> Shel asks:
>
> >As I was shooting yesterday, I was thinking about how an AF
> >camera might focus in the same situation. I don't believe an
> AF
> >camera can focus as precisely. It seems the sensors are too
> >large to be able to focus specifically on an eye, or any
> >particular facial feature. Is this the case?
With some changes in technique, an AF camera can do quite well.
I have a Contax G2 as well as the PZ-1p. The G2, not being an
SLR, offers a greater challenge. Everything in the viewfinder
always looks in focus. All there is is a distance scale along
the bottom edge of the viewfinder and a little black square that
moves to show you the focus distance. So, you have to decide by
that if the camera has locked on the right object, or feature.
There is still a focus "frame" indicator so you know which area
focussing occurs in. Contrast, and detail have an impact here,
too. Sometimes you have to tilt the camera to get a good focus
lock. When you get a lock, you check the scale and hold the
shutter button halfway down to maintain lock while you recompose
for your shot.
Getting used to this technique takes practice, but I find, now
that I have learned this technique with the Contax, that it's
even easier with the PZ-1p. The only unsharp pictures I have are
mostly from trying to hand hold the camera at shutter speeds
that are too low for the lens I'm using. Shake seems to increase
with age. :-)
Remember, the steps are:
1. Decide on the important feature that you want in focus.
2. Don't be afraid to tilt or twist the camera until focus is
achieved.
3. Hold the shutter button halfway down to lock focus or if
your camera has a focus lock button, use it.
4. Compose the picture and shoot.
It takes a lot longer to write about it or to read about it than
it takes to do it. Once you've made it a habit, you'll have
sharp pictures under all circumstances but those that challenge
manual focus as well.
Len
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