Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Rudy Torres on June 01, 2011, 11:06:51 pm
-
The auto focus on my Phase One AF just isn't all that great. Its slow, and I feel if I'm just not in full sun it doesn't focus at all. Now I know that low contrast might have something to do with it but man is it a pain when I am shooting on figure. Does anyone else have any issues with their autofocus on their AFD3 or PO AF bodies? Any suggestions?
- Rudy Torres / El Paso, Texas
-
Which setting do you use ?
The accurate focus or quick focus ?
I've had no problems so far with the AF, do remember however that ALL AF systems need a certain amount of contrast in a scene and when you're using a heavy backlit scene it's of course asking for problems with AF. I shoot a lot of backlit scenes and when you focus on the higher contrast areas or switch to manual focus I can't imagine it doesn't work, manual focus with an AFD is rather easy due to the indicators which often work just fine when the AF is hunting.
-
Thanks for the info Frank.
"Hunting" is a good word for it, but that word carries a small implication of intent, like... hitting the the target. This last shoot my AF did lots of hunting and did not hit the target with any great frequency. Manual does work and I do watch for that little green light. Frank, do you mainly shoot in manual focus mode?
- Rudy
-
Hardly. But which focus mode do you use ?
The quick is not a good option, always go for accurate.
And do you have the problem with all your lenses ?
-
The auto focus on my Phase One AF just isn't all that great. Its slow, and I feel if I'm just not in full sun it doesn't focus at all. Now I know that low contrast might have something to do with it but man is it a pain when I am shooting on figure. Does anyone else have any issues with their autofocus on their AFD3 or PO AF bodies? Any suggestions?
- Rudy Torres / El Paso, Texas
Seriously get a DF. The AF's are not in the same ballpark. It's just much faster and more accurate.
Ego Franks comments as well what are your settings and also do you have 1 AF point selected or all 3 . Select all three
-
It happens with all lenses. I have all 3 points selected. I have only played with the focus selector when I first got the body on a headshot. That feature didn't really impress me.
The focus points are too close together, IMO. Maybe just using the center will give me better results. I think though you guys are telling me the way I have it set right now ( all 3 selected) is the way to to go. My AFD2 back-up body does a better job focusing.
-
I NEVER used all three (well ok once), with all three the focus was never really where I wanted it.
I always use center focus point only and again check the focus speed setting in your custom menu, it really has to be on accurate.
Check that first, it makes a huge difference.