Hi Dan! So I'm fairly new to the "real" camera world... I am a content creator who has always been passionate about photography (and have been very privileged to shoot with quite a few amazing photographers in my lifetime) but never had the courage to get behind the lens other than an iPhone. I feel like I have a great eye for composition and editing, as well as an arsenal of styling skills (hair, makeup, wardrobe/costuming, etc.) that set me apart from other creators, but I felt like I was missing that last skill to really up my game. During the pandemic I decided I wanted to take things seriously and finally get a DSLR or mirrorless. I looked at cameras for months, read reviews, did my research, and finally settled on a Fuji X-S10 and a 23 mm prime lens. I felt it was the right choice for my needs: compact but easy to grip and handle, versatile for photos and vlogging, an aesthetically pleasing brand as a whole, and relatively budget friendly compared to some of the other popular brands. I was quickly overwhelmed by all the bells and whistles compared to a point and shoot but did my best to take it slow and consume as many tutorials as I could digest, namely from two specific photographers on RUclips as well as a few PDF downloads. I finally feel like after two years of occasional fiddling (fear of failure prevented me from really delving in to the "doing" part) that I am finally starting to lift the veil a bit on the comprehensive body of functions. I often shoot my cats, and when I do self-shoots for content creation where I have to move around a lot in a beautiful environment I set up interval shooting (rather than remote app shooting that I can use for more stationary tableaux), but I have really struggled with dialing in Zone AF and understanding the AF-C Custom menu. I have watched countless videos about these two functions and I just want you to know that this is hands down the most clear, calm, and concise yet comprehensive explanation of AF-C Custom that I have come across. I instantly saved it to my Photography playlist, hit Subscribe, and IMMEDIATELY purchased your eBook when the link popped up on the screen... no seriously, I haven't even finished the last 20 seconds of the video and I was compelled to write this comment. Thank you, thank you, THANK you. I look forward to bingeing the rest of your content and keeping X Series Unlimited in my pocket as my new go-to guide. Sincerely, A New Fan
Hi Alexandra, thanks so much for your comment! I'm so glad to hear that this video has helped you get a better understanding of your X-S10 and its focus capabilities. Modern cameras are indeed very complicated machines, with so many feature and settings, and the right combination of settings is not always apparent, nor does the official documentation explain these things very well. With that in mind, I'm glad you found my channel! I hope you find the rest of my content, and my ebook helpful. It's been my mission to help photographers navigate the technical aspects of their cameras so that they can more freely express their creativity and go have fun taking pictures. Let me know if you have any questions about the Fujifilm system, and if you want an en even more thorough tutorial of the X Series autofocus, you might like to check out my online course: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system At any rate, thanks again for your feedback, I really appreciate that you took the time to write this. Now go have fun with your Fuji!! 😀
Hi Veronica, thanks so much for your comment, I'm glad you found this helpful. For an even more thorough tutorial on the Fujifilm autofocus system, please check out my comprehensive X Series course: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
Hi Dan! Your videos have been (and are) a true inspiration. My photography is all about fast action and quick thinking. Definitely we have to know the system inside out. My gut feeling is that most of the times is more a wrong setting then a camera issue. There are other brands that might make your life "easier" , but despite of this focus system having its learning curve... with my modest opinion , it makes you push yourself and become a highly knowledgeable photographer. There is something in this feeling. My desire to comment is well motivated by your drive into sports photography using this system, so my hat is off! Brilliant! Cheers
Carlos, thanks for your comment and your insight here. Yes, we have to know the system inside and out, and we have to practice. Constant repetition and practice is the number one way to gain that high level of proficiency that we seek, and that allows us to successfully capture the types of images we want to make. Every system will have its own learning curve and its own set of limitations or specific parameters that need to be accommodated, but as with any camera, again, it's that high level of dedication and practice that leads to expertise.
Dear Dan, great and educational 👍👍, Im using XT3 with several lenses for my street, journalism, sports and birds. One thing that may be considered to add is, the use of the back button focus (The AFL button in Fuji) to reduce the delay or lag between locking focus and the shutter pressing. Pressing the AFL lock the focus point, also the exposure in the targeted area. This is helpful to get the result of main object within the desired exposure. I have been using this BBF method since my old Canon 7D, glad that Fuji X also provide this function.
Hi there, thanks for your comment. Sounds like you've got a good setup. I've never been a proponent of back button focus. I know that many people use that technique, but as an action shooter for over 30 years, I've never been convinced that it's a better, more effective method for tracking and capturing very fast moving subjects. You can accomplish the same thing with a single finger and using/holding half press on the shutter button, instead of coordinating two fingers, one on front and one on the rear of the camera. However, it's all preference and what works of you and the types of subjects you like to capture, so yes, it's great that the X Series has the BBF option for those who like to use it. Where do you typically like to photograph?
Dear Dan, with my old Canon 7D I shot mostly sports (Wushu and Gymnastics). Normally I set spot metering n single spot AF to catch desired spots, mostly the face, especially when you are forced to use widest appertures in long focal length to reach faster shutter speed. In continous shot setting i normally only capture max 4-5 frames per moment of actions. So timing to lock target and press the shutter is crucial. With BBF i can seperate my instinc to press my thumb for AFL and my forefinger for shutter button to execute. When i shifted to Fuji XT2 and XT3, i still keep this habit, so far success rate is good
That's good to hear. It sounds like you have acquired a high degree of proficiency for capturing those types of subjects. Keep up the good work and keep having fun with you Fuji cameras!
Hi Frank, thanks for your comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos and find them to be so helpful. Yea, I guess that’s cause I’m kinda old school myself. 🤣 Curious, besides the gray beard, tell me what makes them seem old school and what a new fangled modern style video style might look like. 😀 Also, What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Hi Dan, I'm so glad you replied. And so fast too. Of course, you don't have to change anything in your videos. Everyone has their own style. I think what feels the most "old fashioned" is the intro and the typography at the beginning. But as I said, that's not important, because it's about your great photos and the expertise that you pass on. I myself bought an X-T3 and a 35mm f1.4. I really enjoy it. After many years without photography (I'm a graphic designer), discovering Fujifilm got me back into photography. Your e-book would certainly be helpful to me. Let's see … 😀
Haha! No worries, I won't be trying to change my style, but it's fun to hear impressions like this. That X-T3 with the 35mm f/1.4 makes for an excellent and very classic style combo. Almost old school, I'd say! 😂 I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun with it.
Great video Dan. Glad I found you. I have the XT4 and the 23mm f/2 lens... What would you recommend for street photography? And do you feel these custom settings work at night or just in standard lighting? Lastly, are you still running the Photography on the Brain Course? Thanks and have a great weekend
Thanks for your comment!! It sounds like you already have a really good lens for street photography; I know that the 23 f/2 is a favorite for many street shooters. My recommendation would be to add a telephoto for distant/detail shots. Good options would be the 50 f/2 which is an excellent and extremely compact short tele with good close focus capabilities, the 90 f/2, which is an extremely fast and relatively compact mid range tele, or the 70-300, which would give you a very extended range. Regarding the AF-C Custom settings, it would depend on the light. As long as you have enough light for the camera to acquire and track focus, then these settings will come into play. That's when a fast lens would be preferable, since they can grab focus in lower light situations. And yes, I still offer my Photography on the Brain course here: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/photography-on-the-brain-essentials
I'm finding it heavy to lug around and so have purchased a Cotton Waist Band with sling. I think it's a great tripod camera for Landscapes but not my favourite for street. Love the quality of the Images and the PSAM dial.
I was actually surprised at how small and light the X-H2 was when I finally held it. I figured it would be heavier, but it is over 100g heaver than the X-Pro 3, so there's definitely a difference.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Hi Dan. I have the Fuji X-T4. I purchased this as an addition to my Canon system as I wanted a light weight mirror less and lens. I must admit that I'm having a bit of trouble adjusting to the differences. Your videos have assisted me greatly. I like to shoot "whatever catches my eye". Photography is a serious hobby for me and I believe that life is too short to limit myself. Currently, I'm in an ICM phase. I greatly enjoy photographing flowers and wildlife.
Cool. The X-T4 is an amazingly capable camera for how small and light it is. I'm glad my videos have helped, but please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever have any question about the camera or the Fuji system in general.
Good morning Dan. Excellent video, very helpful of those AF-C settings in isolation. I was wondering if you've done a video on the relationship and setting combinations between the 3 main settings for focus (Focus Area, AF Mode & AF-C Custom settings). Mainly for AF-C but and extra information on AF-S useful too. I've just upgraded from a very old XE-1 I've had for 11 years and attend a fair number of tennis events and football (soccer). The old XE-1 is fine for focusing on a serve or a free kick for example in AF-S but really no good for movement in play, the AF-C very slow. My first few days with the new camera I've been struck by how poor the new xt30ii is (more likely I am) in AF-C. I had it on Custom 1 taking some shots of a fairly sedate game of bat & ball in my local park and even with the zone box tracking my player and green (in theory focused) the player was way out of focus and focal point seemed to be infinity when I looked back at them. I also changed from an old 55-200mm lens to the 70-300mm and added a 1.4 teleconverter for some extra reach so that complicates things somewhat. In theory the lens works with the teleconverter and autofocus but I've read some conflicting reports on their use. I note your comment on setting 3 for the linear lenses. There are so many combinations on camera and lenses. I probably should have started with the camera and the old lenses and got used to the camera settings before adding the new lenses. I've already sold the old lens unfortunately ! Anyway I digress ! The question was if there was a tutorial on the relationship between all the focus modes !
Hi again Dan ! I think you answered my question on the lens ! I guess the 70-300 will be sluggish for the AF-C tracking compared to the 100-400 with its 2 linear motors ! I looked at a couple of your Q&A vids and you seemed to refer to a focus specific video link that you point to which wasn't there ! Perhaps you've removed it !?
Thanks for your comment. You're right, the X-E1 is very low for shooting AF-C and trying to capture fast moving subjects. The X-T30ii is VASTLY more improved and has a much faster, more comprehensive AF system, so it should be plenty capable of capturing fast scenes. I haven't done a tutorial that describes exactly this here on my channel, but I do have a comprehensive online course that will show you how to get maximum performance from your X-T30ii. You can find it here: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system In this course, I cover the entire AF system, but also give performance tips that aren't necessary camera-related, they're more about taking control of the situation when conditions aren't perfect. That's the best Fuji AF tutorial I have available.
Yes, you are correct. The 100-400 will be much faster at shooting fast subjects in AF-C mode. It's probably the fastest AF zoom lens in the entire Fujifilm lineup. I wouldn't say the 70-300 is sluggish, but it just doesn't have the same AF speed as the 100-400. Regarding your question about the video, I posted a link in the previous comment. It might have been that.
