CIF (Catch-in-focus)

**csa** · 12-11-2014, 09:06 AM

I've just heard about this, and wondered how many of you use it for wildlife?

Also, is this available on all Pentax's?

owl · 12-11-2014, 09:26 AM

Great for Hummingbirds.

---------- Post added 12-11-14 at 09:27 AM ----------

You need a manual focus lens, or one for which the auto focus can be turned off (if memory serves).

**csa** · 12-11-2014, 09:33 AM

Thanks! I have several flights of Canadian geese that fly over every morning, & would like to get some shots of them; so am considering using this. I'll be using my 18-55WR.

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-11-2014, 09:42 AM

Yep, I use it with my K 400 f/5.6. Works great. It's not available on the K10D (unless I missed it) but it is on the K20D and newer bodies. I can only speak to the K10D, K20D, K-5, and K-3 as I haven't used the others. Just my $0.02.

---------- Post added 12-11-14 at 09:51 AM ----------

Which camera body do you have? You may not need CIF with an AF lens.

**JimS_256** · 12-11-2014, 10:19 AM

Catch in focus won't work with the 18-55WR. Just use the autofocus.

It would help to know what camera you have.

**csa** · 12-11-2014, 10:30 AM

I have the K10D, shown in my signature.

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-11-2014, 11:22 AM

Carol, with the K10D in AF.S the shutter won't release until the subjects are in focus so it's kinda like CIF. If you use AF.C I would suggest holding down the rear AF button while shooting. I should have noticed your owner banner.

**csa** · 12-11-2014, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the tips, I'm pretty new using the K10D; but seeing over 200 geese fly over every morning is such an awesome site, I'd like to capture some of them.

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-11-2014, 11:34 AM

Practice, practice, and more practice.

stevebrot · 12-11-2014, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

It's not available on the K10D (unless I missed it)

You missed it. CIF worked fine with my K10D.

Steve

stevebrot · 12-11-2014, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by csa

I'm pretty new using the K10D; but seeing over 200 geese fly over every morning is such an awesome site, I'd like to capture some of them.

You don't need CIF for flocks of birds. Regular AF or manual focus at or near to infinity and moderate aperture should work just fine. Where it is useful is for macro of bugs moving towards you and other situations where the subject is approaching the camera and focus is hard to time. Note that the time lag to shutter release may result in the actual focus point being somewhat behind what you intend.

Steve

**csa** · 12-11-2014, 12:04 PM

Thanks Steve for the explanation re/macro, etc. That helps alot.

I'm hoping to try to get some photos of the geese tomorrow morning!

danielchtong · 12-18-2014, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You don't need CIF for flocks of birds. Regular AF or manual focus at or near to infinity and moderate aperture should work just fine. Where it is useful is for macro of bugs moving towards you and other situations where the subject is approaching the camera and focus is hard to time. Note that the time lag to shutter release may result in the actual focus point being somewhat behind what you intend.

Steve

Correct. It will be too slow in response. Things happen too fast for the camera to respond.

See if the OP can look at my other method which to me yielded better result.

Geeses landing (2 series) - Steve's Digicams Forums There are suggested setting you can make.

Gulls reflection - Steve's Digicams Forums

Daniel

---------- Post added 12-18-2014 at 05:39 PM ----------

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Practice, practice, and more practice.

Do it in a predictable and easy way first.
Setting: Manual focus on manual lens, set distance at around 100 ft to a quiet street where car will pass through around 70 ft. On a bright day F8 asa 800 1/1000 - 1/1500 second.
When a car comes in, fire in burst right away and turn your focus dial so you are in focus. The first first 1-2 second will be completely off. But you will get better focus the third second until the car is gone out of sight.
When you have perfected the set up, try to shoot gulls which are every where.
Good luck

Daniel

Sagitta · 12-18-2014, 03:45 PM

FWIW, catch focus WILL work with an autofocus lens, the thing is you're probably better off with autofocus unless you a good deal of practice and/or luck in manually focusing the thing. You're probably better off just using on auto (or prefocusing if the birds will always be at a certain height) than using catch focus in this situation.

I tend to reserve my catch focus for things that are less than infinity and moving too quick for autofocus to do me any good. Close up shots of flowery tree limbs on windy days, closish shots of vehicles heading down a highway, etc.

danielchtong · 12-18-2014, 03:50 PM

Catch in focus in manual focus mode really takes a lot of time. By the time it (focus light) blinks and you press the button, the subject is gone

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/58761-heron-behaviour...-a300mmf4.html

Here was one I did with manual lens and focus on the fly. Typically I got 3 seconds top.

