early reports of X-Pro 1 focusing using OVF and EVF

[lynnb]

Some early comments about focusing the X-Pro 1 using OVF vs EVF:

According to http://invisiblephotographer.asia/2012/03/09/fujifilmxpro1-firstimpressions/, when using the optical vf:

...the AF point is not quite exact through the OVF for the same reason – even with the “Corrected AF Frame” option on. Using the OVF, you often get 'more' around the edges that you thought you had framed, and every so often, the actual AF may be on the object just to the side of your intended subject, as seen through the OVF. So, while the OVF would likely save you battery power over the use of the EVF or the LCD, the EVF option may yet provide the best AF accuracy

However, using the EVF for focusing introduces a new problem of the display freezing while focus is acquired - although it appears likely this will be addressed in firmware http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/fujifilm_xpro1_editors_handson_review_news_311664.html:

One thing I immediately noticed is that the EVF locks up while the camera acquires focus, so if you are panning or the subject is moving there is a difference between what you see in the viewfinder and what will be photographed.

From the moment you press the shutter release – until the camera focuses – the view in the EVF remains the same, as the EVF does not refresh while focus is being found. In brighter light the focus will be quicker, but I think this could be an issue for the sort of low-light photographers who will be attracted by the wide maximum aperture lenses the system provides.

I asked Kawahara about this and he confirmed that the model I was using reflected how production models would behave. Obviously, when using the optical viewfinder there is no such delay. The EVF in the X-Pro 1 refreshes 40 times a second, which is a little behind other models that do so 60 or 120 times per second.

But Kawahara said this issue can be improved via a firmware update and is not necessarily a permanent characteristic of the camera.

 

[noimmunity]

The reviewer doesn't seem to get the point of the OVF at all.

 

[Turtle]

The focus offset from OVF to EVF is the same as with the X100 and a non-issue at anything but close up distances. i alway shoot in OVF mode for street shooting etc, but if I am dealing with a close up, I flick the lever to take it to EVF and it is ready before it even meets my eye.

 

[lynnb]

thanks Turtle; it's a camera I am wanting to evaluate as a DSLR replacement, and I was wondering if there would be a problem knowing exactly where the focus point was when using the OVF - particularly relevant when taking photos of kids indoors!
I've read user reports expressing frustration with the X100's time taken to acquire focus in low light, so I'm interested whether the X-Pro 1 performs significantly better. The first article quoted above seemed to indicate that it wasn't easy to know exactly where the focus point was.
The second article suggests that using the EVF is not a good idea in low light as you would lose sight of your subject just as you try to take the photo. So if the subject's expression changed or they moved you might not see it until too late.
Right eyed shooters wouldn't have a problem with that but left eyed shooters would be shooting blind.

 

[gavinlg]

thanks Turtle; it's a camera I am wanting to evaluate as a DSLR replacement, and I was wondering if there would be a problem knowing exactly where the focus point was when using the OVF - particularly relevant when taking photos of kids indoors!
I've read user reports expressing frustration with the X100's time taken to acquire focus in low light, so I'm interested whether the X-Pro 1 performs significantly better. The first article quoted above seemed to indicate that it wasn't easy to know exactly where the focus point was.

My comment is that most of the reviewers that do first impressions and reviews of these cameras don't know how to use them, are clueless anyhow, and probably have the attention span of a flea.
The AF corrected frame option allows you to see 2 focussing boxes in the OVF frame lines - one for near focus, and one for infinity (as shown below)

(from the online photographer blog - http://onlinephotographer.typepad.com)

When you half press the shutter it will lock focus and a green overlay box indicates where the camera has locked. If it's over the close focus frame, it's focused right close up. Infinity frame, it's focused on the background (as per example above). The green focus confirm box is pretty much stepless, so you have a very good idea of where it's focussed once you get used to it. If you want more peace of mind you can overlay a focusing scale on the bottom of the OVF view, below the frame lines. When you focus, an indicator will show you exactly where it's locked, on the scale, in real time.

Also, about the x100 focussing, once again it's merely people not really knowing how the camera works. Firstly, it doesn't take any more time at night than it does during the day to try and lock focus. If there isn't enough contrast or light, it will pretty much give up straight away. It doesn't hunt like other AF systems do. When it cant lock focus and gives up it presets the focus to about 3m, so even if you can't achieve AF lock, you still have a very good chance of getting a picture out of it - especially on the street where the f2 lens with f2.8 equivalent depth of field (in 35mm terms) is concerned. Of course this has NEVER been pointed out in ANY single review out there - which is a great indication of how much you can trust these 'reviewers'.

 

[Matus]

Great answer, thanks.

 

[willie_901]

Similar to a mechanical RF, the X100/XP1 are not ideal for photographing kids that are running around all over the place.