@@DanBaileyPhoto I found it and watched it last night thanks Dan and another useful video from another site on AF-C and tracking ! I spent the afternoon today in a big park photographing dogs chasing balls & each other etc and people playing soccer. Vastly improved performance on yesterday, very happy - I seemed to get best hit rates on zone AF along with track setting 3 though adjusted the custom setting a bit for some trial and error. In theory, what I’m talking about - tennis and soccer should not be an issue for tracking, it’s fairly predictable when you are on your subject. The problem is distance and light mostly, considering the ss needs to be 1250th min and the best the lens and 1.4x offers is f8 so a cloudy day means iso in the 1600-6400 range. Locking on distant subjects in poor ish light is tricky and once cropped there’s significant noise even if the focus is sharp ! I’ll play around a lot with the tracking in the next few weeks in the hope of improving my hit rates 😀. And I’ll pray for sun. I was originally thrilled about the xt50 coming out and was going to wait for it until discovering the mech shutter remained at 8fps - I hoped it would move up to the spec of the xt5. I prefer the top left dial on the xt30ii (and the lack of weather resistance and ibis not an issue). I felt I could live with the performance of the older processor- why I’m so desperate for the af tracking to work well 😀. The XT5 is the spec I really wanted but I need small and inconspicuous for getting into events (hence also the 70-300 & 1.4x) and wanted something small and light enough to encourage me to take it on my travels 😀. I mean stick an 18mm f2 or 27mm f2.8 pancake lens on it and it’s as compact as the x100 - maybe smaller - it’s smaller than my x-e1 !!! Thanks for the responses, I’ll make a wee donation 👍🏻
Hello Dan, another great video when I had the Fuji XH I I used those features enjoy your video Fuji still a great camera, also I still have your book X series unlimited book and I still enjoy reading it...keep it coming always like to see you with your innovative ideas great help to all Photographers, thanks mate
Thanks for your comment. A lot of this stuff just takes practice. Basically, if the default setting isn't giving you the results you want, then experiment with the other settings and see which one works better. What kind of subject do you like to shoot, and which Fuji camera are you using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I recently sold my XT-4 and bought the X-h2s. Not quite right to get the settings as you want them, so thanks for the tips. I photograph everything in nature, and there will be a lot of travel photos as well. www.fotonatur.se
Excellent video again Dan. Your tutorials are mega useful and it also highlights how awesome the autofocus works when using the right settings. Before buying my X-T4 the only slight concern I had was reviews saying the AF was not great. However, after photographing and videoing sports/action/wildlife, I'm more than happy with the results from the camera and the quiet shutter is amazing! Gotta also give a lot of credit to the 70-300. It's a fantastic lens and I remember you replying to my comment saying it works really well with the 1.4 teleconverter. I know the autofocus with the TC will not work quite as well as it does without, but would you say it's almost to a similar standard from your own experience? Thanks dude 👍
Hey, thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you're finding my lesson to be so helpful. Yes, the X Series autofocus is indeed highly capable, but it does require a solid understanding of the controls and settings, knowing how how to apply them in real-world situations and experience with shooting action, much of which isn't camera dependent. And, of course tons of practice. Not sure if you've seen this, but I recently launched a comprehensive online course about the Fujifilm AF system that covers the entire system in detail and offers many pro tips on how to maximize performance for shooting a variety of subject matter. courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system And yes, the 70-300 is a fantastic lens indeed. I haven't shot a ton of action with the 1.4x on that lens, but yes, I would say it's pretty similar performance as it would be when you use it with the other modern Fuji zooms. What kinds of subjects have you been shooting lately?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thanks again for a quick and detailed reply mate. Yeah I'll definitely take a look at your course. I think I will eventually get the teleconverter particularly for video and losing a stop of light for surfing won't really matter that much anyway. Lately I've been photographing and videoing wildlife, birds in flight and skateboarding. Just waiting for the surf season to start now and hopefully get clients very quickly. I also do a lot of landscape and travel photography, so the next lens I'll get will either be the Tamron 17-70 or the Fuji 33 1.4. After I get those two, that'll probably complete my lens kit followed by either the old Canon 400 5.6 (adapted) or I'm hoping Fuji brings out that rumoured 500 5.6 from a couple of years ago. If they do, I'm sure you'll also be interested in that lens right?
That's right... I remember now. X-T4. Surfing and skateboarding, from a few comments ago. You're welcome. I've heard really good things about that Tamron 17-70. Either of those could be a good choice. Haven't heard anything bout a 500 5.6. If it does come, I'll be curious to see how big something like that is.
Thanks, Rod. Glad you found this helpful! I've actually launched a brand new online course that covers the entire Fujifilm autofocus system. courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system/ What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I recently switched to Fuji and have the X-T5. Prior to Fuji I shot with a Canon full frame. I enjoy shooting a variety of things at this time. I got a bit more serious with my photography once I retired from the military. So I'm still trying out different genres. But nature and landscapes are always fun. Thanks for the link to your course. I'll definitely check it out. Take care and keep up the good work.
You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! If you want more in-depth tutorials on the Fujifilm AF system, you might want to check out my comprehensive online course, which you can find here: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I've been eyeing that course now for a couple weeks :) I will definitely purchase it soon! I now use an XT-5 and shoot mostly landscapes but I'm still exploring my favorite type of photography, so I shoot it all. Lots of street as well. Still trying to figure out a lens to purchase as well. Currently just using the XF 16-80 f/4.
Well, let me know if you havre any questions about the course. Regarding lenses, the 70-300 would be a great compliment to your 16-80. It's a real winner and so capable for so many different kinds of photography.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks, Dan! Yep I've been looking at that one and the 150-600 after watching your comparison video :) That 600 is a beast, but I'd love that reach. The price on the 70-300 is more up my alley though. Thanks for the 300mm recommendation, it's been a serious contender!
You're welcome. Yes, the 70-300 is really hard to beat for size, weight, price and overall versatility. It's a really fun lens, and probably my most used lens of the past couple years.
Great video, Dan, thank you! What setting do you suggest for exactly this filming? I mean for RUclips and talking head videos where the person in it is fixed and moves his hand like you. The camera focus was excellent in this video. Im using XT3 with 18-55
Thanks for your comment! For my talking head videos, I always use Zone AF and set the box to a medium size and manually place it in the frame where I know my head will be. That way, I know it will always track my head/face, and since I shoot with the LCD turned around, or with an external monitor, I can see the AF box location right there on the screen to verify that I'm in focus. Hope that helps!
I typically use AF-S Single. I'm standing still, so I'm not tracking, so the AF-C Custom Settings aren't really a factor here, since they're only used with AF-C mode. However, if I were to shoot a scene like this in AF-C mode, say my subject was moving around the frame, I'd probably just use the default Multi Purpose setting #1, unless the person was moving around a lot, or if their hands were moving a lot. Setting #2 Ignore Obstacles would keep the focus on the subject's face, even if a stay hand occasionally passed in front of it with wild gesticulating. Hope that helps.
Dan what’s your experience with autofocus on the XT5 after all the firmware updates? I find many false focus readings, and on average 1 in 5 may be sharp, particularly with eye tracking.. Have tried everything mentioned including different lenses. Last week I tried the Nikon Z6iii and the difference was huge and reliable.
Nicholas, my experience with AF on the X-T5 has been nothing sort of stellar. It's performed exceptionally well across many different subject types, and I've been impressed with how well it handles fast action. There have been no situations where it has let me down. I haven't tried any of the recent Nikons; I'm sure they are fantastic, but I don't feel any desire to compare. As I said, the X-T5 does the job for me, and that's what matters. What kinds of problems have you noticed and with what kids of subjects?
When using the AF-C Custom Settings, the camera needs to be in AF-C mode, and typically when I'm shooting moving subjects in AF-C mode, I'm using Zone AF or Wide/Tracking. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
Also, for more tips and instruction on X Series focus settings and techniques, you can check out my full online course that cover the entire Fujifilm AF system in greater depth: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
The X-H2 is an awesome camera. That said, eagles can be tough to capture... heck, anything that moves can be tough to capture! 🤣 It takes a lot of practice to get good at this! Just keep at it and let me know if you have any more questions.
Hi Dan, thanks a lot for the explanations. I was using the AF_custom setting configuration 2+ backfocus button ( AE-L on XT2), single + single point during soccer games and zone for the dead-ball situation. Thanks to your ebook FUJIFILM X Series Unlimited + different videos about AF-C setting, a lot of photographers improve their rate of well focused pictures. I will play with the different settings.
Today is Monday, I wish I had watched this on Saturday because I went to a reservoir on Sunday hopefully to take some bird photographs. I took my XE2S and my XC 50-230mm zoom. I was reasonably OK with the slow moving swans, I was using single mode single autofocus, then out of the blue came a Red Kite, soaring over the top of me, I had no time to change anything, I got a few images most of them were blurred. I tried continuous autofocus with wide tracking on the swans but it did not work very well at all, it missed focus most of the time. Later the Red Kite re-appeared, further away this time and I had better luck, I used the P mode for the exposure, and I got a few better photos. It was a very sunny day. I think I would have been better to take the XT20 which has the 5 preset continuous autofocus options, but no custom setting. So, am I right in thinking, set the switch on the front to Continuous autofocus, set the custom preset to 4 (?) and the focus mode to wide-tracking (?) What about exposure, should I set the shutter speed to say 1/1000 and f to about 8 and autoiso upto say 1600 and the drive to 6 frames per second, of course my XC 50-230 does have slow autofocus .
Yes, Kevin - set the front switch to AF-C, then set AF-C Custom Setting preset to #4, and either use Zone AF or Wide Tracking, depending on the type of scene you're photographing. If you have an idea where the subject will appear, I'd use Zone AF with a large box and position it to that side of the frame. If you don't know, then Wide Tracking might be the better option. For shutter speed and exposure, 1/1000 sec should be an adequate speed to freeze the action. You're right, though, the AF speed of the lens will certainly be a factor as to whether it's able to acquire a very vast moving subject. Like anything else, this technique will take some practice and experimentation to figure out your best combination of settings and camera use. Hope that helps!
You're welcome! Appreciate the comment. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph? And I'm assuming you're a musician who lives in the Fenway area. I graduated from Berklee in the early 90s and lived in the Fenway for a year.
