Brilliant x100 AF failure implementation

[gavinlg]

With all the negative talk about the x100's AF which is (in my opinion) rather unjustified, I'd like to present a little hidden gem I found with my x100 in use.

It's true that the AF system needs contrast to get a lock, and it's true that the tolerance for how much contrast is needed is lower than a good dslr, however Fujifilm decided (in a stroke of brilliance) that if the camera can't acquire an AF lock, that it will automatically default the focus to a distance of around 3 meters, whilst showing the 'red box' or 'AF lock failed' icon. You can still take the photo of course, and in street style photography, it gives a decent enough depth of field so that you generally have a pretty good chance of getting what you need in focus (imagine a 35mm f2.8 lens set at 3m focussing distance on a film camera).
If you again stop down to f2.8, you're getting f4 equivalent depth of field on a film camera, which means usually a subject mid-frame on the street is still going to be in focus, even if the camera has failed to lock.

This implementation is absolutely brilliant - I've got quite a few photographs taken in super low light (iso 3200, f2, 1/30th) where I couldn't get a focus lock but still took the shot, and the photographs came out in focus. All other AF cameras seem to rack in and out and end up on the near or far focus setting when they're finished.

Just another little thing that makes me believe fujifilm really designed this camera for photographers.

[rover]

Has Fuji in any way disclosed this gem of wisdom in their literature?

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by rover

Has Fuji in any way disclosed this gem of wisdom in their literature?

I have no idea - I've never read the manual. I don't think I've seen it posted anywhere either. I remember the e-p1 I used to have - if it couldn't lock the AF it would just rack the lens in and out and in and out, and settle for either infinity or 10cm focussing distance. Same goes with my 5d.

[rover]

I'm thinking you have a future as a marketing rep.

Seriously though, I am sure that is good information to know.

[f16sunshine]

Nice on Gavin
I've picked up a few nice "tricks" from your posts about the x100.

[Snacks]

Thanks for posting this, it's very useful info.

[jippiejee]

I like your positive way of looking at negatives.

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by jippiejee

I like your positive way of looking at negatives.

I don't think the x100's AF is a negative at all. I think it's quite good. Me and the other photographers on this forum that actually use them, some of which are actual pro photographers.

All AF cameras will fail to achieve lock at some point. The difference is that the x100 can go on taking pictures with a little bit of knowledge of how it works. Try that with any other mirrorless AF camera, without fumbling around with screen zooms.

[fearofhummingbird]

The X100's biggest weakness with regards auto focus is the failure by Fuji to fully and clearly articulate how to use it properly. Those of us who have taken the time to work with the camera have learned to get exceptional results. AF is fine.

[OwenStegemann]

I usually try to stay out of the gear arguments on this forum as it seems that there is a large group who will not be satisfied until there is a ff digital rangefinder that is sold at prices that would bankrupt the company selling it. BUUUUUT.
Having shot with an x100 for a few days now I'm surprised at how many people bash it. It is such a capable little camera. I bought mine as a digital replacement for my Contax t2 and it far surpasses my expectations in that role. I think the price is about the same too if you are comparing MSRP at launch. Maybe people just expected too much? I was showing it to a regular at my bar who is a long time Leica shooter and retired pro and he was VERY reluctant to give it back, he couldn't stop raving about it. It's a tool for a job and the job is does is excellent, in my humble opinion.

[OwenStegemann]

PS It's also really nice to be able to shoot in color for less than 40 cents a frame.

[emraphoto]

keep digging Gavin!

PS bash away i say. my x100 has pumped out brilliant photos and will continue to do so... as such, i feel no need to defend it.

[Benjamin Oliver]

I shoot concerts about once a week, and the X100 has been wonderful once I got comfortable with it. I can't see most people shooting in worse lighting conditions than I do, as these aren't arena shows with big lights. I also use it for daily newspaper assignments. My newspaper has D3X's and D300s's with f2.8 zooms, and I choose to use my X100 for the majority of assignments. I use their equipment for sports, although the 5fps of the X100 is an added bonus for me that helped with a softball pitching sequence this week.

The X100 AF fills my needs splendidly.

[andephotographic]

That's really handy to know and I too had never heard nor read of it anywhere else.

[maggieo]

I wondered why my rushed street shots were coming out Ok!

