Easy focus for EX1

[Matt San]

Since upgrading to 1.11 I found I can now use what I call 'nudge' focusing.

Its half way between auto and manual.

It's not documented anywhere so I'll explain. ('nudge' = turn focus ring slowly)

Put the Camera into Auto focus mode - Make sue the focus ring is on AF/MF and was set to that position from the full MF mode (ring pulled back) mode was manually set on Infinity.

OK - now with peeking on, frame a shot with narrow DOF and two(or more) objects, near and far. Keep AF on and now 'nudge' the focus ring to object 1. The camera will lock onto it as u get close. Now nudge focus the other way and as u get close let the camera take over and it locks onto object 2

simply nudge the ring over to the right slowly for nearer objects and nudge it left for distant ones. If you nudge to close but not PAST maximum focus the AF kicks in and locks it for you without that 'out - in -out -in' focus scenario.

Hope this explains the procedure but I have probs missed something out!

try it and see.

[Nick Wilson]

I reckon you have found something similar to 'MF Assist', where the camera is set to MF (not Full MF) and MF Assist is turned on from the camera menu. The idea is that you get your target pretty much in focus, and once you stop turning the ring, the camera will pull it into sharp focus. The problem is that if there are targets at different ranges, there is a good chance that the camera will choose the wrong one. But at least with MF Assist, once the camera has what it thinks is the right focus, it reverts to MF (a bit like the Push AF behaviour). With your method, AF is still live and if a larger or higher contrast target comes into frame, the camera will shift focus.

Cheers, Nick

[Matt San]

Originally Posted by Nick Wilson

... With your method, AF is still live and if a larger or higher contrast target comes into frame, the camera will shift focus.

Cheers, Nick

yea, it's not a replacement for either full MF or full AUTO but I found I can get some nice DOF shots without too much effort which are spot on focus each time.

I only mentioned it so if ya like it you can add it to yer arsenal of focusing techniques.