Autofocus working ok?

[journalist]

A few comments about HVX's autofocus. Haven't found any info how it really works. Compared to still SLR camera's there really isn't much quidelines. Meaning, like: At which points of screen the autofocus catches the targets? Where is no choice of focusingpoints like in still cameras, etc....

We film a lot of sports - hockey and figureskating- and a constant headache is backfocusing. Also slow focus when zooming too fast is a problem. There also is a tendency that camera shows quite easily infinete-mark, when the subject is close like 10 -15 meters. When is suddenly jumps to this measurement and there seems not to be nothing between. Not sure if the focusing itself works better than LCD-screens reading, (haven't had time yet to check last weekend's stuff - over 10 hours competition footage). The tendensy seems to occur both SD ja HD positions.

Anyhow I have a feeling that other cams have also the same problem - like Canon Xl which we have also tried sometimes. Actually the DVX might have been better (had those previously)?

Are the bigger CCD cams actually better in focusing?

jussi

[boomstrikevideo]

Jussi,

I can empathize with your situation. My company flies the HVX200 on large radio controlled helicopters in commercials, movies, music videos, etc. and we must, for now, rely on the autofocus. From my experience so far the autofocus works best using higher frame rates (it hates 24 - 30 fps), lots of light and faster shutter speeds. It also works better if there is a good amount of constrast between the subject and the background. I can't really comment on other cameras.

[ProfessorU]

If you don't want to work the focus ring, you can try going into manual and using the autofocus button. Then when you get what you want you can stay there through zooms, etc. and then go back to auto when you're moving again.

Larger sensor cameras would inherently have a harder time maintaining focus.

[journalist]

In fast moving sports the use of focusring is also a headache. Like the figureskaters, they speed the lengh of ring in a few seconds and for the operator follow trough plus manual focusing is - at least for my skill - impossible!

We use 72050p 1/120 & 3,4 aperature in these lightconditions.

Luckily all other of our filming (non sport) is sort of "easier" and the focusing is no problem.

I am still dreaming of the kind of focusing setup we see in SLR cameras like Canon EOS-1 Mark series I use also.
jussi