CF #4 Option 1 [Archive] - Talk Photography

stepheno

07-02-2006, 20:08

Does anybody use this option? It seems a logical choice to me, to be able to set focus and metering independently. Well I gave it a go this evening and found it very strange and wonder whether I would adjust to it.

Any experience or opinions welcomed. TIA. PS I'm using a 20d.

regards

Matt

07-02-2006, 20:39

All of the time.

Can't answer in full, need to go to work

stepheno

07-02-2006, 20:47

Hard luck if you have to go to work at 9.39pm :shock: Thanks for the reply - I look forward to some enlightenment.

regards

Marcel

07-02-2006, 21:08

If it's the AE/AF lock, then yes, I use it all the time too.

It was wierd trying to get used to it at first, and away from the squeeze and shoot mentality but that doesn't take long :)

IanC_UK

07-02-2006, 21:10

I use it all the time too :)

SDK^

07-02-2006, 21:43

I also use it all the time, not much else I can say.

CarlOgden

07-02-2006, 23:02

I tried and failed miserably....Think I'll try it at 3 Sisters on Saturday and if successful, use it Sunday as I can afford to loose Saturdays images but race day would be bad!!!

Carl.

Marcel

07-02-2006, 23:08

What's it like at 3 sisters? Ive been tempted to have a venture up sometime. Can you get quite near the action?

stepheno

08-02-2006, 06:00

Well...you're replies have convinced me to give it a prolonged trial. Thanks for your opinions.

regards

Warspite

08-02-2006, 07:30

I've heard about a number of people using it and seems a bit unusual at first but Im going to give it a go also - as unusual as it may feel, it does actually appear a more logical layout to work with.

KenCo

08-02-2006, 08:11

dod

08-02-2006, 08:40

Well I'm probably the only one on here who doesn't understand, I just can't see what difference it makes....using the shutter button for focus and the ae button for ae.....or vice versa?
Looking forward to someone enlightening me.

The biggest advantage as I understand it is that it seperates exposure and autofocus, handy in situations where you're subject could be changing from one lighting situation to another.

Say for example a motorbike moving from a shaded part of the track to a brightly lit one ideally needs two different exposures. If you use only the shutter button to set focus and exposure the problem is that the exposure is locked to the first actuation so taking a burst of shots could give exposure issues. Seperating them gives you the ability to maintain autofocus but also adjust exposure. You really need to try to change the method you shoot, not take bursts but try to take individual shots. Not easy.

At least that's what I understand it does anyway, I'm sure I'll be corrected if it's not :p

stepheno

08-02-2006, 11:16

Mr THX

08-02-2006, 11:53

That's right Dod. Also with single shots say, you might be shooting a building in front of bright sky. Using CF#4 you can expose for the sky, lock it, reposition and focus on the building - or vice versa.

regards
Can't this also be done with the buttons in 'normal' configuration.... :Ponders: sure I've done it before.

CarlOgden

08-02-2006, 11:59

What's it like at 3 sisters? Ive been tempted to have a venture up sometime. Can you get quite near the action?

It's okay. You can get quite close depending on where you stand. If you stand on the hill side on the furthest side from Lunar (Lunar is a very long sweeping corner where you enter the track) you'll be very close to the track. Lunar, with the sun in your face (if it is sunny) you'll be quite far away.

If you go Saturday it's free to get in as it's practice day. Sunday is £10.

I'm going Saturday to speak with the promotor as I've managed to get a photo of his son in Motor Cycle News this week and need a couple of passes for Sunday.

HTH,
Carl.

KenCo

08-02-2006, 12:51

Can't this also be done with the buttons in 'normal' configuration.... :Ponders: sure I've done it before.
Yes! that's why I'm so confused. On the back of the 350d anyway there is a button for your exposure...which is the way I do it, then shutter button to focus or shoot. All that is being done is swapping the functions of the buttons round....and when anyone would expect to use the shutter button for the shutter, using a different button for the shutter seems weird.

SammyC

08-02-2006, 13:05

I think the difference is that if you use the button on the back it only locks for one shot in normal configuration.

dod

08-02-2006, 13:05

There's a subtle difference. Swapping the autofocus to the exposure lock button allows you to track subjects and not confirm exposure till you actually take the shot.

It's always a cause of debate anyway, check out this (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46965) thread, all 15 pages of it

KenCo

08-02-2006, 13:17

ASH

08-02-2006, 14:41

Warspite

08-02-2006, 16:17

Choice #1 , Choice #0 is usually the default.

KenCo

08-02-2006, 16:20

Ok this may be a thick question. When you go into CF# 4 you have 4 choices. 0 AF/AE lock, 1 AE lock/AF, 2 AF/AF lock,no AE lock, and 3 AE/AF, no AE lock. Which one are we talking about.:confused- :dizzy:
1: ae lock/af
Meaning the shutter button will now be the AE lock/shot and the AE button will now be AF.:Ponders: :D

Warspite

08-02-2006, 16:25

AE Lock is used to focus. half shutter button depression is used to lock exposure, and complete shutter button depression activates the shutter.

