Who Would've Thought Autofocus Would Be Important? Apparently Not Leica

Image Source: http://www.cultofmac.com/383779/leica-invented-autofocus-then-abandoned-it/

 

The blog Cult of Mac has run a piece on how Leica invented autofocus, only to abandon it. Apparently, they were not able to perfect it to the level that they thought their exacting customers would be satisfied with it. I never knew this before reading this article.

 

(Click Here) to read more about how Leica invented then abandoned autofocus, and how it was made a commercial reality by other companies, chiefly Minolta.

 

Thanks to my friend Bill for hooking me up with this interesting article.

 

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Practicing my Telephoto Technique - Nikon 70-300mm AF-S VR and the Ducklings

I am anxiously awaiting delivery of a used Nikkor 200-400mm f4 zoom lens that a friend and I have decided to co-own. It's an expensive lens, so this made it possible for both of us to have access to it.

 

Most of my lenses, especially telephotos, are older technology. Starting with the Ai-P 500mm f4, which is my longest lens, it's manual focus. It's a true beauty, and makes wonderful photos, but clearly doesn't have the latest AF-S focusing. Then there's my 300mm f4 AF-I, which does have autofocus, but not the blazing fast AF-S.

 

In fact, the only long lens I have with AF-S is the 70-400mm f4.5-5.6 G VR zoom lens. So, I decided to take that lens out for a quick shoot before work yesterday, to practice my focusing technique. Based on the video by Steve Perry that I posted yesterday, I set up my D700 for back button focusing and gave it a try.

 

Not an action shot, but here's the best shot I made in that fifteen or twenty minutes of shooting yesterday.

 

Spring Ducklings, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G AF-S Lens

iso 800, f8, 1/500 sec

 

I wanted to test out the back button method, in which you leave your camera set to continuous AF, and use the button on the rear of the camera to decide when to freeze the focus, if at all. When photographing action (e.g. birds in flight), you just keep the button pressed, and the camera will focus through the entire shooting sequence. For static objects (e.g. these ducklings), you get the focus point you want, then release the rear button, locking the focus at that point. This worked very well for me here.

 

This 70-300mm lens is very good. It's not as sharp as I expect the 200-400mm to be, which should be obvious when you compare the specs and prices. But, I think it did a pretty good job for me in this case. And, it's very light and fast.

 

I can't wait to see what the 200-400 can do!

 

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Use Nikon Autofocus? You MUST Watch this Video by Steve Perry

I have been shooting some wildlife recently with my Nikon cameras. With the spring weather finally here, I love to get out in my kayak and photograph birds and other wildlife.

 

My current telephoto lenses are a 300mm f4 AF-I (very old autofocus lens) and a 500mm f4 Ai-P (manual focus). Both are excellent optics, but are a bit dated. I have worked on my manual focus technique with the 500mm, and can even catch the occasional sharp image of a bird in flight.

Bald Eagle in Flight, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor Ai-P 500mm f4 Manual Focus Lens + 1.4X Teleconverter

iso 1600, f5.6, 1/1000 sec.

 

Of course, things get easier with autofocus, especially Nikon's modern AF-S lenses. I'm about to get my hands on a lovely 200-400mm f4 AF-S VR lens, so I'm reading up on autofocus technique.

 

Here's an outstanding 12 minute video by Steve Perry, showing some of the key concepts for successful autofocus with Nikon DSLRs:

 

If you have problem with getting to the video, (Click Here).

 

One of the techniques that Perry practices is "back button" AF. This means using only the back AF-on button to focus, and not the typical half-press of the shutter release. With the camera set to continuous AF (AF-C), you simply let your finger off of the back button when you want to lock in focus, or keep pressing to follow and focus on a moving subject. Really helpful.

 

Just to try it out, I took my D700 and 70-300mm AF-S VR lens out tonight and gave it a shot with some flying geese. It worked really well. I literally can't wait to get my hands on that 200-400!

 

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Function Button Focusing - A Minor Tweak That I Should Probably Revisit

 

Image Source: http://nikonrumors.com/2014/01/25/how-to-use-nikons-af-on-and-back-button-autofocus.aspx/

Funny how I sometimes forget the little features that my cameras have. I believe that all of my digital cameras that have autofocus (AF) give me the option of assigning a function button (other than the shutter release half-press) to activate AF. Most of us do leave it with the "default" shutter button half-press. In a post on Nikon Rumors, they explain how assigning AF to a separate function button can really help with capturing the moment.

 

(Click Here) to read the post on Nikon Rumors.