For soccer and basketball, which can both have erratic action, you might try setting #5 (Erratically and Accel/Decel), but there are times when the player on a breakaway might pass behind other payers, and setting #2 (Ignore Obstacles) might actually be a better choice. You'll need to experiment and see which setting gives you better results. Volleyball is a bit more static, in that the players don't move very far form their positions, so #1 (Multiple Purpose) might actually work just fine. Again, I recommend trying different settings and see what works best for you. Which Fuji body and lens(es) are you currently using to shoot these sports?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thank you, I have been bouncing between 2 and 5 continuous settings. I currently use xh2s and 200mm f2. I used 100-400mm a lot before, but I might sell the lens since I have the 200 now.
That was excellent Dan, I've recently switched from Nikon to Fuji, I shoot a lot of triathlon and this is exactly what I need! Subscribed! Oh one thing is there a way to over-ride the S, C, M, focus button on the front of the XT 4? I use waist pouches in poor weather and I've noticed it's not unusual when pulling the camera in and out of the pouch to knock the button off the 'C' setting. Be great if there was a menu option to over-ride the physical button. I've searched but can't find! Any help appreciated, looking forward to watching your catalogue!
Hi Damien, thanks for your comment. On the X-T4, there's no way to disable the AF Selector switch or change from S, C, M on the camera outside of that switch. On the X-H2 and X-H2S, instead of a switch, there's a Function button you can use for SCM control, so there's no way to accidentally change it when the camera is turned off. FYI - As a new X Series user, you might be interested in my comprehensive Fujifilm Autofocus course, especially if you shoot sports: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system I hope you're enjoying the Fuji so far. Let me know if you have any questions about the system. What are you liking about it over your previous Nikon?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks Dan appreciate the fast reply! I've purchased both the X series and the Going Fast with light ebooks from your website.. Looking forward to getting into them! At first it was strange using the EVF rather than seeing through the lens...kept forgetting to half press to see the subject. Loving the lighter weight particularly with the lenses. The Fuji 50-140mm 2.8 is so much lighter and smaller than the 70-200m Nikon! Also bought the new 70-300m and although it's 5.6 at the long end I've found it very sharp and its so small and light! Will certainly look into your autofocus course above. Keep up the great work!
Damien, thanks for buying my two ebooks, I hope you find them to be helpful resources. Glad to hear that you're enjoying your move to the X Series, and yes, the 70-300 is a fantastic lens. Not as fast AF or f/ as the 50-140, but incredibly sharp, with very close focus and considerable more compact. That's one of my favorite lenses these days, I've pretty much kept it on the front of my X-T5 all winter!
Hello, thank you for this video. What would be the ideal AF-C settings be for sports videography? My XT-4 is currently set at +2 for both AF Speed and Sensitivity.
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you found this helpful. Yes, for shooting sports video, I would definitely use AF-C, and as you have done, you can use that AF-C Custom Settings inside the video AF/MF menu to adjust how the the AF behaves when acquiring and tracking moving subjects. What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
Now I better work with the settings in my X-T3 for shooting roller derby. Talk about erratic motion and disappearing behind obstacles,oops, other skaters.
Definitely!! That will take some experimenting to figure out the best combination of those three parameters. I'm leaning towards Preset #5, but you might need to tweak it.
Great video, Dan, thank you! Two questions, if I may, related to auto-focus : 1) do you set your shutter release to 'release' or 'focus priority' when using any type of AF-C ? 2) do you turn on the pre-af function with any of the AF-C scenarios ? Thank you! P.S. I am experimenting with settings for wildlife - particularly birds (not necessarily in flight).
Thanks for your comment. Glad you found this helpful. To answer your questions, I have most of my X Series cameras set to "Release" priority, but this is something you should experiment with. Focus priority obviously makes sure the subject is sharp, but Release priority allows you to get the shot, no matter what, which, in some cases, might actually be what you want. And I usually keep PRE-AF off. It uses more battery power, and in many cases, I find it to be a bit annoying when it's always hunting. Again, experiment, because this might be a setting that actually allows you to get better results during certain situations. Which X Series camera are you currently using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks Dan. I have an X-H1 and an X-S10 (sold an XT-20 and XT-100). I am graduating toward bird and wildlife having bought an XF 150-600mm. Hence the question about best settings. I use the X-S10 mainly with the long lens.
Thanks for your comment. Trying to capture subjects that are quickly moving towards or away from you is one of the most challenging situations in photography. There are a lot of variables that can make a difference in your success rate, an it can take a lot of practice, but I would typically use Zone AF and AF-C custom settings set to either #2 to #4, and make sure you have a very fast shutter speed. I would recommend taking a look at my comprehensive online course that covers the entire Fuijfilm autofocus system. It will help you become much more proficient with your X-H2. courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
Fujifilm AF is way too complex I really never know how to setup the AF mostly it is hit miss. Sony and Canon does it such ways it works straight out of the box you need degree AF system to really understand Fujifilm AF.
Thank you for your comment. I agree somewhat that there is a slight learning curve to full understanding the Fujifilm AF system, but I find it to be quite effective and fairly easy once you understand the basics. I recommend watching this video: ruclips.net/video/fEwx1tdCzyk/видео.html for additional help. To make things easy, I would suggest setting the system to Wide/Tracking, with Face Detection AF on, and then simply using the AF-S/C switch on the front of the camera to change whether you're shooting still or moving subjects. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
Cool. Then I would definitely use Wide/Tracking with Face Detection for the weddings, and either Wide/Tracking or Single AF for the street, especially if you're shooting still subjects.
I just bought a fuji xpro-2. I'm trying to adjust the AF-C custom settings. I can see options 1-5 however, I don't see the options for adjustments on my screen. For example on option 1 all I see is a pic of runners. Any advice? Thanks.
Thanks for your comment. On the X-Pro 2, the AF-C Custom Settings options are more limited. That feature was added later after the camera had been out for a few months, and it only has the main 1-5 settings. You can't actually adjust any of the three parameters I cover in this video, or create a customized #6 setting, like you can on other models. So, you can only use the 1-5 settings, but even so, they're pretty capable. Even on my X Series cameras, I rarely make any adjustments and often use either setting #1 (Multi Purpose) or #4 (Suddenly Appearing Subject). Those two seem to cover the types of subjects that I shoot. What kinds of things are you shooting with your X-Pro 2 that you need help with?
(For some reason, it didn't seem like the first comment took, so I'm writing it again.) Hey there, thanks for your comment. The AF-C Custom Settings I was added to the X-Pro 2 later after the camera had been out for a few months, and it's somewhat limited on that model. You can only use the five presets, but you can't adjust any of the three parameters I talk about in the video. In addition, you can't save a custom preset #6, like you can on most of the other Fuji models. That said, I found that those 1-5 presets are pretty capable. Even with my action shooting, I almost never adjusted parameters. With most of my subjects, either keep it on #1 (muli-purpose), #2 (ignore obstacles) and #4 (suddenly appearing subject), and those usually get the job done for me. What kinds of subjects are you trying to shoot with your X-Pro 2? Maybe I can offer some suggestions.
This is awesome! So glad I found you. :) Question: What setting do you recommend for shooting parades? I can't decide between 4 and 5. I often don't track because I like to grab 3-4 band members at once but your instruction here has opened up possibilities for me!.
Hi Juliette, I'm not a parade expert, but it seems that they don't move erratically, so maybe 4 would be the best option. Of course, the best way to determine this would be to try out both settings and see which one gives you the most reliable results. Which camera are you using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I just upgraded to the XH2! I will start using it this Saturday. Thanks for the advice. Will let you know how it goes, but withy x-t30 it was tough to acquire focus as I wanted. This should be a big improvement, I hope!
That's awesome!! The X-H2 has blazingly fast autofocus. You'll find it to be considerably faster than the X-T30 for acquiring and tracking moving subjects. 👍
@@DanBaileyPhoto Four months ago I left Canon... 22 years shooting with the brand and another 12 with Nikon. I've wanted to switch to Fuji for 5 years and mainly because I needed to enjoy picking up a camera to work again... I needed a click. I've always been a professional photographer, I've never had any other profession and I'm now 52 years old... and Fuji managed to give me creativity and inspiration again. I am essentially an event photographer. Corporate, Weddings and Institutional photography. Hugs from Lisbon! thanks again
@@DanBaileyPhoto Sorry, I forgot to answer you on one... I bought two XT4 with grips and I have the 10-18 f4 for real state, the 55-140 and the 16-55 f2,8
Unfortunately, the X70 does not have the AF-C Custom Settings option. The X70 was released in early 2016, before this feature was first introduced on the X-T2 about 4 months later. The X70 is definitely a fun little camera, though, and even without this setting, I always found the AF to be quite capable for a camera that fits in a pocket! What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot with it?
@Dan Bailey yes i am. I've been using fuji xt3 since 2021. I have a question..I mainly shoot portraits and music videos and I'm looking to upgrade from my kit lens 18-55mm..what lens would you recommend?
For portraits, the 56mm 1.2 is absolutely amazing, as is the 90mm f/2. The 50mm f/2 is an awesome and fun lens, and it's tiny! - ruclips.net/video/48r4YuADH50/видео.html And there's the newer 50mm f/1.0. For zooms when shooting video, I've found the XF18-135 to be a great, versatile lens, and there's the new 18-120, which has expanded video-friendly features if you decide to upgrade to one of the newer bodies at some point. Hope that helps!
Thank you for going through all these custom settings. I shoot mainly wildlife and sporting events. I've tweaked the custom 6 setting for sports, and it works fairly well. I use the H2s camera. I have a question. When using one of the custom modes and you turn on face tracking, does face tracking take over the custom modes? I find face/eye tracking finds my subject, but instead of tracking the subject with the face/eye detection, it will jump from person to person and not stay on the original player I want to follow. Any suggestions?
Hey Mark, thanks for your comment. As I explained in this video: ruclips.net/video/FSlJonqq-jA/видео.html Face Detection, which is very similar to Subject Detection, does work with the AF-C Custom Settings. Basically, the Subject or Face Detect tells the camera WHAT to focus on, and the AF-C Custom Settings tells the camera HOW the AF system will respond as it tracks the subject through the frame. So, if you have Face Detect on, as you have discovered, it may jump from person to person. To help prevent this, you might using a higher Tracking Sensitivity level on your setting parameters to have the camera hold on to the subject for longer. Or use setting #2 (Ignore Obstacles.) That said, it may be that in certain situations, Face Detect switches back and forth because the computer is simply confused and trying to figure out which face to focus on. In this case, you might just disable it. You can set up a Fn button to quickly toggle FD on and off with a single button press.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks for the reply. I'll give #2 a try. I disable the face detection when it's not doing what I want. Nothing is going to be perfect all the time. My H2s track people a lot better than my X-TY4.
