Joystick Joys!

[Mike G]

I'm sure I'm not the only one to find that the joystick is useful in a whole host of ways!

[paul_o]

Hello,  I'm considering converting from FF Canon to the X-T2 and have been reading reviews.  There is one item I've not resolved yet and it concerns the use of the joystick for controlling the manual focus point. On the Canon (I'm always on a tripod), with live-view I can use a joystick to position a small frame anywhere within the image, including the edges. Once positioned, I can magnify that area 5x and 10x and manually focus. One time when I want to check focus at the edge of the frame is when using a wide angle lens (particularly for a vertical).  If I want everything in focus, I sometimes need to use focus stacking.  I'll start the stack by focusing on the closest point and then take subsequent frames manually increasing the focus point. When I get close to the last frame I'll move the 10x magnified point to the top of the frame to assure that it is in focus.  

For the X-T2 I've not been able to find any indication of whether I can select a point to magnify which is on the edge of the frame.  Nor have I read how much magnification I can get. I normally print 16x20 and above, so focus is critical.  

I would appreciate it if someone can answer either (or both) of these two items.  In all other respects the X-T2 looks like a great camera. My Canon system is getting a bit heavy and Fuji looks like a great way to lighten the load.  

Thanks,

Paul

[Mike G]

Not sure about that one, there is something called "focus assist" but I'm not sure how it works!

 

Download the PDF manual and see if that helps.

[Tom H.]

There are several manual focus assists available on the Fuji cams. Peaking, magnify, and split screen are the most useful. You can use them all together too. You can set the cam to automatically punch in on the focus square when manually focusing, and you can put the focus anywhere in the frame.

[dalto]

Hello,  I'm considering converting from FF Canon to the X-T2 and have been reading reviews.  There is one item I've not resolved yet and it concerns the use of the joystick for controlling the manual focus point. On the Canon (I'm always on a tripod), with live-view I can use a joystick to position a small frame anywhere within the image, including the edges. Once positioned, I can magnify that area 5x and 10x and manually focus. One time when I want to check focus at the edge of the frame is when using a wide angle lens (particularly for a vertical).  If I want everything in focus, I sometimes need to use focus stacking.  I'll start the stack by focusing on the closest point and then take subsequent frames manually increasing the focus point. When I get close to the last frame I'll move the 10x magnified point to the top of the frame to assure that it is in focus.  

For the X-T2 I've not been able to find any indication of whether I can select a point to magnify which is on the edge of the frame.  Nor have I read how much magnification I can get. I normally print 16x20 and above, so focus is critical.  

I would appreciate it if someone can answer either (or both) of these two items.  In all other respects the X-T2 looks like a great camera. My Canon system is getting a bit heavy and Fuji looks like a great way to lighten the load.  

Thanks,

Paul

 

As long as you are in single point focus mode you can pick a point anywhere in the frame.  When focus peaking or mf assist is enabled it zooms to your af point when enabled during manual focus.  There are two levels of magnification that you can switch back and forth with the wheel but I am not sure what the magnification levels are.

 

It pretty much works just like you describe from what I can understand.  Since it is mirrorless you can even do it through the EVF if you prefer.

Edited September 18, 2016 by dalto

[paul_o]

Tom H and dalto - Thanks for your replies!  It sounds like the X-T2 will work for me. Now, I'll rent one for a week and decide if I should sell my Canon system.  Looking forward to making the switch.