Setting The Focus; Manual Focus Setting - Mf; Automatic Focus Setting; Afs - Leica S2 Instructions Manual

Setting the focus

With all S lenses, the LEICA S2 allows you to choose between
manual or automatic focusing. The autofocus system deter -
mines the distance to the parts of the subject in the center of
the image field, which is marked by the cross-hair mark on the
focusing screen.
Regardless of the mode, the display (2.9) in the viewfinder
shows the relevant setting:
- The left triangle indicates that the set distance is too long
(only appears in manual mode or with manual override of auto-
focus)
- The center dot indicates a correct setting, or that the
system cannot determine a distance
- The right triangle indicates that the set distance is too short
(only appears in manual mode or with manual override of auto-
focus)
Further details of the displays can be found on p. 9.
Note:
The metering system works passively based on contrasts, i.e. diffe-
rences between light/dark in the part of the subject you aim at.
Thus, it depends on the subject having a certain minimum
brightness.
Setting the mode
1. In the CAMERA section of the menu (see p. 13/22), select
Focus Mode (5.2) and
2. in the associated submenu, select the desired option.
Manual focus setting – MF
Turn the distance setting ring (1.9) on the lens until your subject
or the most important part of the subject is shown sharply in the
viewfinder on the focusing screen.
The LEICA S2 is supplied with a uniform ground glass screen as
standard, which can be used to reliably focus on parts of the
subject across the entire image field. It is suitable for most pho-
tographic applications and subjects and is particularly effective
when using longer focal lengths and in the macro range.
Other focusing screens are available as accessories (see p. 55),
providing optimum settings for different applications. These are
easy to exchange.
Note:
If MF is set and the AE-/AF-Lock function (see p. 34) simulta-
neously set to AF-L in the menu, button 1.17 can be used to
activate the AFc autofocus mode at any time.

Automatic focus setting

Two autofocus modes are available. In both of them, the setting
st
procedure is started by tapping (1 pressure point, see p. 32)
the shutter release button (1.1).
AFs(single) = Sharpness priority
The part of the subject you aim at is focused.
– The procedure is then ended, even if the shutter release but-
st
ton is held at the 1 pressure point.
– The setting is stored for as long as the shutter release button
nd
is held at the 2 pressure point.
– Before the focus is set, the shutter cannot be released even by
pressing the shutter release button all the way down.
AFc(continuous) = Shutter release priority
The parts of the subject you aim at are focused.
– The procedure is continued for as long as the shutter release
st nd
button is held at the 1 or 2 pressure point. During this time,
the setting is corrected whenever the metering system detec-
ts other objects at other distances, or the distance from the
camera to the part of the subject you are aiming at changes.
– It is not possible to store a setting.
– Even if none of the subject is in focus, you can release the
shutter at any time.
Note:
As well as the shutter release button, you can also use button
1.17 to store an AF setting (see p. 35).
Setting the focus / 33