Slow focus in live view

**SteveL54** · 05-13-2014, 02:18 PM

I've had my D5100 for just over 1 year. Very happy with this camera, and it suits me well for my experience level. For whatever reason, I always used the live view to frame my shots. It was just something that I had gotten used to. I recently started using the eyepiece, and noticed something right away. The auto focus seems much faster when not using live view. The kit 18-55 and the 55-200 seem to take up to 1 second, and the 35mm maybe a bit faster. Going through the eyepiece, It's only about half that, and the 35mm autofocus seems to be nearly instant. Anyone else experience this?

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**Dave_W** · 05-13-2014, 02:26 PM

That's difference is expected since the two focus methods are quite different. The Live-View focus is a contrast based focus system while the viewfinder focus is an asymmetric (or phase detection) focus system. Contrast focus is a more accurate system albeit slower. So your observations are spot on, live-view focus is much slower than using viewfinder focus.

**SteveL54** · 05-13-2014, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the quick response Dave. I was a little concerned that I was having a problem with my camera.
I'll just have to find another route to convince the wife that I need to buy a 7100.

**Dave_W** · 05-13-2014, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by SteveL54

Thanks for the quick response Dave. I was a little concerned that I was having a problem with my camera.
I'll just have to find another route to convince the wife that I need to buy a 7100.

Er, uh...I didn't say it was perfectly normal or anything, did I? In fact, it's um, well, it's a very bad sign and it probably means you should be thinking about a D7100. Because, uh, well, because a camera that does what yours is doing just might be doing it because you need a new camera....yeah, that's the ticket!

**Pretzel** · 05-13-2014, 03:12 PM

Not to kill your hopes or anything, but the D7100 does it too. When you're presenting your argument to the wife, though, use @Dave_W's post. He's a Super Mod, so his advice is spot on!

**Pebbleheed** · 05-18-2014, 10:33 AM

Point out the D7100 has the best auto focus of any non-full frame camera. It's got fantastic low light performance, better battery life and more controls and so on.

If she's like my wife and that fails to win your cause just offer to buy her a bracelet or ring at the same time pointing out you both get something from the deal.

Worked for me