At a recent gig, I tried seeing if I could shoot the entire thing without using face detection, AI autofocus assistance, etc. Instead, I opted to see if I could shoot the way that older DSLRs used to shoot. And let me tell you, in terms of focusing speed, face detection and using it has always been a game changer. I think that we’ve all known that for years. Combine that with AF-C in-camera and you can always ensure that the subjcts in the frame are in focus. But what happens when you take that away? Well, if you want to see just how good your camera’s autofocus really is, then try this.
Here’s the challenge for you:
- Set your camera’s autofocus point to the smallest setting
- Take off face detection, AI detection, scene detection, etc.
- Turn off anything that will help you preview the exposure
- Set the camera to single autofocus, not continuous
- Try focusing your camera on something and see how it performs. Shoot a variety of subjects.
- Set the drive mode on your camera to single shots, not continuous
- Shoot like this for an entire day
- Come back to your computer and see what you actually got in focus or not.
What you’re going to find across camera systems is that Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Leica, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, etc all aren’t stellar at autofocus performance. This test is based on how we used to shoot with DSLRs.
Mirrorless cameras are indeed different tools altogether and lean more into camera and tech that wasn’t at all possible with DSLRs. But the way we shot with DSLRs is slower paced. And more importantly, I’d argue that we got a higher keeper rate. Modern day mirrorless cameras encourage you to shoot in a very haphazard way that doesn’t involve using more brainpower. To that end, we’re using them these days to all make very similar pictures. So ultimately, all of our images end up looking so similar because the cameras are making the decisions for us.
And let’s not even get started on post-production. Most photographers aren’t making ready-made decisions. They’re either embracing presets or just messing around until they find something that they think looks good. It’s why post-production takes so long for so many photographers — especially Sony shooters.
The point of this exercise is to shoot with more intentionality and to stop letting the camera make the decision for you. You’re a human being — not an AI.
Shoot like a human being.