Hi, My comments are based on what those on the list have told me. When I first picked up a 5n a few years ago, I liked it, but really didn't do much more than give it a brief dry run while standing in the camera shop doorway. So, IF one has to use such techniques as described in order to use the camera with auto focus, then I'd probably turn auto focus off. And if AF is off, what's the point of an AF camera.
The only time I've had trouble focussing a manual camera has been when I was wearing my glasses when i shouldn't have been or not wearing the when I should have. Even at night, when it's difficult to focus, if I'm using an appropriate lens and screen (which I try to remember to do when I know I'm gonna be making photos at night) it's never been a problem. Even when using a Spottie, which had a pretty rudimentary finder. But that's just me ... Funny thing about using the Leica is that I don't need my glasses at all and can focus in most lighting conditions with little or no problem. In the case of the Leica it's a matter of using the right lens on the appropriate body. I'll get the 5n, I'll use it, and I'll see how I like it. It'll be fun to explore its potential once I get an AF lens. Shel > [Original Message] > From: E.R.N. Reed > I'm not Mike, of course ... But, I must say, I used a -5n for a few > years. It was my favourite camera to reach for and use for most of that > time. And I have to tell you, that paragraph above sure doesn't sound in > any way familiar WRT my experience with the -5n! I just don't remember > going through a lot to get the thing to work. Some situations would make > it obvious to me, very quickly, that AF wasn't going to happen and I'd > switch to manual, but that process is faster in practice than it sounds > in discussing it. (And, when focussing manually, the same sometimes > happens to me -- I mean, with a manual focus camera be it SLR or > rangefinder -- that sometimes I realize that it's hard for me to see > quickly if my subject is in focus, and I try another technique. Does > this never happen to you? I understand that everybody's eyesight is > different, so I can't assume it does ... ) > Anyway my point is, to me, using a ZX-5n wasn't the major nuisance that > you are getting the impression it is; I suggest you reserve further > judgement (or worry, if applicable) until you've had a chance to try one > personally since in this, as in so many interface issues, YMMV from the > next person's. > Now, your comments do fit my experience in trying to get AF to work on > the *istD ... But not the ZX-5n nor the PZ-1. > > ERNR
