btgc
Veteran
Focusing on moving subjects is either hi-tech continuos AF or lesser tech and a bit of predictive focusing coupled with sufficient DOF.
i NEED digital manual focus camera advice ...
- Thread starter paulfish4570
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bugmenot
Well-known
NEX-5N or NEX-5R with EVF and the to-be-released-in-December 35mm f/1.8 (SEL35F18) Sony E-mount lens, which would allow Hybrid/Phase Detect Autofocus (only with NEX-5R, NEX-6 and future NEX-7 successor), perfect for photographing fast moving children 😀 ... I would highly recommend also getting the 50mm f/1.8 (SEL50F18) Sony E-mount lens, as I have never owned a 50 mm (though 75mm equivalent) this good. Or perhaps a NEX-6 with the same combination of lenses, though I prefer the NEX-5N/5R EVF, due to its placement and flexibility (the OLED panel inside the EVF is the same).
Even if you will primarily use it for manual focusing, I highly recommend at least one or two native lenses, just in case you plan to hand it to a non-camera savvy person to snap a photo of you or something else at some point in the future.
Of course, as an added benefit, you also get the easiest manual focusing ever with these NEX cameras, using the magnification and the focus peaking, and the ability to adapt just about any lens ever made ...
Even if you will primarily use it for manual focusing, I highly recommend at least one or two native lenses, just in case you plan to hand it to a non-camera savvy person to snap a photo of you or something else at some point in the future.
Of course, as an added benefit, you also get the easiest manual focusing ever with these NEX cameras, using the magnification and the focus peaking, and the ability to adapt just about any lens ever made ...
Spicy
Well-known
Nikon D300 or D300s or a D90 with a KatzEye screen should give great results, but be aware that without a FF sensor, you won't get a huge viewfinder. One of the reasons I started lusting for a FF D700 was because I started shooting with a cheap-o Nikon FG-20 and absolutely loved the comparatively drive-in-sized finder, since I grew up on crop body Nikon DSLRs
daveleo
what?
Actually, this is more of a shooting technique decision than an equipment decision.
Maybe best to work backwards . . . . "I shoot moving kids like this: yadayadayada. I have these lenses: yadayadayada. What body accommodates this technique and those lenses?"
->->
Using manual focus lenses, shooting moving things (I almost never do this), I zone focus and go to f8 aperture for DOF, ISO400, set shutter speed with a test shot for exposure, and take whatever the gods of Mt Nikon bestow upon me.
My DSLR does this well, but it's really the lens with DOF marks that makes it work.
Maybe best to work backwards . . . . "I shoot moving kids like this: yadayadayada. I have these lenses: yadayadayada. What body accommodates this technique and those lenses?"
->->
Using manual focus lenses, shooting moving things (I almost never do this), I zone focus and go to f8 aperture for DOF, ISO400, set shutter speed with a test shot for exposure, and take whatever the gods of Mt Nikon bestow upon me.
My DSLR does this well, but it's really the lens with DOF marks that makes it work.
greyelm
Malcolm
Don't overlook the tried and tested zone focussing system which may help with candid shots of kiddies.
I have a couple of m4/3 cameras and have used a number of legacy lenses on them without focus issues. Having been a microbiologist for over 40 years I am we'll used to focussing microscopes and this is the same as manual focussing with the legacy lenses, this may account for my lack of issues.
I have a couple of m4/3 cameras and have used a number of legacy lenses on them without focus issues. Having been a microbiologist for over 40 years I am we'll used to focussing microscopes and this is the same as manual focussing with the legacy lenses, this may account for my lack of issues.
paulfish4570
Veteran
zone focusing at f2-f4 in poor light is pointless, for me. i know how to do that stuff. i actually do that stuff. i repeat: i am fast enough with two hands, no matter how wild they are running. i cannot make more than one digit on my right hand do this with the x100. zone focus is no good when the shot might be as close as 5 feet, or as far as 25.
Jack Conrad
Well-known
Having similar criteria, my current choice would be the Nex-5n. Without a lens around $350 new and adapters for legacy glass are around $10..... hmmmm.
btgc
Veteran
another solution - if kid shots aren't most of your work, just dedicate a few rolls of film for them (assuming film body and fast manual focus lens lets you do the job).
Also I find flash a good help in such conditions - bounced or diffused, with slow enough shutter speed. Flash isn't enemy.
