When I have photographed sports - to include volleyball, football (both
international and north american), rugby, bicycle racing, among others -
I have never relied on the AF of whatever camera I have been using (to
include Nikon D1X, D1H) and trusted my eye. I tend to compose as I
follow the action, and as such it is difficult to know exctly where the
camera will focus. I may leave a space in front of the runner or if
being pursued closely have the runner on the right side of the frame. I
have thought about Canon's focus point following the eye, but I find
that I don't necessarily look at what I want in focus but tend to use my
peripheral just before I shoot.
There have been times that I would like a larger buffer in my *ist D.
The most recent incident was while shooting finish line photos at a
triathlon. When there are many runners coming across I will be shooting
(non-continuous) and recomposing depending on where the runner is.
There have been a couple of times when I have had to wait for the camera
to be ready and have relied on depth of field to get a reasonably sharp
photo.
César
Panama City, Florida
Jens Bladt wrote:
Perhaps so.
Perhaps the reason most pros choose a fast camera - a Canon or a Nikon.
Or maybe it's the excellent lenses?
Or maybe it's the wide spectrum of lenses offered?
Or maybe the user interface?
Anyway, when I point my lens at a moving subject, I want it to focus as fast
as possible.
Maybe I'm the only one wanting this. Maybe not.
Cameras are about capturing what you see. Capturing the moment. The crucial
moment. This is basic.
A camera that doesn't do this won't be sell really well.
If I wanted to create an imaginary vision - created in my mind, I'd be a
painter or make drawings (some times I do). But I don't. I'm not an artist,
I'm a photographer. I don't want to be an artist. I want people to see
things through my eyes. That's all.
My eyes have AF. As well as Auto Exposure (AV). This is what most people
expect from a camera. My self included.
Fast AF and accurate AE is the best camera selling argument. Number two is
of course the price tag - or perhaps it's the other way around. It's really
that simple.
Pentax make nice cameras. Some great, and many mediocre lenses. Pentax has a
nice sympathetic user inter face. Photographer oriented. I like that. But
the technical features (abilities) are behind the competition. It's a poor
mans Canon/Nikon - with a slight touch of "Leica" (read: conservatism and
quality at moderate pricing). Funny policy!
Most people think of Pentaxes as an affordable "family camera". I believe
Pentax think so too.
Pentax should be making excellent lenses for other bodies (Samsung??). Just
like Tokina and Sigma and forget the expensive, yet under featured and non
competitive camera bodies. Pentax was/is a glass manufacturer. Perhaps they
should stick to what they are really good at. And stop making mediocre
lenses (F. 3.5-5.6 or otherwise compromised) for mediocre Pentax bodies.
Anyway, I often wondered why Pentax makes pro lenses (expensive - priced
equal to more expensive, pro body makers lenses) for amateur bodies. A fried
of mine gladly paid 2000 USD for a AF 17-55 F.2.8 Nikon lens. He would never
have bouht a lens like for a (slow) Pentax body, I wouldn't either. It
would be like wearing rubber boots with a tuxedo, isn't it?
Regards
Jens
Regards
Jens
http://www.jensbladt.dk
-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: Pål Jensen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sendt: 14. januar 2006 01:49
Til: [email protected]
Emne: Re: new AF system soon (when D2 arrives)?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jens Bladt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Your comparison is not very well chosen, Pål.
Ther's only 1 pro dog photographer for every 1000 sports photographers.
And
he dosn't really need the speed.
I was attempting to adress the tendency of equally the needs of the sport
photographer with the need of a "pro". Probably less than 1% of all pros are
sports photographers. It wouldn't surprise me if less than 1% of all
professional photography rely on AF at all. For most of this use Pentax AF
is more than adequate. The AF issue is blown way out of propotions in my
opinion.
