Reading mode: Light Dark

What AF System Coming Next?

Go to last post
Batdude

Batdude

Veteran Member
Messages
7,274
Solutions
9
Reaction score
5,267
Location
US
Hi guys,

I do photography as a profession and to pay the bills, I don't shoot just as a hobby. I need gear that simply works. Playing around with a S1/S5 at the store is not the same thing as shooting in (all) type of situations, in good light and in poor light. You know how that is :-)

Renting it is all good too, but is the S1/S5 AF perfectly fine for professional paid work to begin with? That is why I am keeping my eye on a R6II or even a used D850 as I have mentioned in other threads. By the way I have never used neither of the cameras above either. The (only) thing that pulls me towards the D850 is the fact that I already have lenses for it. I do prefer mirrorless capability but it is what it is.

Sony has aaaaaalllllll the lenses you can have which is bloody fantastic, but I don't like the "computerized" feeling when using one. Don't get me wrong the camera does feel great on the hand but I don't like where the dials are located and don't like the feeling of it. Don't like the A7IV EVF either, to me it feels too cheap when looking thru it. The Canon's R6 actually looks better.

To be honest, my wife and I really like the Panasonic cameras, we really do. But what scares me is that once the light goes dim the camera will let me down. Again, I'm talking mainly about paid work since we often get thrown into very unpleasant situations from clients and you just never know how things will be until you get there. That's just how it is. We mainly like the S1, but we do notice that the AF from the S5 is indeed a bit more snappy. Having said that, I have no clue how the S5 performs in low light where there is less contrast, and this camera has a contrast detect AF system, right?

Having said that, since people are saying new cameras will be announced in February, do any of you know or has Panasonic already said what type of AF system they will use in their new models? Or will it be just a newer "more advanced" contrast detect system? Has it been confirmed it will be phase detect of is all this a "who knows" thing?

I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
 
Batdude said:
I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
All I can say is that in my real world testing (and real world use) in low light, my old sony a6500 will still autofocus when the s1 with 24-105 f/4 won't. Haven't tested my Olympus E-M1 MK ii up against my S1 / S5 in low light, but I suspect the Oly would focus better).

But I think to get more input from others, you are going to have to give a more specific example of what you mean buy crappy lighting. What ISO's and f/stops are you using that you would consider crappy?

I don't think anyone truly knows when a new full frame camera will be released and what type of autofocus it will have. Someone linked to a recent press release from Panasonic about a 1-inch-sensor video camera that now has hybrid (PDAF + Deep Learning CDFD) autofocus, but there isn't any guarantee it will be coming to any S-Series camera any time soon.

I wish I had more helpful info, but I don't.
 
Off The Mark said:
Batdude said:
I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
All I can say is that in my real world testing (and real world use) in low light, my old sony a6500 will still autofocus when the s1 with 24-105 f/4 won't. Haven't tested my Olympus E-M1 MK ii up against my S1 / S5 in low light, but I suspect the Oly would focus better).

But I think to get more input from others, you are going to have to give a more specific example of what you mean buy crappy lighting. What ISO's and f/stops are you using that you would consider crappy?

I don't think anyone truly knows when a new full frame camera will be released and what type of autofocus it will have. Someone linked to a recent press release from Panasonic about a 1-inch-sensor video camera that now has hybrid (PDAF + Deep Learning CDFD) autofocus, but there isn't any guarantee it will be coming to any S-Series camera any time soon.
Click to expand...
There's also the interview with the Lumix exec who made it sound like they were quite close to choosing to go with PDAF on their ILC cameras, but he stopped short of stating it as fact.

So as you say, we just don't know.
Off The Mark said:
I wish I had more helpful info, but I don't.
Click to expand...
 
Batdude said:
Hi guys,

I do photography as a profession and to pay the bills, I don't shoot just as a hobby. I need gear that simply works. Playing around with a S1/S5 at the store is not the same thing as shooting in (all) type of situations, in good light and in poor light. You know how that is :-)

Renting it is all good too, but is the S1/S5 AF perfectly fine for professional paid work to begin with? That is why I am keeping my eye on a R6II or even a used D850 as I have mentioned in other threads. By the way I have never used neither of the cameras above either. The (only) thing that pulls me towards the D850 is the fact that I already have lenses for it. I do prefer mirrorless capability but it is what it is.