Excellent video as usual. I have the following problem with my xt3 and the 33mm f1.4 lens. With stationary subjects and when I focus on one subject behind another, I try to make the closest subject out of focus. I find that for distant subject to be in focus I have to stop down to f4, otherwise it usually is not in focus. I am using a small zone but have also tried single point but without much of an improvement. I am using set 2, tracking sensitivity 3, speed tracking sensitivity 0, and zone area sensitivity on center. Any suggestions to improve this would be appreciated. Thanks
After some experimenting, I found that with this lens at a distance of about 1-3 meters, I could get fairly good sharpness as well as good separation at about f2.5 using the single point setting.
Hey Steve, thanks for your comment. Good to know that you have figured some of this out for yourself. Experimentation is always the best way to learn and see what settings work best for the kinds of subjects you like to shoot. A higher Tracking sensitivity would keep the focus locked on your original subject and not have it switch to another subject as quickly. Zone Area Switching to Auto makes it so that the camera's focusing priority continues to track the subject that you first focused on. And yes, if the subject is fairly small, not not moving too radically across the frame, then a single point AF instead of a Zone can sometimes work well to help you grab the subject and not get confused by the in front of it. Another thing to keep in mind, the fast 33 1.4 lens probably uses a more powerful AF motor to move the larger glass elements. This mean that focus can be fast, but it doesn't necessarily track as well when following movement. This is a limitation of a very fast aperture lens when shooting moving subjects, so backing up a bit can help, since the lens is using less of its focus range. I talk about this stuff in more detail in my new AF course: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
Hi Dan. Another great video, very explanatory. Your experience with the Fuji system is a valuable source.😉😉😉 P.s. Have you seen my photographs? I would be happy to have your opinion.🙂🙂🙂
Hello Dan. Love your Chanel. I currently do not own an XT series camera. Question, can I set up custom shoot modes such as landscape, action, wildlife or whatever else on XT style cameras like we can on cameras with a pasm dial and custom modes on the dial itself? For instance, if I’m out doing landscape photography and see an animal I wanna grab a shot of, do I have to manually dial in all of my settings for a wildlife shot or can I switch to a custom mode I set in the camera? Thank you .
Hi Tom, thanks for your feedback. To answer your question, yes. The X Series cameras all have a C1-7 custom bank, where you can set up and store custom settings for quick recall when you’re shooting. With some models, you can even assign a custom name to each setting. What are you shooting with now?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you. Currently an iPhone 12pro max but have used a D300s for a long time prior. The Fuji system has really peaked my interest. I’m a little torn between the xh2 and xt5. I’ll have to get one in hand to see which style I prefer. That’s why I’m curious about the custom settings on the xt5. Thank you very much for the answer.
Tom, the X-T5, as well as most of the other X Series cameras have the C1-7 slots in the quick "Q Menu," where the X-H series has the C1-7 on the top deck PSAM dial. The X-S10 has the same setup, but with only 4 available custom slots.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you. I appreciate your quick responses. It’s been very helpful. Looking forward to the next video you put out. They’re inspirational and a fantastic resource. Keep up the amazing work you do. Tom.
Thanks for the video. I think Fuji has made this way more difficult than it needs to be lol. Much like their codecs, just too many choices that have marginal differences.
Thank for your comment. Appreciate your input. Having used this feature extensively, I've found that it actually works extremely well. Yes, there are 5 different presets, but I think for most people, they'll find the one or two settings that work best for the subjects they like to shoot. That's how I use it. When I'm shooting action, like cycling, and my AF system is not acquiring as well as I'm hoping, I'll switch to either setting #2 to #4, and this usually makes a huge difference. It doesn't have to be complicated, and setting this to a Fn button allows you to make this a very quick adjustment.
Thank you. I do mostly landscape and I use back button focus uncoupled from the shutter button. My question (out of ignorance) is do I have to keep the back button pressed as I take multiple frames in continuous AF? If the answer is yes, I would assume I would do that whether I am tracking eyes (like in portrait photography) or if I am tracking other subjects (as it is possible with the new generation X camera). Am I correct? Thanks again
With Back Button Focus, the focus control is switched from the shutter button to whatever Fn button you have chosen, and so it will function with the same behavior. So yes, you'd have to keep it pressed as you run through the sequence.... which is one of the reasons why I'm not a BBF guy. 😆 I don't see it being any more efficient than using the regular method. However, I know that some people prefer to shoot that way, so it's good that the Fujis have this option available. What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thank you. I do mostly landscape, often on a tripod, and I find it convenient in most circumstances in that genre. I also do spot metering and uncoupling the whole process from the shutter button is helpful. But if I move to street or portrait I am too lazy to rearrange the whole system, thus my question. Thanks again for you videos. Very helpful. Who knows maybe I will meet you in Alaska!!
Not sure if you know this, but you can actually set the camera so that AF-S focus is coupled to the shutter, and AF-C is tied to the back button, and vice versa. That way, you could photograph different types of subjects, still or moving, while using a different method, and you wouldn't have to go rearrange it every time.
I don't, but you can find the control inside the SHUTTER AF menu in the Button/Dial Settings Menu. I'm actually creating a full course on the Fuji focus system, which I'll release in January, and this will be one of the topics I cover.
Darren, I suppose it would depend on the type of pet and the type of motion the animal displays. For constant, predictable movement, probably setting number 2 Ignore Obstacles. For more unpredictable movement, you'd want to us the settings that are geared to Erratic Motion. What kinds of pets do you photograph?
I'm hoping that Fuji with the X-T5 and H-2S deliver an auto focus that is on par with what the big 3 have. The tracking and AF has not been up to par for flying birds and I hoping to see a big improvement.
Steve, thanks for the comment. The XH-2S is even faster that previous cameras, and I'm sure the AF system will keep improving with each new model, but as is, I can say that I'm highly impressed with Fuji's AF performance, even for shooting birds. That's a tough subject indeed, but sometimes it's not just the camera. There are a lot of factors that affect our ability to get sharp photos in those kinds of situations. You might find this video helpful: ruclips.net/video/PSIjQPJGiaQ/видео.html What model are you currently using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I have the X-T3 and X-S10 and while decent the Canon R5 and Sony cameras blow the Fuji out of the water when it comes to locking on and holding focus on BIF.
I haven't used the new Sony or Canon systems, but personally, I've had no trouble at all capturing BIF shots with my Fuji gear. The best combo I've seen is the X-T4 and XF100-400mm lens.
The best setting for Fujifilm x series AFC is to not use it. Turn it off. This is a single auto focus device. If you want AFC Sony is your best bet. If you want fabulous pictures and fun experience, go with Fuji.
Hi Annara, thanks for your comment. I respectfully disagree. As a 26+ year professional action and outdoor photographer, I've gotten exceptionally good results with the X Series cameras, even when shooting very fast moving subjects in challenging conditions. However, I know that not everyone thinks the same way, and if you're happy with your Sony, and then that's really all that matters. What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Recently its been kids (3-5 yrs) running in completely random way. With good lighting its still ok, but indoors my little x-t30 is struggling a lot.
That kind of subject is really challenging, as I'm sure you've discovered! I like to joke that the best way to get better at action photography is to try and photograph little kids. 🤣 Hopefully this setting will help you get better results. That and lots of practice!
Hi Dan! So I'm fairly new to the "real" camera world... I am a content creator who has always been passionate about photography (and have been very privileged to shoot with quite a few amazing photographers in my lifetime) but never had the courage to get behind the lens other than an iPhone. I feel like I have a great eye for composition and editing, as well as an arsenal of styling skills (hair, makeup, wardrobe/costuming, etc.) that set me apart from other creators, but I felt like I was missing that last skill to really up my game. During the pandemic I decided I wanted to take things seriously and finally get a DSLR or mirrorless. I looked at cameras for months, read reviews, did my research, and finally settled on a Fuji X-S10 and a 23 mm prime lens. I felt it was the right choice for my needs: compact but easy to grip and handle, versatile for photos and vlogging, an aesthetically pleasing brand as a whole, and relatively budget friendly compared to some of the other popular brands. I was quickly overwhelmed by all the bells and whistles compared to a point and shoot but did my best to take it slow and consume as many tutorials as I could digest, namely from two specific photographers on RUclips as well as a few PDF downloads. I finally feel like after two years of occasional fiddling (fear of failure prevented me from really delving in to the "doing" part) that I am finally starting to lift the veil a bit on the comprehensive body of functions. I often shoot my cats, and when I do self-shoots for content creation where I have to move around a lot in a beautiful environment I set up interval shooting (rather than remote app shooting that I can use for more stationary tableaux), but I have really struggled with dialing in Zone AF and understanding the AF-C Custom menu. I have watched countless videos about these two functions and I just want you to know that this is hands down the most clear, calm, and concise yet comprehensive explanation of AF-C Custom that I have come across. I instantly saved it to my Photography playlist, hit Subscribe, and IMMEDIATELY purchased your eBook when the link popped up on the screen... no seriously, I haven't even finished the last 20 seconds of the video and I was compelled to write this comment. Thank you, thank you, THANK you. I look forward to bingeing the rest of your content and keeping X Series Unlimited in my pocket as my new go-to guide. Sincerely, A New Fan
Hi Alexandra, thanks so much for your comment! I'm so glad to hear that this video has helped you get a better understanding of your X-S10 and its focus capabilities. Modern cameras are indeed very complicated machines, with so many feature and settings, and the right combination of settings is not always apparent, nor does the official documentation explain these things very well.
With that in mind, I'm glad you found my channel! I hope you find the rest of my content, and my ebook helpful. It's been my mission to help photographers navigate the technical aspects of their cameras so that they can more freely express their creativity and go have fun taking pictures.
Let me know if you have any questions about the Fujifilm system, and if you want an en even more thorough tutorial of the X Series autofocus, you might like to check out my online course: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
At any rate, thanks again for your feedback, I really appreciate that you took the time to write this. Now go have fun with your Fuji!! 😀
Thank you for this video, Now I understand better how the afc works in my camera
Hi Veronica, thanks so much for your comment, I'm glad you found this helpful. For an even more thorough tutorial on the Fujifilm autofocus system, please check out my comprehensive X Series course: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
Hi Dan! Your videos have been (and are) a true inspiration. My photography is all about fast action and quick thinking. Definitely we have to know the system inside out. My gut feeling is that most of the times is more a wrong setting then a camera issue.
There are other brands that might make your life "easier" , but despite of this focus system having its learning curve... with my modest opinion , it makes you push yourself and become a highly knowledgeable photographer. There is something in this feeling.
