Who needs autofocus?

Press, 19 February 1986, Page 13

Who needs autofocus?

The pitfalls of autofocus were described in a recent article in this column, followed up by a mention of the usefulness of autofocus lock in picture composition. I had intended to let the subject rest for a while.

A photographer friend however, asked me the question which began this article, and, coincidentally, I was handed the new Minolta 9000 35mm camera for review. The 9000 has continuous autofocus, using a new principle. I suspect that some who ask who needs autofocus were asking a few years ago who needed auto-ex-posure. They may also now be asking who needs DX-coding, and who needs ever-faster films. Perhaps they would be happiest using a can with a pinhole in it and wetemulsion plates. I do not doubt they would manage some passable photographs even then. The whole point is, though, that with a pinhole camera and wet plates the time and effort for each exposure would be enormous compared with that for the same shot using current materials and techniques. Worse, many photographs, particularly of colour or movement, could not be taken at all.

Who, then, needs autofocus? . . . Every photographer, at times, though, in fairness, at some times

much more than others, and some photographers much more than others. The answer is the same as with most if not ail advances in photography. Saving time and effort, and extending photographic possibilities, are the mark of any real advance in technique.

Mention must also be made, however, of the improvements which guard against common error. Such are automatic load, wind and rewind, and DX-coding of film speeds. These may not greatly help experienced photographers, but are much to be recommended for the beginner — though who has not at some time made a mistake with the film transport, or exposed at the wrong speed? Nevertheless, I would still put automatic focus, as an advance in technique, ahead of automatic wind for anyone who does not want to pay for both. This leads to my appraisal of autofocus.

While perhaps the most obvious benefit of autofocus is to people with poor eyesight, the most important is probably the capacity it gives to take photographs almost instantaneously, catching the “moment of truth.” Keeping up with a moving subject, however, can be equally important, yet this, most autofocus arrangements are not fully able to do. The Minolta

9000, which uses a phasedifference system in focusing, is asserted as the first camera with continuous autofocus.

The question “Who needs autofocus?” is in fact incomplete: to it should be added” . . . enough to pay the extra cost?” The cost may be quite large, especially with single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, but should certainly not be prohibitive in most cases.

With autofocus as with other capabilities, the thing to watch for, with SLR cameras at least, is that it can be bypassed to give the photographer complete control. No photographer who is more than a simple chronicler of events should allow the camera to decide on all occasions. Buy automatic everything if your use will justify the cost — the automatic features will serve you well in most circumstances. But make sure you will be able to control the camera when you want to — do not let it control you. To review the 9000, the agents (Salmond Industries, Ltd) provided me with the camera body (of course), a 28mm-85mm macro lens, and a 4000 AF electronic flash. The Minolta company has developed also a wide range of accessories, many especially for this model.

Three different pro-

gramme backs of considerable versatility are available, one taking a 100-exposure film roll. The Flash Meter IV incorporates an infra-red transmitter for distant control. The MD-90 motor-drive offers varied capabilities including focus — priority. The lenses are shared with the Minolta 7000, and range from 24mm to 600 mm, including several with built-in macro. The camera itself abounds in controls, which, with the excellent advertising brochure but without the instruction book, I took several hours to find my way round. There is a programme mode which changes to suit the focal length of the lens, as well as shutter and aperture priorities and full manual operation. Metering can be average, spot, highlight or shadow. The autofocus can be bypassed; and it does not operate on macro.

The 4000 AF flash not only computes distances automatically but adjusts, within limits, to the focal length of the lens. The synchonisation speed is normally 1/250 sec but can be set at 1/125 sec, 1/60 sec or 1/30 sec. The synchronisation is claimed to work in all modes, including shutterpriority. In trying out the camera I produced excel-lently-exposed photo-

graphs in all modes, including with flesh, excepting only the shutter-speed priority at 1/250 sec — but that was no doubt through unfamiliarity. The focus was uniformly sharp, and the colours well-saturated.

All things considered, the 9000 has much to be recommended for those who can afford it, yet the price is not exorbitant for the professional or serious amateur. Paul’s Camera Shop quoted the camera with case and f 1.7 50mm lens at $1999 retail. — R.M.