Hi!
How would being able to release the shutter whether or not the lens was in focus solve a problem with a lens being 'soft'? I don't understand.
You see, I wrote earlier that on infinity my soft lens would focus but wouldn't lock the focus, so in AF-S mode I wouldn't be able to release the shutter.
In AF-C mode, it would still focus, but since focus lock is not necessary to be able to release the shutter I could take a picture.
Hmm. My A2 has three memory setups like that. Problem is I never remember what I've set in each of them and always use P-Tv-Av-M instead ... I find having ONE custom configuration set up is all I need, I just concentrate on exposure and focus after that.
Sure, naturally. I in turn find it very easy (and the way menus on D are designed is easy as well) to have three sets of settings and switch between them. Sometimes I would pre-set my camera in either MFT or Depth of Speed programs and use it this way throughout the shoot.
There is a choice of major program:
1. Normal is well, normal.
2. MTF - FA and probably F lenses have ability to transfer MTF data to the body. So camera would choose exposure combination (aperture and shutter speed) so that it give you best results w.r.t. MTF data.
3. Depth - camera would favor slower shutter speeds so that you can get more DOF with smaller apertures.
4. Speed - opposite of depth - sacrifice DOF, get faster shutter speed.
As David pointed out, these are mirrored in the Program preset scene modes, if you choose to use them. Probably a little simpler but I ignore them anyway.
You see, I don't like conventions. I'd rather like things being explicit. So I would have to remember that landscape mode essentially means this and that. I'd rather simply decide what I want Depth, Speed, or MTF. But since I don't have many F/FA lenses, I rarely use MTF mode though.
I can't think of living without hyper modes, metered manual, depth and speed programs, C-AF, and probably some other features. ...
It's funny. All these exotic and convenient features mean so much to so many ... yet so many of my favorite pictures for most of the past 40 years were made with cameras that had nothing but focus, aperture and shutter speed settings, and simple or no built-in meters.
Most of what I like about the DS, aside from it's nice size and access to good lenses, is that for the most part I can set the camera up just one way and then use aperture, shutter speed and focus to make my photographs. It returns photography back to what I always loved about shooting with my old Nikon FM/FE2 and Leica M4-P. The rest is just convenience and icing on the cake. ;-)
Godfrey, I suppose we're trying to convence each other of the same thing we both accept. Your habits and style are best suited by Ds. Mine are in line with D. Neither is better or worse. Like I said, in my humble opinion, to my habits and style D appeals more, nothing more, nothing less.
I only hope that I expressed myself in a clear "user friendly" way :).
Boris
