Originally posted by c.a.m @Fcsnt54, I think you have certainly added interesting insights into an important aspect of camera focus operation -- user interfaces and 'usability', which is frequently ignored in discussions or reviews. I'd say that ergonomics and ease of use are crucial factors, complementing focus speed, accuracy, and precision. You obviously have experience across a range of brands and models.
You've mentioned several specific camera models. For completeness, would you mind indicating the Pentax and Olympus models to which you refer?
Also, you mention that "setting up tracking can be too time-consuming" in the case of Pentax. If you could provide just a bit more comment on this aspect, that might help us to fully appreciate your perception. Personally, I haven't had the breadth of experience with various brands, but have not felt that my Pentax cameras were cumbersome (my word) with respect to the tracking settings. Is it that you find the menus are difficult to navigate, or moving the focus points or focus areas is awkward?
Thanks.
- Craig
Yeah Ive been blessed to be able to move to different systems over the past few years since moving from film. At this point I look back and think Im more of a camera reviewer then a photographer... haha
The one requirement I have for the cameras is too make my life easier, and use the right model for the job that I take on. If a camera was not being used, or I found it was inadequate for the job I was doing or going to do I budgeted in trading/selling/buying for the new items. Photography for me is a passion/hobby and not my main work. Ive transitioned genres doing less landscapes and more portraits/local bands. Im not one to use flash systems, so its all about natural/room lighting and higher ISO usage(3200-10000). I know video is not high on any ones list, but it is getting more and more important with certain jobs. Being able to minimize gear and do both comes in handy. So is the AF systems that go with that, and being able to do focus pulls or tracking in video really is a nice feature.
so with that being said Ive had the pleasure of using.
Pentax: K1, K3, and 645Z
Olympus: OM1(film), em5ii, and em1ii
Fuji: GFX50S, and XT3
Canon: TLb(film), EOS R
Sony:a5000
All various formats and manufacturers. Each have their strong points and weaknesses, Which if anyone is interested I can list everything I love and hate about each camera and files that go with them.
I find Pentax menus in general one of the easiest to navigate and setup to be honest. The issue I have is understanding the AF side of items, and to be honest it is 100% on me for not taking the extra time to decipher the owners manual and performing testing on how to maximize the AF efficiency. The dpad works for moving the points around, but for me I have come to appreciate the joystick and touch screen to move points used by other manufacturers. If changing between different modes, you have to setup the camera differently. I wouldn't use the same settings for tracking as I would for single focus. So if I had to switch between the two in the same event, I had to go through the camera menu system and have to remember what I needed to turn on and off. Which going back to me, I should have utilized the user interfaces a bit more in my operation but I didn't. That is also on me. I simply got tired of always needing to make those adjustments.
In general If we compare brands on the camera manuals themselves. the other brands explain how to setup their AF systems a little easier then Pentax which is very dry and confusing at times for a number of people. Lets say you don't have a manual and just use the camera out of the box, other cameras are a little bit easier in that regard where they have information on using it. such as for Olympus em1ii when you switch to tracking mode. in that mode when switched, it will direct you on how to use it. Nothing complicated but for simplicity it works.
With that all being said It takes time to get to know a system. there are no reviews, spec sheets, and pictures that will tell you what works for anyone's style of shooting. Gear matters in the aspect of what will be the least frustrating and the most comfortable for that style. MP, AF features, Dynamic range, IBIS, and pixel shift/hires modes are all buzz words used to sell cameras. Are they important? sure, but only if it works for your style of shooting. I wish Pentax simplifies/ explains how to setup and use their AF systems a little more. Outside of that from what I can tell, Pentax AF is right up there with the others, just it depends on what you are using it for.
*Disclaimer, this is all from my point of view and might not reflect others actual usage of various brands