Overreliance on C-AF

As photographers many of us have an overreliance on C-AF (continuous auto focus) and on occasion may sub-optimize our image capturing potential. Sometimes this happens when we lose sight of our photographic objectives, and fall into habitual ways of using our camera gear.

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OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 358 mm, efov 716 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3056 pixels on the width, distance to subject 2.4 metres

When reading many camera reviews we can find a fixation with C-AF (continuous auto focus) performance. Some reviewers try to capture very long runs of images using C-AF.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 473 mm, efov 946 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3258 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.8 metres

They then examine those long image runs frame by frame, and report on how many times a particular camera missed acquiring auto-focus on various frames.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 449 mm, efov 898 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1600, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2788 pixels on the width, subject distance 11.4 metres

Often they report on the percentage of image captures that were in perfect focus, as well as those that were slightly out-of-focus, and those that were clearly missed. Then they make up some charts to compare C-AF performances between cameras.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, 1/2500, f/6.7, ISO-2000, cropped to 3702 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.9 metres, GPS: S 37 32 44.7 E 175 55 12.2639

Of course there is nothing inherently wrong or misleading with this type of assessment. Much of the work that we do when creating action-oriented images, like birds-in-flight, can require that our cameras have very good C-AF performance.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 169 mm, efov 338 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-16000, cropped to 3608 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 9.4 metres

Like all things photographic there is a downside when we have an overreliance on C-AF. It blinds us to the potential of using other techniques, or capabilities that our cameras may have, that can increase our odds of capturing a precise action moment.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-500, cropped to 2500 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 63 metres

I can’t speak for other photographers about how they choose to use their camera gear. When out in the field my intent has always been to capture an exact moment in an action sequence. If I capture one, good useable frame from each image run, I’m a very happy camper.

E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000, ISO-1600, cropped to 3226 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17.3 metres

I have very little interest in capturing long, uninterrupted image runs… instead choosing to shoot in short bursts of images… at precise times.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 373 mm,. efov 746 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500, ISO-5000, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2151 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.1 metres

The only times that I have purposely captured very long runs of action-oriented images with C-AF is when I was trying to demonstrate a camera’s performance for an article.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, full frame capture, Pro Capture H, subject distance 30.3 metres

When we have an overreliance on C-AF we can get obsessed with the frame rate that is available with this auto focusing approach. For example, many photographers would have a significant interest in cameras like the OM-1 and OM-1 Mark II that are able to shoot at 50 frames-per-second when using continuous auto-focus.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 251 mm, efov 502 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2000, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3420 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.4 metres

There is a caveat. A photographer must use a lens that is also capable of shooting in C-AF at 50 frames-per-second. Neither of my primary birding lenses (i.e. M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS or M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS) can operate in C-AF at 50 frames-per-second.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 373 mm, efov 746 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-640, cropped to 3024 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 7.4 metres

The focusing motors in those lenses are limited to a maximum of 25 frames-per-second with C-AF. So the C-AF performance of 50 frames-per-second of those OM bodies is not attainable for me with my primary birding lenses. In essence it is a non-existent advantage for me.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, 1/2500, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, ISO-1600, cropped to 2844 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 28 metres

We need to check on lens compatibility when buying a new camera body like the OM-1, to make sure that some of the lenses we own can operate at the anticipated fast AF-C rates. Otherwise we may inadvertently disappoint ourselves with a camera body purchase.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 2976 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17.4 metres

On the other hand, a camera body like the OM-1 or OM-1 Mark II, can shoot at 120 frames-per-second… locking the focus and exposure with the first frame of the run, when using Single Auto-Focus. This could increase the chance of capturing a specific action frame by 240% over using C-AF @ 50 fps.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6/3, -0.7 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3596 pixels on the width, subject distance 7.1 metres

If I ever owned an OM-1/OM-1 Mark II, I would use S-AF at 120 fps far more often than I would ever use C-AF at 50 fps… even if I owned lenses that could shoot at that fast C-AF rate.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 90 mm f/3.5 PRO IS macro and M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 180 mm, efov 360 mm, f/13, -0.3 EV, 1/2500, ISO-1600, cropped to 2569 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 745 mm

The reason is simple… the more in-focus frames I can get of an action sequence… the more opportunity I have to capture the precise moment that I have pictured in my mind. With my E-M1X the difference between shooting in C-AF at 18 fps vs. S-AF at 60 fps is a whopping 333% increased likelihood of capturing a precise image capture.