 

Probably the most important attribute of doing this, at least on Nikon cameras, is that you can easily switch from single AF to continuous, simply by holding the button down. This means that you don't have to move any other switches or go into any menus. And, to switch back, you simply lift your finger off of the AF button.

 

I have tried this before on my Nikon D700, but not long enough for it to become second nature. I didn't really like having to hit another button on the back of the camera before taking every shot. But, now that I see it here, I can appreciate that if I got used to it, it could really help, especially for nature photography.

 

If it helped me to capture one shot like the one above, it would be worthwhile.

 

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Larry Keel - One of My New Musical Favorites!

 

Larry Keel, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 85mm f1.8

iso 3200, f2, 1/350 sec

 
Larry Keel and Natural Bridge played at the Shepherdstown, West Virginia Opera House on November 30, 2012. It was a special show. It was my first show at this venue, which is really great. A renovated movie house, it now has a nice dance floor, and is a great intimate place for a show.
 
Larry and his band are a Virginia-based alternative bluegrass band.
 
(Click Here) to go to Larry's web page.
 
Larry's lovely wife, Jenny, plays bass:
 

Jenny Keel, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 85mm f1.8

iso 3200, f2, 1/350 sec

 
 

Banjoist Will and mandolinist Mark round it out.

 

Mark and Will, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF 28mm f2.8

iso 3200, f2.8, 1/180 sec

 
This is one fine band. Lots of fun.

(Click Here) see the rest of my pics from the show.
 

A Little Refreshment, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 85mm f1.8

iso 3200, f2.4, 1/250 sec

 
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APhotoContributor Author Shares His Fuji XPro-1 Experience. He's Left Leica Digital Behind.

 

Image Source: http://aphotocontributor.typepad.com/aphotocontributor/2012/10/digital-kool-aid.html

 
Chris, author at the blog APhotoContributor, has posted a detailed summary of his shift from Leica digital to the Fuji XPro-1.
 
(Click Here) to read Chris' complete post.
 
Chris is a retired engineer, turned photographer and blogger. He was an initial beta-tester for the Leica M9, and took an amazing number of images (>100,000) with the M9. He always used the M9 in conjunction with either Canon or Nikon DSLRs, which he considered as more reliable. In particular, Chris had problems with the M9 hanging up while writing images to memory cards. I've never seen this with my M9, but I have maybe 1% of the M9 images under my belt that he does.
 
Chris says he's not a Leica hater, and continues to use a Leica MP (film camera) regularly. I would stretch to say that he's a "Leica-guy" hater, though. He includes a lot of disparaging comments about Leica photographers worrying more about whether their straps match their jackets than about their images, Leica photographers being those who "want to shoot in Cuba" (I admit, I'd love to shoot in Cuba), and being people who "wear a camera" instead of using it. He is also very rough on Thorsten Overgaard, a strong Leica digital proponent. To check out Thorsten's blog, (Click Here). I think Thorsten seems like a pretty good guy; Chris uses the phrase "king of dilettantes." Oh well, to each his own. Diversity makes the world more interesting.
 
On to the meaningful part of the post. Chris has been using the Fuji XPro-1, and is obviously pleased. He has had no problems with the camera writing files to cards, ever. He is a strong proponent of autofocus in digital cameras, and finds Leica's continued production of manual focus-only bodies an anachronism. Along those lines, he's not interested in adapting his Leica lenses (including the awesome 35mm Summilux) to the Fuji body. He is fond of the Fuji 18mm lens. According to Chris, the latest firmware update for the XPro was transformational, and made the autofocus on the camera "really good."
 
Chris also finds the XPro quieter than the M9.
 
Many times, critical reviews of the Leica M9 come from people who secretly wish they could have an M9, so go very far to find reasons why they'd never want one ("I'm sure those grapes were sour, anyway."). Not in this case. In fact, Chris still pairs his Fuji XPro-1 with the venerable Leica MP for street shooting.
 
Personally, I am very intrigued with where Fujifilm is going. I think the XPro-1 looks like a beginning of a great system. I'm not sure if I could get used to the hybrid finder system. Playing with it just a little made it seem a little clunky to me, but I certainly haven't given it a chance. In concept, it's a great idea. I also believe that Fuji is capable of making lenses that are every bit as good as Leica. They've made gorgeous optics for many, many years. I once had a Fuji G690 medium format rangefinder, with 100mm f/3.5 lens that was just plain incredible. Known as the "Texas Leica," the camera gave absolutely beautiful results, but was just a little too cartoonish for me to carry. It truly looked like a prop for a geeky photographer halloween outfit.
 
