x100 autofocus issue

[Scheelings]

Hi everyone, I just picked up an x100 last week and i'm still learning how to use it.

The firmware is the latest.

The problem I have is that autofocus doesn't appear to work very well when looking through the optical viewfinder. When I use the LCD it appears to work fine - any idea of what is going on?

 

[Richard G]

Not sure. Can't think why how you view the frame should affect focus.

1. Focus choice on AF-S
2. Close focus has improved with the latest firmware, but macro still needed if very close.
3. Set up menu should include turning on adjusted focus frame.

 

[gavinlg]

Hi everyone, I just picked up an x100 last week and i'm still learning how to use it.

The firmware is the latest.

The problem I have is that autofocus doesn't appear to work very well when looking through the optical viewfinder. When I use the LCD it appears to work fine - any idea of what is going on?

If what you mean is that it is focusing behind the subject with the optical finder, turn on the AF correction mode.

Basically the top left focus box is for minimum distance, the bottom right focus box is for infinity distance. If you subject is close to you, use the minimum distance focus box as a guide, and when focus is confirmed, the green box will appear at some point between the two boxes, which will confirm to you where the camera has focussed. Once you get it, its very easy.

 

[Richard G]

CORRECTED AF FRAME. - last item in the Set-up menu: turn that on. Gavin and I are saying the same thing.

 

[Scheelings]

If what you mean is that it is focusing behind the subject with the optical finder, turn on the AF correction mode.

Basically the top left focus box is for minimum distance, the bottom right focus box is for infinity distance. If you subject is close to you, use the minimum distance focus box as a guide, and when focus is confirmed, the green box will appear at some point between the two boxes, which will confirm to you where the camera has focussed. Once you get it, its very easy.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I can't see these boxes in the OVF. How do I turn on the AF correction mode?

I just googled the problem and steven huff said this:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/...x100-and-how-i-get-around-them-by-steve-huff/

OK…what else? Hmmmm. Inaccurate Auto Focus.
USER Complaint #3: The AF is not accurate most of the time. This CAN be correct, if you are using the Optical View Finder. After using both the EVF and OVF I would not go back to the OVF full time as it is just not accurate with the AF of the camera in MANY situation. If you are shooting anything up close, forget it. Your shot will be out of focus when using the OVF. I am talking 1-3 feet distances, and in many cases, the AF confirm will pop up and the camera will focus way behind the subject (when using OVF and shooting CLOSE). The OVF is nice and bright and I have used it for landscape shots and it did great, but anything at close distance, forget it! It took me a few days to figure this one out.


So is this a thing? If so I'm disappointed...

 

[Scheelings]

I saw this on a previous thread - and I worked out how to turn on the corrected frame - thanks for this. I didn't realize it was due to parallax error...

I've found the solution though - in the setup menu, go down to the very last menu time - 'corrected AF frame' and mark it as 'on'. Now, there will be 2 visible white AF spots in the viewfinder - one indicating where the spot is at infinity and one indicating where the spot will be at close focus. Use them accordingly and you shouldn't have the problem of mis-focus anymore.

 

[gavinlg]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I can't see these boxes in the OVF. How do I turn on the AF correction mode?

I just googled the problem and steven huff said this:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/...x100-and-how-i-get-around-them-by-steve-huff/

OK…what else? Hmmmm. Inaccurate Auto Focus.
USER Complaint #3: The AF is not accurate most of the time. This CAN be correct, if you are using the Optical View Finder. After using both the EVF and OVF I would not go back to the OVF full time as it is just not accurate with the AF of the camera in MANY situation. If you are shooting anything up close, forget it. Your shot will be out of focus when using the OVF. I am talking 1-3 feet distances, and in many cases, the AF confirm will pop up and the camera will focus way behind the subject (when using OVF and shooting CLOSE). The OVF is nice and bright and I have used it for landscape shots and it did great, but anything at close distance, forget it! It took me a few days to figure this one out.


So is this a thing? If so I'm disappointed...

Steve huff doesn't understand how to use the camera, don't listen to him (seriously). I pretty much have 100% AF accuracy photographing all sorts of stuff, the cameras AF system is more accurate than the AF system in my 5d mkIII

Go to this link and read it carefully.
http://vopoku.com/fujifilm-ovf-focusing/

As richard G said above, the AF CORRECTED FRAME option is in the menu - its one of the last sub menus. Turn it on and read the link above. When you get it, you will realize how cool it is.

 

[daveleo]

I saw this on a previous thread - and I worked out how to turn on the corrected frame - thanks for this. I didn't realize it was due to parallax error...

I've found the solution though - in the setup menu, go down to the very last menu time - 'corrected AF frame' and mark it as 'on'. Now, there will be 2 visible white AF spots in the viewfinder - one indicating where the spot is at infinity and one indicating where the spot will be at close focus. Use them accordingly and you shouldn't have the problem of mis-focus anymore.

Help me to understand - it was parallax error and you got it squared away now ??

 

[jsrockit]

Steve huff doesn't understand how to use the camera, don't listen to him (seriously).

Let's be fair here... when the X100 initially came out, and before the corrected frame, what he is stating was true. His review was early IIRC.