Olympus OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 with M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200, ISO-6400, Pro Capture H mode, subject distance 5.3 metres

None of the images featured in this article were captured using C-AF (continuous auto-focus). All were shot using Single Auto-Focus with the first frame locking focus and exposure for all of the frames that followed in the image run. A frame rate of 60 frames-per-second was used for all of the photographs in this article.

Nikon 1 V2 + 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @173mm, efov 466mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO-800

Single auto-focus at 60 frames-per-second was also used for the image above, and the one that follows. These two photographs were captured using a Nikon 1 V2… a camera that was launched 13 years ago in October 2012.

Nikon 1 V2 + 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 280mm, efov 756mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO-160

It is possible that many owners of Nikon 1 cameras never shot at 60 frames-per-second when photographing birds in flight. Many would have used C-AF at 15 or 20 frames-per-second instead… and may have missed many potential precise image captures as a result.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 218 mm, efov 436 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2000, Pro Capture H, subject distance 6.4 metres

It is important to remember that every image we create has a specific depth-of-field based on the aperture and focal length used, as well as our distance from the subject. That initial depth-of-field exists regardless of the auto-focusing mode we use.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3730 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 21.3 metres

Based on the shooting parameters in the EXIF data for the photograph above, the Cedar Waxwing would have had a depth of field of 0.23 metres (~ 9 inches) in which it could fly and still remain in focus.

Olympus OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 with MC-20 teleconverter @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200, ISO-2500, Pro Capture H mode, subject distance 6.8 metres

In many cases the flying angle of a subject bird is such that it cannot fly out of the in-focus zone fast enough to result in out-of-focus images, as long as a very fast frame rate is used. A classic case is when a bird is flying parallel to the sensor in our camera body… as was the case of the Baltimore Oriole in the above photograph, captured at 60 fps.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO-640, cropped to 3084 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 15.2 metres

Some photographers view their camera as little more than an image making slave. They expect their camera to capture perfect images all the time… and when they don’t… some photographers blame their camera gear. Not accepting any personal responsibility for failed photographs is not a path that leads to skills improvement and personal growth.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/2500, ISO-2000, Pro Capture H mode, subject distance 24.8 metres

If we want to get the most out of our camera gear, we need to become partners with it. And, as a partner we need to assess shooting situations carefully, choosing to use techniques that will help our cameras be successful with their image making missions. Sometimes that means recognizing when we have developed an overreliance on C-AF.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,487 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, 1/2500, f/6.7, -0.7 EV, ISO-400, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3456 pixels on the width, subject distance 22 metres, GPS: S 43 48 34.056 E 172 57 39.876

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2 thoughts on “Overreliance on C-AF”

  1. Hola Thomas.
    Te queria pedir, si fuera posible que en un próximo artículo pudieras abordar un tema que me da muchos dolores de cabeza. Seria, que expolicaras, qué configuración (todo y ser muy particular de cada fotógrafo) en diferentes temas, como por ejemplo: aves en vuelo, aves quietas, fauna en general y macro, para poder ponerlos en cada uno de los modos C1, C2, C3, C4.
    Espero tu respuesta.
    Un saludo y felicidades por tus consejos.

    1. Hi Thomas.
      I wanted to ask you, if it would be possible in a future article to address a topic that’s been giving me a lot of headaches. I would ask you to explain which settings (even though each photographer’s settings are very specific) for different subjects, such as birds in flight, still birds, wildlife in general, and macro, so I can use them in each of the C1, C2, C3, and C4 modes.
      I look forward to your response.
      Best regards, and congratulations on your advice.

      Hello Xavier,
      I probably use my camera quite differently than many photographers so I’m not sure how helpful it would be for you to know what settings that I use for various subject matter. Having said that here is an article that discusses how I set-up my C1 through C4 custom modes: https://smallsensorphotography.com/bird-photography-settings

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