X-Pro1 (X-E1) AF Accuracy

Chris Dodkin wrote:

The accuracy of the Fuji X series AF system has been largely overlooked as the debate around AF speed has been the favorite topic of the pundits.

It's one of the key advantages of the system, when compared to high end DSLR systems and lenses.

In my own case, I've been working around the AF restrictions of the Canon 5DII for a number of years, specifically the tendency to miss focus when shooting at wide apertures with fast L lenses.

The dedicated AF system on the DSLR may provide fast AF response, but this speed is often a mute point as the camera does not lock focus on the intended target.

With narrow DOF shooting, the limitations of such dedicated AF systems become very clear - and the keeper rate for images is often low to very low.

Just to be clear, we're talking f/2 or faster - and critical focus on things like eyes in portraiture

The issue of failed focus, front focus and/or back focus, is well documented, and the subject of many threads in the DSLR forums. A quick search will tell you all you need to know.

The 5DII ended up having only the center AF point as remotely effective, and then no where near 100% of the time.

Interestingly for me, I started using the 5DII Live View mode more for critical focusing - and this led me directly to the AF systems on the X100 and X-Pro1 - both of which offer similar features to the 5DII Live View mode, only with much better AF performance.

Using the X-Pro1 has been a nice upgrade - not only can I put my AF point anywhere and get the same level of AF performance, but the AF accuracy is simply streets ahead of the 5DII.

It's so consistent that I no longer even worry about it - I can select a suitable AF box size for my subject target area, and it nails the AF with a super sharp subject.

The fast lenses of the X series can be used wide open, with great use of the bokeh, and you can be confident of sharp subjects. The same with the X100.

If you shoot portrait, street, low light, still life, macro etc - the AF performance of the X series could be just what you've been waiting for. Coupled with the excellent IQ from the Fuji lenses, and the Fuji color palette out of camera, it's an attractive proposition.

And did I mention that it's half the price and half the weight of my 5DII...

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