Sony has aaaaaalllllll the lenses you can have which is bloody fantastic, but I don't like the "computerized" feeling when using one. Don't get me wrong the camera does feel great on the hand but I don't like where the dials are located and don't like the feeling of it. Don't like the A7IV EVF either, to me it feels too cheap when looking thru it. The Canon's R6 actually looks better.

To be honest, my wife and I really like the Panasonic cameras, we really do. But what scares me is that once the light goes dim the camera will let me down. Again, I'm talking mainly about paid work since we often get thrown into very unpleasant situations from clients and you just never know how things will be until you get there. That's just how it is. We mainly like the S1, but we do notice that the AF from the S5 is indeed a bit more snappy. Having said that, I have no clue how the S5 performs in low light where there is less contrast, and this camera has a contrast detect AF system, right?

Having said that, since people are saying new cameras will be announced in February, do any of you know or has Panasonic already said what type of AF system they will use in their new models? Or will it be just a newer "more advanced" contrast detect system? Has it been confirmed it will be phase detect of is all this a "who knows" thing?

I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
If you make your living from photography, then surely reliability in the tools you use is of utmost importance?

If it were me, I would not be waiting for a new camera from any manufacturer given the uncertainty there would be about performance and reliability .

So maybe look to buying a current model camera that has proven reliability and has good service and support. Why risk your income on an unknown or unreleased camera? There are too many unknowns. I would select from what's available now, a model that has been on the market for at least a year so you can properly assess performance and reliability.

Determine the specifications you need and find the product that meets those needs, whether that is the S1 or D850 or Z6-M2 or Sony or Canon or whatever. Given that you already have lenses that can be used for the D850, that's what I'd recommend you get for your day-to-day work.

And if you like Panasonic and want to give it a try, consider getting yourself an M4/3 camera like the G9 with a kit 12-60mm lens to learn how mirrorless cameras differ from DSLRs. Use it for non-paid work to see if it's something you may want to move to in the future. The G9 with a lens is very keenly priced.

--
Pete
 
Last edited:
It sounds like photo only and also mostly single AF rather than continuous? Honestly, SAF is very fast and precise on the S bodies.



As for low light, I don’t really have problems with it but I’m not a professional event photographer who might have a very different view.



If you already have Nikon glass, why not a Z6ii?
 
Batdude said:
Hi guys,

I do photography as a profession and to pay the bills, I don't shoot just as a hobby. I need gear that simply works. Playing around with a S1/S5 at the store is not the same thing as shooting in (all) type of situations, in good light and in poor light. You know how that is :-)

Renting it is all good too, but is the S1/S5 AF perfectly fine for professional paid work to begin with? That is why I am keeping my eye on a R6II or even a used D850 as I have mentioned in other threads. By the way I have never used neither of the cameras above either. The (only) thing that pulls me towards the D850 is the fact that I already have lenses for it. I do prefer mirrorless capability but it is what it is.

Sony has aaaaaalllllll the lenses you can have which is bloody fantastic, but I don't like the "computerized" feeling when using one. Don't get me wrong the camera does feel great on the hand but I don't like where the dials are located and don't like the feeling of it. Don't like the A7IV EVF either, to me it feels too cheap when looking thru it. The Canon's R6 actually looks better.

To be honest, my wife and I really like the Panasonic cameras, we really do. But what scares me is that once the light goes dim the camera will let me down. Again, I'm talking mainly about paid work since we often get thrown into very unpleasant situations from clients and you just never know how things will be until you get there. That's just how it is. We mainly like the S1, but we do notice that the AF from the S5 is indeed a bit more snappy. Having said that, I have no clue how the S5 performs in low light where there is less contrast, and this camera has a contrast detect AF system, right?

