I realize this ilya and that's why I'm wondering what jbinpg's reasons are for setting his camera up like that. I may very well be missing something here but I don't know what:-). Why kill AF with the AF button when at least with FA lenses you can't manually focus them without changing the mechanical switch which would be a major pain to do in the heat of the moment like Wheatfield found himself in. I haven't come across this problem but if we were using a DA lens with quick shift and the focus refused to lock automatically, I would think we could manual focus with the lens and achieve lock without killing the AF with the AF button. On the other hand I can see someone setting their camera up with a half press of the shutter button to focus and then killing it with the AF button if for instance they wanted to manually focus on someplace different than where the camera set focus, like a bird behind some branches in a tree. But that's a bit different scenario than Wheatfield's, he couldn't achieve focus lock. But, my point and original question, how would killing AF with the AF button help to manual focus a FA lens in Wheatfield's case?
Well, ok, if we were using a DA lens with quich shift and we changed focus and then went to take the picture, I suppose the camera could try to refocus since in this instance we have AF set to half press of the shutter button. BUT, if we achieved focus lock with the quick shift the camera shouldn't try to change focus when we hit the shutter button.
Another thing. I must say this highlights a disadvantage of the FA lenses, especially the FA Limiteds compared to the DA Limiteds or probably a better way to state it, the one big advantage of the DA line of lenses.....quick shift. It is pretty cool. I personally have spent a lot of money on focusing screens and have practiced a LOT on my manual focus abilities because I just naturally prefer to manual focus, but that's me and how I like to do things. But there are times when you need autofocus and you need it now and it's a big disappointment if it lets you down. On the other hand, I can imagine the shot Wheatfield had with his 31Ltd on the camera and I can't think of any other lens I would have prefered other than it. We aren't perfect, neither is our equipment. Shots will be missed. But when you get one with the 31 you know there isn't another lens around that would have done the job better.
Last edited by Eaglerapids; 09-05-2009 at 03:40 PM.