Low light focusing and autofocus challenges

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Submitted By: WAlexStewart

Location: Wisconsin

Joined: Dec 28 2005

Posts:

Low light focusing and autofocus challenges

Posted: February 8, 2006 - 7:53am

Most of the solutions offered for low light focusing challenges with autofocus cameras (virtually all digitals) are hard to apply when you try to shoot human interactions on the fly (photojournalism or photoethnography for example). My understanding (weak) is that autofocus is systemically different in its approach, even with the camera set to "manual" focus. As a result, older manual cameras (which also tend to have more really fast lenses) are much easier to use. This is my experience, anyway. This leads me to two related questions:
First, is this actually so, or are there some autofocus cameras with the same approach to focus as true manual cameras?
Second, does it follow that cameras with live LCD preview and the option of magnifying the center of the image (apparently the Olympus E-330; presumably various fixed lens cameras) are a useful solution? Their capability of waist level shooting can also help in the shooting situations mentioned (though I wouldn't say it's a big difference).
Thanks for advice: as you may suspect I'm considering the E-330, having various lenses already.

Submitted By: ronk

Location: Quensbury, NY

Joined: Mar 15 2005

Posts:

Re: Low light focusing and autofocus challenges

Posted: February 8, 2006 - 11:06am

My C5050 has an IR focus assist beam that worked spendidly for photos in Howes Caverns, a cave we visited several years ago. My E-1 has the upgraded firmware that improves low light focusing; the IR is built into the FL50 flash unit, I think. Newer units probably have the upgrade in it.

I never thought that waist level viewing was a plus or minus with my Mamiya TLR, don't know if that would change with digital.

To me, a live LCD image would serve 2 functions: getting a live histogram for exposure (I do not know if this is offered) and the live LCD would serve as a pelicle viewfinder that doesnot black out with the shutter; nice ib flash photography so you do not have to ask the subject if the flash fired.

One cvan improve the accuracy of the focus by using only the center focus indicators instead of the various arrays that are available. the center spot is the most sensitive, all you have to do is to hold the shutter button 1/2 way own and recompose the shot, or shoot wide and crop on the easel.

I purchased my gear prior to the adapter for the manual lenses coming out; there are some counterindicarions, so check the oly site. I do own both the 14-54mm 2.8-3.5 and the 50-200mm 2.8-3.5, excellent lenses.