Focus Peaking more effective than RF patch

[claacct]

According to Michael Richemann the Focus Peaking feature of Sony Nex series cameras, when used with the new 2.3mp EVF is in fact far more effective than a RF patch because it allows easy focus throughout the frame rather than the center only.

Focus Peaking & Leica M Lenses

Probably the most important feature added to the NEX line, beginning with the 2010 firmware update and now available in all new NEX cameras, is Focus Peaking. It can be used with any lens, including Sony's own autofocus E mount line. In fact it can be very useful in visually ensuring that the correct subject in being focused on, right out to the edges of the frame.​

Sony's NEX implementation of Focus Peaking allows three levels of sensativity, as well as OFF, and three different colours for the shimmer outline – red, white and yellow. A shimmering outline is displayed (both on the rear LCD and the EVF) around areas of the image which have the greatest contrast, which in most cases means the points of sharpest focus. This isn't always the same thing, but seems to be about 98% of the time.​

Focus Peaking comes into its own when the NEX-5n is used with manual focus lenses. Between the Ricoh GXR-M, which I reviewed here recently, and the NEX-5n, I have been working a great deal recently with my Leica M lenses, and frankly I am finding focusing these to be quicker and at times more accurate than with my M9's rangefinder. One real advantage being that focus can be confirmed anywhere in the frame area, rather than just the rangefinder patch, which when used then requires recomposition.​

I know the Leica faithful will regard this statement as heresy but it's how I now feel after some 40 years of M Leica use. If I want to use hyperfocal or zone focusing, I can, just as with an M. If I want critical focusing, especially at wide aperture and with longer lenses, the Peaking function in combination with the camera's excellent 2.3MP viewfinder and dual level magnification makes it quick and pleasurable.​

Not to put too fine a point on it, but though the Sony "E" lenses are of decent consumer grade quality I found I really couldn't get the measure of the NEX-5n's resolving capability until I did some shooting with my Leica M lenses. The 5n's small size mates very well with the compact size of M optics, and when using the EVF along with Peaking the combination become very pleasurable, and image quality is exemplary.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_nex_5n_field_review.shtml
​

Here is a video of focus peaking at work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqHwXvebZ5s

But when used with a EVF its very much like RF patch but more colorful and easy to see, not to mention allowing control of the focus point anywhere in the frame.

​

 

[kshapero]

Well that adds to the discussion. I found it gimmicky on the 5N (returned it) but damn it really works. I wish I wasn't so damn old fashioned.

 

[shadowfox]

I can see that is useful for *some* subjects and scenes.
But please, please tell me that it can be turned off...

 

[splitimageview]

Yes, it can be turned off.

 

[sevo]

YMMV - I've already come across plenty of situations where Focus Peaking found no sufficient contrast at all. I'd rate it pretty much equivalent to the Nikon F full area microprism screens - which I always found a faster tool for a coarse focus guess than spot rangefinders or split prisms, but less accurate even if you can spend arbitrary time on focusing.

 

[Pablito]

better with long lenses than wide

 

[claacct]

For low contrast light conditions use the red color, for high contrast light the white color, simply genius!

Also great for those who wear glasses or have weak eyesight.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Do you find this to be true, personally? Or are you merely reciting another's opinion?

Cheers,

R.

 

[douglasf13]

If you're a raw shooter, you can tweak jpeg settings to fine tune peaking, since it doesn't matter what the jpeg settings are for your files.

 

[sepiareverb]

I briefly played with a Ricoh & M-module that belongs to dallard the other day- it too has peaking for focus- and found it quite simple. For someone like me who deals with line so heavily it was even almost handy- though I fear I might see lines with that which would then not be as prominent in the finished print...

 

[Rayt]

I tried out a friend's NEX C3 and was really impressed with peaking. Whether it is better than RF I didn't make any accuracy comparisons with a lens that would matter like 75mm wide open. For wide angle at least I could focus the entire frame not just the middle and recompose. I shoot film almost exclusively and only use an M43 when I need to do something casual. However I think focus peaking is so cool and useful I will probably buy an NEX 7 when it comes out.

 

[sepiareverb]

I tried out a friend's NEX C3 and was really impressed with peaking. Whether it is better than RF I didn't make any accuracy comparisons with a lens that would matter like 75mm wide open.

I didn't do any comparisons either, but found it quick and intuitive having never held the camera with a MF lens on it before- and having never even focussed holding a camera at arms length (and I wasn't even wearing my Rollei focussing/reading glasses).

 

[ampguy]

More effective? maybe. More accurate, probably not.

It's a great focusing aid, and will likely be quicker for people shooting moving things or street shooting, hyperfocal shooters, etc.

But, it often covers more of a depth in it's outline (with NEX 5) than what will truly be in focus at f2 or wider after enlarging a photo. So I'm going to say that for accuracy, the 7x/14x magnification method, and secondly, an aligned rangefinder body/lens setup, with a lens with no or minimal focus shift might be more accurate, albeit slower than the focus peaking method.

If it's changed in the 5N/3C, or 7, then I'm referring to the latest firmware in the regular NEX 5 only.

 

[peterm1]

My eyes are getting so cranky that I wish I had something of this sort in my M8. I have a diopter adjustment installed into the eyepiece of the Leica but damn its still a struggle.

I have noticed when I used manual lenses on my Nikon D200 however, that focus confirmation (a small round dot in the eyepiece) works a treat to tell me when I am on target.

I can still work with my M8's rangfinder but by the time I am confident that I have the subject in focus the moment has often passed.

 

[n5jrn]

What's the lag time on this feature, particularly in low light? If it takes even an appreciable fraction of a second to update, it's going to be darned annoying. One of the reasons I haven't bought an EVIL camera is that the EVF's I've tried currently have completely unacceptable (to me) lag times in low light. I'd rather have a dim but truly live view in an optical finder.

 

[Dr Gaspar]

n5jrn, from what's I've seen, it doesn't lag, at all. Even when it's dark.
At least with my lenses and my NEX-3, I never had any issues.

 

[Shade]

It works sure, but somehow I don't find it more accurate in my experience. Maybe I'm not using it correctly? I was using it on the c3.. Maybe the viewfinder of the Nex7 makes the difference?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I find it far more accurate than RF for long lenses...I think my M's are now back to being 28-50 cameras. It's very snappy, no lag that I can perceive.

 

[andredossantos]

I've rarely been unsatisfied with my rangefinder patch. When I miss focus, it's usually my fault. Focus peeking looks cool but if I owned a Nex I'd probably only use it 5% of the time.

 

[jsrockit]

Focus peeking looks cool but if I owned a Nex I'd probably only use it 5% of the time.

What would you use instead andre?