Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: How works a phase detection autofocus?

  1. #1
    Panama Hat & Camera's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Macae - RJ, Brazil
    Posts
    670
    Real Name
    Antonio Luz

    How works a phase detection autofocus?

    I am an amateur photographer of film cameras trying to learn a little about digital photography. This is the reason for my technical questions.
    How works a phase detection autofocus? What is the difference between phase detection autofocus and contrast detection autofocus?
    Greetings.
    Antonio

  2. #2
    Moderator Manfred M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    21,925
    Real Name
    Manfred Mueller

    Re: How works a phase detection autofocus?

    If you have ever used a manual rangefinder camera like a Leica M series camera, you are essentially using the same technique as phase detection. You have a beam-splitter that creates two images and you focus by trying to align the two images so that they are right on top of each other. The focus mechanism is linked with the the camera's focus ring and a mirror s rotated as you turn the ring. By measuring the angle that the mirror turns and knowing the offset between the viewfinder and the rangefinder window, simple trigonometry determines the distance of the object that is being brought into focus.

    Phase detection in a DLSR performs exactly in the same way; there is a beam-splitter that creates two independent images and when the two are aligned, the camera circuitry detects this and you have focus,

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    A Pacific Island
    Posts
    941
    Real Name
    Andrew

    Re: How works a phase detection autofocus?


  4. #4
    Snarkbyte's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Tucson, AZ USA
    Posts
    468
    Real Name
    Al

    Re: How works a phase detection autofocus?

    Click on the links below for animated illustrations explaining the two autofocus methods. Hope this helps

    Click here for Phase Detection

    Click here for Contrast Detection

  5. #5
    Panama Hat & Camera's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Macae - RJ, Brazil
    Posts
    670
    Real Name
    Antonio Luz

    Re: How works a phase detection autofocus?

    Manfred, Andrew and Al,
    Thank you very much!
    Antonio

  6. #6
    Moderator Dave Humphries's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Windsor, Berks, UK
    Posts
    16,737
    Real Name
    Dave Humphries :)

    Re: How works a phase detection autofocus?

    Al,

    Thanks, those two apps are great to see it working

    Also just trying SynthCam on my iPod Touch
    Last edited by Dave Humphries; 8th August 2012 at 01:02 PM.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Dunedin New Zealand
    Posts
    2,697
    Real Name
    J stands for John

    Re: How works a phase detection autofocus?

    Contrast detection is just that and only if you have a uniform tone in the selected area will it not work. I have deliberately tried to stop my camera focusing and it was very hard, even in a low street light situation. State of the art CD can be as good as PD in many situations and suprised the dpreviewer when checking my lens. [Lumix 014140] CD used not to be that wonderful in the past so PD was 'the way' to go

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •