Auto Focus Insanity

[newfoundmass]

Reliable auto focus is obviously nice, but people really have become obnoxious about it. I see it on YouTube, where people regurgitate the same talking points (even GH5 users will say the auto focus is "awful" which is bullshit; its perfectly usable in a lot of situations), and I see it here when people beat the dead horse about auto focus for every camera that doesn't match Sony or Canon's performance. 

It goes without saying that we'd all love great auto focus performance in every camera. BUT I'll see people write off other cameras completely because the auto focus doesn't nail the completely unrealistic / unnatural tests where people pop in and out of the frame like morons on a camera that's completely stationary on a tripod or because it takes too long to focus on an object you've decided to place in front of the camera instead of using b-roll that will give people an even better view of the item. 

I've filmed hundreds of pro wrestling events on my GH5. Each one featured faster, more unpredictable action than any silly YouTube test. Do you know how many important shots I've missed because of its "awful" auto focus? None. Because, like with all cameras, you learn to overcome its shortcomings with use and experience. And in venues where lighting was poor, making the auto focus less reliable, I've gladly used manual focus because it's easier than ever to do, with all the focus assists most cameras have these days. 

I don't believe in making things harder than they have to be, but learning how to get the most out of your camera, including learning how to become competent with manual focusing, isn't a bad idea.