E-M1 PDAF Question

How can I see and adjust (select) the focus squares when in the PDAF mode when using C-AF.  I am using the 40-150 F2.8 which I assume supports PDAF mode and shooting ins C-AF, sequential mode

Fri13 wrote:

Thanks for getting back to me.  I am confused. I think I am doing something wrong.

Laslo Varadi wrote:

How can I see and adjust (select) the focus squares when in the PDAF mode when using C-AF. I am using the 40-150 F2.8 which I assume supports PDAF mode and shooting ins C-AF, sequential mode

Just like in any other mode.

Choose ESP, 9-point, normal or small focus point and then move it where you want.

What is ESP?  When I go into the SCP (Super Control Panel) on the back of the camera, I know how to choose 1, 9 or all of the points.  I can only choose the small size focus box in single point focus and I do that by pushing the info button then the down button on the mutli-direction control on the back, which then toggles between 1, 9 or all points. . If I choose 9 point I get a 3x3 box set that I can move around the screen.  I have them centered.

When you are shooting in H sequential mode with C-AF you can see on the screen the PDAF focus pattern.

and from that you can count the normal focus point grid size. So it is three to horizontally or three vertically from the center point when choosing what point to use.

I do not see the above when I switch to live view by clicking the button to the left of the EVF?

If you use C-AF+Trk mode with H sequential and if the tracking gate goes outside of the PDAF area it will start using CDAF until it gets back to PDAF sensor area.

I never use this mode.

Fri13 wrote:

Laslo Varadi wrote:

How can I see and adjust (select) the focus squares when in the PDAF mode when using C-AF. I am using the 40-150 F2.8 which I assume supports PDAF mode and shooting ins C-AF, sequential mode

Just like in any other mode.

Choose ESP, 9-point, normal or small focus point and then move it where you want.

When you are shooting in H sequential mode with C-AF you can see on the screen the PDAF focus pattern.

and from that you can count the normal focus point grid size. So it is three to horizontally or three vertically from the center point when choosing what point to use.

If you use C-AF+Trk mode with H sequential and if the tracking gate goes outside of the PDAF area it will start using CDAF until it gets back to PDAF sensor area.

As a follow up to my previous reply, I just finished talking to Olympus Tech Support.  Not sure if they were correct and they did not inspire my confidence but the tech said that for MFT lenses like the 40-150 F2.8, all of the points (1,9 or 81) are PDAF when in C-AF sequential mode.

Since Firmware upgrade 3.1, EM 1 utilizes PDAF when in CAF when in H (not L) seq. (but if H seq set to 10 in menu, fps reduced to 9.) L sequential utilizes hybrid contrast + PDAF. This is irregardless of whether you set 1, 9 or all focus boxes

Thanks to all that replied  I am als very happy with the A-fc, high or low sequential.  Camera is fast and with the 40-150 the images are razor sharp.  These is from yesterday.

Fri13 wrote:

Laslo Varadi wrote:

How can I see and adjust (select) the focus squares when in the PDAF mode when using C-AF. I am using the 40-150 F2.8 which I assume supports PDAF mode and shooting ins C-AF, sequential mode

Just like in any other mode.

Choose ESP, 9-point, normal or small focus point and then move it where you want.

When you are shooting in H sequential mode with C-AF you can see on the screen the PDAF focus pattern.

Based on the above, Laslo is using a m43 lens. Your diagram appears to represent the E-M1 display as it appears with a 43 lens mounted.

Airmel wrote:

Fri13 wrote:

Laslo Varadi wrote:

How can I see and adjust (select) the focus squares when in the PDAF mode when using C-AF. I am using the 40-150 F2.8 which I assume supports PDAF mode and shooting ins C-AF, sequential mode

Just like in any other mode.

Choose ESP, 9-point, normal or small focus point and then move it where you want.

When you are shooting in H sequential mode with C-AF you can see on the screen the PDAF focus pattern.

Based on the above, Laslo is using a m43 lens. Your diagram appears to represent the E-M1 display as it appears with a 43 lens mounted.

Thanks Airmel.  Yes I don't think you have the option above with an m43 lens, but it is working in PDAF when in CAF, sequential .  By the way the 40-150 F2.8 pro  is working out very well.  Pictures are sharp at F2.8 and smaller aperture at 150mm.  The combination with the E-M1 is fast.

