Don't need BBF, just need to gain critical sharpness first via liveview's contrast detect (or manual focus) and then disable AF. Obviously BBF kind of disables AF as soon as you stop pressing it but if you've used it with PDAF to get focus in the first place (ie through the viewfinder and NOT liveview) then you're not doing the test right as the whole point of the test is to detect flaws in PDAF.Pretty sure you need to use BBF when doing fine tune, I used BBF and ok
Just followedDon't need BBF, just need to gain critical sharpness first via liveview's contrast detect (or manual focus) and then disable AF. Obviously BBF kind of disables AF as soon as you stop pressing it but if you've used it with PDAF to get focus in the first place (ie through the viewfinder and NOT liveview) then you're not doing the test right as the whole point of the test is to detect flaws in PDAF.
I'll watch it again at some pointJust followedView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zE50jCUPhM
and worked ok, there is a note around 1min 20sec not to use manual focus on Nikon and if IRRC some thing about using BBF but I`ve had too much to drink and can`t watch it again atm.- might have been some where else i read about using BBF![]()
I'll watch it again at some pointBut I'd be very surprised if they said to use BBF in anything other than Liveview, the whole point of the initial focus is to gain critical sharpness. I wouldn't use manual focus as I don't trust that I can get it as accurate as the contrast detect in liveview
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That's correct. I used BBF as the video suggested.They say to use BBF so that a half press of the shutter doesn't focus, as the focus confirmation dot is more forgiving when you switch the camera into manual focus mode
Ahh thanks for this, will teach me to watch it properly. Might give it another go just out of curiosity to see how narrow the 'gap' is.They say to use BBF so that a half press of the shutter doesn't focus, as the focus confirmation dot is more forgiving when you switch the camera into manual focus mode
little'n has chicken pox, which probably scuppers our travel plans
That's a bummer Andy. My niece had it really bad the other week and they had to cancel their trip to Tenerife.
Last time she was ill at all was in Vietnam two years ago, so we can't complain too much!
Found where I read it, http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3386481?page=4#forum-post-50922834I'll watch it again at some pointBut I'd be very surprised if they said to use BBF in anything other than Liveview, the whole point of the initial focus is to gain critical sharpness. I wouldn't use manual focus as I don't trust that I can get it as accurate as the contrast detect in liveview
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Thanks, useful this. I have mine set now (tended to use my other method more) but will certainly try this next time and check the results.Found where I read it, http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3386481?page=4#forum-post-50922834
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Someone on my FM thread recently discovered that the VF confirmation range increases dramatically when AF is set to MF (on either body or lens) vs leaving AF enabled and using back-button focusing as a way to avoid triggering a lens refocus when checking for VF focus confirmation. I always use back-button focusing when I DotTune but I told everyone in my video to disable AF because I thought is would be an easier procedure for those who aren't already familiar with back-button focusing. I failed to test that step before describing it to others, sorry!
When I toggle AF/MF I see an immediate change to the confirmed range. Here are the results of a DotTune with AF enabled vs AF disabled:
My theory is that Nikon's firmware is intentionally expanding the in-focus range for VF confirmation (when AF is disabled) to make it easier and faster for photographers to manually focus. They probably figured that if the range were tight it would be too difficult and time consuming for people to manually focus to it.
- AF enabled: -14 to -18
- AF disabled: -2 to -20 (past end of -20 range)
So here is an important update to the DotTune method described in the video:
Note that when the body+lens are set to AF the VF confirmation display wont stay illuminated for the duration of the metering timeout like it does when the body or lens are set to MF. This means you have to hold the shutter half-pressed to keep the confirmation display active while checking for the dot."
- Configure your body for back-button focusing by setting "AF activation" to "AF-ON only". On this D800 this is option a4
- After establishing critical focus of your AF target, leave the body and lens to set AF rather than switching to MF
- During the DotTune VF range-discovery procedure (step 4 and 5 in my video), use a half-press of the shutter to turn on the VF confirmation. In my video I said you could use either a half-press of the shutter *or* the AF-ON button, but now that we're leaving AF enabled you must use a half-press of the shutter.
Odd, I've never had any massive problems, there is some shading in the corners but nothing LR can't solve. I think Lee only 'guarantee' it down to 17mm.Got out to the beach last night for sunset to try my new 750 and 16-35f 4. Sunset never happened but it was nice to get a few shots anyway and see how things worked. Did realise that at 16-18mm with the double Lee filter holder on and 105mm polarizer on the front, it vignettes badly. After 18 mm it is ok.

Cleeve Hill by Chuckoir, on FlickrI got GAS ...
For some reason my hankering for a 135 f2 DC, has reared it`s head again
I`d have to shift both the 35 art & 85 1.8 to cover it though. Decisions decisions ...
Odd, I've never had any massive problems, there is some shading in the corners but nothing LR can't solve. I think Lee only 'guarantee' it down to 17mm.


Ashmi cropped by Anirban Acharya, on FlickrLovely shot - this may be a stupid question, but can I ask where you focussed, please?
Was it smack bang between the eyes, or did you favour one eye over t'other? (Reason I ask is they both look super sharp!)
Figured it was down to the photo gods aligning and both eyes were on the same plane. Great stuff.Thanks. I always focus on one eye and with such shallow dof on the 85 at wide apertures, most images turn out with one eye sharp only and that is how I want certain images.
This time, I was lucky as the focal plane hit both eyes almost equally. At 1.8 to 2.5 unless you line the subject straight, there will be always some focus difference due to shallow dof.
Shooting kids is another challenge and my daughter is never still![]()
Didn't you want to sell up a few days a go?
@Swanseajack has pointed out in another thread that there is one on Amazon for £560... Could be worth looking into?!
so i won't be holding the Strat back for you then Paul?Just had one of those days, mate. It happens now and then.
That is an iffy link. He also had 16-35`s for £400 which were described in the same way, so I steered well clear.
Just had one of those days, mate. It happens now and then.
That is an iffy link. He also had 16-35`s for £400 which were described in the same way, so I steered well clear.
If it's still there tomorrow, with the same seller, then perhaps not, but I've looked at these heavily discounted ''Advertising purposes" items before and I would think twice before parting with my cash.Over 2000 sales all positive feedback would seem it's not iffy, no?
so i won't be holding the Strat back for you then Paul?![]()
Over 2000 sales all positive feedback would seem it's not iffy, no?
Fine tuned the 85 yesterday using DotTune method and it has once again become my fav lens. Well, didn't bring the Tamron 70-200 2.8 to compete with, so this will be used for a lot of portraits while we are in India.
Full
Ashmi by Anirban Acharya, on Flickr
Tightly Cropped
Ashmi cropped by Anirban Acharya, on Flickr
just a question re you kept the A5100 and sold the A6000,do you prefer it without the VF?Yup, great cameras. Its a tough choice but at the moment I have to many cameras and already have an A5100 which is exactly the same camera minus the EVF so I doubled up. Logical one to go then.
I willWant to buy mine PMSL

Cat Portrait by Paulie-W, on Flickr