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Tom, IMHO this is the most serious disadvantage of all Leica rangefinders when compared to DSLRs with selective focus points. The problem is especially frustrating the wider and faster a lens is. I use the 24mm elmarit on the M9 and even at 2.8 you cannot nail focus everytime after recomposing.Picture 4 is an example of why I find focusing such a problem with the M system. You had to focus the center of the frame on the child (I presume your daughter) on the right, then recompose, then shoot. If you are at f/1.4, how on earth did you keep the camera from moving forward or back when you recomposed? I would have ended up with OOF on the right side.
BTW it's a terrific shot, Adree.
I have been using Leicas with wide angles for 30 years so sure, you develop a technique that works most of the time. But if one is really composing with the subject near the frame edge, razor sharp focus becomes more "iffy." And one of the reasons this is so frustrating is because of the wonderful viewfinder in the Leica. You can really push the limits on your composition but having to focus then recompose - with super thin dof in many cases - the results are not always there (even with wide angles). Again, having used Canon DSLRs with adjustable focus points, sharp focus is a "given" with the technology Canon uses; it is almost always operator error when you do not have sharp focus on the subject of choice.With practice, recomposing can be overcome with the subject in focus.
I have no doubt that you have developed great skill, and that with practice I can improve my own. Luck is also a good friend to have in order to successfully shoot at large aperture/thin DOF with the focus-recompose technique.With practice, recomposing can be overcome with the subject in focus.
Yes, it is all about knowing your M lenses, isn't it? The rangefinder way...Tom - you can ... center compose, re-frame and then pull focus slightly forward. That last step is a bit of guess work, but after awhile it gets easier as you learn the lens. Sometimes leaning forward just slightly is enough to correct for the change in focus distance.
more shots from lux 24
I never focus re-compose and adjust focus. I've learned to keep my back arched and laterally sway left or right in parallel with the focus plane. (I learned that one from dodging punches to the face in Karate. :ROTFL Side-to-side, never back-and-forth. Try it ... with just a little practice it's easy to master. It's how I focus the 50/0.95 and 75/1.4, as well as the 21 and 24 Luxes with a pretty good keeper rate.Picture 4 is an example of why I find focusing such a problem with the M system. You had to focus the center of the frame on the child (I presume your daughter) on the right, then recompose, then shoot. If you are at f/1.4, how on earth did you keep the camera from moving forward or back when you recomposed? I would have ended up with OOF on the right side.
BTW it's a terrific shot, Adree.
As you say Marc . . . if you have time to move the focus point in an SLR, then you've got the time in an M as well.I use the same technique with the center (more sensitive) center point on DSLRs because it's to slow to be wheeling the focus point to-and-fro and still capture the decisive moment ... which is gone before you can get the focus point wheeled over to the right place.
-Marc