GH3 3 questions on n using gh3

[stefanocps]

hi, i 'd like to have some info about 3 points

1)autofocus . When filming i try to use the lcd to point where i want to focus,but gh3 seems do not respond. I am talking focusing while shooting a scene, and i want to move the focus form a subject to another. Focus selector is set to AFC

2)what difference if i start record a clip with the round red button in the back or the shutter button?if there is any difference?

3) in play mode, and specifically play stills,i notice that in strong contrast scene the white are areas blink. What is it useful for?can i switch off the funcion?

thanks a lot

 

[Bruce Foreman]

hi, i 'd like to have some info about 3 points

1)autofocus . When filming i try to use the lcd to point where i want to focus,but gh3 seems do not respond. I am talking focusing while shooting a scene, and i want to move the focus form a subject to another. Focus selector is set to AFC

I just set mine for AFC to try what you describe and it seems TOUCH FOCUS does not work in AFC. What does work in AFC is that as I move the camera to another subject and stop there, the camera refocuses on the new subject. There has to be enough light on the subject and enough contrast for AFC (continuous autofocus) to work.

For what you want to do you should have the selector set for AFS (autofocus single - one autofocus operation per half press of the shutter button) with TOUCH FOCUS enabled in the configuration menus, and in both cases you must be using Lumix or Olympus m4/3 lenses. A few of these may not be compatible with AFC, the Lumix 20mm f1.7 is one.

Also remember autofocus is not available on legacy manual lenses.

2)what difference if i start record a clip with the round red button in the back or the shutter button?if there is any difference?

The main difference I find is that if in AFS mode using the shutter button allows me to autofocus with a half press of the shutter button then start the recording by finishing a full press the same way I do for stills when using autofocus. All with one button. I've just got in the habit of using the shutter button to start and stop the recording. Much of the time in motion picture mode I do use MANUAL FOCUS and your can start and stop with either button.

One good reason to use the red button (if using autofocus) is to separate the AF and START/STOP functions. And you can start with either button and stop with the other. I've just got in the habit of using the shutter button, it's a "bigger target" and my fingertip goes to it almost automatically.

The red button will start (and stop) a motion picture recording if in any of the still photo modes but exposure will be full automatic no matter what exposure settings you have made. And CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS will work (with many m4/3 lenses) provided you have it set to ON in the configuration menus.

3) in play mode, and specifically play stills,i notice that in strong contrast scene the white are areas blink. What is it useful for?can i switch off the funcion?

This is your HIGHLIGHT overexposure warning. You have to find REC HIGHTLIGHT in the top menu (video camera icon) and set it to OFF. This "blink" is telling you that the blinking area may be overexposed and appear "blown out".

I hope this info helps you. One thing I've learned by just testing what you describe is that CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS works much better with the GH3 than it did with the GH2. Whether I use autofocus or manual focus depends on the situation I find myself working in. If I have time to set things up where I have control over what is going on, I use manual focus. But in situations where I am not in control I usually use autofocus so I can get the recording rolling faster.

When attempting to use CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS be aware of the contrast value of your background areas. If that is too close to the contrast value of your subject, CONTINUOUS AUTOFOCUS may "pump" back and forth.

 

[stefanocps]

thanks a lot for your precious info. anyway a couple of thing: i switch off rec highlight but the blink will not stop. Abiut autofocus ..i am gwetting closer now, but i can't find the TOUCH FOCUS in the menu, Also with AFS enabled it seems it will focus without the need to halpress the shutter button.Last, for what i understand the real use of the red button is to be able to record video in any mode. Wait for more info! Thanks!

 

[stefanocps]

right i answer myself Blink switch off by disabling HIGHLIGHT in custom menu, not REC HIGHLIGHT (what is t for then?)