My desire to comment is well motivated by your drive into sports photography using this system, so my hat is off! Brilliant! Cheers
Carlos, thanks for your comment and your insight here. Yes, we have to know the system inside and out, and we have to practice. Constant repetition and practice is the number one way to gain that high level of proficiency that we seek, and that allows us to successfully capture the types of images we want to make. Every system will have its own learning curve and its own set of limitations or specific parameters that need to be accommodated, but as with any camera, again, it's that high level of dedication and practice that leads to expertise.
Thanks Dan! Great Video.
Thanks, glad you liked it! What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I use various models like the X-T3 or X-Pro2, but I still have my X-T1 as well.
I enjoy photographing landscapes, macros, or people.
Dear Dan, great and educational 👍👍, Im using XT3 with several lenses for my street, journalism, sports and birds. One thing that may be considered to add is, the use of the back button focus (The AFL button in Fuji) to reduce the delay or lag between locking focus and the shutter pressing. Pressing the AFL lock the focus point, also the exposure in the targeted area. This is helpful to get the result of main object within the desired exposure. I have been using this BBF method since my old Canon 7D, glad that Fuji X also provide this function.
Hi there, thanks for your comment. Sounds like you've got a good setup. I've never been a proponent of back button focus. I know that many people use that technique, but as an action shooter for over 30 years, I've never been convinced that it's a better, more effective method for tracking and capturing very fast moving subjects. You can accomplish the same thing with a single finger and using/holding half press on the shutter button, instead of coordinating two fingers, one on front and one on the rear of the camera. However, it's all preference and what works of you and the types of subjects you like to capture, so yes, it's great that the X Series has the BBF option for those who like to use it. Where do you typically like to photograph?
Dear Dan, with my old Canon 7D I shot mostly sports (Wushu and Gymnastics). Normally I set spot metering n single spot AF to catch desired spots, mostly the face, especially when you are forced to use widest appertures in long focal length to reach faster shutter speed. In continous shot setting i normally only capture max 4-5 frames per moment of actions. So timing to lock target and press the shutter is crucial. With BBF i can seperate my instinc to press my thumb for AFL and my forefinger for shutter button to execute. When i shifted to Fuji XT2 and XT3, i still keep this habit, so far success rate is good
That's good to hear. It sounds like you have acquired a high degree of proficiency for capturing those types of subjects. Keep up the good work and keep having fun with you Fuji cameras!
The best explanation of AF-C custom settings I’ve seen so far; thank you!
Thanks for your comment! Glad you found this helpful! Have you tried using this setting before?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I have, but not very effectively because I didn't fully understand what the parameter labels meant ... until now!
I hope that you're better prepared next time!! What kinds of action do you like to shoot?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Mostly dogs and small children! Sometimes cars - I cover an annual EV Rally.
Cool! Keep having fun with it!!
The style of your videos is so old school, Dan. 😉 But I am so thankful that you make your videos. You are such an expert. Many Thanks. I love it!
Hi Frank, thanks for your comment. I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos and find them to be so helpful. Yea, I guess that’s cause I’m kinda old school myself. 🤣 Curious, besides the gray beard, tell me what makes them seem old school and what a new fangled modern style video style might look like. 😀 Also, What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Hi Dan, I'm so glad you replied. And so fast too. Of course, you don't have to change anything in your videos. Everyone has their own style. I think what feels the most "old fashioned" is the intro and the typography at the beginning. But as I said, that's not important, because it's about your great photos and the expertise that you pass on. I myself bought an X-T3 and a 35mm f1.4. I really enjoy it. After many years without photography (I'm a graphic designer), discovering Fujifilm got me back into photography. Your e-book would certainly be helpful to me. Let's see … 😀
Haha! No worries, I won't be trying to change my style, but it's fun to hear impressions like this. That X-T3 with the 35mm f/1.4 makes for an excellent and very classic style combo. Almost old school, I'd say! 😂 I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun with it.
I will Dan. Thanks. Old school is best. 😉⚡️👊🏼🤟🏼
Haha!! For some of us, we don't have much choice! 😂
Great video Dan. Glad I found you. I have the XT4 and the 23mm f/2 lens... What would you recommend for street photography? And do you feel these custom settings work at night or just in standard lighting?
Lastly, are you still running the Photography on the Brain Course?
Thanks and have a great weekend
Thanks for your comment!! It sounds like you already have a really good lens for street photography; I know that the 23 f/2 is a favorite for many street shooters. My recommendation would be to add a telephoto for distant/detail shots. Good options would be the 50 f/2 which is an excellent and extremely compact short tele with good close focus capabilities, the 90 f/2, which is an extremely fast and relatively compact mid range tele, or the 70-300, which would give you a very extended range.
Regarding the AF-C Custom settings, it would depend on the light. As long as you have enough light for the camera to acquire and track focus, then these settings will come into play. That's when a fast lens would be preferable, since they can grab focus in lower light situations.
And yes, I still offer my Photography on the Brain course here: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/photography-on-the-brain-essentials
Fantastic explanation. Thank you! Now I'm excited to go out and experiment with each setting.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed this video. Yes, definitely experiment with these setting. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I feel most comfortable with landscape photography. I'd like to feel more comfortable with street photography.
Street photography can indeed be challenging for a few different reasons. Which Fuji camera are you currently using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto x100v
I have one of those! Great little camera. 👍
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support!! What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
Very detailed and useful explanations, thank you so much!!
You're welcome, Joe! Glad you found this helpful. What Fuji do you use and what kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
Very Helpful
Thanks for your comment, Ian. Glad you enjoyed this. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@DanBaileyPhoto I use XPro1 and Xpro3 for street and I'm just venturing into landscape and video with a XH2.
Ian, how are you liking the X-H2 compared to your X-Pros?
I'm finding it heavy to lug around and so have purchased a Cotton Waist Band with sling. I think it's a great tripod camera for Landscapes but not my favourite for street. Love the quality of the Images and the PSAM dial.
I was actually surprised at how small and light the X-H2 was when I finally held it. I figured it would be heavier, but it is over 100g heaver than the X-Pro 3, so there's definitely a difference.
I am new to Fujifilm and this was very helpful. Thank you!
Hi Marie, Thank for your comment. Glad you found this to be a helpful tutorial. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Hi Dan. I have the Fuji X-T4. I purchased this as an addition to my Canon system as I wanted a light weight mirror less and lens. I must admit that I'm having a bit of trouble adjusting to the differences. Your videos have assisted me greatly. I like to shoot "whatever catches my eye". Photography is a serious hobby for me and I believe that life is too short to limit myself. Currently, I'm in an ICM phase. I greatly enjoy photographing flowers and wildlife.
Cool. The X-T4 is an amazingly capable camera for how small and light it is. I'm glad my videos have helped, but please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever have any question about the camera or the Fuji system in general.
Excellent video explaining very well the AF-C features.👍👏👏👏🙂
Thanks, Sverre. Glad you found this helpful. Have you tried using this setting before?
Good morning Dan. Excellent video, very helpful of those AF-C settings in isolation. I was wondering if you've done a video on the relationship and setting combinations between the 3 main settings for focus (Focus Area, AF Mode & AF-C Custom settings). Mainly for AF-C but and extra information on AF-S useful too. I've just upgraded from a very old XE-1 I've had for 11 years and attend a fair number of tennis events and football (soccer). The old XE-1 is fine for focusing on a serve or a free kick for example in AF-S but really no good for movement in play, the AF-C very slow. My first few days with the new camera I've been struck by how poor the new xt30ii is (more likely I am) in AF-C. I had it on Custom 1 taking some shots of a fairly sedate game of bat & ball in my local park and even with the zone box tracking my player and green (in theory focused) the player was way out of focus and focal point seemed to be infinity when I looked back at them. I also changed from an old 55-200mm lens to the 70-300mm and added a 1.4 teleconverter for some extra reach so that complicates things somewhat. In theory the lens works with the teleconverter and autofocus but I've read some conflicting reports on their use. I note your comment on setting 3 for the linear lenses. There are so many combinations on camera and lenses. I probably should have started with the camera and the old lenses and got used to the camera settings before adding the new lenses. I've already sold the old lens unfortunately ! Anyway I digress ! The question was if there was a tutorial on the relationship between all the focus modes !
Hi again Dan ! I think you answered my question on the lens ! I guess the 70-300 will be sluggish for the AF-C tracking compared to the 100-400 with its 2 linear motors ! I looked at a couple of your Q&A vids and you seemed to refer to a focus specific video link that you point to which wasn't there ! Perhaps you've removed it !?
Thanks for your comment. You're right, the X-E1 is very low for shooting AF-C and trying to capture fast moving subjects. The X-T30ii is VASTLY more improved and has a much faster, more comprehensive AF system, so it should be plenty capable of capturing fast scenes. I haven't done a tutorial that describes exactly this here on my channel, but I do have a comprehensive online course that will show you how to get maximum performance from your X-T30ii. You can find it here: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system In this course, I cover the entire AF system, but also give performance tips that aren't necessary camera-related, they're more about taking control of the situation when conditions aren't perfect. That's the best Fuji AF tutorial I have available.
Yes, you are correct. The 100-400 will be much faster at shooting fast subjects in AF-C mode. It's probably the fastest AF zoom lens in the entire Fujifilm lineup. I wouldn't say the 70-300 is sluggish, but it just doesn't have the same AF speed as the 100-400. Regarding your question about the video, I posted a link in the previous comment. It might have been that.
@@DanBaileyPhoto I found it and watched it last night thanks Dan and another useful video from another site on AF-C and tracking ! I spent the afternoon today in a big park photographing dogs chasing balls & each other etc and people playing soccer. Vastly improved performance on yesterday, very happy - I seemed to get best hit rates on zone AF along with track setting 3 though adjusted the custom setting a bit for some trial and error. In theory, what I’m talking about - tennis and soccer should not be an issue for tracking, it’s fairly predictable when you are on your subject. The problem is distance and light mostly, considering the ss needs to be 1250th min and the best the lens and 1.4x offers is f8 so a cloudy day means iso in the 1600-6400 range. Locking on distant subjects in poor ish light is tricky and once cropped there’s significant noise even if the focus is sharp ! I’ll play around a lot with the tracking in the next few weeks in the hope of improving my hit rates 😀. And I’ll pray for sun. I was originally thrilled about the xt50 coming out and was going to wait for it until discovering the mech shutter remained at 8fps - I hoped it would move up to the spec of the xt5. I prefer the top left dial on the xt30ii (and the lack of weather resistance and ibis not an issue). I felt I could live with the performance of the older processor- why I’m so desperate for the af tracking to work well 😀. The XT5 is the spec I really wanted but I need small and inconspicuous for getting into events (hence also the 70-300 & 1.4x) and wanted something small and light enough to encourage me to take it on my travels 😀. I mean stick an 18mm f2 or 27mm f2.8 pancake lens on it and it’s as compact as the x100 - maybe smaller - it’s smaller than my x-e1 !!! Thanks for the responses, I’ll make a wee donation 👍🏻
Hello Dan, another great video when I had the Fuji XH I I used those features enjoy your video Fuji still a great camera, also I still have your book X series unlimited book and I still enjoy reading it...keep it coming always like to see you with your innovative ideas great help to all Photographers, thanks mate
Hey Mike, thanks so much for your comment. I really appreciate your support! Hope you're having a great summer, mate!
