jim0379
Active member
I watched some Bighorn Rams testing each other near Yellowstone yestereday afternoon. The Z9 autofocus with eye detection worked very well most of the time (I remembered to switch it back to animal from bird when I left the river and the dippers.)
But I noticed early on as I watched the scuffles, that right before cranial impact, the sheep close their eyes and frequently turn their heads. And the autofocus went looking for something new. Here's a three image example. Sharp on the rear up, sharp just before impact, then not.
Because they appeared to be staying in a fairly small area on a ridge, I switched over to manual focus with focus peaking, got it set to where I estimated the next impact would be, and fired the shutter when they reared up to go. As when I saw the autofocus detect and track the reflection of the eye of birds on a still water surface, I continue to be surprised and amazed by the capabilities and nuances of the autofocus system.
Wondering if a less twitchy setting on the A3 Focus tracking with lock-on menu would give better results if I ever get a "next time" for something like this. SO hoping there's a next time.
jim
But I noticed early on as I watched the scuffles, that right before cranial impact, the sheep close their eyes and frequently turn their heads. And the autofocus went looking for something new. Here's a three image example. Sharp on the rear up, sharp just before impact, then not.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Because they appeared to be staying in a fairly small area on a ridge, I switched over to manual focus with focus peaking, got it set to where I estimated the next impact would be, and fired the shutter when they reared up to go. As when I saw the autofocus detect and track the reflection of the eye of birds on a still water surface, I continue to be surprised and amazed by the capabilities and nuances of the autofocus system.
Wondering if a less twitchy setting on the A3 Focus tracking with lock-on menu would give better results if I ever get a "next time" for something like this. SO hoping there's a next time.
jim