Having said that, since people are saying new cameras will be announced in February, do any of you know or has Panasonic already said what type of AF system they will use in their new models? Or will it be just a newer "more advanced" contrast detect system? Has it been confirmed it will be phase detect of is all this a "who knows" thing?

I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
You answered your question yourself already.

You need it to earn money. I guess you need it now, not in 6 months (or what are you using now?). Nobody knows when Panasonic or any other brand will launch new products next year and with what kind of features Too many variables globally.

So if you have to make now the investment, the most secure, the cheapest and most reliable is the Nikon D850.

The body is cheap now, it is a well proven camera for ALL kind of photo situations (you do not know what your clients wants you to do in a new job in 6 weeks) and you have the lenses for F mount already. So you save money there too.

Just go with the Nikon D850, earn money now and in case a new camera from a different brand pops up in 4-5 months, you still can switch, if you want to.
 
Last edited:
If you have doubts, just buy another system or if wait if you have the time. Much as I like my S1 and I find the autofocus good enough for my use, if you are using it professionally for photography, the sometimes erratic autofocus will give you troubles. You've already mentioned low light, but sometimes even in good light and contrasty objects the camera just won't lock focus on it. I can quickly snap to manual focus to give it a lift but that's not how it should be done.
 
Cychen said:
If you have doubts, just buy another system or if wait if you have the time. Much as I like my S1 and I find the autofocus good enough for my use, if you are using it professionally for photography, the sometimes erratic autofocus will give you troubles. You've already mentioned low light, but sometimes even in good light and contrasty objects the camera just won't lock focus on it. I can quickly snap to manual focus to give it a lift but that's not how it should be done.
Click to expand...
This mirrors my experience as well. Although to be fair, it seems a significant of other users haven't experienced this, or experience it infrequently enough for it to be acceptable.
 
Off The Mark said:
Batdude said:
I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
All I can say is that in my real world testing (and real world use) in low light, my old sony a6500 will still autofocus when the s1 with 24-105 f/4 won't. Haven't tested my Olympus E-M1 MK ii up against my S1 / S5 in low light, but I suspect the Oly would focus better).

But I think to get more input from others, you are going to have to give a more specific example of what you mean buy crappy lighting. What ISO's and f/stops are you using that you would consider crappy?
Click to expand...
I often get thrown into photographing fitness events inside hotels or big venues where they have this room with REALLY poor light, is just terrible, so I have to shoot at ISO 6400 at 1/500. The images either way will come out noisy, but that's not the issue here, the thing is that the camera's AF has to focus on the subject in order for me to deliver some product. I wish the people in charge of these type of events would think about this things but unfortunately they just don't so a lot of the times the indoor light is really unpleasant.
Off The Mark said:
I don't think anyone truly knows when a new full frame camera will be released and what type of autofocus it will have. Someone linked to a recent press release from Panasonic about a 1-inch-sensor video camera that now has hybrid (PDAF + Deep Learning CDFD) autofocus, but there isn't any guarantee it will be coming to any S-Series camera any time soon.

I wish I had more helpful info, but I don't.
Click to expand...
 
Pete_W said:
Batdude said:
Hi guys,

I do photography as a profession and to pay the bills, I don't shoot just as a hobby. I need gear that simply works. Playing around with a S1/S5 at the store is not the same thing as shooting in (all) type of situations, in good light and in poor light. You know how that is :-)

Renting it is all good too, but is the S1/S5 AF perfectly fine for professional paid work to begin with? That is why I am keeping my eye on a R6II or even a used D850 as I have mentioned in other threads. By the way I have never used neither of the cameras above either. The (only) thing that pulls me towards the D850 is the fact that I already have lenses for it. I do prefer mirrorless capability but it is what it is.

Sony has aaaaaalllllll the lenses you can have which is bloody fantastic, but I don't like the "computerized" feeling when using one. Don't get me wrong the camera does feel great on the hand but I don't like where the dials are located and don't like the feeling of it. Don't like the A7IV EVF either, to me it feels too cheap when looking thru it. The Canon's R6 actually looks better.