Great video, now I just have to try to figure it all out…😊
Thanks for your comment. A lot of this stuff just takes practice. Basically, if the default setting isn't giving you the results you want, then experiment with the other settings and see which one works better. What kind of subject do you like to shoot, and which Fuji camera are you using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you. I have an xt4 and I like street photography which means that many subjects are moving.
Cool. The X-T4 is a very capable camera. Have fun with it!
Dan, an excellant video, easy to understand
Thanks, Andy. Glad you found this helpful. Wha kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I just sent you an email . I love sports photography, street and travel
Just saw it come into my inbox. 👍
Thanks! Your explanation of af has helped a lot. /Inge Johnsson from Sweden
Awesome! Glad to hear, Inge! What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I recently sold my XT-4 and bought the X-h2s. Not quite right to get the settings as you want them, so thanks for the tips. I photograph everything in nature, and there will be a lot of travel photos as well. www.fotonatur.se
Inge, I will check out your photos. How has your transition been going from X-T4 to the X-H2S?
Thanks Dan! Very informative video.
Hey Bob, thanks for your feedback. Have you ever tried using this setting?
Excellent video again Dan. Your tutorials are mega useful and it also highlights how awesome the autofocus works when using the right settings.
Before buying my X-T4 the only slight concern I had was reviews saying the AF was not great. However, after photographing and videoing sports/action/wildlife, I'm more than happy with the results from the camera and the quiet shutter is amazing!
Gotta also give a lot of credit to the 70-300. It's a fantastic lens and I remember you replying to my comment saying it works really well with the 1.4 teleconverter. I know the autofocus with the TC will not work quite as well as it does without, but would you say it's almost to a similar standard from your own experience?
Thanks dude 👍
Hey, thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you're finding my lesson to be so helpful. Yes, the X Series autofocus is indeed highly capable, but it does require a solid understanding of the controls and settings, knowing how how to apply them in real-world situations and experience with shooting action, much of which isn't camera dependent. And, of course tons of practice.
Not sure if you've seen this, but I recently launched a comprehensive online course about the Fujifilm AF system that covers the entire system in detail and offers many pro tips on how to maximize performance for shooting a variety of subject matter. courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
And yes, the 70-300 is a fantastic lens indeed. I haven't shot a ton of action with the 1.4x on that lens, but yes, I would say it's pretty similar performance as it would be when you use it with the other modern Fuji zooms.
What kinds of subjects have you been shooting lately?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thanks again for a quick and detailed reply mate. Yeah I'll definitely take a look at your course. I think I will eventually get the teleconverter particularly for video and losing a stop of light for surfing won't really matter that much anyway.
Lately I've been photographing and videoing wildlife, birds in flight and skateboarding. Just waiting for the surf season to start now and hopefully get clients very quickly. I also do a lot of landscape and travel photography, so the next lens I'll get will either be the Tamron 17-70 or the Fuji 33 1.4. After I get those two, that'll probably complete my lens kit followed by either the old Canon 400 5.6 (adapted) or I'm hoping Fuji brings out that rumoured 500 5.6 from a couple of years ago. If they do, I'm sure you'll also be interested in that lens right?
That's right... I remember now. X-T4. Surfing and skateboarding, from a few comments ago. You're welcome. I've heard really good things about that Tamron 17-70. Either of those could be a good choice. Haven't heard anything bout a 500 5.6. If it does come, I'll be curious to see how big something like that is.
Thanks! I found the video really helpful.
Thanks, Rod. Glad you found this helpful! I've actually launched a brand new online course that covers the entire Fujifilm autofocus system. courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system/ What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I recently switched to Fuji and have the X-T5. Prior to Fuji I shot with a Canon full frame. I enjoy shooting a variety of things at this time. I got a bit more serious with my photography once I retired from the military. So I'm still trying out different genres. But nature and landscapes are always fun. Thanks for the link to your course. I'll definitely check it out. Take care and keep up the good work.
Thanks, Rod, and keep having tons of fun with your new X-T5!!
Amazing video, thanks so much for making this!
You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! If you want more in-depth tutorials on the Fujifilm AF system, you might want to check out my comprehensive online course, which you can find here: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I've been eyeing that course now for a couple weeks :) I will definitely purchase it soon! I now use an XT-5 and shoot mostly landscapes but I'm still exploring my favorite type of photography, so I shoot it all. Lots of street as well. Still trying to figure out a lens to purchase as well. Currently just using the XF 16-80 f/4.
Well, let me know if you havre any questions about the course. Regarding lenses, the 70-300 would be a great compliment to your 16-80. It's a real winner and so capable for so many different kinds of photography.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks, Dan! Yep I've been looking at that one and the 150-600 after watching your comparison video :) That 600 is a beast, but I'd love that reach. The price on the 70-300 is more up my alley though. Thanks for the 300mm recommendation, it's been a serious contender!
You're welcome. Yes, the 70-300 is really hard to beat for size, weight, price and overall versatility. It's a really fun lens, and probably my most used lens of the past couple years.
Good explanations. Thanks Dan!
Thanks, Michael. Glad you found this helpful! Do you see this coming into play in your photography?
I do and I’ve used the different settings for bird 🦅 photography!
Awesome. This should help with your bird photography. I would recommend watching this video as well: ruclips.net/video/PSIjQPJGiaQ/видео.html
Great video, Dan, thank you! What setting do you suggest for exactly this filming? I mean for RUclips and talking head videos where the person in it is fixed and moves his hand like you. The camera focus was excellent in this video. Im using XT3 with 18-55
Thanks for your comment! For my talking head videos, I always use Zone AF and set the box to a medium size and manually place it in the frame where I know my head will be. That way, I know it will always track my head/face, and since I shoot with the LCD turned around, or with an external monitor, I can see the AF box location right there on the screen to verify that I'm in focus. Hope that helps!
@@DanBaileyPhoto Continuous focus or single point? what about AF speed and tracking sensitivity?
I typically use AF-S Single. I'm standing still, so I'm not tracking, so the AF-C Custom Settings aren't really a factor here, since they're only used with AF-C mode. However, if I were to shoot a scene like this in AF-C mode, say my subject was moving around the frame, I'd probably just use the default Multi Purpose setting #1, unless the person was moving around a lot, or if their hands were moving a lot. Setting #2 Ignore Obstacles would keep the focus on the subject's face, even if a stay hand occasionally passed in front of it with wild gesticulating.
Hope that helps.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you very much for the great explanation👍
You're welcome!!
Dan what’s your experience with autofocus on the XT5 after all the firmware updates? I find many false focus readings, and on average 1 in 5 may be sharp, particularly with eye tracking.. Have tried everything mentioned including different lenses. Last week I tried the Nikon Z6iii and the difference was huge and reliable.
Nicholas, my experience with AF on the X-T5 has been nothing sort of stellar. It's performed exceptionally well across many different subject types, and I've been impressed with how well it handles fast action. There have been no situations where it has let me down. I haven't tried any of the recent Nikons; I'm sure they are fantastic, but I don't feel any desire to compare. As I said, the X-T5 does the job for me, and that's what matters. What kinds of problems have you noticed and with what kids of subjects?
Thanks for the video. Which auto focus you choose (spot, zone, wild track) when you talked about 5 presets? Thanks
When using the AF-C Custom Settings, the camera needs to be in AF-C mode, and typically when I'm shooting moving subjects in AF-C mode, I'm using Zone AF or Wide/Tracking. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
Also, for more tips and instruction on X Series focus settings and techniques, you can check out my full online course that cover the entire Fujifilm AF system in greater depth: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
@DanBaileyPhoto I have XH2 I am doing all kind of shoots. However I have missed a lot on only flying eagles
The X-H2 is an awesome camera. That said, eagles can be tough to capture... heck, anything that moves can be tough to capture! 🤣 It takes a lot of practice to get good at this! Just keep at it and let me know if you have any more questions.
Hi Dan, thanks a lot for the explanations. I was using the AF_custom setting configuration 2+ backfocus button ( AE-L on XT2), single + single point during soccer games and zone for the dead-ball situation. Thanks to your ebook FUJIFILM X Series Unlimited + different videos about AF-C setting, a lot of photographers improve their rate of well focused pictures. I will play with the different settings.
Emmanuel, thanks so much for your feedback. I'm glad that my videos and ebook have been such helpful resources for you. Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
You're welcome! Are you currently a Fuji shooter?
Today is Monday, I wish I had watched this on Saturday because I went to a reservoir on Sunday hopefully to take some bird photographs. I took my XE2S and my XC 50-230mm zoom. I was reasonably OK with the slow moving swans, I was using single mode single autofocus, then out of the blue came a Red Kite, soaring over the top of me, I had no time to change anything, I got a few images most of them were blurred.
I tried continuous autofocus with wide tracking on the swans but it did not work very well at all, it missed focus most of the time.
Later the Red Kite re-appeared, further away this time and I had better luck, I used the P mode for the exposure, and I got a few better photos. It was a very sunny day.
I think I would have been better to take the XT20 which has the 5 preset continuous autofocus options, but no custom setting.
So, am I right in thinking, set the switch on the front to Continuous autofocus, set the custom preset to 4 (?) and the focus mode to wide-tracking (?)
What about exposure, should I set the shutter speed to say 1/1000 and f to about 8 and autoiso upto say 1600 and the drive to 6 frames per second, of course my XC 50-230 does have slow autofocus .
Yes, Kevin - set the front switch to AF-C, then set AF-C Custom Setting preset to #4, and either use Zone AF or Wide Tracking, depending on the type of scene you're photographing. If you have an idea where the subject will appear, I'd use Zone AF with a large box and position it to that side of the frame. If you don't know, then Wide Tracking might be the better option.
