View Full Version : There should be an auto rack focus feature
Phil Maker
12-22-2006, 11:44 PM
Wouldn't it be nice if you could focus on one subject, store that number, then change focus to the next subject further away, store that number, then toggle between the two? Can this be done? If not, why not?
Barry_Green
12-23-2006, 09:36 AM
It's done in the Sony and Canon. It's a neat gimmick but hardly as useful as actually having repeatable rack focus capability. You can't get repeatable focus with the Sony or Canon in any other way, so they put in that electronic lens control thing. It works fine as long as a) you don't have to zoom during the shot, and b) absolutely nothing changes position, and c) you can program the speed to transition at your liking.
With the HVX the lens is absolutely repeatable and focus positions are precise, so you don't need electronic positioning. Sure it'd be nice to have more features rather than fewer, but having used the A1 next to the HVX for a week, there's no way I'd trade an electronic gimmick over true precise manual control. But sure, having both would be better.
Phil Maker
12-23-2006, 01:30 PM
Hmmm... interesting. Thanks for the info Barry. Although I'm not exactly sure what you mean by repeatable lens. The reason I posed this electronic focus question is because of the degree of difficulty in panning and or tracking with camera while simultaneously trying to do a rack focus. The main trouble I'm running into during this move is nudging (ever so slightly) the camera, and therefore the shot. I think maybe getting a follow focus or remote control focus control would remedy this. ?
Barry_Green
12-23-2006, 01:57 PM
Follow focus is only really valuable if you have someone else there to run it (a focus puller). Remote focus would maybe do what you want.
You're using the distance readouts, yes? You can use those to judge your start and end positions and end exactly where you need to be, as accurately or nearly as accurately as an automated system would.
dolph2000
12-24-2006, 05:11 AM
Iy fou have a dvrig pro, a follow focus is really valuable. and with a zoom control on the other handle of the rig your ready to go.