Thanks for filling me in! Fuji is brilliant, IMO.

[gavinlg]

Correction - It actually defaults to about 3m, not the 2.5m I had originally estimated.

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by fearofhummingbird

The X100's biggest weakness with regards auto focus is the failure by Fuji to fully and clearly articulate how to use it properly. Those of us who have taken the time to work with the camera have learned to get exceptional results. AF is fine.

Totally agree - they should have included tips or a guide in the manual. Using the 'corrected af frame' which is the last option in the bottom menu is also totally crucial IMO - then you know exactly where to focus for close or far shooting.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Oliver

I shoot concerts about once a week, and the X100 has been wonderful once I got comfortable with it. I can't see most people shooting in worse lighting conditions than I do, as these aren't arena shows with big lights. I also use it for daily newspaper assignments. My newspaper has D3X's and D300s's with f2.8 zooms, and I choose to use my X100 for the majority of assignments. I use their equipment for sports, although the 5fps of the X100 is an added bonus for me that helped with a softball pitching sequence this week.

The X100 AF fills my needs splendidly.

Similar story with me, I have barely used my 5d since getting the x100 in October 2011. The x100 was meant to play backup and non-serious camera, but as it turns out the 5d has become the backup to the x100!

Originally Posted by maggieo

I wondered why my rushed street shots were coming out Ok!

Thanks for filling me in! Fuji is brilliant, IMO.

Yes, this is how I discovered it - on the occasion where it's too dark to focus I've been taking the shots regardless, and most of them have still been coming out well. It really shows that the team who designed it are actual photographers, not just engineers or technicians.

[crispy12]

I just tried this in MF mode and using the AF-L button to focus really close up. The scale defaults to 3m every time. Useful bit of knowledge.

This means that if you shoot at f11 with the subject >3m away, every shot will always be in reasonable focus, even if AF fails.

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by crispy12

I just tried this in MF mode and using the AF-L button to focus really close up. The scale defaults to 3m every time. Useful bit of knowledge.

That it does! Thanks for confirming

[Vobluda]

What is to learn about the AF?
You point the camera at what you want to take the picture of and press the shutter button.

Originally Posted by fearofhummingbird

The X100's biggest weakness with regards auto focus is the failure by Fuji to fully and clearly articulate how to use it properly. Those of us who have taken the time to work with the camera have learned to get exceptional results. AF is fine.

[noimmunity]

Originally Posted by fearofhummingbird

The X100's biggest weakness with regards auto focus is the failure by Fuji to fully and clearly articulate how to use it properly. Those of us who have taken the time to work with the camera have learned to get exceptional results. AF is fine.

This line needs to be pasted at the top of the X100 forum.

Question: does this "default operation" add additional lag time? If so, how much?

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by noimmunity

Question: does this "default operation" add additional lag time? If so, how much?

If I'm understanding your question correctly, no it doesn't. The x100 doesn't tend to hunt around for focus for very long, so if it's too dark and there's no enough contrast it usually shows the red 'af failed' box right after you've half pressed the shutter. From there it's the usual operation - no shutter lag at all.

[Spyro]

LOL thats what I've been saying all along: it's a 23mm lens ffs, even at f2.8 it will give you at least 2m of dof in the most commonly used distances...
all you ever need is a distance scale and some light or good high iso so you can stop down a bit and presto, you have the fastest focusing system in the world: no focus.
I dont know how people ever shoot moving subjects at close distances, or street, or landscape any other way.
Or how they shoot m4:3 for that matter (before the 12/2 came along)

By the way I always dreamt of a camera that would have a switch with 3 settings: M (manual focus), AF, and H (which would automatically set the lens to hyperfocal distance for every aperture selected). How hard is it...?

Good pick up Gavin

[Spyro]

Personally all I would add to the x100 V2 (if there is one) would be a focusing tab and infinity stop. If I could have that I know I could focus it with the camera still in my pocket, like I used to do with my XA.

[mfunnell]

Originally Posted by Spyro

Good pick up Gavin

Sure was. In fact, "good" was Fuji doing this right in the first place, "better" was Gavin picking up on it - and "best" was Gavin letting everyone know.

I say this as someone who doesn't own or use the camera. I just find it a great example of spreading the word to those who do need to know.

...Mike