Re: OT: autofocus?

Jim,

I assume nothing ;-))

I suppose one might want to define "moderate" pricing.  It seems there are
numerous DSLR's these days that can be purchased, with a kit lens, for
around $600.00 new.  Pentax, Canon, Nikon each have at least one model that
falls into that category, and newer models coming out soon.  There are
various focusing modes - in fact, the new Pentax camera has a "pet" mode,
which should do for children as well.

I think you may be referring to "continuous" autofocus," and I know that
some  of these cameras have that feature, although they may have to be set
to that mode by use of a menu or a switch.

Pentax - and maybe the others - allows the use of "trap" focus you can use
a manually focused lens, focused where you expect or anticipate the action
to be, and when the subject reaches that point (say a child running towards
you) the camera will make the exposure.  Kind of neat, but not always the
best choice, but another option.
Shel



> [Original Message]
> From: Jim Brick 

> Thanks Shel - you must know that I know all of this.
>
> Oliver was asking for a "moderately" priced autofocus camera that 
> could follow exuberant rug rats. My main point was that one needs 
> "real time" autofocus to accomplish this, automatically. I suppose 
> there is a moderately priced camera that will do this. But I have no 
> idea if, indeed, one is available.
>
> :-)
>
> Jim
>
>
> At 05:43 PM 7/26/2006 -0700, Shel Belinkoff wrote:
> >Well, Jim, There are any number of inexpensive or moderately priced
> >interchangeable lens DSLR's on the market these days, cameras with which
> >you can select the aperture, and therefore the DOF, and the camera
selects
> >the appropriate shutter speed.  Many of these same cameras can be used in
> >full manual mode as well, and you can set aperture and shutter speed
while
> >allowing the camera to do the focusing for you.  I don't think anyone
here
> >suggested a P&S camera.  I use selective focus often with my DSLR and
> >autofocus lenses.
> >
> >And, if you go with a film camera, there are quite a few that can use the
> >same lenses that the DSLR cameras use, and that can be purchased  very
> >inexpensively.
> >
> >Shel
> >
> >
> >
> > > [Original Message]
> > > From: Jim Brick
> >
> > > I'm of the belief that there are only three good uses of autofocus:
> > >
> > > 1.) Photojournalism
> > >
> > > 2.) Photographing small children and pets.
> > >
> > > 3.) Sports action, some wildlife action, etc.
> > >
> > > Doug, Mark, and David certainly make tack sharp wildlife images w/o
> >autofocus!
> > >
> > > In these cases, the autofocus system must be able to focus in "real
> > > time". This is not the case on most moderately priced P&S cameras.
> > >
> > > For most other photography, I feel that the photographer should focus
> > > the camera. The programmer, sitting in a cubicle, in a camera factory
> > > somewhere, writing the focus algorithms, has no bloody idea what I
> > > want in focus and what I want out of focus.
> > >
> > > In most any kind of non-action photography, the focus plane is very
> > > important. As is the f/stop to either limit the focus or extend the
> > > focus from that plane. Autofocus takes none of this into
> > > consideration. When I am forced to use autofocus cameras, I
> > > immediately switch them to manual focus. Of course, except for my P&S
> > > cameras (no manual controls) that are basically used only for happy
snaps.
> > >
> > > JMHO,
> > >
> > > :-)
> > >
> > > Jim
> > >
> > >
> > > At 04:11 PM 7/26/2006 -0700, Oliver Bryk wrote:
> > >
> > > >During his recent visit I attempted to photograph my grandson, age 18
> > > >months, in nearby Sutro Park. I discovered to my consternation that I
> >could
> > > >not follow focus quickly enough with my M6/0.85 to keep up with the
> >little
> > > >fellow; this will, of course, become more difficult with time (he'll
get
> > > >faster and I'll get slower...)
> > > >
> > > >I'm wondering whether anyone has experience with using a moderately
> >priced
> > > >autofocus camera for this type of application.
> > > >Oliver Bryk
> > >
> > >
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