I wouldn't buy new camera for some kid shots, rather work out something with existing gear, as pointed by greyelm. But that's just me and probably I'll change mind when I'll see my grandkids.
Also I find flash a good help in such conditions - bounced or diffused, with slow enough shutter speed. Flash isn't enemy.
I wouldn't buy new camera for some kid shots, rather work out something with existing gear, as pointed by greyelm. But that's just me and probably I'll change mind when I'll see my grandkids.
thegman
Veteran
What about a camera with a much smaller sensor, like a Ricoh GRD? You get a lot of DOF for free.
porktaco
Well-known
xe-1. i got mine this week. i think it's going to be everything i had hoped the NEX-7 would be. it feels like a camera, fast AF, as wide a range of lens adapters as you'd want, no focus peaking but it does have touch-to-magnify in a convenient place. i'm very excited.
porktaco
Well-known
oh yeah, the built in diopter is great
daveleo
what?
Paul,
That's kinda why I say to work backward from your technique, rather than from your equipment.
How do you shoot? What hardware does not work with your technique?
paulfish4570
Veteran
my film stuff is just fine, for kids or anything else on my palette. i'd like a digital with 50mm equivalent that i can focus myself, or autofocus fast enough to catch those kids. and really, i like compact, too. gotta wonder if any dslr can fill that bill ...
kxl
Social Documentary
I really think that a DSLR would be best for your needs. For that, you'd have to take into account the following considerations (I'll speak to the Nikon products):
So, I would say that for a Nikon DX DSLR, find the sweet spot. Start with the latest release and see if your budget will allow for it, then start working your way back, both in terms of price point and release date.
Good luck!
- Manual focusing ease / viewfinder brightness and coverage
- AF Considerations:
- The type of AF module
- How many focus points
- The type of focus points (cross-type or not)
- The positioning of cross-type focus points - a wider horizontal spread is preferred.
So, I would say that for a Nikon DX DSLR, find the sweet spot. Start with the latest release and see if your budget will allow for it, then start working your way back, both in terms of price point and release date.
Good luck!
f6andBthere
Well-known
I know you've said the crop factor option would need to be no more than 1.5 but the OMD is phenominal with the 25mm Summilux in manual or auto focus mode. If you didn't want to pony up for the pricy Summilux the camera would still be pretty awsome with a 24mm OM mount Zuiko and adapter as a purely manual focus rig with equivalent 50mm focal length. The EVF of the Olympus is a huge leap ahead of the X100 in it's clarity and response.
New NEX models with CDAF and Phase detect are pretty speedy focus, pretty much as fast as a DSLR. Great platform for adapted lenses too. Shooting kids is tough with manual focus tho.
jsrockit
Moderator
Omd with 25mm Panasonic 1.4 should do no?
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Paul,
I'd recommend either a Nikon D3100 for use with the manual Nikkors you own (manual focus, no built in lightmeter but a pocket lightmeter is easily carried and used) or a Ricoh GXR with M-mount unit and VF-1 viewfinder for the Leica-M lenses you have.
As of today I own them both and both are very capable of getting good shots with vintage lenses. The Ricoh is faster in metering but slower in focusing (could be me, less than 24hr owner😀), the Nikon is faster in focusing but requires the handheld meter.
The Nikon is the less pricey solution for sure. But, you could spring for a D3200, which is 24 megapixel IIRC😀
I'd recommend either a Nikon D3100 for use with the manual Nikkors you own (manual focus, no built in lightmeter but a pocket lightmeter is easily carried and used) or a Ricoh GXR with M-mount unit and VF-1 viewfinder for the Leica-M lenses you have.
As of today I own them both and both are very capable of getting good shots with vintage lenses. The Ricoh is faster in metering but slower in focusing (could be me, less than 24hr owner😀), the Nikon is faster in focusing but requires the handheld meter.
The Nikon is the less pricey solution for sure. But, you could spring for a D3200, which is 24 megapixel IIRC😀
Michael Da Re
Well-known
Don't know if the Pentax k-01 is a consideration but Adorama has them onsale right now for$346.95
ghw3
Newbie
I was ready to get the 6 but picked up a lightly used 5n for about 1/3 the price. Have had it just long enough to become acclimated and do some tests with my Canon FD glass. Very, very pleased!! Focus peaking makes legacy glass useful (again) at last. Results better than expected, and, best of all, the frustration index has dropped to zero.
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