Keep in mind, the EVF view on the X100 does not freeze with a half press. The focus and exposure does freeze. I guess it's possible that the XP1 behaves differently, but I can't imagine why. I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.

There are three focus modes and two finder modes. Then there are several ways to set up exposure and focus lock. And, you can have parallax compensation turned on or off. You can change the size of the focus region in EVF mode, but not in OVF mode. There is a power saving mode that affects AF speed.

It is easy to see how people can have trouble.

Some people complained it was too difficult to make the X100 do what they wanted to do. That's a fair complaint. Many photographers are used to highly automated operation. On the other hand, if you spend some thoughtful time with the camera, you discover it can be operated in a way that is similar to an analog RF.

With respect to photographing kids. The best tool is a DSLR. I am only familiar with D300/700 AF, but the AF is amazing once you understand how to set up the system for subjects in motion. The AF can refocus in between shots during a 3 FPS burst. The X100 is not hopeless (again I assume the XP1 will be similar). It takes some practice and experimentation to maximize the responsiveness and sucess rate. I find my in-focus percentage is similar to the Zeiss Ikon M camera I used to use to photograph kids before I acquired my first Nikon DSLR.

 

[gavinlg]

Some people complained it was too difficult to make the X100 do what they wanted to do. That's a fair complaint. Many photographers are used to highly automated operation. On the other hand, if you spend some thoughtful time with the camera, you discover it can be operated in a way that is similar to an analog RF.

That's it. You have to use it the way it was designed to be used. You can't project your expectations of how it should AF onto it coming from a DSLR. That being said, there was very little learning curve with the x100 for me personally. I picked it up and it worked from the get-go. Treat it like a rangefinder (center patch focus, recompose) and you'll have no problems.

 

[splitimageview]

I had no problems taking photos of my dogs, which are Italian greyhounds and move around as much as any kid. I put it on continuous AF and used the cross-hair, put the cross-hair on the eye, and shot.

Here is a link to a full size, straight OOC jpeg. Sharpness is pretty amazing, this shot at f/2.8.

http://fujix-forum.com/images/fuji/DSCF6011.JPG

 

[willie_901]

I had no problems taking photos of my dogs, which are Italian greyhounds and move around as much as any kid. I put it on continuous AF and used the cross-hair, put the cross-hair on the eye, and shot.

Here is a link to a full size, straight OOC jpeg. Sharpness is pretty amazing, this shot at f/2.8.

http://fujix-forum.com/images/fuji/DSCF6011.JPG

Interesting. I will give AFC a serious try the next time I'm around subjects that move.

 

[Snacks]

Thanks GavinLG, for some reason I'd not heard the proper explanation of how the adjusted focus box works before.

 

[EXksporry]

One thing I didn't like about the X100, is that it struggled getting focus when the subject didn't have obvious contrast. I remember trying a macro shot using the EVF on a small flower/lantern kind of object hanging in a tree. It was red, but to me there was obvious contrast yet it couldn't get a focus lock. I also dislike that manual focus means I have to wind the focus ring for like a minute to get it to come anywhere close to actual focus, but I guess this will change on the xpro1.I just hope that with that new external AF sensor, I hope it can focus a bit better with teh standard Fuji lenses

 

[splitimageview]

Yes the manual focus requires far fewer turns. AF is faster. Nearly all cameras have issues with macro and AF. I found it locked focus in low light pretty easily.

What external AF sensor?

 

[gavinlg]

One thing I didn't like about the X100, is that it struggled getting focus when the subject didn't have obvious contrast. I remember trying a macro shot using the EVF on a small flower/lantern kind of object hanging in a tree. It was red, but to me there was obvious contrast yet it couldn't get a focus lock. I also dislike that manual focus means I have to wind the focus ring for like a minute to get it to come anywhere close to actual focus, but I guess this will change on the xpro1.I just hope that with that new external AF sensor, I hope it can focus a bit better with teh standard Fuji lenses

The x-pro1 doesn't have an external AF sensor. It has an AF assist light, as does the x100. Macro focus is more finicky because the macro mode is like a bonus add-on, and the camera isn't really optimized for it, being contrast detect AF with a short prime lens.

With the latest firmware, the x100 needs a lot less contrast than it did on original firmware.

 

[DtheG]

That's it. You have to use it the way it was designed to be used. You can't project your expectations of how it should AF onto it coming from a DSLR. That being said, there was very little learning curve with the x100 for me personally. I picked it up and it worked from the get-go. Treat it like a rangefinder (center patch focus, recompose) and you'll have no problems.

With every camera I've owned, focus has required pointing the centre of the viwfinder at the focus point, and exposure has been similarly centred. Focus, exposure, and recompose is just natural to me. It's taken me some time reading this forum and others to realise some people have expectations of more automation.
I take portraits and landscapes, a few close ups still lives etc. X100 suits me fine. Maybe an upgrade to the Xpro but not until the 23mm lens is available.