Single or Continous Auto Focus?

[Daos]

I've read in a post on dpreview forum that continous autofocus sucks on G3 and single is much better. Can someone tell me if single AF is indeed better? (and if yes, why)

[civis]

I may be mistaken, but I'd swear that I've seen this question answered in detail on those same forums.

[Daos]

Yes, you're mistaken. Or I didn't read the same thread as you, which I doubt because you posted in that thread too, without really giving an answer to my question (as you also do here).

For carification the address of the thread I've read it's http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=6482399 (where Sheld makes an afirmation, that single AF it's much better, you answer that continous increases the load on the battery, then Sheld again posts that single AF response is quite good and that continous AF is a failed attempt to get better response time)

Now my question was if single AF is INDEED better. And that's because from the Canon manual, page 108, it looks like Continous AF to be much better. I posted this question to learn more opinions from the users of G3 which AF mode is better.

I don't really understand guys like you, Civis, that sometimes post such "useful" answers.

[Bruce]

I've tried sigle AF mode but I switched back to continuous AF mode; the reason was that in single AF the image on LCD display freezes for a half second when you half-press the shutter button to take exposure evaluation. I find this very annoying, 'cause it won't let me make some last minute adjustment to composition, so I've set AF to continuous.

[Chris1le]

I've set mine to single, and have never went back. Wait a minute I tried it again the other day and didn't like it. Now back to single again. I'm not sure why I like it better. It just seems to work for me. It seemed like it was constantly searching for a focus point in continuous mode whereas in single you just half press the shutter wait for the beep then shoot.

[dog010]

I used to think continuous was similar to AI-Servo mode on SLRs in that it tracked targets but it doesn't do that. Instead it is "continuously focussing" even when you're not taking pictures. To test, turn continuous on and move the camera around wherever you are. You'll hear the lens motors adjusting focus.

The point for continuous is that it's supposed to shorten focus times because its always trying to focus. I find it doesn't work like that- instead the camera will be preoccupied with focussing and when you press buttons sometimes it will ignore you till its finished focussing. So it will slow you down in that respect.

Secondly it just feels slower overall and some have complained that it produces less focal lock ons. I don't see how it does this because once your shutter is half-pressed it should lock focus regardless.

I leave mine in single- i want a responsive camera and single satisfies me; if im tracking targets I'll use manual. If I want to focus on a flower or something static I'll use single AF. If you miss the continuous live preview keep it in continuous. I think any differences are subjective and based on "feeling."

Cheers,

[sdommin]

Daos wrote:
I've read in a post on dpreview forum that continous autofocus sucks on G3 and single is much better. Can someone tell me if single AF is indeed better? (and if yes, why)

Depends on what you mean by "better". Most people (including myself) prefer the single mode. For me, it seems more accurate (meaning that I chose what to focus on, and when to focus, not the camera). Also, some people find the constant focus searching to be annoying, not to mention the fact that it uses your battery up more quickly.

[gord1234]

Not to mention that it must save on wear & tear on the camera,when you're in single focus!
I put mine on single, the noise of constant focussing drove me nuts.
charlie

[MiG82]

I turned off continuous AF within the first hour of getting the camera and haven't used it since. It irritates me.

[civis]

Daos wrote:
Yes, you're mistaken. Or I didn't read the same thread as you, which I doubt because you posted in that thread too, without really giving an answer to my question (as you also do here).

For carification the address of the thread I've read it's http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=6482399 (where Sheld makes an afirmation, that single AF it's much better, you answer that continous increases the load on the battery, then Sheld again posts that single AF response is quite good and that continous AF is a failed attempt to get better response time)

Now my question was if single AF is INDEED better. And that's because from the Canon manual, page 108, it looks like Continous AF to be much better. I posted this question to learn more opinions from the users of G3 which AF mode is better.

I don't really understand guys like you, Civis, that sometimes post such "useful" answers.

No, I looked again, and this question was answered in detail there, more than once. I wouldn't have mentioned it, but since you went there first...

[Daos]

Thank you all for your answers!

I tried some 'tests' (tried to focus on the same objects) in low light with single vs continous AF and it seems that where continous AF fails also single AF fails. Only one time, on a painting, single AF succeded, while continous failed.

Also it seemed to me that single AF almost always gave me a faster response.

So considering that continous AF will also consume faster the battery I'll keep my camera in single AF from now on.