Should you zone focus? | Real examples | TT Artisans 28mm f5.6

Is zone focusing really worth the time and "hassle"? Are you the kind of photographer that would benefit from it? Heres at least my take on it and why it fits someone like me.
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Instagram: @alex.on.streets
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"Quick tips on Zone Focusing" by Ivan Chow
• Quick Tips on Zone Foc...
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[@AlexOnStreets]

If you want more explanation and zone focusing in action, check out my other video ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYWUc4l7ftxni80

[@bernym4047]

A couple of days ago, I did my 1st street photography outing to a city centre and used zone focusing without seeing this or any other video. I was very pleased and a bit surprised by the large number of 'Keeps'. I used a Lumix GX80 with a manual focus 7Artisan 25mm (50mm EFL) manual lens

[@ivunchow]

Ugh, old videos my make me cringe, don’t click the link in description 😂 Great explanation and video man. “My life is a bokeh ball.” a line worthy of being in the KZbin HOF

[@carlosmcse]

For me emotion is more important. I would rather an impactful bokeh shot than an emotion-less layered shot of random people going here and there on the street. Seems a lot like just shooting for style. Style over substance.

[@habanerosky000]

Wish Fuji made some manual focusing lenses. I really find it hard to enjoy manual focus with lenses that focus by wire

[@TheUnihockey12]

I just got the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 for XF mount about a week ago. I bought it for several reasons, but one was it’s great support for manual focusing. I’m in love with it so far. I also enjoy my TTartisans 23mm f/1.4 X-mount. (I shoot with an X-Pro3 for reference)

[@benjhaisch]

I really do like that little lens. Maybe not the best performer in the world, but completely fits what it should be.

[@mt-funk-net5927]

Same here! I used to be a “bokeh-licious” lover too😂 Since I started street photography, I became a fast pace shooter and now more focus distance shooter with f5.6!or higher. I only use Snap focus distance on my GRIII. I sometimes delicious bokeh balls, but now I love layers on my street photos.

[@ashzhu3085]

Another tip for practicing estimating distances: relate the size of something in your fov and how far it is. For example, a dog in front of me 45 deg on the ground is about 2.5 m away. A full body image with a 35mm lens meaning that the subject is > 5 m, etc

[@Durio_zibethinus]

Looks interesting, where can I read those tips?

[@Shutter2speed]

Man I been addicted to your videos since I found it, cant wait for the next upload! I like the far 3rd person distance for your street photography videos rather than the typical POV chest or hotshoe mount. Its awesome to see how you operate on the streets.

[@alexandersilva2406]

zone focusing is 90% of my street photography, cool video man, keep on the good work!

[@MadredeAgua9]

As always, excellent work and source of inspiration to your viewers and the way you engage with your subjects who are just as eager to indulge you with anything from a smile and a handshake to giving you "realness" and laying down in the middle of a busy intersection. You have been blessed with a gift.

[@AlexOnStreets]

Thanks 🙏 Blessed to just be able to go out.

[@Bossti]

I zone focus mainly with my old Ricoh film camera (although my lens has no tab) because no autofocus and sometimes with my GR III but not as often. I was using it 98% of the time when I had a Leica Q and with my X-Pro 2 I used it when adapting vintage lenses. As you say: it's very satisfying when you do get it right, kind of like playing Bloodborne or Elden Ring xD I just wish every manual focusing lens came with a tab. You can do it without a tab, but it's not as quick because you can't rely on the haptics. You kinda need to have a base point (say 2m at f8) and need to know how much of a turn will end you at the required distance and then reset/check every time you take of your hands from the lens.

[@jvladcliff4083]

I have a Kiev 4, Jupiter 12 combo that I pretty much only use as a zone focus camera. I feel the Kiev 4 is kinda clunky to use as a rangefinder so with the 35mm view finder and setting my F8/F11 hyperfocal it becomes a super quick and fun to use camera I just bring up to my eye and shoot.

[@donjagoe]

Yes! M246 and that very lens.

[@rrazzorr5x5]

Awesome video! Really like the chill relaxed feel. Very refreshing from what’s out there!

[@denislaroche3957]

F8 and be there with my xpro-2 and ultron 28mm : I am ok from 5ft(1.2m) to infinity during daylight. Nice video and explanation, learning the distance by feel is also useful

[@kstrohmeier]

I think of zone focusing differently than you do because I use zone focusing so I don't need to "guess" focus distances. Typically I pick my zone of focus to be from 6 feet (my height so easy to judge) to some distance usually infinity. F8 on my 28mm lens accomplishes this.

