Panasonic G9 joystick function

solquest said:

Hi there.

I've just got a second hand Panasonic G9 and I'm still learning it.

I'm used to use small single size AF for focusing, moving the camera till that small area is on the spot I want to focus, then lock the focus with Back button focus, compose and shoot.

On this G9 I see the joystick for focusing.

Is there any difference composing, moving the joystick to reach the point I want to focus in, locking AF and then shooting, compare to what I usually do?

Or is it only a matter of habits?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

The process you describe sounds cumbersome, but there is no effective difference, as long as you are not also locking metering/exposure when you lock focus. If you also lock exposure at the same time, your shot may not be properly exposed when you recompose. I would assume you are already aware of this is you are experienced with BBF.

The catch will come if you're on a tripod. Then your approach is problematic and you’ll want to move the focus point instead of recomposing.

Back button focus is generally superfluous with modern subject detection autofocus systems, where you’re supposed to let the camera manage the focus point.

I hope this helps.

solquest said:

Hi there.

I've just got a second hand Panasonic G9 and I'm still learning it.

I'm used to use small single size AF for focusing, moving the camera till that small area is on the spot I want to focus, then lock the focus with Back button focus, compose and shoot.

On this G9 I see the joystick for focusing.

Is there any difference composing, moving the joystick to reach the point I want to focus in, locking AF and then shooting, compare to what I usually do?

Or is it only a matter of habits?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Yes pretty much just habit.

Try the AF mode labeled tracking.

Half press to stick the AF box to something, then recompose, benefit being whatever is being 'tracked' will be in perfect focus, pretty much the modern forcus recompose.

Not to say you should do it this way, just another way to do it tbh.

Have great fun, its a great camera with really very good and flexable AF!!

Thanks!

I'm using BBF cause the shutter button it's too sensitive for me.. I kept taking shots WHEN only wanting to focus, so I switched to BBF.

I'll give AF tracking a try, again if I can use it with BBF

solquest said:

Hi there.

I've just got a second hand Panasonic G9 and I'm still learning it.

I'm used to use small single size AF for focusing, moving the camera till that small area is on the spot I want to focus, then lock the focus with Back button focus, compose and shoot.

On this G9 I see the joystick for focusing.

Is there any difference composing, moving the joystick to reach the point I want to focus in, locking AF and then shooting, compare to what I usually do?

Or is it only a matter of habits?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Your usual method is called "focus recompose". I've always used it too. However, if you are shooting with a very narrow DOF, as you recompose, the focus on the subject can be off. This is particularly so if the lens has field curvature, which most do. By composing then using the joystick to move the point of focus to the subject, keeps the focus on the subject regardless.

solquest said:

Thanks!

I'm using BBF cause the shutter button it's too sensitive for me.. I kept taking shots WHEN only wanting to focus, so I switched to BBF.

I'll give AF tracking a try, again if I can use it with BBF

Click to expand...

I've not tried with BBF tbh, I'd assume it would lock on with your BBF button and take the pic with the shutter button.

I'd recommend playing with the shutter button, if you can get used to it its a great feature of the camera!

Obviously if you're happy with BBF do your thing!!

I tried BBF for a while (not enought time to really get used to it), but my goodness did I forget to focus all the time XD

kalisti said:

solquest said:

Thanks!

I'm using BBF cause the shutter button it's too sensitive for me.. I kept taking shots WHEN only wanting to focus, so I switched to BBF.

I'll give AF tracking a try, again if I can use it with BBF

Click to expand...

I've not tried with BBF tbh, I'd assume it would lock on with your BBF button and take the pic with the shutter button.

Click to expand...

Just tested it, it locks with the shutter half press and focuses with BBF, thats a shame, might still be worth trying out, it'll bring your focus recompose up to date imo.

The tracking mode is handy for sticking the AF point to a static or moving target, letting you freely recompose while the target is still in the frame.

kalisti said:

I'd recommend playing with the shutter button, if you can get used to it its a great feature of the camera!

Obviously if you're happy with BBF do your thing!!

I tried BBF for a while (not enought time to really get used to it), but my goodness did I forget to focus all the time XD

Click to expand...

Thanks @kalisti for trying it.

I'll start playing with it as soon as I have some time for going out with my camera

Thanks @Bobapingu.. Didn't know that