How good is the XL2 autofocus?

Pete Wilie · February 23rd, 2005, 10:51 AM

Charlie,

Have you tried using the standard technique of zooming in to max telephoto, and then set focus? You may then zoom out and your subject will remain in focus without any further adjustment. Of course this assumes leaving the focus control in manual.

Jimmy McKenzie · February 23rd, 2005, 12:57 PM

The minute the skater moves from the point of "critical focus" as you have described, the shot is now out of focus. Since skaters are shot close to ice level, the movement is just too much to maintain a rack focus.

Charlie Wilkinson · February 23rd, 2005, 03:10 PM

Yup, what Jimmie said. Skaters have historically been very uncooperative about skating only on my preset focus line. ;-)

So to recap, sounds like my best bet is Av mode with the lens closed down as far as possible and the gain set on +6.

Anyone have much experience playing with black stretch?

-cw-

February 23rd, 2005, 12:57 PM	#32
Jimmy McKenzie Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waterloo Ontario Posts: 721	true Pete but... The minute the skater moves from the point of "critical focus" as you have described, the shot is now out of focus. Since skaters are shot close to ice level, the movement is just too much to maintain a rack focus.

February 23rd, 2005, 03:10 PM	#33
Charlie Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 53	Yup, what Jimmie said. Skaters have historically been very uncooperative about skating only on my preset focus line. ;-) So to recap, sounds like my best bet is Av mode with the lens closed down as far as possible and the gain set on +6. Anyone have much experience playing with black stretch? -cw- __________________ Charlie Wilkinson Full-time SysAdmin/Programmer Part-time Videographer wanna-be

February 23rd, 2005, 10:51 AM	#31
Pete Wilie Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 331	Charlie, Have you tried using the standard technique of zooming in to max telephoto, and then set focus? You may then zoom out and your subject will remain in focus without any further adjustment. Of course this assumes leaving the focus control in manual.