For shutter speed and exposure, 1/1000 sec should be an adequate speed to freeze the action. You're right, though, the AF speed of the lens will certainly be a factor as to whether it's able to acquire a very vast moving subject. Like anything else, this technique will take some practice and experimentation to figure out your best combination of settings and camera use.
Hope that helps!
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you very much
You’re welcome! 👍
thank you
You're welcome! Appreciate the comment. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph? And I'm assuming you're a musician who lives in the Fenway area. I graduated from Berklee in the early 90s and lived in the Fenway for a year.
What is your recommendation settings for a soccer game indoor and outdoor? Basketball game? And a volleyball game?
For soccer and basketball, which can both have erratic action, you might try setting #5 (Erratically and Accel/Decel), but there are times when the player on a breakaway might pass behind other payers, and setting #2 (Ignore Obstacles) might actually be a better choice. You'll need to experiment and see which setting gives you better results.
Volleyball is a bit more static, in that the players don't move very far form their positions, so #1 (Multiple Purpose) might actually work just fine. Again, I recommend trying different settings and see what works best for you.
Which Fuji body and lens(es) are you currently using to shoot these sports?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thank you, I have been bouncing between 2 and 5 continuous settings.
I currently use xh2s and 200mm f2.
I used 100-400mm a lot before, but I might sell the lens since I have the 200 now.
That was excellent Dan, I've recently switched from Nikon to Fuji, I shoot a lot of triathlon and this is exactly what I need! Subscribed! Oh one thing is there a way to over-ride the S, C, M, focus button on the front of the XT 4? I use waist pouches in poor weather and I've noticed it's not unusual when pulling the camera in and out of the pouch to knock the button off the 'C' setting. Be great if there was a menu option to over-ride the physical button. I've searched but can't find! Any help appreciated, looking forward to watching your catalogue!
Hi Damien, thanks for your comment. On the X-T4, there's no way to disable the AF Selector switch or change from S, C, M on the camera outside of that switch. On the X-H2 and X-H2S, instead of a switch, there's a Function button you can use for SCM control, so there's no way to accidentally change it when the camera is turned off.
FYI - As a new X Series user, you might be interested in my comprehensive Fujifilm Autofocus course, especially if you shoot sports: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
I hope you're enjoying the Fuji so far. Let me know if you have any questions about the system. What are you liking about it over your previous Nikon?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks Dan appreciate the fast reply! I've purchased both the X series and the Going Fast with light ebooks from your website.. Looking forward to getting into them! At first it was strange using the EVF rather than seeing through the lens...kept forgetting to half press to see the subject. Loving the lighter weight particularly with the lenses. The Fuji 50-140mm 2.8 is so much lighter and smaller than the 70-200m Nikon! Also bought the new 70-300m and although it's 5.6 at the long end I've found it very sharp and its so small and light! Will certainly look into your autofocus course above. Keep up the great work!
Damien, thanks for buying my two ebooks, I hope you find them to be helpful resources. Glad to hear that you're enjoying your move to the X Series, and yes, the 70-300 is a fantastic lens. Not as fast AF or f/ as the 50-140, but incredibly sharp, with very close focus and considerable more compact. That's one of my favorite lenses these days, I've pretty much kept it on the front of my X-T5 all winter!
Hello, thank you for this video. What would be the ideal AF-C settings be for sports videography? My XT-4 is currently set at +2 for both AF Speed and Sensitivity.
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you found this helpful. Yes, for shooting sports video, I would definitely use AF-C, and as you have done, you can use that AF-C Custom Settings inside the video AF/MF menu to adjust how the the AF behaves when acquiring and tracking moving subjects.
What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
Now I better work with the settings in my X-T3 for shooting roller derby. Talk about erratic motion and disappearing behind obstacles,oops, other skaters.
Definitely!! That will take some experimenting to figure out the best combination of those three parameters. I'm leaning towards Preset #5, but you might need to tweak it.
Great video, Dan, thank you!
Two questions, if I may, related to auto-focus :
1) do you set your shutter release to 'release' or 'focus priority' when using any type of AF-C ?
2) do you turn on the pre-af function with any of the AF-C scenarios ?
Thank you!
P.S. I am experimenting with settings for wildlife - particularly birds (not necessarily in flight).
Thanks for your comment. Glad you found this helpful. To answer your questions, I have most of my X Series cameras set to "Release" priority, but this is something you should experiment with. Focus priority obviously makes sure the subject is sharp, but Release priority allows you to get the shot, no matter what, which, in some cases, might actually be what you want.
And I usually keep PRE-AF off. It uses more battery power, and in many cases, I find it to be a bit annoying when it's always hunting. Again, experiment, because this might be a setting that actually allows you to get better results during certain situations.
Which X Series camera are you currently using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks Dan. I have an X-H1 and an X-S10 (sold an XT-20 and XT-100). I am graduating toward bird and wildlife having bought an XF 150-600mm. Hence the question about best settings. I use the X-S10 mainly with the long lens.
Awesome! That sounds like a great setup for photographing birds. I haven't seen the new 150-600mm lens in person, what do you think of it?
Thanks
Hey Bob, thanks for your support! Glad you found this helpful! What kinds of moving subjects do you like to shoot?
Sir, how to set AF for this situation: Fast dog is running towards me. My pictures are blury. I have H2. Thank you very much
Thanks for your comment. Trying to capture subjects that are quickly moving towards or away from you is one of the most challenging situations in photography. There are a lot of variables that can make a difference in your success rate, an it can take a lot of practice, but I would typically use Zone AF and AF-C custom settings set to either #2 to #4, and make sure you have a very fast shutter speed.
I would recommend taking a look at my comprehensive online course that covers the entire Fuijfilm autofocus system. It will help you become much more proficient with your X-H2. courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
Fujifilm AF is way too complex I really never know how to setup the AF mostly it is hit miss. Sony and Canon does it such ways it works straight out of the box you need degree AF system to really understand Fujifilm AF.
Thank you for your comment. I agree somewhat that there is a slight learning curve to full understanding the Fujifilm AF system, but I find it to be quite effective and fairly easy once you understand the basics. I recommend watching this video: ruclips.net/video/fEwx1tdCzyk/видео.html for additional help.
To make things easy, I would suggest setting the system to Wide/Tracking, with Face Detection AF on, and then simply using the AF-S/C switch on the front of the camera to change whether you're shooting still or moving subjects.
What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto mainly street and some weddings now than my cameras XH1 & XT3
Cool. Then I would definitely use Wide/Tracking with Face Detection for the weddings, and either Wide/Tracking or Single AF for the street, especially if you're shooting still subjects.
I just bought a fuji xpro-2. I'm trying to adjust the AF-C custom settings. I can see options 1-5 however, I don't see the options for adjustments on my screen. For example on option 1 all I see is a pic of runners. Any advice? Thanks.
Thanks for your comment. On the X-Pro 2, the AF-C Custom Settings options are more limited. That feature was added later after the camera had been out for a few months, and it only has the main 1-5 settings. You can't actually adjust any of the three parameters I cover in this video, or create a customized #6 setting, like you can on other models.
So, you can only use the 1-5 settings, but even so, they're pretty capable. Even on my X Series cameras, I rarely make any adjustments and often use either setting #1 (Multi Purpose) or #4 (Suddenly Appearing Subject). Those two seem to cover the types of subjects that I shoot.
What kinds of things are you shooting with your X-Pro 2 that you need help with?
(For some reason, it didn't seem like the first comment took, so I'm writing it again.) Hey there, thanks for your comment. The AF-C Custom Settings I was added to the X-Pro 2 later after the camera had been out for a few months, and it's somewhat limited on that model. You can only use the five presets, but you can't adjust any of the three parameters I talk about in the video. In addition, you can't save a custom preset #6, like you can on most of the other Fuji models.
That said, I found that those 1-5 presets are pretty capable. Even with my action shooting, I almost never adjusted parameters. With most of my subjects, either keep it on #1 (muli-purpose), #2 (ignore obstacles) and #4 (suddenly appearing subject), and those usually get the job done for me.
What kinds of subjects are you trying to shoot with your X-Pro 2? Maybe I can offer some suggestions.
This is awesome! So glad I found you. :) Question: What setting do you recommend for shooting parades? I can't decide between 4 and 5. I often don't track because I like to grab 3-4 band members at once but your instruction here has opened up possibilities for me!.
Hi Juliette, I'm not a parade expert, but it seems that they don't move erratically, so maybe 4 would be the best option. Of course, the best way to determine this would be to try out both settings and see which one gives you the most reliable results. Which camera are you using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I just upgraded to the XH2! I will start using it this Saturday. Thanks for the advice. Will let you know how it goes, but withy x-t30 it was tough to acquire focus as I wanted. This should be a big improvement, I hope!
That's awesome!! The X-H2 has blazingly fast autofocus. You'll find it to be considerably faster than the X-T30 for acquiring and tracking moving subjects. 👍
@@DanBaileyPhoto thank you! I can't wait to test it!
Let me know how it goes!!!
Top!!! Thanks a lot 👌📸
Thanks, Nuno. Glad you enjoyed this. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Four months ago I left Canon... 22 years shooting with the brand and another 12 with Nikon. I've wanted to switch to Fuji for 5 years and mainly because I needed to enjoy picking up a camera to work again... I needed a click. I've always been a professional photographer, I've never had any other profession and I'm now 52 years old... and Fuji managed to give me creativity and inspiration again. I am essentially an event photographer. Corporate, Weddings and Institutional photography. Hugs from Lisbon! thanks again
@@DanBaileyPhoto Sorry, I forgot to answer you on one... I bought two XT4 with grips and I have the 10-18 f4 for real state, the 55-140 and the 16-55 f2,8
Cool. Sounds like you've got a really great setup!
Hi Dan! Great video. I bought a X70 recently and I can’t find this settings on my camera. Do you know anything about this?
Unfortunately, the X70 does not have the AF-C Custom Settings option. The X70 was released in early 2016, before this feature was first introduced on the X-T2 about 4 months later.
The X70 is definitely a fun little camera, though, and even without this setting, I always found the AF to be quite capable for a camera that fits in a pocket! What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot with it?
Ok. I think it will be street and architecture. Details and windowreflections and that type.
Cool! Have fun with it!!
Thank u sir
You're welcome. Are you currently a Fuji shooter?
@Dan Bailey yes i am. I've been using fuji xt3 since 2021. I have a question..I mainly shoot portraits and music videos and I'm looking to upgrade from my kit lens 18-55mm..what lens would you recommend?
For portraits, the 56mm 1.2 is absolutely amazing, as is the 90mm f/2. The 50mm f/2 is an awesome and fun lens, and it's tiny! - ruclips.net/video/48r4YuADH50/видео.html And there's the newer 50mm f/1.0.
