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02/27/2004 06:31:06 PM · #1 |
| Is there any way that I can avoid the tedious focusing that the F717 does every time I take a picture? I am having trouble getting good pictures of moving subjects because, although the camera has already focused on what I am pointng it at, after pressing down the shutter button it brightens up the screen, adjusts the focus and THEN takes the picture. Sometimes I would prefer it if it would just take the picture with the focus it already has. I also want to avoid AF lock - is this possible? |
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02/27/2004 06:59:47 PM · #2 |
It is not only focussing that makes F717 slow. To speed things up, you can take a couple of test shots, check the histogram for exposure, set you camera to manual mode with the F-stop and a shutter speed that give the best exposure in that lighting. At least the camera's processor doesn't have to calculate exposure (linked to the active AF point, by the way).
When shooting moving you may want to prefocus on a particular spot and then switch to manual focus to lock it. When you subject reaches nearly reaches the spot, press the shutter to anticipate. This may help.
Also the camera goes to a sleeping mode after a while. Do not forget to reactivate it from time to time when you are anticipating action. |
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02/27/2004 07:02:40 PM · #3 |
All of the functions you ask for are available (page 46 - 48 of the owner's manual).
When shooting a moving subject, choose S on the mode dial, use the jog dial to set an appropiate shutter speed and spot-meter whenever practical. The AE lock button (on the lens barrel) comes in handy once you have a sense of EV you need or desire.
If you're panning, continue to follow your subject's path 'through' the shot, even past it. This steadies your hand and more often than not places it (the subject) within the frame.
You can, of course, also shoot on automatic (green camera symbol on the mode dial) without having to worry about these things. The downside is that in auto mode, you have no control whatsoever over either exposure or selective focus.
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02/28/2004 06:48:11 AM · #4 |
| Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, presetting the exposure and shutter speed did not help in this particular case, but I will remember that for future attempts. I suppose AF lock is the only option, although I'm finding it difficult to get quite as good focus as when the camera handles it. There's definitely no way to disable the bright screen between pressing the button and taking the picture? |
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03/10/2004 12:34:57 PM · #5 |
| I think I've found out how to do what I was trying to achieve: I allow the camera to focus automatically, and then when I want to take the picture I switch the focus momentarily to manual. I'm not sure how badly the quality will be affected but this method seems to be adequate. |
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03/10/2004 12:55:19 PM · #6 |
I took THESE photos with the 717. I used most of the above comments. Also make sure you hold down half way and "prime" your camera's focus before you know your gonna shoot by focusing on a nearby object.
I shot in manual mode with AE lock and auto focus.
Also, use the flash so you can use a faster shutter time!
Message edited by author 2004-03-10 12:55:41.
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03/10/2004 03:54:42 PM · #7 |
Galina is spot on, the more you make your settings beforehand(exposure and focus), the less the camera has to measure at the crucial moment, and therefore the faster it is.
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03/13/2004 05:18:42 PM · #8 |
| It might be a long while yet before I can do something similar to you and Galina, i.e. judging the distance that the focus is set to so accurately. I've had acceptable results when switching to manual focus a split second before taking the picture, and obviously this result would be improved in brighter lighting. Willem, your photographs are inspiration for me! If only I could get something like that! These aquarium fish are driving me crazy. |
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