Daniel

12-11-2014, 09:06 AM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	CIF (Catch-in-focus) I've just heard about this, and wondered how many of you use it for wildlife? Also, is this available on all Pentax's?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Catch in Focus,	Wingincamera	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	7	03-21-2014 11:19 AM
Sports Catch In Focus	troika	Post Your Photos!	5	05-27-2013 10:33 PM
Focus Trapping (aka Catch-In Focus)	regor	Pentax K-01	7	01-05-2013 11:32 PM
CIF (catch-in-focus) and going back AF ...	jpzk	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	5	05-28-2012 02:14 PM
CIF (catch in focus) unattended and remote - what are your set up's?	jpzk	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	02-14-2012 09:37 AM

12-11-2014, 09:26 AM	#2
owl Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 92	Great for Hummingbirds. ---------- Post added 12-11-14 at 09:27 AM ---------- You need a manual focus lens, or one for which the auto focus can be turned off (if memory serves).

12-11-2014, 09:33 AM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks! I have several flights of Canadian geese that fly over every morning, & would like to get some shots of them; so am considering using this. I'll be using my 18-55WR.

12-11-2014, 09:42 AM	#4
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,845	Yep, I use it with my K 400 f/5.6. Works great. It's not available on the K10D (unless I missed it) but it is on the K20D and newer bodies. I can only speak to the K10D, K20D, K-5, and K-3 as I haven't used the others. Just my $0.02. ---------- Post added 12-11-14 at 09:51 AM ---------- Which camera body do you have? You may not need CIF with an AF lens.

12-11-2014, 10:19 AM	#5
JimS_256 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 1,107	Catch in focus won't work with the 18-55WR. Just use the autofocus. It would help to know what camera you have.

12-11-2014, 10:30 AM	#6
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	I have the K10D, shown in my signature.

12-11-2014, 11:22 AM	#7
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,845	Carol, with the K10D in AF.S the shutter won't release until the subjects are in focus so it's kinda like CIF. If you use AF.C I would suggest holding down the rear AF button while shooting. I should have noticed your owner banner.

12-11-2014, 11:27 AM	#8
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks for the tips, I'm pretty new using the K10D; but seeing over 200 geese fly over every morning is such an awesome site, I'd like to capture some of them.

12-11-2014, 11:34 AM	#9
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,845	Practice, practice, and more practice.

12-11-2014, 11:50 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn It's not available on the K10D (unless I missed it) You missed it. CIF worked fine with my K10D. Steve

12-11-2014, 11:54 AM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by csa I'm pretty new using the K10D; but seeing over 200 geese fly over every morning is such an awesome site, I'd like to capture some of them. You don't need CIF for flocks of birds. Regular AF or manual focus at or near to infinity and moderate aperture should work just fine. Where it is useful is for macro of bugs moving towards you and other situations where the subject is approaching the camera and focus is hard to time. Note that the time lag to shutter release may result in the actual focus point being somewhat behind what you intend. Steve

12-11-2014, 12:04 PM	#12
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks Steve for the explanation re/macro, etc. That helps alot. I'm hoping to try to get some photos of the geese tomorrow morning!

12-18-2014, 03:33 PM	#13
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Originally posted by stevebrot You don't need CIF for flocks of birds. Regular AF or manual focus at or near to infinity and moderate aperture should work just fine. Where it is useful is for macro of bugs moving towards you and other situations where the subject is approaching the camera and focus is hard to time. Note that the time lag to shutter release may result in the actual focus point being somewhat behind what you intend. Steve Correct. It will be too slow in response. Things happen too fast for the camera to respond. See if the OP can look at my other method which to me yielded better result. Geeses landing (2 series) - Steve's Digicams Forums There are suggested setting you can make. Gulls reflection - Steve's Digicams Forums Daniel ---------- Post added 12-18-2014 at 05:39 PM ---------- Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Practice, practice, and more practice. Do it in a predictable and easy way first. Setting: Manual focus on manual lens, set distance at around 100 ft to a quiet street where car will pass through around 70 ft. On a bright day F8 asa 800 1/1000 - 1/1500 second. When a car comes in, fire in burst right away and turn your focus dial so you are in focus. The first first 1-2 second will be completely off. But you will get better focus the third second until the car is gone out of sight. When you have perfected the set up, try to shoot gulls which are every where. Good luck Daniel

12-18-2014, 03:45 PM	#14
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	FWIW, catch focus WILL work with an autofocus lens, the thing is you're probably better off with autofocus unless you a good deal of practice and/or luck in manually focusing the thing. You're probably better off just using on auto (or prefocusing if the birds will always be at a certain height) than using catch focus in this situation. I tend to reserve my catch focus for things that are less than infinity and moving too quick for autofocus to do me any good. Close up shots of flowery tree limbs on windy days, closish shots of vehicles heading down a highway, etc.

12-18-2014, 03:50 PM	#15
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Catch in focus in manual focus mode really takes a lot of time. By the time it (focus light) blinks and you press the button, the subject is gone https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/58761-heron-behaviour...-a300mmf4.html Here was one I did with manual lens and focus on the fly. Typically I got 3 seconds top. Daniel