SMART Auto-Follow-Focus

[arkham]

I think it would be great for Red to include what I would call a "smart follow-focus" feature. Basically, what I mean is that I'd like the firmware to allow the operator to select part of an object or a person on the screen and the camera would then attempt to track it (obviously using fuzzy logic algorithms) to keep it in perfect focus no matter where/how much the camera is moving. Another way to use this feature would be to make perfect rack focus: simply select 2 zones (A and B) and the "smart FF" would focus from one to the other...

I know, I know: there is no way Red can implement an "auto-focus" because it uses external (manual) lenses. That's why I'd like this feature to be part of a Red motorised Follow Focus system...

How much does a focus puller cost per day? :D

[FatBird19]

What bugs me is that even on big hollywood productions, there are still many shots that don't pull off the focus like they need to. Watch Good Night and Good Luck. There are quite a few shots in there that aren't even remotely in focus!

I've thought about something like this for a while; an aimable sonar driven device for the front of the camera that the focus puller uses to aim the device and then the data is collected from the device to intelligently calculate where the focus should be.

[Emanuel]

Excellent idea arkham... I've been saying that a follow focus system must win this contest but yours it seems the best. Why? It doesn't mean the others cannot be good solutions, there are.

The Wireless Auto-focus System for example.

Besides, any focus solution that will help the task it would be the best idea with more adherents IMHO -- as I posted before.

But this one, well, it seems the most useful and efficient with an add-value without competition. As RED customer, you have my vote.

[The Red One]

This would require a revolutionary follow focus/geared motor unit. Cha Ching!

[joe 1008]

Yes, definitely keeping something in focus will be much more difficult with the RED. Any good solution that makes the RED even more run- and gunable should be considered very seriously.

[JwrFord]

Something like this would allow for buzzing though :-\