To be honest, my wife and I really like the Panasonic cameras, we really do. But what scares me is that once the light goes dim the camera will let me down. Again, I'm talking mainly about paid work since we often get thrown into very unpleasant situations from clients and you just never know how things will be until you get there. That's just how it is. We mainly like the S1, but we do notice that the AF from the S5 is indeed a bit more snappy. Having said that, I have no clue how the S5 performs in low light where there is less contrast, and this camera has a contrast detect AF system, right?

Having said that, since people are saying new cameras will be announced in February, do any of you know or has Panasonic already said what type of AF system they will use in their new models? Or will it be just a newer "more advanced" contrast detect system? Has it been confirmed it will be phase detect of is all this a "who knows" thing?

I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
If you make your living from photography, then surely reliability in the tools you use is of utmost importance?
Click to expand...
Yes indeed, reliability and consistency.
Pete_W said:
If it were me, I would not be waiting for a new camera from any manufacturer given the uncertainty there would be about performance and reliability .

So maybe look to buying a current model camera that has proven reliability and has good service and support. Why risk your income on an unknown or unreleased camera? There are too many unknowns. I would select from what's available now, a model that has been on the market for at least a year so you can properly assess performance and reliability.

Determine the specifications you need and find the product that meets those needs, whether that is the S1 or D850 or Z6-M2 or Sony or Canon or whatever. Given that you already have lenses that can be used for the D850, that's what I'd recommend you get for your day-to-day work.
Click to expand...
I have two D4 bodies, two XT3 and two XT1, they all serve their purpose, but I have been wanting to kick it up a notch and I've been asking about the higher res S1R and I have been looking at different things. I do prefer mirrorless hands down but to be honest I just can't find "the perfect" camera for me, at the right price hahaha I do have a budget! :-)

To be honest, I do see myself buying a used A7RV a few years from now once it hits $2K :-)

By that time there might be something much more advanced and better in the Panasonic brand so we'll see. Once I buy a camera system I use that for a very long time I hardly ever buy the latest model that comes out. Canon looks like will be crossed out completely since there is zero sign they will allow third party lenses and the hilarious thing of all this is that I've been waiting for the perfect camea for a very long time, and I see the specs for the R6II and I feel THAT is the right camera for me, but freacking stingy Canon ruins it by not allowing any of the awesome third party lenses Sony has. Is just terrible.

I heard Nikon is coming out with the Z6III but I don't like the Nikon Z system and their lenses are UGLY as heck. I have zero interest in adapting my only two AFS lenses on a Z so getting into a Z system is like getting an entire new system all together so might as well look into other brands.

But yes, there is a really good chance I will end up with a D850 since it is capable of selecting different RAW file sizes which I think is fantastic. If I'm able to find a really good black Friday deal this week I might get the D850 and next year we'll find out what Panasonic will provide with their new models, and heck If the AF is that good I might end up selling all my Fuji stuff for it.
Pete_W said:
And if you like Panasonic and want to give it a try, consider getting yourself an M4/3 camera like the G9 with a kit 12-60mm lens to learn how mirrorless cameras differ from DSLRs. Use it for non-paid work to see if it's something you may want to move to in the future. The G9 with a lens is very keenly priced.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Batdude said:
Off The Mark said:
Batdude said:
I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
All I can say is that in my real world testing (and real world use) in low light, my old sony a6500 will still autofocus when the s1 with 24-105 f/4 won't. Haven't tested my Olympus E-M1 MK ii up against my S1 / S5 in low light, but I suspect the Oly would focus better).

But I think to get more input from others, you are going to have to give a more specific example of what you mean buy crappy lighting. What ISO's and f/stops are you using that you would consider crappy?
Click to expand...
I often get thrown into photographing fitness events inside hotels or big venues where they have this room with REALLY poor light, is just terrible, so I have to shoot at ISO 6400 at 1/500. The images either way will come out noisy, but that's not the issue here, the thing is that the camera's AF has to focus on the subject in order for me to deliver some product. I wish the people in charge of these type of events would think about this things but unfortunately they just don't so a lot of the times the indoor light is really unpleasant.
Batdude said:
I don't think anyone truly knows when a new full frame camera will be released and what type of autofocus it will have. Someone linked to a recent press release from Panasonic about a 1-inch-sensor video camera that now has hybrid (PDAF + Deep Learning CDFD) autofocus, but there isn't any guarantee it will be coming to any S-Series camera any time soon.