 

[Thardy]

Let's be fair here... when the X100 initially came out, and before the corrected frame, what he is stating was true. His review was early IIRC.

Looks like Huff's review was in May '11 and I found web sources discussing this corrected AF as early as June '11.

I wonder if it was in the manual initially or a very early firmware update?

 

[jsrockit]

It was an update... I've been using the X100 since the first day it was available.

From Fuji's website:

The firmware update Ver.1.10 incorporates the following issues.
The contents of the owner's manual will be partly changed along with this update.
Please check them in detail.
1.The following functions can be rocked during shooting by holding down [MENU / OK] button over 3 sec.
DRIVE / Flash / White balance / Macro (set on the Command Dial - 4 direction key)
2."CORRECTED AF FRAME" menu is added in "SET-UP" menu (the last line on menu page 6) to display additional AF frame (corrected AF frame for reducing parallax) which can be effectively used for macro shots. (Factory default value is set to "OFF")

and Steve Huff's update ...

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/06/24/fuji-x100-firmware-update-1-10-is-now-up/

You guys can choose not to like the guy, but let's be accurate.

 

[gavinlg]

You guys can choose not to like the guy, but let's be accurate.

Thing was that he continued to say the fujis can't focus blah blah blah far after the update came out. Many many people mentioned the AF correction frame in the site comments but as far as I know he still hasn't changed his opinion.

 

[willie_901]

1. The X100 lens will never be sharp I'm macro mode when the aperture is wider than f 4. This is how the lens was designed and is clearly stated on Fujifilm's webiste and elsewhere.

2. Using AF in OVF mode is a different experience than EVF mode. The focus region box is a fixed size and there is parallax error. The parallax correction option significantly improves the focus area estimate, but it is only an estimate. The closer the focus object, the less certain the estimate becomes. This is unavoidable since the OVF view is not on-axis with the center of the lens.

3. In OVF mode the focus can be quickly checked and, or adjusted using the digital zoom function.

4. OVF mode is not the best choice for every photograph you will take. This is also true for EVF mode. Part of enjoying the X100/100S and X-Pro 1 is using the mode that's best suited for the task at hand.

 

[L Collins]

First, thank you Gavin for the very helpful info re Autofocus Assist.

I bought an x100 when they first came out. I sold it shortly thereafter because its complexity completely flummoxed me (I've been shooting fully manual cameras for 40+ years.).

I've recently picked up another, a black limited edition at a ridiculous price, and made the decision to really learn the full functions of the camera. I bought a copy of Michael Diechtierow's MASTERING THE FUJI X100. Wow. What a difference it makes to actually understand and use all the features.

I recommend without hesitation Diechtierow's book. Clearly written and full of page after page of insight into how to maximize the camera for your specific purpose.

 

[GaryLH]

He still does not know how to use the camera

He still does not know how to use the camera

I think I might be one of the few that likes to go visit his site. For whatever reason he does not like my two favorite camera manufacturers, Fuji xtran and sigma foveon sensor cameras.

Anyway he complains about 40% af focus errors a new xe2 he recently got in. He plans to do a shoot out w/ Sony a7... 35 fov vs 35mm.

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/...x-e2-and-23-1-4-vs-sony-a7-and-35-2-8-report/

Either he received a defective product for eval (highly unlikely but not impossible) or he just never really spent the time to figure out how to use it.

Gary

 

[thejameskendall]

3. In OVF mode the focus can be quickly checked and, or adjusted using the digital zoom function.

Very good advice. I use this a lot. Also I set up the AFL/AEL button to focus instead of the shutter release and use the camera in manual focus mode. Now focusing isn't a problem unless it's really dark and even then it's about there.

 

[thejameskendall]

I bought an x100 when they first came out. I sold it shortly thereafter because its complexity completely flummoxed me.

Agreed, it is a camera that needs a bit of time setting up. There's learning needed to get the best out of it.

 

[Scheelings]

Go to this link and read it carefully.
http://vopoku.com/fujifilm-ovf-focusing/

As richard G said above, the AF CORRECTED FRAME option is in the menu - its one of the last sub menus. Turn it on and read the link above. When you get it, you will realize how cool it is.

Thanks very much everyone for your advice. That link has an excellent explanation. Thanks 🙂

 

[Alberti]

My wife bought a black X100 and she loves it; she took out several days to understand it.
She put the camera in silent (stealth) mode, so now it is completely silent (very very discrete), she just has the OVF with the frame lines and for macro she uses the back (which inherently has no parallax 🙂 We could put a black tape in the flash window as it is now turned off anyway.
She was not willing to buy the more expensive X100s - and we didn't know a black X100s one was coming - but she is happy anyway. It is a real CAMERA!!!

Still to learn: how to do focus memory (lock) with for instance the Fn button so the X100 can be used like a Leica. Many small steps ahead!

(I did some comparisons, both RAW, and the X100 is hard to discern from M8 in sharpness at F 5.6; I used a Voigtlander 25 mm on the M8).

 

[willie_901]

I'm not sure what you mean by focus memory. However, when the camera is in M focus mode you can press the AFL/AFE button and the AF will operate manually. Focus is no longer affected by the shutter release. During M focus mode focus will not change unless you turn the lens focus collar or press the AF/AFE button again.