EM-5: Got my MF for "free"

There are many advantages when you isolate focusing and exposure. Among them, you can have AF, MF both at same time without dedicating a button just for MF. I don't recall reading much about it here before regarding MF.

Basically, I remapped my FN2 to do the equivalent of S-AF mode 3, by setting the custom menu AF/MF AEL/AFL S3/S2/M1 to S-AF, then Mode 3. I then set custom menu Button Dial, Button Function FN2 to AEL/AFL.

So now when I press FN2, I get S-AF. If I need MF or fine tune my focus, I just turn the focus ring and get magnified MF. When I am ready to shoot, pressing the shutter button will take the exposure and capture. The focus stays until I change it again. There is no hunting or refocusing when I press the shutter. Very usefull especially in low light scenario.

So why FN2? Since this is right next to the shutter button, so it makes a lot sense. I can just slide my index finger from FN2 to the shutter button back and forth without taking my eyes from the viewfinder. Also the FN2 is a "real" button, unlike the FN1 which is harder to operate due to its location and operation feel (too fiddly).

Martin

I guess "free" is not good enough?

What's the advantage of this over SAF+MF?

You would not need to hold the AF down to use MF. Also, your MF setting does not go away when you press the shutter again if you have isolated the shutter from refocusing. You can operate just like th regular MF mode while AF is still available without switching using the menu of a dedicated button.

Martin

The advantage like Martin says is no hunting when the shutter button is half pressed.

I have the same set up but use the F1 button. I don't want to give up the multi function capability of F2

Dave

Thesetruths said:

What's the advantage of this over SAF+MF?

Click to expand...

I also just go with this too.

really, you'll even have an issue when you hand over the camera to someone. Good luck explaining how to focus the camera then.

When I hand over my camera to someone I tell them to half press for focus then full press for capture. They just nod yes we understand, then they take the camera and just fully press the button. No autofocus no nothing. They remind me of Homer Simpson.

Good thing some cameras have soft press for autofocus on the shutter. That'll fool them.