For zooms when shooting video, I've found the XF18-135 to be a great, versatile lens, and there's the new 18-120, which has expanded video-friendly features if you decide to upgrade to one of the newer bodies at some point.
Hope that helps!
Thank you for going through all these custom settings. I shoot mainly wildlife and sporting events. I've tweaked the custom 6 setting for sports, and it works fairly well. I use the H2s camera. I have a question. When using one of the custom modes and you turn on face tracking, does face tracking take over the custom modes? I find face/eye tracking finds my subject, but instead of tracking the subject with the face/eye detection, it will jump from person to person and not stay on the original player I want to follow. Any suggestions?
Hey Mark, thanks for your comment. As I explained in this video: ruclips.net/video/FSlJonqq-jA/видео.html Face Detection, which is very similar to Subject Detection, does work with the AF-C Custom Settings. Basically, the Subject or Face Detect tells the camera WHAT to focus on, and the AF-C Custom Settings tells the camera HOW the AF system will respond as it tracks the subject through the frame.
So, if you have Face Detect on, as you have discovered, it may jump from person to person. To help prevent this, you might using a higher Tracking Sensitivity level on your setting parameters to have the camera hold on to the subject for longer. Or use setting #2 (Ignore Obstacles.)
That said, it may be that in certain situations, Face Detect switches back and forth because the computer is simply confused and trying to figure out which face to focus on. In this case, you might just disable it. You can set up a Fn button to quickly toggle FD on and off with a single button press.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks for the reply. I'll give #2 a try. I disable the face detection when it's not doing what I want. Nothing is going to be perfect all the time. My H2s track people a lot better than my X-TY4.
I have a XH1 and XT30 and like to take BIF. Is AF-C set 5 generally the best selection for this situation
Good to know, Roy. Thanks for sharing your input. What kinds of birds to you general like to photograph?
Excellent video as usual. I have the following problem with my xt3 and the 33mm f1.4 lens. With stationary subjects and when I focus on one subject behind another, I try to make the closest subject out of focus. I find that for distant subject to be in focus I have to stop down to f4, otherwise it usually is not in focus. I am using a small zone but have also tried single point but without much of an improvement. I am using set 2, tracking sensitivity 3, speed tracking sensitivity 0, and zone area sensitivity on center. Any suggestions to improve this would be appreciated. Thanks
After some experimenting, I found that with this lens at a distance of about 1-3 meters, I could get fairly good sharpness as well as good separation at about f2.5 using the single point setting.
Hey Steve, thanks for your comment. Good to know that you have figured some of this out for yourself. Experimentation is always the best way to learn and see what settings work best for the kinds of subjects you like to shoot. A higher Tracking sensitivity would keep the focus locked on your original subject and not have it switch to another subject as quickly. Zone Area Switching to Auto makes it so that the camera's focusing priority continues to track the subject that you first focused on.
And yes, if the subject is fairly small, not not moving too radically across the frame, then a single point AF instead of a Zone can sometimes work well to help you grab the subject and not get confused by the in front of it.
Another thing to keep in mind, the fast 33 1.4 lens probably uses a more powerful AF motor to move the larger glass elements. This mean that focus can be fast, but it doesn't necessarily track as well when following movement. This is a limitation of a very fast aperture lens when shooting moving subjects, so backing up a bit can help, since the lens is using less of its focus range.
I talk about this stuff in more detail in my new AF course: courses.danbaileyphoto.com/p/mastering-the-fujifilm-autofocus-system
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks for the information.
You're welcome, Steve!
Hi Dan. Another great video, very explanatory. Your experience with the Fuji system is a valuable source.😉😉😉
P.s. Have you seen my photographs? I would be happy to have your opinion.🙂🙂🙂
Hi Antonio, thanks for your comment. Yes, I'll be going through them in detail today! At first glance, good stuff, though! 👍
@@DanBaileyPhoto ❤️😃
Hello Dan.
Love your Chanel. I currently do not own an XT series camera. Question, can I set up custom shoot modes such as landscape, action, wildlife or whatever else on XT style cameras like we can on cameras with a pasm dial and custom modes on the dial itself? For instance, if I’m out doing landscape photography and see an animal I wanna grab a shot of, do I have to manually dial in all of my settings for a wildlife shot or can I switch to a custom mode I set in the camera?
Thank you .
Hi Tom, thanks for your feedback. To answer your question, yes. The X Series cameras all have a C1-7 custom bank, where you can set up and store custom settings for quick recall when you’re shooting. With some models, you can even assign a custom name to each setting. What are you shooting with now?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you. Currently an iPhone 12pro max but have used a D300s for a long time prior. The Fuji system has really peaked my interest. I’m a little torn between the xh2 and xt5. I’ll have to get one in hand to see which style I prefer. That’s why I’m curious about the custom settings on the xt5.
Thank you very much for the answer.
Tom, the X-T5, as well as most of the other X Series cameras have the C1-7 slots in the quick "Q Menu," where the X-H series has the C1-7 on the top deck PSAM dial. The X-S10 has the same setup, but with only 4 available custom slots.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thank you. I appreciate your quick responses. It’s been very helpful. Looking forward to the next video you put out. They’re inspirational and a fantastic resource. Keep up the amazing work you do.
Tom.
Thanks, Tom!! 👍 Appreciate the support!
Thanks for the video. I think Fuji has made this way more difficult than it needs to be lol. Much like their codecs, just too many choices that have marginal differences.
Thank for your comment. Appreciate your input. Having used this feature extensively, I've found that it actually works extremely well.
Yes, there are 5 different presets, but I think for most people, they'll find the one or two settings that work best for the subjects they like to shoot. That's how I use it. When I'm shooting action, like cycling, and my AF system is not acquiring as well as I'm hoping, I'll switch to either setting #2 to #4, and this usually makes a huge difference.
It doesn't have to be complicated, and setting this to a Fn button allows you to make this a very quick adjustment.
Is it possible in XT-200
Unfortunately, the X-T200 does not have the AFC Custom Settings option. What kinds of subject do you like to shoot?
Birds and some small creatures around me
Cool. What are your favorite lenses?
Thank you. I do mostly landscape and I use back button focus uncoupled from the shutter button. My question (out of ignorance) is do I have to keep the back button pressed as I take multiple frames in continuous AF? If the answer is yes, I would assume I would do that whether I am tracking eyes (like in portrait photography) or if I am tracking other subjects (as it is possible with the new generation X camera). Am I correct? Thanks again
With Back Button Focus, the focus control is switched from the shutter button to whatever Fn button you have chosen, and so it will function with the same behavior. So yes, you'd have to keep it pressed as you run through the sequence.... which is one of the reasons why I'm not a BBF guy. 😆 I don't see it being any more efficient than using the regular method. However, I know that some people prefer to shoot that way, so it's good that the Fujis have this option available. What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thank you. I do mostly landscape, often on a tripod, and I find it convenient in most circumstances in that genre. I also do spot metering and uncoupling the whole process from the shutter button is helpful. But if I move to street or portrait I am too lazy to rearrange the whole system, thus my question. Thanks again for you videos. Very helpful. Who knows maybe I will meet you in Alaska!!
Not sure if you know this, but you can actually set the camera so that AF-S focus is coupled to the shutter, and AF-C is tied to the back button, and vice versa. That way, you could photograph different types of subjects, still or moving, while using a different method, and you wouldn't have to go rearrange it every time.
@@DanBaileyPhoto interesting. No I was not aware. Do you have a video on that subject?
I don't, but you can find the control inside the SHUTTER AF menu in the Button/Dial Settings Menu. I'm actually creating a full course on the Fuji focus system, which I'll release in January, and this will be one of the topics I cover.
what preset do you recommend for pet photography
Darren, I suppose it would depend on the type of pet and the type of motion the animal displays. For constant, predictable movement, probably setting number 2 Ignore Obstacles. For more unpredictable movement, you'd want to us the settings that are geared to Erratic Motion. What kinds of pets do you photograph?
@@DanBaileyPhoto thanks for the reply, dogs.
Cool. I would experiment with which setting works best, based on their motion.
@@DanBaileyPhoto will do, thanks..keep up the great videos
Will do! 👍
I'm hoping that Fuji with the X-T5 and H-2S deliver an auto focus that is on par with what the big 3 have. The tracking and AF has not been up to par for flying birds and I hoping to see a big improvement.
Steve, thanks for the comment. The XH-2S is even faster that previous cameras, and I'm sure the AF system will keep improving with each new model, but as is, I can say that I'm highly impressed with Fuji's AF performance, even for shooting birds. That's a tough subject indeed, but sometimes it's not just the camera. There are a lot of factors that affect our ability to get sharp photos in those kinds of situations. You might find this video helpful: ruclips.net/video/PSIjQPJGiaQ/видео.html
What model are you currently using?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I have the X-T3 and X-S10 and while decent the Canon R5 and Sony cameras blow the Fuji out of the water when it comes to locking on and holding focus on BIF.
I haven't used the new Sony or Canon systems, but personally, I've had no trouble at all capturing BIF shots with my Fuji gear. The best combo I've seen is the X-T4 and XF100-400mm lens.
The best setting for Fujifilm x series AFC is to not use it. Turn it off. This is a single auto focus device. If you want AFC Sony is your best bet. If you want fabulous pictures and fun experience, go with Fuji.
Hi Annara, thanks for your comment. I respectfully disagree. As a 26+ year professional action and outdoor photographer, I've gotten exceptionally good results with the X Series cameras, even when shooting very fast moving subjects in challenging conditions. However, I know that not everyone thinks the same way, and if you're happy with your Sony, and then that's really all that matters. What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot?
Thanks!
Thanks so much David, I'm glad you found this helpful. What kind of subjects are you shooting these days?
Thanks
Hey Chris, thanks so much for you support!
@@DanBaileyPhoto It's the first time I understood how AFC menu works. Thanks again Dan.
Yea, it can definitely be a little confusing. Glad I could help you get a handle on it. What kinds of action do you like to shoot?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Recently its been kids (3-5 yrs) running in completely random way. With good lighting its still ok, but indoors my little x-t30 is struggling a lot.
That kind of subject is really challenging, as I'm sure you've discovered! I like to joke that the best way to get better at action photography is to try and photograph little kids. 🤣 Hopefully this setting will help you get better results. That and lots of practice!
Thanks!
You're welcome, Knute, and thank you for your support!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the support, Mark!! 👍
Thanks!
Thanks so much for your support! 👍
Thanks!
Hey Tim, thanks so much for your support! Hope you're doing well and having a great summer.