fast RF focusing technique (video)

[PatrickONeill]

I came across a DigitalRev video that compares the focus speed between a 5D, EP1 and an M9.

the leica did well and I was surprised how fast Kai can nail focus shot wide open with a moving object.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_zGXERMRQU

anyone use this technique?

seems like you shoot with a fast shutter speed, and trip the shutter at the exact time the RF patch lines up without stopping the focus ring.

[JayC]

He's a pretty funny dude.

[ibcrewin]

lol.. So funny. "It doesn't give a Foc-us."

[arunrajmohan]

He's a pretty funny dude.

I thought so too when late last year someone posted that link on RFF.

Arun

[PatrickONeill]

I thought so too when late last year someone posted that link on RFF.

Arun

zing! ouch :)

seriously, am I the only one who takes 3 seconds to focus on a still subject?

[krötenblender]

zing! ouch :)

seriously, am I the only one who takes 3 seconds to focus on a still subject?

I need at least 3 Seconds to find the focus-knob... :rolleyes:

After that, I'm pretty fast.

[xwhatsit]

After seeing that video (last year, hehe), I started using the focus tab and using "fingertip focus" like he does. Certainly speeds things up. Nowhere near that fast, though.

[ibcrewin]

I think he's got a good technique. I leave the focus knob on the space I last left it. He seems to bring it all the way back so it only goes one way.

This is my method. "turn the knob left until subject is in focus, woops meant right, double back go right. Focus, snap. bah, I wan't happy with how that went down" rinse, repeat for 35 more frames.

[RollingBall]

How about this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLUWtM0aP6I&feature=channel

Seems we're all wasting our time with rfs.

[Arjay]

I think he's got a good technique. I leave the focus knob on the space I last left it. He seems to bring it all the way back so it only goes one way.

Pretty cool idea - why did't I think of this before? I'll definitely try that next time I'm out with my Hexar.

[Bobfrance]

I was shown the technique of always parking the focus at infinity by one of Leica's pro's. I wasn't sure at first but I have found over time that it is quicker/more reliable when you know where you're starting from and so know which way to expect the image to move from in the focus patch.

Always parking at infinity (like my Contax G1 used to do) kinda makes you a human autofocus. Although this particular unit still hunts quite a bit. :o

[Neare]

Hyperfocal is quicker still.

[Arjay]

Hyperfocal is quicker still.
Without any doubt. But what would you recommend if you'd need to shoot wide open (say at f2)?

[Neare]

Without any doubt. But what would you recommend if you'd need to shoot wide open (say at f2)?


This is why I think focus tabs are very useful. Essentially you can train yourself to know that when your finger and tab is located at 180 degrees you'll be focused at 2m etc.
From that point on if you want perfect focus, you would just move the image slightly together - ideally you'd want to have the lens at that 2m (if that is the aprox distance you are focusing to) mark before the viewfinder was up even at your eye.

If you don't have tabs on your lenses, either start in hyperfocal or just use that infinity - whatever method, it's slightly slower but can still work quickly.

I believe that focusing with RF is just like learning the guitar, the more you do it the better and faster you get, to the point where it becomes instinctive. If someone's not getting faster, practice getting faster :D

[Keith]

This guy is pretty funny ... a bit like a photography version of Jeremy Clarkson! :D

[ferider]

The guy is funny.

He must be happy about chimping though ... I cann't focus a 50/1.4 without "pre-focus and body-move". To many failures when just focusing with the tab.

Roland.

[DanP]

I need at least 3 Seconds to find the focus-knob... :rolleyes:

After that, I'm pretty fast.

LMAO. :D:D:D

[drewbarb]

If he is Jeremy Clarkson, then I guess I'm Captain Slow.

Seriously, I use the trick of always resetting to one end or the other of the focus throw (depending upon how close I'm working) and it does speed things up a bit.

[maenju]

Haha, these guys are so funny, I was also looking at their other vids (The M9 review is quite nice and the Canon 7D vs 5D2 "test" must be a classic :D )

Impressive technique though...

[SimonSawSunlight]

I focus like that, although maybe not quite as quick as he does (but then I usually don't have stop watch on me :D ), with moving subjects mostly. otherwise I usually have the lens set at 2m, which is kind of a 'natural' distance to me and I know when something's is closer / farther away.

[bayusuputra]

yeah, i have to agree with everyone that this guy is funny.. it doesn't give a foc-us.. LMAO.. the Jeremy Clarkson of photography.. if Jeremy reviewed BMW M6, he reviewed M9..

[wyk_penguin]

What if I only have a slow speed negative in the camera and not ISO---- of a digital M? There would be no way I could keep moving the focus ring if I had to use 1/30 or less.

[Dwayneb9584]

I focus the same way he does. I find it easier to remember that way. I guess it's just my method. i tried keeping it where I last focused it at on a subject but never worked out well for me. I shoot quicker if I put it back to the closest focal length then work from there.

[BMacW]

BTW, Kai has an account here (KaiW). He used to post here.

Long time fan of his videos.

Make sure you check out the best Leica M9 review and the what's in your bag video from him.

[graywolf]

Quick focusing is a skill set like any other. You set up a procedure that you always follow, I set my lens to infinity, then practice a lot. The real trick is not to fiddle focus.

What is fiddle focusing? It is sawing the focus back and forth like you were, well fiddling. The method to use is move the focus until it is in focus, and stop! With a RF, fiddle focusing probably only wastes time, with a SLR your eye is trying to adjust too, and you simply can not get an exact focus because there are too many variables.

As Kai showed in the video, you can pretty much match a good autofocus system for speed, and beat it for accuracy.

Additional speed can come because you can already be moving the focus as you bring the camera to your eye. As you lower the camera simply move the focus back to your start point, and you are ready for your next grab shot.

[Yoricko]

+1 what Tom is doing. I do that as well. The only reason for me to scale focus is to prevent my actions from disturbing the scene by raising the camera (happens rarely).

But, fast focusing with a rangefinder camera only works with 50mm and shorter lenses. Try doing that with a 90mm, or even a 75.