good to me. Especially the dynamic range looks pretty sweet. I hope the fine people at Adobe will release an updated Camera Raw/Lightroom that supports the X100 soon.

 

[former member]

I do not have an X100, but do have an EP2 which also uses contrast detection autofocus. Olympus improved the response time of the AF by a factor of 2 when going from V1.0 to V1.1 of the firmware.

You are looking at first-release firmware on this camera. I am guessing that steady improvements will be made, and factors such as AF response will be addressed.

 

[sweat100]

As many users may have known that if you use AF using the OVF, it can only focus down to 0.8m. In order to focus closer, you need to switch to EVF in macro mode. However I found a strange phenomenon, I can focus closer using EVF but not OVF even though I am not in macro mode. I thought minimum focusing distance for EVF and OVF at normal focusing is 0.8m? 😕

I just realised that it is actually faster to use MF and then use the AF lock button to focus. I am able to use OVF to focus closer than 0.8m. The frame may shift by alot, but it works! Focusing objects further than 0.8m have the same time as normal AF mode. It didn't really have to scan the entire whole focusing range.

 

[willie_901]

The X100 the minimum AF speed specification doubles from about 0.2 sec to 0.4 sec when the OVF power save mode is set to Y. Contrast AF speed also depends on light levels and how much contrast is at the focus point. There is a power saving mode on the X100 that keeps the AF assist light off as well.

Some people could experience slow AF and others could experience a quicker AF response depending on the camera menu settings, focus point contrast and the light level.

 

[sOid]

Interesting comments here, thanks.

I'm used to the 5Dmk2 focus, so I'm comfortable to work with a cripple AF-mechanism anyway 😉

 

[nksyoon]

Fuji probably disabled the close focus when using OVF because of parallax.

 

[peripatetic]

Interesting comments here, thanks.

I'm used to the 5Dmk2 focus, so I'm comfortable to work with a cripple AF-mechanism anyway 😉

Haha.

No it's MUCH slower than a 5D/2.

Well, actually it's a bit more complicated than that. The speed isn't generally a problem. It's quite fast, but just not very capable. In the same way as I find contrast-based AF systems on P&S cameras.

When they work, they are often very fast. But they struggle under conditions where a DSLR wouldn't break stride at all. And the X100 is like that.

I find myself going back to habits from the very early days of SLR AF; choose an object with good contrast at the right distance, focus lock on that, then recompose and shoot.

Or in good light, just zone focus. The zone focus (DOF) indicator in MF mode is absolutely awesome.