Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Manual focusing using the LCD on the DPMs is actually very good IMO ... but the catch is you have to do it at arms length and you're generally shooting in pretty poor light when in this situation and as we all know the AF on the little black brick is bloody near useless in these conditions.
But ... having achieved accurate focus exposing at arms length has its own problems. Camera shake/movement will kill sharpness due to lack of any bracing at slower shutter speeds.
The solution for me is as follows: I have an accessory viewfinder on both DPMs which allows me a better option provided I'm not in too much of a hurry. Set the camera to focus manually then extend your arms and frame your image with live view on the LCD, press the centre button in the control wheel which zooms in on your image and focus on your chosen point .... this is very accurate and can be done relatively quickly. Then bring the camera and accessory finder up to your eye allowing you to brace it on your forehead and take a step forward which with practice will put the camera back at the distance from the subject it was when you focused at arms length. Recompose in the finder and take the shot!
I know it sounds rather ponderous but with practice it's quite quick and has given me an an extra stop or two due to being able to brace the camera against my face/forehead as per a normal view finder camera.
But ... having achieved accurate focus exposing at arms length has its own problems. Camera shake/movement will kill sharpness due to lack of any bracing at slower shutter speeds.
The solution for me is as follows: I have an accessory viewfinder on both DPMs which allows me a better option provided I'm not in too much of a hurry. Set the camera to focus manually then extend your arms and frame your image with live view on the LCD, press the centre button in the control wheel which zooms in on your image and focus on your chosen point .... this is very accurate and can be done relatively quickly. Then bring the camera and accessory finder up to your eye allowing you to brace it on your forehead and take a step forward which with practice will put the camera back at the distance from the subject it was when you focused at arms length. Recompose in the finder and take the shot!
I know it sounds rather ponderous but with practice it's quite quick and has given me an an extra stop or two due to being able to brace the camera against my face/forehead as per a normal view finder camera.
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
Camera tai chi!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
I think it speaks volumes about the quality of the image these cameras are capable of when you consider the lengths we users go to to keep using them, and often, having one of these pesky DP_M models only makes you want more.