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828 Low light focus

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Shay Stephens

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I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots, and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing, try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
 
while i haven't tested this in the same manner you have, i can report similar results. i'm going to switch to multi-point focus when in low light.

thanks shay.
 
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
 
No, in these cases, I do not want to disturb anyone with the laser painting them. I was going for candids and did not want them looking around for the source of the laser while I was trying to take their picture :-)

I should have mentioned that in the first post, sorry.
Yehuda Katz said:
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
 
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
 
Shay Stephens said:
I should have mentioned that in the first post, sorry.
Yehuda Katz said:
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
 
Sean Ademy said:
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
Shay,

This is a really useful tip. What would you estimate the distance for a macro would be with low light focus mode?

****
 
Is the "square" supposed to get green no matter what as long as the camera has obtained focus?

The reason for asking is that I seem to have some problems with focus. If the laser hologram triggers, then I never get the green square, and following no focus... Any ideas?

-Peter
cliffhanger said:
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
Shay,

This is a really useful tip. What would you estimate the distance
for a macro would be with low light focus mode?

****
Click to expand...
--
Greetings from
Peter
Norway
 
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
A few weeks ago I switched to multipoint while trying to find the best way to get a good focus on people in dim light: it really seems to work better than the center AF in those conditions.

Well, you DID post your precious findings, as you always do.... I DIDN'T!

Thanks, Shay
--
Marcello
F717 - CP 2500
 
Verrrry Interrrrresting. I will keep that in mind. What we really need is an invisible flash but I suspect that the laws of the physical universe will prevent that. Oh well. Thanks for the test and feedback.

Seasons Greetings

Mel & Family
Shay Stephens said:
I should have mentioned that in the first post, sorry.
Yehuda Katz said:
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
--
Mel
http://mslammers.smugmug.com/gallery/304279

 
haha, this reminds me of an event (Xmas countdown on 24th midnight). I was there shooting for fun on the stage performance and there's an OP there too, with a 1Ds Mk II + 16-35/2.8 & 70-200/2.8 IS + 550EX. That time my f32x suck up too much juice until the recharge time took almost one whole minute hence i switched to internal flash instead (with the laser-assist turned on). Well, i can say all my shots came out very sharp in focus but i swear the OP was staring at me a lot of times and i think i could even see he and his middle finger!
Shay Stephens said:
I shot an event that was in low light and was having difficulty
obtaining a focus. Often times, I had to zoom in to get a focus
lock, then zoom back out to get the picture.

I did some low light focus tests and found out that the center AF
focus mode is not the best for low light shooting. The multipoint
AF focus mode works much better,I think simply because it has more
area to try and find contrast it can detect and focus on.

I tested this the other night while shooting some interior shots,
and the multipoint AF focus mode indeed performed much better under
low light conditions (EV 3.3 absolute in this case).

So if you find yourself in low light and having trouble focusing,
try using the multipoint AF focus mode, it should increase your
chances of obtain a focus. If not, then zoom in on the subject you
want to focus on, lock the focus or keep the shutter half pressed
and zoom back out to where you want it and take the picture.

--
Portfolio: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
Click to expand...
--

 
Thank You Shay....I ran into this very problem this evening!

I must say, however, this 828's low light focusing has been much better than my previous camera.
--
BigAppa
 
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