Going to do another demo of the Phase One XF this weekend after having about 50% of my shots in focus last time with the autofocus. This time the lenses will be calibrated and a new focus screen will be installed so I can see how large the autofocus points really are.
Before the demo I have a couple of questions for you who own Phase One XF:
- Last time I tested the XF, there was a noticeable delay after pressing the shutter. It was as if the mirror went up and then a pretty long delay before the shutter decided to move. Either my mind was playing tricks with me, or this delay was a bit different from time to time. Is there a setting somewhere to shorten the shutter lag / delay?
- As I understand it, shutter speed for leaf shutter is 1/800, and then there's some electronic trickery to get 1/1600 sync speed. Does this mean freezing ambient is not actually 1/1600 but instead 1/800?
Hi Drake,
I use my XF on 99 percent of my professional and personal work. I have not had any focus / shutter lag issues. Here are a few thoughts on camera techniques in which you may find helpful.
1. Don't forget to adjust the diopter on the eyepiece for your vision.
2. Keep an eye on the shutter speed. It you use the too slow of a shutter speed while handholding, you will get blurry images due to camera shake. A good rule of thumb is to use twice the focal length of the lens as a shutter speed when handholding. I. E. an 80mm at 1/160 shutter.
(A) If you keep your elbows "in" and "cup" the lens from below you can also reduce camera shake.
(B) Separate your feet / stance a bit. (It's not just lights, subject or camera. Proper body position is also important) I know it sounds rather simplistic, but can make a big difference when shooting under pressure when you only get one shot at capturing the perfect moment.
(C) If you want to go "rogue" and use a very slow shutter speed while handholding. (As I often do....) Lean against a wall or brace the camera on a rail and don't hold your breath, squeeze the shutter after exhaling.
3. It maybe helpful to have someone on the phone if you are not sure of the modes of the XF. There are all kinda custom functions for setting a desired amount of shutter delay/ mirror up / Auto bracketing. On the camera function screen (camera grip) you can swipe to a screen that only displays the bare essentials. I.E. shutter speed/aperture. That maybe a good place for you to start.
4. I have not experienced any "electronic shutter lag". Ask the person who is giving you the camera to demo to make sure the camera's firmware is up to date, the camera/digital back batteries are the latest 34oomh ones, have them clearly explain the difference on using the camera mode of "continuous" (C) or "single" (S). Its also good practice to use the fastest compact digital cards in the digital back.
5. Leaf shutters (for MF cameras ) are made of metal and inside the lens. Leaf shutter technology has been around for at least fifty years. They are mechanical and are designed or machined for certain tolerances. The older hassy glass incorporated a leaf shutter that you could shoot at 1/800, SK LS lens from Phase one at 1/1600 (with the exception of the 40/80 zoom 1/1000) and now the latest offerings from Hassy are lens that offer flash sync of 1/2000.
6. Electronics from the camera control the leaf shutter. I don't know what you mean about "electronic trickery" Perhaps some of the more technical minded forum members can delve into that.
If you get a chance post a few images from your test. Have fun.