Tracking AF rather than Focus and Recompose?

[Vermont3133]

OK I'm ready to get mocked loudly here for just discovering this but I don't seem to have ever seen this mentioned before.
So basically, focus in the centre as you would normally do [to capture the subject], recompose to suit and then shoot with the subject in focus in what ever part of the screen you choose.
It's not always going to to be pin point accurate but I'm finding it's working quite well with my GX85/PL25
This should do away with any concerns of shifting the focal plane when recomposing.
?

 

[ac12]

I do focus and recompose because, that is how I did it with manual focus lenses on 35mm film cameras.
And for me, it is faster than moving the focus point with my thumb.
I also do not having to move the focus point back to the center afterwards.

I usually do not move the focus point, unless I will be shooting several/many shots with the focus point in that other position, or it is a slow single shot and I have plenty of time.

 

[mumu]

OK I'm ready to get mocked loudly here for just discovering this but I don't seem to have ever seen this mentioned before.
So basically, focus in the centre as you would normally do [to capture the subject], recompose to suit and then shoot with the subject in focus in what ever part of the screen you choose.
It's not always going to to be pin point accurate but I'm finding it's working quite well with my GX85/PL25
This should do away with any concerns of shifting the focal plane when recomposing.
?

I recently read of someone else using tracking AF for that, too. I've never used tracking AF so my ignorance is making me skeptical but I should give it a try.

 

[Stanga]

I use tracking focus for moving objects. I couldn't do without it at air shows.

 

[Vermont3133]

I use tracking focus for moving objects. I couldn't do without it at air shows.

Yeah, definitely needed for fast moving subjects!.
I was actually thinking more about more static subjects where you would normally focus and recompose or move the focus point around.

 

[MadMarco]

I have tried this technique and it can work, but I find that focus and recompose with single AF gives a more accurate and predictable AF. This is with an Olympus E-M1 II so it might be very different for other camera bodies.

 

[Holoholo55]

I usually use S-AF to focus and recompose. However, I know in specific circumstances that could lead to inaccurate focus. I think the closer you are to your subject, the longer the focal length, or the wider the aperture, the greater the chance that could happen. My EM1 III has an AF joystick, but I have not gotten used to it or used it much. I'll have to experiment with C-AF+TR to see if it would work for focus and recompose.

 

[Macroramphosis]

After a quick impromptu go on my GX8 I can safely say I will not be using this as a focusing method! . It may be that one needs a better/modern camera to try this with. It ain't no good with mine!

 

[Baenwort]

I do this with my EM1.2 but only in the winter. I find that moving the focus point by swiping on the touch screen with the camera is fast as the joystick on the EM1.3 but with gloves this works well enough.

 

[mfturner]

I do this with my m5.3 if I'm already in C-AF+TR, like when I'm playing with the dog, or waiting for a hawk to take off. So it does work somewhat. But normally I'm in SAF with the time to move the focus point.

 

[Generationfourth]

I focused and recomposed with my GF1 because it was quite rudimentary. Usually with the AF-lock.

With the GM5 and GX8 came touchscreen AF while looking through the viewfinder. This is the most underrated camera feature of all time IMO, especially on the GX8 with the viewfinder slightly tilted up to avoid nose focusing. I'm fastest and most accurate with this method- with no need for AF-C.

The G9 is pretty darn good with all it's different focus modes so I generally try custom multi, or animal/body/face with AFC. For AFS I generally use single point with the joystick which I find to be slow as molasses in comparison to touchscreen AF. Why don't I use touchscreen AF on the G9? the center mounted viewfinder and the screen is a lot further from my thumb sadly.