Focus update
May 15, 2016 09:37:35 #
No photos this time, been too busy to even pick up the camera most days. I will be shutting this machine down tomorrow, and will be offline until June while I am going back to the UK to visit family. I hope to get some good photos over there, although baggage issues are restricting me to taking just the SX50.
I wanted to post this because we had been discussing the issues I had with autofocus while shooting the phlox 'series'; the lens (EF100 Macro) would try to focus to infinity, even when the limit switch was set to only use the close-up end. I am pretty sure that this is something to do with using the camranger, or possibly just with remote shooting in general. Used handheld, the lens behaves properly. There was a discussion in the main forum a couple of weeks ago, where someone had focus/firing issues when trying to shoot with a remote trigger, and it struck me that we were both using BBF. He could focus but not fire the shutter, while I could fire ok, but it wouldn't focus right, but I am not sure if the BBF had something to do with it. Possibly some remotes only send the electronic signals to simulate the shutter button, but do not allow for the other button to control focus?
This would not have caused the specific problem I was having, though. I am still not sure how *any* setting on the camera or through the remote could override the physical focus limit switch on the lens itself, but I have been unable to replicate the problem when working with just the camera. It's a bit of a pain, since ground-level shots are precisely *why* I need the camranger in the first place! I cannot get down there, unless there is a nearby crane ready to help me back up again!
It looks like I will be having quite a busy summer... For the past 10 years (and before, but that was when I started), my company has had the contract with the Y to drive their daycamp kids on field trips, and they were shared out amongst the 4 or 5 drivers who wanted them. This year, the Y has acquired its own bus... Without them, I have literally 3 trips scheduled for the whole summer, for another daycare centre. So, I went and applied for a job at the Y, driving their bus. They have hired me, and one other of our drivers, but since they have trips scheduled for 5 days a week, with just the 2 of us, we will be spending a lot of time on the road... Feast or famine!
I wanted to post this because we had been discussing the issues I had with autofocus while shooting the phlox 'series'; the lens (EF100 Macro) would try to focus to infinity, even when the limit switch was set to only use the close-up end. I am pretty sure that this is something to do with using the camranger, or possibly just with remote shooting in general. Used handheld, the lens behaves properly. There was a discussion in the main forum a couple of weeks ago, where someone had focus/firing issues when trying to shoot with a remote trigger, and it struck me that we were both using BBF. He could focus but not fire the shutter, while I could fire ok, but it wouldn't focus right, but I am not sure if the BBF had something to do with it. Possibly some remotes only send the electronic signals to simulate the shutter button, but do not allow for the other button to control focus?
This would not have caused the specific problem I was having, though. I am still not sure how *any* setting on the camera or through the remote could override the physical focus limit switch on the lens itself, but I have been unable to replicate the problem when working with just the camera. It's a bit of a pain, since ground-level shots are precisely *why* I need the camranger in the first place! I cannot get down there, unless there is a nearby crane ready to help me back up again!
It looks like I will be having quite a busy summer... For the past 10 years (and before, but that was when I started), my company has had the contract with the Y to drive their daycamp kids on field trips, and they were shared out amongst the 4 or 5 drivers who wanted them. This year, the Y has acquired its own bus... Without them, I have literally 3 trips scheduled for the whole summer, for another daycare centre. So, I went and applied for a job at the Y, driving their bus. They have hired me, and one other of our drivers, but since they have trips scheduled for 5 days a week, with just the 2 of us, we will be spending a lot of time on the road... Feast or famine!
May 15, 2016 15:28:07 #
You will certainly be missed, Phil, and I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip across the pond. We look forward to seeing your shots when you return.
May 15, 2016 17:12:05 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
You will certainly be missed, Phil, and I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip across the pond. We look forward to seeing your shots when you return.
Well, the brother I will be staying with is quite a keen photog himself, and we are planning quite a few outings, including an air show (weather permitting!). I have 3 64GB cards for the SX50, plus another in my little point&shoot, which I will swap if needed. I'm taking that one because it fits nicely in a shirt pocket, so if I get a window seat on the flight from Dublin, I should be able to get some aerial shots.
Then, the first weekend I am back, there is the big Reading WWII airshow weekend. I am planning on spending 2 of the 3 days there, body permitting, with both dslrs on my Cotton Carrier, shooting stills the first day, then video and extra-wide stills on the Sunday. Last year I shot well over 800 photos in just one day... I am going to be kept busy for quite some time getting all this stuff loaded and processed!
My ride is leaving earlier than I expected in the morning, so I will probably close the computer down tonight. The email server will probably start bouncing messages before I get back, but I don't want to leave this running for 17 days in thunderstorm season.
May 15, 2016 19:09:42 #
Have a great trip, Phil. Phil, I use BBF on all my Nikons & yes, if you use a remote, you must focus with the back button first, before you fire the remote. It's easy peasy. Earl. 
May 16, 2016 08:48:35 #
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