[@AlexOnStreets]

Respectfully I think you missed the parts where I explained that and showed that in action.. But lets clarify. Focusing based on where your tab or ring placement is based on the effective area of focus is always easier than guessing your exact pin point of distance. However, in zone focusing we always have an acceptable amount of whats 100% to 50% or so in focus. Many degrees of sharpness are within the zone. So if you are at all picky about that, which we should be, then its best to actually use your focusing abilities and guess the distances dynamically. Cheers.

[@AlexOnStreets]

Also your method of 6 feet is exactly how I and many other do and how I explained in my previous video here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYWUc4l7ftxni80 at around 6min43s 🍻

[@kstrohmeier]

Thanks for the feedback. Upon reflection your zone focus approach is dynamic while I take a set it and forget it approach.

[@LeePierre]

Indeed very rewarding method and happy you mentioned running children 😀 very nice!

[@rutlegs]

That's a beautiful little lens!

[@stuartmeador8993]

I have never called it 'zone focusing' but I do decide how far away I want to have my subject(s) and preset the camera at or near that distance, then adjust the f/stop to include nearer or further items as necessary... Leica's depth of field estimates are based on viewing a 5x7 print from normal viewing distance (about ten to twelve inches). Enlarging the image more requires a smaller aperture to get a similar depth of field (or a further viewing distance from the print or screen)

[@eternalmonsoon8103]

I almost always shoot with manual focus. Hyperfocal range meters help a lot. I couldn't imagine shooting street, or gigs, or anything much with auto focus.

[@bloomvikung]

2:26 that flex..

[@owen6271]

Really like the new format! Keep it up

[@TheLiamGordon]

I just hit play on the video but I’m going to go out on a limb and say YES! and hope I don’t look silly 😜

[@yargnad]

To answer your question, yes, you should zone focus. Unless you don't want to.

[@scottyharp]

Fun fun fun!! Good stuff Alex! 🙏

[@junichinomura4810]

Nice informative video alex on the street

[@yvesmichel4101]

Despite having calibrated my TTartisan 28mm f5.6 I don’t get sharp results when using tone focusing or hyperfocal. It seems distance scale is randomly engraved !! While it always works superbly with a Leica lens.

[@simonwilliams2109]

Thanks Alex

[@rizkiyoist]

Nowadays I still look for bigger aperture, but for a different reason, mainly light.

[@powderedtoastman3093]

Heading to Wetzlar next weekend. Should be fun. @Lintaro - Sam give me some good things to do in Frankfurt for a day???

[@seebbii]

Every american will understand zone focussing now because of your sniper-shotgun comparison hahaha well done!

[@Zonefocus-SteveDimitriadis]

Yes.

[@so0pafly13]

Fire video once again

[@Rusty1995_]

F8/F11 all day

[@StillWinding]

I am so humble. Lots of people say I’m the most humble person ever.

[@obscur_yoann]

Never been into that bokeh thing either... I love zone focusing, but as a night shooter, it's a bit complicated, especially if I go with more than 28mm. Give me a M10M and I am at f8 day and night 😎😂

[@bloomvikung]

Would you pick Ricoh gr iii or gr iiix?

[@Hackzyyz]

short answer is yes also i actually finder zone focusing on a 50mm alot easier than a 35 or 28 but thats probably just because im used to 50mm

[@sbasty2321]

great video :)

[@janek7745]

Yes I zone focus coz it makes my life easier and it’s faster than the autofocus of any f..... Sony

[@JayRegular]

i can't zone focus because I use an x100v, but what I can do to compensate is focus myself to be in the zone. It kind of works xD

[@AlexOnStreets]

Ya it's always possible!

[@denislaroche3957]

I have a x100v and I zone focus with the scale on the LCD but I shoot with OVF, less mechanical than a real lens with tab, but you can do it

[@martin701]

Interesting but I imagine there are some watching this video who haven’t a clue HOW to zone focus. Unless I missed something, you didn’t explain it so that the uninitiated could go out and do it

[@AlexOnStreets]

I only touched on the "how" for a bit. The point was more on the "should" or even "why". I find we have tons of videos out there on youtube teaching how for the entire video but not actually showing in action. So I tried to focus on that.

[@martin701]

@@AlexOnStreets Fair enough and you are right there is a lot of content on that, on the assumption anyone bothers to look of course.

[@SivertAlmvik]

F/16 and hyperfocal, baby!

[@antwon8902]

Blurry Balls > Art