I wish I had more helpful info, but I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Be glad you don’t work in the uk , some of the venues I’ve worked we have hit iso6400 1/80 f1.8 to get a good exposure. I dream of venues with 1/500 and iso6400 that’s a luxury lol.
 
I'm not a professional photographer but as a hobby do use my gear a lot for theatre rehearsal photography, often in poor light - images being used for marketing, programmes and to be displayed in theatre foyers.

I used the S5 for this for the first time last night.

My experience was that AFS was snappy and accurate. The camera in very good at face and eye detection. It was a little snappier with f1.8/2 primes than it was with the 24-105 zoom. I find it more reliable than the predecessor XT4 I used to use, and light years better than Pentax, but you knew that!
 
Batdude said:
Having said that, since people are saying new cameras will be announced in February, do any of you know or has Panasonic already said what type of AF system they will use in their new models? Or will it be just a newer "more advanced" contrast detect system? Has it been confirmed it will be phase detect of is all this a "who knows" thing?

I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
Why would you wait until February to potentially get Panasonic's first generation phase detect system, if that is indeed what will be announced? It took Sony several generations to reach their current level, and they still foul up occasionally - witness the Sony A7iv eye focus issues. Expecting Panasonic to hit the level of the Sony A1 or Nikon Z9 first time round is probably not realistic.

If you absolutely need a camera that will focus in all situations then go for the best of the existing models. If you want high resolution and speed then be prepared to pay A1 or Z9 prices: those cameras have what you want and have proven themselves.
 
Batdude said:
Hi guys,

I do photography as a profession and to pay the bills, I don't shoot just as a hobby. I need gear that simply works. Playing around with a S1/S5 at the store is not the same thing as shooting in (all) type of situations, in good light and in poor light. You know how that is :-)

Renting it is all good too, but is the S1/S5 AF perfectly fine for professional paid work to begin with? That is why I am keeping my eye on a R6II or even a used D850 as I have mentioned in other threads. By the way I have never used neither of the cameras above either. The (only) thing that pulls me towards the D850 is the fact that I already have lenses for it. I do prefer mirrorless capability but it is what it is.

Sony has aaaaaalllllll the lenses you can have which is bloody fantastic, but I don't like the "computerized" feeling when using one. Don't get me wrong the camera does feel great on the hand but I don't like where the dials are located and don't like the feeling of it. Don't like the A7IV EVF either, to me it feels too cheap when looking thru it. The Canon's R6 actually looks better.

To be honest, my wife and I really like the Panasonic cameras, we really do. But what scares me is that once the light goes dim the camera will let me down. Again, I'm talking mainly about paid work since we often get thrown into very unpleasant situations from clients and you just never know how things will be until you get there. That's just how it is. We mainly like the S1, but we do notice that the AF from the S5 is indeed a bit more snappy. Having said that, I have no clue how the S5 performs in low light where there is less contrast, and this camera has a contrast detect AF system, right?

Having said that, since people are saying new cameras will be announced in February, do any of you know or has Panasonic already said what type of AF system they will use in their new models? Or will it be just a newer "more advanced" contrast detect system? Has it been confirmed it will be phase detect of is all this a "who knows" thing?

I mean, why would I buy a S1/S5 today when the new ones are around the corner? If I was photographing as a hobby sure I wouldn't mind getting a used S5 for $1200 that is a really good deal, but like I said, I need a camera that will simply focus in crappy situations. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
I've shot a wedding with the S5 and the autofocus did crap out on me in one or two extreme situations, but ONLY when using one of the AI assisted modes. You can quickly toggle the joystick to go into single point and correct what's happening. Which you would be using on the D850 I imagine?


That kind of behavior was also present with my Olympus E-M1.3 by the way, which has PDAF. I don't know how much this would happen on a Sony body, but I feel like for shooting people in stills mode you'd be hard pressed between the S5 and any other mirrorless system apart from maybe Sony. Their reputation is stellar but I've never used one.

