How can I touch-focus while using the viewfinder with the Panasonic G3?

[geejay101]

Hello

I recently read in one review that one can use the Panasonic G3 touch screen for touch focus while looking through the viewfinder. I was delighted to read that as I happen to be a owner of a G3 and was not aware of that function. I understood that the screen stays black but still takes input.

However, I cannot figure it out reading the manual and looking through the menus. Apparently 20 years of programming experience is not helping when handling a G3.

Can someone please tell me how to activate touch-focus when looking through the viewfinder ?

Thanks

Geejay

 

[panolympus]

geejay101 wrote:

Hello

I recently read in one review that one can use the Panasonic G3 touch screen for touch focus while looking through the viewfinder. I was delighted to read that as I happen to be a owner of a G3 and was not aware of that function. I understood that the screen stays black but still takes input.

However, I cannot figure it out reading the manual and looking through the menus. Apparently 20 years of programming experience is not helping when handling a G3.

Can someone please tell me how to activate touch-focus when looking through the viewfinder ?

Thanks

Geejay

Oh, you want to touch-focus while you're looking through the viewfinder? You just tap certain spots on the back of your head and it will know what you mean. haha

That's kind of funny. Actually, I don't know how you would know what you're pointing at since you'd be looking through the viewfinder. I'd recommend using the manual focus if you need to single things out.

 

[ernstbk]

panolympus wrote:

geejay101 wrote:

Hello

I recently read in one review that one can use the Panasonic G3 touch screen for touch focus while looking through the viewfinder. I was delighted to read that as I happen to be a owner of a G3 and was not aware of that function. I understood that the screen stays black but still takes input.

However, I cannot figure it out reading the manual and looking through the menus. Apparently 20 years of programming experience is not helping when handling a G3.

Can someone please tell me how to activate touch-focus when looking through the viewfinder ?

Thanks

Geejay

Oh, you want to touch-focus while you're looking through the viewfinder? You just tap certain spots on the back of your head and it will know what you mean. haha

That's kind of funny. Actually, I don't know how you would know what you're pointing at since you'd be looking through the viewfinder. I'd recommend using the manual focus if you need to single things out.

The bad news is that the G3 does not support this function, but the GH3 does support it.

On the GH3 the LCD can be used as a touch pad when the viewfinder is used, see Custom Menu [Touch Pad AF] to direct the focus box. (see P61 for menu option and P67 for the description in the DMC-GH3 Operating Instructions for advanced features document).

 

[Zenstari]

Oh funny! I just posted this on another thread about nose smudges. This is from the G5 manual, but maybe it will work the same with the G3?

 

[Zenstari]

panolympus wrote:

That's kind of funny. Actually, I don't know how you would know what you're pointing at since you'd be looking through the viewfinder. I'd recommend using the manual focus if you need to single things out.

You know I thought the same thing when I saw the above diagram in my instruction manual, however it's really neat how it works! While you are touching the touch pad, you can see and move the focus box around within the view finder. The touch pad actually goes dark since you are looking at the scene in the view finder. However it still registers where you move the focus box. Then once you have moved the box to where you want it to focus, you half press and focus will then lock. You could use this method instead of focus recomposing. It actually works very well and is quite intuitive once you get it set up correctly.

 

[panolympus]

Zenstari wrote:

panolympus wrote:

That's kind of funny. Actually, I don't know how you would know what you're pointing at since you'd be looking through the viewfinder. I'd recommend using the manual focus if you need to single things out.

You know I thought the same thing when I saw the above diagram in my instruction manual, however it's really neat how it works! While you are touching the touch pad, you can see and move the focus box around within the view finder. The touch pad actually goes dark since you are looking at the scene in the view finder. However it still registers where you move the focus box. Then once you have moved the box to where you want it to focus, you half press and focus will then lock. You could use this method instead of focus recomposing. It actually works very well and is quite intuitive once you get it set up correctly.

I just tried it and you're right...it's works easier than I'd imagined. Cool, thanks

 

[ernstbk]

Zenstari wrote:

Oh funny! I just posted this on another thread about nose smudges. This is from the G5 manual, but maybe it will work the same with the G3?

I have checked my G3 and the documentation. This function is not available on the G3.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

It does work well - I use it quite a bit on my G5, even with the screen not extended.

Far as I know, so far it is only available on the G5 and GH3, thought I'd expect it to continue on future models.

Gato

 

[DElliott]

Gato Amarillo wrote:

It does work well - I use it quite a bit on my G5, even with the screen not extended.

Far as I know, so far it is only available on the G5 and GH3, thought I'd expect it to continue on future models.

Gato