In a message dated 11/20/2002 Skip Williams writes:
<< Mike - Do your comrades at the track use the predictive auto-focus to
good results? Are there on-track, full-speed situations that are better for
AF or MF? Are the pictures you take with the 350/2.8 different from the
ones with an SOTA AF or IS lens? >>
Best I can tell, it is a mixed bag. Many of the legends do use AF (and IS)
to their advantage these days. I have heard it is in part due to failing
eyesight though. They do so in an intelligent way where they still rely on
merging their old MF techniques with new skills learned to keep the auto
stuff under control. This differs from those whom I hear banging away who
obviously never learned MF techniques, probably because they never used MF
gear. There are a fair number who shoot MF. There is a woman who shoots the
CART series with a 'blad and a Speed Graphic, by the way. IS probably helps
more than AF in my opinion. I see people hand holding big fast 600mm glass
and they only way they can do so is with a combination of ultra-high shutter
speeds combined with IS. Most of photographers I know well indicate they use
AF as little as possible because they find it unpredictive and downright
frustrating.
I don't think my keepers are much different using the 350/2.8 (or 350+1.4XA)
than others for a given focal length from those using latest greatest
wunderglass on a wunderbrick. (I like to believe that at times the Zuiko
glass offers a little something extra actually ;-)...of course I'm probably
fooling myself some.) I equate most of the differences I see are due to
skill and experience--where I am in total awe of the true legends in this
line of work. Here's a link to an interesting thread on the IMSAracing.net
forum that I am a member of:
http://www.professionalsportscar.com/dcforum/DCForumID9/25.html I put a
couple images into the mix in this fun offseason diversion. I have a feeling
many here will know which two are mine ;-) In post #31 "500mm" seems to have
some nice things to say about the results. ("500mm" is John Brooks who is
one of the very best there is IMO.)
<< From my 20-yr old experience at Road Atlanta, I found that I could get
great MF pictures by pre-focusing and by panning for cars perpendicular to
me. My old pictures are a testament to that technique. Maybe I'll scan
some of the old ones to show the group? >>
I have no doubt, and I would love to see them!
Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
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