Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/03/01

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Subject: [Leica] Pros and autofocus
From: John McLeod <johnmcleod@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sun, 01 Mar 1998 14:33:21 +0000

This post is intended for Harrison and other pros on the list, but I thought
others might be interested too.

Harrison,

Thanks for the response of several days ago re how you use your R cameras
for sports/action photography.  To what extent would you say the views you
expressed are shared by other pros who must shoot fast-moving subjects, such
as sports and kids?

I, too, have found it problematic to use autofocus cameras in such
situations since one is forced to learn to shoot in altogether different
ways.  With autofocus, you have to focus first, then compose the shot.  If
the subject moves, you must refocus and the re-compose (or trust Nikon's or
others' attempts at "dynamic" focus tracking, etc.).  With a manual camera
like the R6, you can focus while you are composing, and can easily alter the
plane of focus as the subject moves.  Sure, you will miss exact focus some
or much of the time, but at least you don't have to keep shifting the little
focus point back to your subject, and then re-compose.  Comments
appreciated.

John