texvanwinkle
04-13-2009, 12:04 PM
[I posted this the other night in an older thread where I think it just got lost, so I'm re-posting it here.]
I've read the section in Barry's HVX book on focusing several times now and practiced with all the various methods. They're all very helpful.
What I'm not clear on is how best to keep in focus a moving target using manual focus. I want to shoot weddings in the near future and I'm unclear on how best to zoom in/out on the couple moving up/down the aisle while still keeping them in focus. I want to be able to keep the camera on the tripod, but I only have the two hands; I can't pan, zoom, and focus without just leaving it in autofocus and tracking them as accurately as I can (hoping no tall heads or b.g. movement throws the focus off).
The only solution I've found so far is to actually remove the tripod rod and use my hands to turn the camera while holding the "Push Auto" button down with my left hand. With the tripod resistance set right, I've gotten pretty fluid pans and solid focus, but not surprisingly, it's ungainly and a little nervewracking.
How's a guy supposed to do all three at once smoothly? That is, by himself?
Thanks,
Clint
I've read the section in Barry's HVX book on focusing several times now and practiced with all the various methods. They're all very helpful.
What I'm not clear on is how best to keep in focus a moving target using manual focus. I want to shoot weddings in the near future and I'm unclear on how best to zoom in/out on the couple moving up/down the aisle while still keeping them in focus. I want to be able to keep the camera on the tripod, but I only have the two hands; I can't pan, zoom, and focus without just leaving it in autofocus and tracking them as accurately as I can (hoping no tall heads or b.g. movement throws the focus off).
The only solution I've found so far is to actually remove the tripod rod and use my hands to turn the camera while holding the "Push Auto" button down with my left hand. With the tripod resistance set right, I've gotten pretty fluid pans and solid focus, but not surprisingly, it's ungainly and a little nervewracking.
How's a guy supposed to do all three at once smoothly? That is, by himself?
Thanks,
Clint