Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/01/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]If there is play in the Zeiss 1.1, that's a manufacturing issue I think the refinements in autofocus are maybe more to blame than digital for people becoming more critical. Bodies with 55 focus points and good programming make us all look very accurate, and of course, being able to see the photo enlarged on a screen makes it much easier for the average punter to see their work enlarged, instead of squinting at a drugstore 4x6 and saying "I'm sure that'd be good as an 8x10." Using a 50/1.1 or an 85/1.4 or a 180/2.8 wide open is always going to be tough because of thin depth of focus. Many times I've seen someone focus a 35/1.4 on a point they figure is the right distance and then swing to capture their subject. If it's six inches off, or they're shooting at an angle, they will miss focus but it's a fault of technique, not manufacture. If you call up the videos of Saint HCB on YouTube, you'll notice a lot of bodily contortions to move the camera back and forth slightly to make focus, instead of twiddling the ring. Is there such a thing as "too critical?" The new tools let us all raise our game a little. Josef Brugger Mark Pope wrote: > Ernie, > > thanks. The play on the Zeiss is an odd phenomenon. I wonder why > that happens? > I have read a few complaints about problems with focus, but I'm not > sure how many posters have actually used the lens in anger. Moreover, > I think too few people actually expect instant success nowadays and so > if they don't get it without putting in a little effort, they blame > the equipment. > Your point about bracketing the focus is well-made. Any problems with > my images are much more likely to be a problem with me now that I'm > approaching 50 and need varifocal spectacles! > > A couple of months ago, I discussed the issue of focusing the lens > accurately with Frank Dernie when we met for lunch. We agreed that > when using the lens wide-open, just the act of recomposing after > focusing is probably enough to affect the critical focus (say when > focusing on a person's eye). Add a touch of subject movement and a > little photographer movement and you have instant focus shift! > > I also think that digital has made many of us (myself included) far > too critical - it's easy to reject a shot after having decided that > it's not critically sharp when viewed at 100% on a monitor when in > fact if it was printed, the result would probably be plenty good > enough to pass muster. > > > > Mark Pope, > Swindon, Wilts > UK >