Many recently introduced digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras have a new shooting mode called Live View. Live View mode is nothing new for digital cameras. Actually, almost all compact (point and shoot) digital cameras have them. Most people know how slow the auto focus (AF) on P&S camera is. Is Live View really useful for DSLR cameras? Read More…
The layouts of the auto focus (AF) sensors in the viewfinders of some Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLR cameras are compared with rule-of-the-third grid lines superimposed, thanks to the DPReview forum member Matt Cham.
If you want to shoot with the rule-of-the-third composition, you may find it a little bit tricky on these viewfinders to auto focus at exactly the 1/3 points. The focus and recompose technique can still be useful, even with so many AF sensor points on some models.
Source: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=29295041
I have one of the older model (A16N) Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 for Nikon. I like the lens for its value even though it does have a flaw related to FLASH photography in TTL-BL mode. Lately, Tamron has announced update to this lens with a built-in AF motor.
A vendor in Malaysia has received the lens and posted a short review on PhotoMalaysia. In summary, the new version has:
- No screw drive hole for AF. AF motor is now built-in. This makes the lens compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, and the new D60 DSLR cameras.
- AF/MF switch. It is no longer needed to set the focus mode on camera. I doubt it can do focus override (typically only on AF-S lens) though.
- Smoother but much lower AF. I hope it can provide more precise auto-focus and the accurate distance information to the camera so the old problem can be avoided.
Tamron just announced at PMA 2008 three new lenses with built-in AF motor for Nikon mount SLRs. This is a great news for users of Nikon D40(x) and future users of the newly announced D60, which do not have a AF motor in the camera. The press release is posted at Tamron USA website with the specifications.
- AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II (model A14NII)
- SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II (model A16NII)
- 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di (model A17NII)
The first two are designed for cameras with APS-C sized (DX) sensors (labeled as “Di II” lens) and the last one also works for camera with full frame (FX) sensor. No word on availability yet.
Previously, Tamron announced AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro with built-In auto focus motor for Nikon. Sigma also has a similar 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC with a built-in motor for Nikon.
Many have seen over-exposure problems with the 17-50 f/2.8 in TTL-BL flash mode that might be a design flaw. I hope this new version brings a fix to it.
According to a news posted on DPReview, Canon has stopped the shipments of its EOS-1D Mark III. No specific reason was give in the DPReview post, but it is most like the auto focus issue that has been discussed extensively since the summer. This news has actually been out quite a few days ago on a SportsShooter forum post. Another UK report is here. A letter sent to dealers from Canon is available here (PDF). Gizmodo has also posted this letter.
Well, it is really a bad timing for Canon as Nikon’s D3 is about to be available soon. Nikon D3 targets the same professional photographers such as photojournalists and sports shooters.
Update on November 1, 2007: Canon has issued an official statement on the issue.
Posted in Digital SLR Cameras on October 31st, 2007. No Comments.
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