As you probably know, I do love my new (used) Leica M9. That said, I'm keeping my eye on Fuji. I think we're going to continue to see interesting new products from them.
 
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Well, It's No Surprise, But the New Zeiss Lenses for Mirrorless Are Not For Micro 4/3 - Yet?

 

Image Source: http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/sony/40472-awesome-zeiss-lenses-news.html

 

Carl Zeiss has introduced a new line of autofocus prime lenses for mirrorless camera systems. Unfortunately for Lumix users, formats don't include Micro 4/3, at least not at this point. I guess this is no surprise, given Zeiss' relationship with Sony. Of course the NEX mount is the main platform.

(Click Here) to read more details on the Zeiss site.

At this point, they've announced the following lenses: 12mm f2.8, 32mm f1.8, and 50mm f2.8 macro.

What is a little surprising to me is that they did include the Fujifilm XPro mount. Great news for Fuji and users!

These three lenses all have autofocus capability, with complete system compatibility. None of them offer image stabilization.

Zeiss reports that they will be around the 1,000 Euro mark in price, and should be available in spring/summer 2013.

In the article, Dr. Michael Pollman, Consumer Lenses Product and Program Manager, leaves the door open for future Micro 4/3 lenses. He states that Zeiss wanted to focus on the larger APS-C sensor market first. He also makes it clear that the focal length and size of lenses designed for APS-C would not be optimal for Micro 4/3. I can go along with that. The 12mm focal length is well-covered by an excellent Olympus product, and the macro is covered by the Pana-Leica Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8.

Well, Dr. Pollman, us Micro 4/3 users will keep our fingers crossed! We'd love to welcome Zeiss lenses to our cameras.

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Carl Zeiss Announces Big Plans for Photokina

Image Source: http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2745

 
Photokina, to be held in Cologne, Germany September 18-23, 2012, is one of the premier photographic trade shows in the world. Carl Zeiss has posted some information about exciting news that they plan to formally announce during the show.
 
(Click Here) to read the Carl Zeiss page.
 
First, they plan to exhibit a new manual focus 55mm f1.4 lens for SLRs. Zeiss already offers the awesome Planar 50mm f1.4 for SLR mounts, but this lens is reported to give optical results formerly only available from lenses designed for medium format cameras. And Zeiss sure knows how to design those. If you know medium format cameras, you know that the legendary Hasselblad image quality relies on Zeiss lenses.
 
Next, and here's a big one, Zeiss plans to unveil a series of autofocus (yes, autofocus) lenses for mirrorless cameras. With Zeiss' collaboration with Sony, I'm sure this will mean NEX mount. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make them for Micro 4/3 too! My heart says yes they will; my brain says no. It would make Sony angry. But, I'll keep my fingers crossed. How great would it be to have both Pana-Leica and Zeiss lenses for Micro 4/3? As I've reported in the past, Zeiss does make some very expensive cine lenses for the Micro 4/3 mount. Fingers crossed on both hands that they'll make the new line fit M4/3 as well.
 
Finally, they hint at an exciting new lens addition to the popular manual focus Zeiss lenses for the Leica M mount.
 
I am very excited to hear the details!
 
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I've Ordered It - My First Olympus Lens. Final Check - Will It Be Compatible With My Panasonic Bodies?

 

Olympus 75mm f1.8 Micro 4/3 Lens

Image Source: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1622
 

 

I have preordered the new Olympus 75mm f1.8 lens. My understanding and belief is that all of the native Micro 4/3 lenses will exhibit full compatibility with my Panasonic bodies.

 

First, the lens. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I'm lusting over both this lens and the new Lumix 12-35mm f2.8. I have also posted some examples of images I've recently taken with my Voigtlander 75mm f2.5, which have helped to convince me that 75mm is the best focal length to add to my kit. The improvements of a full stop of extra light gathering (f1.8 is really fast), and autofocus, are enough for me to take the leap.

 

I'm not that far along with the Lumix 12-35.

 

In terms of compatibility, I found a nice reference on the Panasonic website. It shows the compatibility of both native Micro 4/3 and 4/3 lenses, viewfinders, and flash units, to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1. Since my workhorse kit is two DMC-G3s, I am convinced that compatibility will be the same. These are very similar cameras.

 

(Click Here) to see the compatibility story for the Lumix DMC-GX1 on Panasonic's site.

 

So, now it's just a matter of waiting for Amazon to ship the 75mm f1.8!

 

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