Manual focus options

[Morris0]

Hi all,

Is there a way of locking a set focus distance on Fuji lenses? I'm looking to be able to set a distance and lock it at that, a bit like what Ricoh does with the snap focus function.

I typically switch to manual focus, and use bb focus to set the distance. I find though that it is easy to move the focus ring by accident.

I don't have the lenses with the manual focus clutch, and don't want to have to buy those if I can avoid it.

Thanks.

I'm surprised by some of the wrong answers you received. The following lens and possibly more have focus lock buttons:

XF 500mm

XF 150-600mm

XF 200mm

There may be others. You can see the focus lock buttons in the photos on B&H site:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1855422-REG/fujifilm_16900408_xf_500mm_f_5_6_r.html

and on Fuji's site where you can download the manuals

https://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/lenses/xf500mmf56-r-lm-ois-wr/

Morris

It sounds like the OP is looking to do a zone focusing/street photography kind of thing, not super telephoto.

Hi did not specify. Possibly we will see focus lock buttons on shorter lenses in the future.

Morris

 

[hastingd]

Spot on Erik.

 

[hastingd]

BTW, the focus clutch mechanism only puts the lens in MF mode, it will still be easy to rotate the ring inadvertently.

You can easily lock focus with the clutch.

Put the body in manual focus mode, then adjust focus manually on the lens. Now push the clutch forward and the ring is locked.

Other than AF lock (which is flawed, eg it resets when you switch the camera off) I think this is the only way you can effectively get fixed focus on any non-tele Fuji lens (excluding the fixed-lens XF10).

Put the body in manual focus mode, then adjust focus manually on the lens. Now push the clutch forward and the ring is locked.

So doing this physically locks the focus ring so it can’t be turned, or does it still allow the ring to turn but does not change focus?

Jeff is correct, I was wrong. Yes, the focus ring is locked and can not be turned. However, some care is required when pushing the clutch forward as it is easy to turn the ring slightly when in doing so. I think a few of the old lenses have the clutch, e.g. 21 f/2.8 and 23 f/1.4. The 16 f/1.4 has it also.

16/1.4 and 23/1.4 are the two I am thinking of. I have the 2.8 and 2.0 variants and they are great but I’m thinking about the extra light and the manual focus benefits of the 1.4’s.

 

[hastingd]

Cool. I’ll give that a go thanks.

 

[hastingd]

Thanks all for your answers. Some options for me to try.

I should have added, I don’t shoot long (35/1.4 is my longest), and primarily shoot street / architecture.

Which camera body?

X-Pro 2 and X-T5. I may swap the XP2 and XP3 but not sure yet.

 

[Paulmorgan]

BTW, the focus clutch mechanism only puts the lens in MF mode, it will still be easy to rotate the ring inadvertently.

You can easily lock focus with the clutch.

Put the body in manual focus mode, then adjust focus manually on the lens. Now push the clutch forward and the ring is locked.

Other than AF lock (which is flawed, eg it resets when you switch the camera off) I think this is the only way you can effectively get fixed focus on any non-tele Fuji lens (excluding the fixed-lens XF10).

Put the body in manual focus mode, then adjust focus manually on the lens. Now push the clutch forward and the ring is locked.

So doing this physically locks the focus ring so it can’t be turned, or does it still allow the ring to turn but does not change focus?

Jeff is correct, I was wrong. Yes, the focus ring is locked and can not be turned. However, some care is required when pushing the clutch forward as it is easy to turn the ring slightly when in doing so. I think a few of the old lenses have the clutch, e.g. 21 f/2.8 and 23 f/1.4. The 16 f/1.4 has it also.

16/1.4 and 23/1.4 are the two I am thinking of. I have the 2.8 and 2.0 variants and they are great but I’m thinking about the extra light and the manual focus benefits of the 1.4’s.

I have both and would not consider switching to these simply due to the focus clutch but f1.4 and the Fuji magic yes.

 

[nand]

Hi all,

Is there a way of locking a set focus distance on Fuji lenses? I'm looking to be able to set a distance and lock it at that, a bit like what Ricoh does with the snap focus function.

I typically switch to manual focus, and use bb focus to set the distance. I find though that it is easy to move the focus ring by accident.

I don't have the lenses with the manual focus clutch, and don't want to have to buy those if I can avoid it.

Thanks.

Decoupling the shutter button from AF focus and using back-button focus works well in the (S) single focus mode. There is no need to go to (M) maual focus mode. The focus ring will still be disabled while in S mode and turning the camera off and back on does not change focus. This works with the X-T5 and X100VI.

Only negative is that you can not set the focus distance manualy. In othe words, you need to use back-button focus first.

Nand.

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