08-02-2006, 17:13

Ok this may be a thick question. When you go into CF# 4 you have 4 choices. 0 AF/AE lock, 1 AE lock/AF, 2 AF/AF lock,no AE lock, and 3 AE/AF, no AE lock. Which one are we talking about.:confused- :dizzy:
:laugh1:

It does get a bit cerebral doesn't it! Custom Function 4/1 is the one. I don't use it much but it can be handy for action and wildlife stuff sometimes. Most of the time I prefer the default Function 4/0.

Matt

08-02-2006, 17:22

Very handy for action stuff I suppose.

It's not just handy for action photography.
I use this method all of the time, with most of my photography being wildlife,
sometimes its moving and sometimes it isn't.

One of the advantages of using this method is, you can focus on your subject, recompose, release the shutter, and all in a very short time span.

I would recommend you give it a go, and see if it's a technique you can use successfully.

Some people have difficulty getting used to this method of shooting, so I suggest you practice at home and get used to it, before you get frustrated out in the field.

KenCo

08-02-2006, 17:34

I will give it a try sometime, I've been reading the thread dod gave and I understand how it can be of benefit especially photographing something that moves. I tend to photograph stationary objects, much easier.

stepheno

08-02-2006, 18:40

Can't this also be done with the buttons in 'normal' configuration.... :Ponders: sure I've done it before.
True - this is just a different take on it. Thanks to all who contributed and to those who gave good explanations. :thumb:

regards

ASH

08-02-2006, 20:37

Thanks guys, I've been giving it a try and think it's pretty nifty. I can see how this would benefit tracking moving objects. So I take it all you guys going to Silverstone will be trying this method?.:D

CarlOgden

08-02-2006, 20:39

I'm trying it at weekend for sure... Three Sisters for a SuperMoto Bike Race.

Bachs

08-02-2006, 21:19

I'm trying it at weekend for sure... Three Sisters for a SuperMoto Bike Race.

Three Sisters in Ashton in Makerfield I presume? :)
Used to live 3 miles from it.

I've been using CN4.1 and 3 since I bought the 350d.
I read somewhere there are issues using this mode when using flash.
Can't remember the details but I think it's mentioned in the thread Dod linked to.

dod

11-02-2006, 13:30

Just a heads up. I forgot I had it set and spent the last 15 minutes wondering why autofocus wasn't working :embarasse :doh: :whistle2:

stepheno

11-02-2006, 15:12

Thanks for brightening up my afternoon, Dod :D

regards

dod

11-02-2006, 15:47

Thanks for brightening up my afternoon, Dod :D

Bookings being taken for parties ;)

Arkady

12-02-2006, 12:53

Heheheheh...

Manual exposure setting means I don't even have to think about any of this...

CarlOgden

12-02-2006, 21:25

Well!!!!!!!

Went out for the day at 2 Sisters, got totally soaked, along with my 1D Mk2 and my 70-200. My 550 stayed dry cos I covered it with a shower cap!!!!!

Anyhow, I've got 624 images to now sift through, delete the dross and host them.

I used this option and once I got used to the focussing, I must say, from the screen they looked okay but I never comment until I've looked at them properly on my computer!

I'll post soon.
Carl.

SammyC

13-02-2006, 11:21

Keep us informed Carl.
:)

SDK^

13-02-2006, 18:58

Just a heads up. I forgot I had it set and spent the last 15 minutes wondering why autofocus wasn't working :embarasse :doh: :whistle2:
hehe :)
I sometimes switch focus and exposure back to the shutter button when other people are trying my camera and wonder the same thing when I come to use * button for focus - doh

CarlOgden

14-02-2006, 12:16

I've put a new desktop image available for the Supermoto racers on another forum. I used this option to take all the photos on Sunday and once I got used to it, I do think it's better!

Right, until I get a technically perfect one.....this will have to do:-

Click Here! (http://www.carls-photos.net/oneoffs/bsmc060201.jpg)

Cheers,
Carl.

stepheno

21-02-2006, 20:34

Just as an update - I've been using CF#4 1for over a week now. Had a few odd moments, like me thinking the lens was broken because it wouldn't focus, but I like it and I'm sticking with it.

regards

CarlOgden

27-02-2006, 21:09

Here's one! (http://www.minicontinentals.co.uk/smracing06001.jpg)

From yesterday at Rowrah in Cumbria.

Comments please....obviously about how to work the "*" button when you're thumbs frozen and your index finger is just as cold :(

shiato storm

27-02-2006, 22:34

i have it set on my 1N, use the exposure lock as the AF and shutter to lock exposure and shutter. handy for separating the focusing with shutter release, means you don't fuddle the shutter when you only mean to press it halfway to focus - useful in AI mode, well the 1N only has one shot and AI servo but it has its uses.