The AF point was covering the subject in all shots. But if the AF system finds something more contrasty elsewhere, that's what will be in focus. The system just isn't that reliable. I know that I could have done this as well or better using manual focus. This is exactly my point: The AF system works fine as long as there's a lot of light and the subject doesn't move. For action photography (where the photographer or/and the subjects are moving), when I really want AF, this system is close to useless.
Luckily I'm not a sports photographer and I'm not a professional. If I were, I'm certain I would not be using this camera system. Regards Jens Jens Bladt http://www.jensbladt.dk -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: John Francis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sendt: 14. januar 2006 20:00 Til: [email protected] Emne: Re: new AF system soon (when D2 arrives)? I think, perhaps, you should just sell your Pentax gear and buy something that will relieve you from having to think about your photography. You obviously don't understand how the camera works. There is *something* in focus in most of those photographs (except for the close up head-shots. Perhaps they were taken at 80mm?). The fact that it isn't what you would have picked as the focus point just shows you the danger of using automation without thinking. On Sat, Jan 14, 2006 at 04:56:45PM +0100, Jens Bladt wrote: > To illustrate my previoulsly stated point, I made some 3-shit sereies to > test the AF of the *ist D. > Using continous AF and multiple exposure setting and a FA 2.8/80-200mm > ED(IF). Technique - Point press the shutter and keep it pressed down for 3 > exposures. > > Is this the fast and accurrate AF-performance a pro photographer or a > dedicated amateur photographer is looking for in a 1500 USD camera: > http://www.flickr.com/photos/bladt/sets/72057594048128913/ > > The car was driving very slowly, looking for a parking space. The young lad > was walking normally and the girl on the bicycle was riding rather slow, > having just been on her mobile phone. > Regards > > Jens Bladt > http://www.jensbladt.dk > > -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- > Fra: Jens Bladt [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sendt: 14. januar 2006 10:19 > Til: [email protected] > Emne: RE: new AF system soon (when D2 arrives)? > > > Adam wrote > <different one can cause problems for you at certain events, like studio > <shoots, when you can't take advantage of gear sharing). > > My *ist D works perfectly normal with an Elinchrome strobe outfit. No > problems. > Some flash units requires, that some cameras (not just Pentax) are connected > after reversing the polarity of the flash cord. > That's not a real problem. Easily solved, and invovleves several camera > brands. My camera club just invested in an extra cord, so the members can > choose the right cord for the right camera. > > > Jens Bladt > http://www.jensbladt.dk > > -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- > Fra: Adam Maas [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sendt: 14. januar 2006 06:59 > Til: [email protected] > Emne: Re: new AF system soon (when D2 arrives)? > > > John Francis wrote: > > >On Fri, Jan 13, 2006 at 04:54:14PM +0100, Jens Bladt wrote: > > > > > >>P?l, have you tried to shoot into a group of people, vehicles, animals > etc. > >>that are moving with the D? > >>Nothing good will come of it - even with a F. 2.8 lens. > >>Sports photography is simply off limits using a *ist D, IMO. > >>The AF is too slow and FPS is insufficient > >> > >> > > > >I'm sure that will come as a surprise to those amongst us doing > >sports photography with a D - apparently we must be hallucinating. > > > >The buffer size is a limitation - I have lost shots because the > >camera is still writing out earlier images. But I've been able > >to use AF, even with big, heavy lenses. > > > >Not that there isn't considerable room for improvement; I don't > >agree with the posters who suggest even cameras such as the MZ-S > >can auto-focus as well as competitive bodies such as the 20D with > >USM lenses. I've used Pentax, Nikon & Canon bodies at events, > >and I'm firmly convinced that the Pentax AF is neither as fast > >nor as reliable as the competition; if my livelihood depended on > >my ability to bring home the results I would have switched by now. > >But to suggest auto-focus is unusable is overstating the case. > > > > > > > I agree entirely. > > Heck, one can shoot sport without AF at all. I shot a soccer game last > fall with a 200/f4 XR Rikenon and the D, quite successfully. And that > was a bunch of hyperactive 11 year olds. > > But There is a major performance gap, and it's one reason I've left > Pentax for AF/Digital bodies. Not the main reason though (That was > logistics. When everyone in the club shoots one brand, having a > different one can cause problems for you at certain events, like studio > shoots, when you can't take advantage of gear sharing). > > -Adam > > > >
