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Thread started 05 Sep 2012 (Wednesday) 21:58
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LV focus vs VF focus

 
chuckmiller
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Sep 05, 2012 21:58 |  #1

Canon 7D

Why does the Live View autofocus always hit the focus better every time than autofocus through the ViewFinder?


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gjl711
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Sep 05, 2012 22:02 |  #2

Simple. Live view uses the image sensor to do focusing. The light that is focused takes the same path as what will illuminate the image sensor. The VF uses a different light path. The light is intercepted and diverted to the VF. Any difference between the length of these light paths will mean that the image will be OOF.

However, if the difference is minimal, you can use MFA to adjust the AF so that they will be the same. The 7D supports MFA so you might want to try that.


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chuckmiller
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Sep 05, 2012 22:05 |  #3

gjl711 wrote in post #14953287 (external link)
...However, if the difference is minimal, you can use MFA to adjust the AF so that they will be the same. The 7D supports MFA so you might want to try that.

I was wondering if MFA influences both or just VF autofocus. Since LiveView lifts the mirror I guess there in is the answer.


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gjl711
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Sep 05, 2012 22:20 |  #4

chuckmiller wrote in post #14953307 (external link)
I was wondering if MFA influences both or just VF autofocus. Since LiveView lifts the mirror I guess there in is the answer.

LV focus uses a different technique not the phase detect of the normal VF focusing. So, it focuses until the image shows maximum contrast. The advantage is more accurate focus but much slower.


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Sep 06, 2012 04:27 |  #5

The phase detect of the VF focusing works a bit like this...

  • Camera: Move this much forward
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Did you move where I told you to?
  • Lens: Yes
  • Camera takes photo.

If the camera slightly miscalculates the amount of movement required, or the lens doesn't move the correct distance then the focusing will be off slightly. As it is impossible to manufacture anything to infinite precision there will always be some slight errors, resulting in slight (often unnoticeable) error in focus. MFA is designed to partially correct this.

The contrast detect method of the LV focusing works more like this...
  • Camera: Move forward a bit
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Ugh. No, that's worse. Move back a bit
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Ah, that's a bit better, try moving back a bit more
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: And a bit more
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Just a touch more
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Too far. Move forward just a smidgeon
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: That's spot on
  • Camera takes photo

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stsva
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Sep 06, 2012 07:26 |  #6

hollis_f wrote in post #14954205 (external link)
The phase detect of the VF focusing works a bit like this...
  • Camera: Move this much forward
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Did you move where I told you to?
  • Lens: Yes
  • Camera takes photo.
If the camera slightly miscalculates the amount of movement required, or the lens doesn't move the correct distance then the focusing will be off slightly. As it is impossible to manufacture anything to infinite precision there will always be some slight errors, resulting in slight (often unnoticeable) error in focus. MFA is designed to partially correct this.

The contrast detect method of the LV focusing works more like this...
  • Camera: Move forward a bit
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Ugh. No, that's worse. Move back a bit
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Ah, that's a bit better, try moving back a bit more
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: And a bit more
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Just a touch more
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: Too far. Move forward just a smidgeon
  • Lens: OK
  • Camera: That's spot on
  • Camera takes photo

You scientific types are always so technical about everything! ;)


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gjl711
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Sep 06, 2012 08:00 |  #7

Frank, I love your explanation. :)


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Sep 06, 2012 09:00 |  #8

stsva wrote in post #14954535 (external link)
You scientific types are always so technical about everything! ;)

I don't know, I think this was a great way to explain it in a non-technical format. :D


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Sep 06, 2012 09:16 |  #9
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TeamSpeed wrote in post #14954841 (external link)
I don't know, I think this was a great way to explain it in a non-technical format. :D

“Everything should be as simple as it can be, but not simpler.”


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joeblack2022
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Sep 06, 2012 09:21 |  #10

LOL at Frank's explanation!

Here's an explanation with pretty pictures:

http://www.reikan.co.u​k …/why/how-autofocus-works/ (external link)


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LV focus vs VF focus
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