Does one really need fast AF for paparazzi like shooting?

[danielyamseng]

Does a fast AF camera is needed for candid shoot like paparazzi type shooting?

[EOS_JD]

Fast AF hepls with almost ALL shooting involving any moving subject.

[Mark_Cohran]

I"m no paparazzi, but I've done a fair amount of event shooting, and a fast (and accurate) AF system certainly helps. Is it absolutely needed? It depends on your technique and your skills, but it certainly can give you an edge.

[Livinthalife]

yes

[Karl Johnston]

Some of those paparazzi guys use Iphones...so no

[NeverSummer]

When it comes to the paparazzi, it seems that it's not about getting a good picture, just getting a picture.

[danielyamseng]

When it comes to the paparazzi, it seems that it's not about getting a good picture, just getting a picture.
:D that's quite true. But maybe I'm perfectionist.

[hooookup]

Im not a paparazzo per se, but I do photograph celebrities in Hollywood and New York for a living. Mostly red carpet celebrity arrivals and celebrity events. A fast AF system definitely helps, however, some of the best red carpet shooters in the world shoot with prosumer bodies and make some wonderful images. For me, the AF accuracy and speed of the MK3 makes my job easier. Could I work with a 50D and still produce? Sure I could ..

[nphsbuckeye]

This reminds me of a youtube video of a paparazzi showing his gear and saying PJs aren't journalists because they arrive after the event.:rolleyes: He clearly had no clue.

[SkipD]

Autofocus is not a necessity, but the cheaper lenses on APS-C format cameras make manual focus rather difficult to do.

Back in the day, using my Nikon F's (the best SLR available in the mid 1960's), I could keep up with anyone using today's autofocus lenses (assuming they could have brought them back in time). There was no such thing as autofocus when my Nikons were built. Autofocus was only a fantasy then.