--
J.S.
 
Last edited:
I don't have S1R anymore but I remember it didn't focus well in low light either. I know for sure Olympus focuses better in low light than Panasonic (in term of accuracy).

I don't use Continuous-AF..... That's my solution, and I can afford it because I am a landscape photographer. But since you said you're a pro-photog, I'd say you probably need to find a system that does focus right under low light. I do find Leica SL2 focuses better (and when I say "better," I mean qualitative positive result, not quantitative speed).

Real story, I was frustrated with Nikon Df's AF system under low light. Ironically, I bought it as a low-light complement to m4/3. I soon learned why everyone shoots with a FF camera shoots in what I feel to be unnecessary high ISOs: it just focuses better. Of course you'd have to deal with high ISO noises, but you get the shot. I'd never thought having a higher shutter speed (enabled by high ISO) would make a difference, but it does. Lesson of the story, when shooting with different camera systems, you learn new techniques.
 
Batdude said:
I often get thrown into photographing fitness events inside hotels or big venues where they have this room with REALLY poor light, is just terrible, so I have to shoot at ISO 6400 at 1/500.
Click to expand...
That sounds like a job for an A7SIII: great high-ISO performance and auto-focus. If Panasonic doesn't change course before the A7SIV comes out, that will probably be my choice.

I had the opportunity to talk to a friend who's building a wedding venue. My one contribution was to get her to paint the ceiling a neutral white, to facilitate bounce flash.
 
Jamajuel said:
It sounds like photo only and also mostly single AF rather than continuous? Honestly, SAF is very fast and precise on the S bodies.

As for low light, I don’t really have problems with it but I’m not a professional event photographer who might have a very different view.

If you already have Nikon glass, why not a Z6ii?
Click to expand...
Or Z7II?
 
Just to add some references to the articles that caused all the speculation:

First is an interview from July 2022 by Dave Etchells of Imaging Resource with, amongst others, Yosuke Yamane, Executive Vice President of Panasonic Entertainment & Communication Co. Ltd. and Director of the Imaging Business Unit.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2022/09/08/panasonic-japan-july-2022-interview

Summary: Panasonic achieved double digit growth in 2021 and look set to do the same in 2022. The S5 is proving popular with sales that have steadily increased since it was introduced in 2020, so they appear to be prioritising it: an affordable wide angle zoom, aimed at owners of the S5, is coming.

With regard to PDAF, quote: "We are positively studying PDAF for future products. We know that PDAF will enhance the total AF quality, so that’s why we’re actively studying it. We haven’t decided yet though."

Second are a bunch of rumours:

http://thenewcamera.com/category/panasonic-rumors/

With regard to the S5 Mark II, quote "The camera will have a new image processor, enhanced video mode and updated 3d AI AF tracking performance."

My personal guess is that we won't see PDAF in February.
 
You have gotten some great advice so far. I can add two points. First, The S series (S1R) were designed a professional cameras. Yes, the AF can have trouble, but I will say it tends to predictable. Yes it can hunt in low light. I know when it will have a problem and use manual focus clutch on lens. Yes, it can focus on the background. Just like pretty much every camera. I just rented an R3 which has great AF, but a few time it locked on the background and I couldn't bring it back. The "near focus" feature programmed to a button is great for this situation. I think even with the best focusing system, you have to invest to time to understand how the camera will capture.

My second point is that the GH6 is pretty darn good. I could almost kept up with the R3 shooting a hockey game. I don't think it will be a huge stretch for Lumix to get good focus in the next cameras. It really looks like processing speed is the key, R6II for example.

I am current looking at other systems. The R3 is great camera if you want a lower MP sensor. I was shocked that the AF difference was not that great under most conditions.
 
Batdude said:
If I'm able to find a really good black Friday deal this week I might get the D850.
Click to expand...
Don't forget to check for refubished cameras at the NikonUSA site. There's always the chance they'll have a brief sale, maybe only a day or two.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top