Dark rides and af assist

[kenny]

In the darker dark rides like HM and PP AF assist light is a distraction on the ride for other guests. What do people generally use as focal pts for manually focusing?

 

[photo_chick]

I tend to use the center focus point only in really low light situations. It helps a lot with my camera/lens combination. If it doesn't get what I want then I use MF to hit exactly what I want. I've been replacing my old lenses slowly with ones that have full time manual focus so it's easier when I do need MF.

 

[zackiedawg]

I usually rely on AF in dark rides - set to spot focus point and AF-S, I've rarely encountered a scene that a DSLR-type camera was incapable of focusing on at least some point in the composition. Usually I look for any light or glint of light on the subject to be focused and that does the trick.

When and if I do need to manually focus, I will usually focus strictly off the center spot focus point - I find manual focusing quite a bit easier with my mirrorless camera compared to my DSLR in dark rides because of the mirrorless camera's focus peaking system that lights up the in-focus edges of the subject, and because I usually use it with old, fully geared & mechanical focus rings that give good feel and feedback when focusing, compared to fly-by-wire focus rings on many newer lenses.

 

[kenny]

I usually rely on AF in dark rides - set to spot focus point and AF-S, I've rarely encountered a scene that a DSLR-type camera was incapable of focusing on at least some point in the composition. Usually I look for any light or glint of light on the subject to be focused and that does the trick.

When and if I do need to manually focus, I will usually focus strictly off the center spot focus point - I find manual focusing quite a bit easier with my mirrorless camera compared to my DSLR in dark rides because of the mirrorless camera's focus peaking system that lights up the in-focus edges of the subject, and because I usually use it with old, fully geared & mechanical focus rings that give good feel and feedback when focusing, compared to fly-by-wire focus rings on many newer lenses.

Do you leave your AF assist light on or off? Was concerned that AF wouldn't be able to lock on a focal point if the light was not on but leaving it on I thought would be very distracting on HM or another really dark ride. Pirates is lit well enough that you don't notice the camera's assist light but Pan and Mansion are pretty dark. Don't want to interfere with other guests experiences.

Thanks

Ken

 

[zackiedawg]

I always keep my AF assist lights off...ironically, I find some cameras focus faster and better withOUT the AF light! And it does bother others - it even bothers me - to see that orange red glow beaming out of a camera.

Peter Pan is about the only ride that is really tough sometimes to find a focus point for an AF system, so manual focus can come in handy for that one. Even Haunted Mansion can usually be shot with AF for most scenes - the graveyard pop up characters are about the only ones that don't work so well with AF.

 

[photo_chick]

I have the AF assist light off on my camera. Never use it. And I wouldn't' use it on any ride that does not allow flash photography because it is in essence a flash.

 

[handicap18]

I also always keep my AF assist light off at all times. I don't feel it is necessary. So long as you can find even the slightest separation of light around or near the subject then you can focus. I've found that the better better the lens is (at least though with the focus motor in the lens, depending on what brand you use) the quicker it will focus even in very low light. My Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 is a rock star performer when it comes to low light focusing. Where as I used the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 for a while and that lens couldn't be the opening act of an elementary school chorus performance.

My Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Sigma 30mm f/1.4 are both also very good with focusing quickly in low light. Where as if you have a basic kit lens, it might not be as good. I did pretty good a few years back in HM with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.

Just another school of thought.

 

[cjstarr]

handicap18 can you show a comparison photo between the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Sigma 30mm f/1.4.

 

[kenny]

Thanks for the info. I am using Nikon 35mm 1.8 on the d7000. Did well last trip but I left the AF light on

Good to know it should focus quickly without