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Focus problem with Panasonic G9 with 100-400 lens
Nov 26, 2019 15:25:51 #
lrm
Loc: Sarasota, FL
If you have this combo; I do mostly bird photog. Used Nikon D500 with Nikon 200-500 lens for three years. thousands of birds ( still and flying) with high hit rate. But trying the Pana G9 with their 100-400 lens, having nothing but trouble with both still and flying birds. Focus will not hold (no matter which type of focus used). On stills, if subject is in grass or trees, focus will hit background or nothing. Fluing birds - focus is terrible, about a 5% hit rate. On my Nikon setup hit rate is about 70-80% and I have trouble deciding which to discard. Internet has a few comments about this problem. Any answers?
Nov 26, 2019 15:29:05 #
Stay with your proven results.D500 with Nikon 200-500.Bye Bye G9 and 100-400
My D800 with the Nikon 200-500 has a high hit rate.
My D800 with the Nikon 200-500 has a high hit rate.
Nov 26, 2019 15:36:47 #
--Bob
PixelStan77 wrote:
Stay with your proven results.D500 with Nikon 200-500.Bye Bye G9 and 100-400
My D800 with the Nikon 200-500 has a high hit rate.
My D800 with the Nikon 200-500 has a high hit rate.
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Nov 26, 2019 16:25:29 #
Nov 26, 2019 18:46:39 #
lrm wrote:
The problem is weight. I am 84 with bad feet. Hence the need for lighter kit.
Get a Monopod
Nov 26, 2019 19:29:21 #
lrm
Loc: Sarasota, FL
I have a monopod. that would mean more weight to carry into the woods. I am trying to cut down, not add.
Nov 26, 2019 20:19:05 #
There was a firmware update to the G9 in the last few weeks. I think it is supposed to include some focus improvements including a specialized animal (bird) focus. I read one review where the guy said it worked.
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Nov 26, 2019 20:53:07 #
lrm wrote:
I have a monopod. that would mean more weight to carry into the woods. I am trying to cut down, not add.
Carbon Fiber?
Nov 27, 2019 06:51:00 #
I have been a Pana M43 user for ten years. However, I know that the D500 was specially designed for sports and wild life, whereas the G9 is a more regular purpose camera. I used most G series cameras before lightening the load with GX and reducing what I had in the bag. In the D500, you probably already had the best-for-purpose birding camera ever. I'm sure that you have much more experience than do I, and I don't do birding, but - always look regularly for latest camera and lens firmware updates. Pana listen to their customers, and do their best to overcome any problems with firmware. Also - have you tried switching to electronic shutter?
I guess your 100-400 is the Elmarit power zoom? There could well be a firmware update.
I guess your 100-400 is the Elmarit power zoom? There could well be a firmware update.
Nov 27, 2019 07:37:59 #
Nov 27, 2019 09:04:40 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
lrm wrote:
If you have this combo; I do mostly bird photog. ... (show quote)
If your G9 has a "spot focus" option, enable that, at least then it will focus on the target in the "spot" - hard to do small targets if wide area focus is enabled.
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Nov 27, 2019 10:35:50 #
olemikey wrote:
If your G9 has a "spot focus" option, enable that, at least then it will focus on the target in the "spot" - hard to do small targets if wide area focus is enabled.
I'm not a birder - but with a BIF more likely to miss the bird altogether? But good for bird in tree - or perhaps just one area rather than spot?
Nov 27, 2019 11:26:20 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
Delderby wrote:
I'm not a birder - but with a BIF more likely to miss the bird altogether? But good for bird in tree - or perhaps just one area rather than spot?
Yes, it would be tough for BIF, although I get some good hits that way, (I've a pretty intuitive aim and shoot style, so tracking isn't impossible with spot, but yes for many folks it wouldn't be the best way), there ought to be some option for tightening up the focus and metering area.....trying to get sharp on one item when every focus point is enabled would only guaranty something would be in focus, but a spot/small area works well for me. I use Nikon and Sony, do not have a Pany, but I would imagine that there are multiple focus/metering option/area's to choose from. For a day of BIF I would use focus tracking and or wide area focus/metering for the active shots.
Nov 27, 2019 18:10:30 #
lrm wrote:
If you have this combo; I do mostly bird photog. ... (show quote)
Check your firmware versions for body and lens. Lumix just updated firmware for the G9 on 11/18/2019. Be sure you install it if you haven’t.
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Nov 27, 2019 19:45:28 #
There is a problem with all auto focus lenses, that is what they focus on, especially where the scene is ambiguous. When it comes down to it, it is the photographers job to determine where the point of focus is and that means using manual focus on those occasions when auto gets it wrong. Back to the old days, I know it is not easy and takes practice. I have a full kit of canon FD lenses I am now able to use since I bought a Sony A7, getting back into real photography again. You can do it.
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