Laslo Varadi wrote:

Thanks Airmel. Yes I don't think you have the option above with an m43 lens, but it is working in PDAF when in CAF, sequential . By the way the 40-150 F2.8 pro is working out very well. Pictures are sharp at F2.8 and smaller aperture at 150mm. The combination with the E-M1 is fast.

I've come to a very similar conclusion. The E-M1 + 40-150 Pro is an awesome combination. I hate to say it, but since I got the 40-150mm Pro, my 50-200mm SWD and 150mm f/2 are quietly collecting dust.

Have fun!

Airmel wrote:

Laslo Varadi wrote:

Thanks Airmel. Yes I don't think you have the option above with an m43 lens, but it is working in PDAF when in CAF, sequential . By the way the 40-150 F2.8 pro is working out very well. Pictures are sharp at F2.8 and smaller aperture at 150mm. The combination with the E-M1 is fast.

I've come to a very similar conclusion. The E-M1 + 40-150 Pro is an awesome combination. I hate to say it, but since I got the 40-150mm Pro, my 50-200mm SWD and 150mm f/2 are quietly collecting dust.

Have fun!

I know what you mean.  Now I won't completely give up my Nikon D810 yet.

Skeeterbytes wrote:

SkiHound wrote:

At some point I need to invest in a higher quality zoom. I've considered buying a used 50-200 rather than the 40-150 simply because of price differences. Would be interested in hearing more about how the two lenses compare. I'm guessing the 40-150 focuses faster on an E-M1? Any impressions with respect to IQ differences or ergonomics would also be welcome. Thanks. Will probably end up biting the bullet for the 40-150 at some point, but have wondered how the 50-200 would compare.

I have the earlier, non SWD 50-200. It's reasonably close to the 40-150 Pro in resolution and contrast and like the Pro can be used wide open. Focus response is well shy of the Pro and burst rate is limited in comparison. Of course it has the extra 50mm reach and pairs well with the EC14 to make it 70-283. Noticeable vignetting at the long end needs correction in post.

For action work, I reach for the Pro ten times out of ten.

Cheers,

Rick

I have the E-M1 and the SWD 40-200. The autofocus is fast and efficient. I purchased the SWD 50-200 and the EC-14 used from KEH and saved about $1000 over a new MZ 40-150 Pro + 1.4xTC.

I like the fact that I have a bigger zoom range and a longer maximum focal length.

Eric Nepean wrote:

Skeeterbytes wrote:

SkiHound wrote:

At some point I need to invest in a higher quality zoom. I've considered buying a used 50-200 rather than the 40-150 simply because of price differences. Would be interested in hearing more about how the two lenses compare. I'm guessing the 40-150 focuses faster on an E-M1? Any impressions with respect to IQ differences or ergonomics would also be welcome. Thanks. Will probably end up biting the bullet for the 40-150 at some point, but have wondered how the 50-200 would compare.

I have the earlier, non SWD 50-200. It's reasonably close to the 40-150 Pro in resolution and contrast and like the Pro can be used wide open. Focus response is well shy of the Pro and burst rate is limited in comparison. Of course it has the extra 50mm reach and pairs well with the EC14 to make it 70-283. Noticeable vignetting at the long end needs correction in post.

For action work, I reach for the Pro ten times out of ten.

Cheers,

Rick

I have the E-M1 and the SWD 40-200. The autofocus is fast and efficient.

While the 50-200mm SWD certainly is a lovely lens, its ability to AF on an OM-D body isn't even close to that of the 40-150mm Pro. The 40-150mm AF is 3-4 times faster.

Fri13 wrote:

Skeeterbytes wrote:

Laslo Varadi wrote:

As a follow up to my previous reply, I just finished talking to Olympus Tech Support. Not sure if they were correct and they did not inspire my confidence but the tech said that for MFT lenses like the 40-150 F2.8, all of the points (1,9 or 81) are PDAF when in C-AF sequential mode.

I have never seen the 4/3 lens focus point array displayed for a native m4/3 lens. With that said, m4/3 lenses are supposed to use hybrid CDAF-PDAF in CAF mode, now capped at 9fps. I don't use CAF+tr so can't comment on the options there, but SAF uses CDAF only.

You see it in C-AF+H-seq while shooting. You get nice roundish area shown.

This is only displayed when using a 43 lens. Not when using m43 glass.

https://youtu.be/Ol-5ry8SQ8oo like that but not when focusing or using live view normally.

This video only demonstrates live view with 43 lenses.