kwoodard wrote:
What is it about the D850 that makes focusing with a 1.2 so easy? I have heard the same comment from many photogs.
Kevin - I can't say for sure, but must be the focus screen in the viewfinder. Lenses just "pop" into focus. Even the slower aperture lenses that I could not consistently focus on the Df are much easier. I haven't even picked up the Df (with the K3 screen installed) since I started shooting the 850. Also, the D850 live view has focus peaking for situations where critical focus is a must.
It's been interesting watching this thread's pattern of acceleration and deceleration lately. Despite its doldrum periods, there is definitely lots of life in the place! It's been an extra treat to hear of, and see, Ken B. and David visiting with Curtis, and to hear talk of possible visits between Curtis, Leighton, and George. By the way, George, I was inspired by your Loupedeck post to get one for myself. I put it to use today for the first time, and it seems like it'll take some getting used to, but will be a useful add-on to my workflow.
The regularity of my visible participation here has been a bit spotty lately (though I've been fully active behind the scenes through the Like button) because I've been pretty busy. Along with launching a major new program at my workplace, I've also been doing a practicum course for my Master's degree, and preparing to move house in the latter part of August. However, I did manage to get out with my camera briefly on Sunday to look at the sand sculptures in Parksville and to visit a new-to-me nature area called Nymph Falls.
Here are a couple of sand sculptures as viewed through the 55 f/1.2 SC with focal reducer on my Fuji X-T2, and processed through LRCC and SEP2.
gbohannon wrote:
Kevin - I can't say for sure, but must be the focus screen in the viewfinder. Lenses just "pop" into focus. Even the slower aperture lenses that I could not consistently focus on the Df are much easier. I haven't even picked up the Df (with the K3 screen installed) since I started shooting the 850. Also, the D850 live view has focus peaking for situations where critical focus is a must.
G
So you're not using the green dot? And how would you compare it to using focus peaking on the Fujis.
leighton w wrote:
So you're not using the green dot? And how would you compare it to using focus peaking on the Fujis.
Not relying on the green dot completely (actually white dot on the D850). Started at first but the more I shoot it the more I don't use the confirmation dot. Especially on fast lenses. Will still use it to confirm on slower zooms or in dark shooting conditions. This trip is the first time I have been able to put the camera to serious work.
Focus peaking in live view is as good as the X-T2 or X-Pro2 (only other cameras with peaking that I have used). The D850 also has a tilt screen but one axis only unlike the X-T2.
gbohannon wrote:
Kevin - I can't say for sure, but must be the focus screen in the viewfinder. Lenses just "pop" into focus. Even the slower aperture lenses that I could not consistently focus on the Df are much easier. I haven't even picked up the Df (with the K3 screen installed) since I started shooting the 850. Also, the D850 live view has focus peaking for situations where critical focus is a must.
G
Totally agree! I have used many old film Nikon bodies in the past and Canon 5D/5DII with different focusing screens and I really find the D850 to be superb in getting MF nailed particularly fast lenses like the 50/1.2 Ais and 58G. I also do not use the focus confirmation dot, except it is in the corner of my eye.
I tried using my 58G in MF mode and it works really well too, alongside with eye/face AF detection using AF-C AUTO.
GroWeb wrote:
It's been interesting watching this thread's pattern of acceleration and deceleration lately. Despite its doldrum periods, there is definitely lots of life in the place! It's been an extra treat to hear of, and see, Ken B. and David visiting with Curtis, and to hear talk of possible visits between Curtis, Leighton, and George. By the way, George, I was inspired by your Loupedeck post to get one for myself. I put it to use today for the first time, and it seems like it'll take some getting used to, but will be a useful add-on to my workflow.
The regularity of my visible participation here has been a bit spotty lately (though I've been fully active behind the scenes through the Like button) because I've been pretty busy. Along with launching a major new program at my workplace, I've also been doing a practicum course for my Master's degree, and preparing to move house in the latter part of August. However, I did manage to get out with my camera briefly on Sunday to look at the sand sculptures in Parksville and to visit a new-to-me nature area called Nymph Falls.
Here are a couple of sand sculptures as viewed through the 55 f/1.2 SC with focal reducer on my Fuji X-T2, and processed through LRCC and SEP2.
Glen - yeah, the Loupedeck does have a learning curve or memory curve I guess But now that I have used it, I miss not having it for processing while I am traveling.
leighton w wrote:
So you're not using the green dot? And how would you compare it to using focus peaking on the Fujis.
Hi Leighton. I find the MF with the D850 better than using the XT2/XPro 2 with focus peaking. Focus peaking works but with fast lenses it often misses the critical focus point. Of course you just enlarge the view but it takes longer. The D850 is very much like using a Leica M9/M240 RF.
Interesting events in the celestial realm: opposition of Mars tonight, opposition of the Moon in hours. In fact, there will be an epic lunar eclipse—sadly not visible in N.A. Don't know why I presumed a puny Nikkor 800/8 with D500 could capture Mars, but here it is as a 1x-scale crop:
I was initially pleased to have discovered an atmosphere on Mars (greenish) but then decided it was CA. Damned 1980s-era design. Since the Mar adventure was a flop, I turned to the Moon which was just a few degrees away:
Critical focus by OVF is hopeless, while LiveView is no better because these objects are in motion at this magnification. I resorted to multiple frames while focus-bracketing in nanoincrements. Only a touch of green fringing with the Moon shot.
Even though I capture just 25x25 planetary pixels, I will repeat the Mars shot tomorrow night. First step is eliminating in-camera sharpening, second is to take multiple frames and stack them. With a little luck, I should be able to resolve the Curiosity rover!
charles.K wrote:
Hi Leighton. I find the MF with the D850 better using the XT2/XPro 2 with focus peaking. Focus peaking works but with fast lenses it often misses the critical focus point. Of course you just enlarge the view but it takes longer. The D850 is very much like using a Leica M9/M240 RF.
Hey Charles, thanks for weighing in. I wish my old D600 would have been that good, I may have kept it.
