Auto Focus behavior?

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Ok, I have the AFS, which suggests to me once I press the shutter release, the 'focus' is fixed.

However, when I operate in 'movie' mode, the focus will change. This happens whether I use the standard shutter release button, or the button on the back with the movie icon.

Is this behavior supposed to be this way, that is during 'movie' recording the focus will change, even though the 'focus single' mode is selected?

AF/AE lock doesn't seem to change the behavior.

 

[Ben_B]

Ok, I have the AFS, which suggests to me once I press the shutter release, the 'focus' is fixed.

However, when I operate in 'movie' mode, the focus will change. This happens whether I use the standard shutter release button, or the button on the back with the movie icon.

Is this behavior supposed to be this way, that is during 'movie' recording the focus will change, even though the 'focus single' mode is selected?

AF/AE lock doesn't seem to change the behavior.

If you keep the shutter held down halfway (don't let go) focus will stay locked.

 

[swyzlstyx]

AFS is not available when shooting movies, only photos. As an event/wedding videographer, I'd give my left nut if they'd make AFS available in movie mode! That would killer!!

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

AFS is not available when shooting movies, only photos. As an event/wedding videographer, I'd give my left nut if they'd make AFS available in movie mode! That would killer!!

Somehow I missed that point in the memo... AFS 'works' but as I've noted, the focus drifts, if the area of focus moves to something 'else' than what one ones...

Ok, I just read the fine print on the subject...

I'll test if auto focusing, then switching to manual keeps the 'auto focused' point... not as quick as locking the focus on the half-pressed button, but would help...

 

[BhambuNath]

If you keep the shutter held down halfway (don't let go) focus will stay locked.

It's hard to keep it pressed at halfway down all the time to keep focus locked, I wonder if the firmware hack by tester13 can change the shutter button function to such that it does not stop recording if you press it fully while you are recording and only pressing the record button makes the recording to stop.

 

[swyzlstyx]

Somehow I missed that point in the memo... AFS 'works' but as I've noted, the focus drifts, if the area of focus moves to something 'else' than what one ones...

Ok, I just read the fine print on the subject...

I'll test if auto focusing, then switching to manual keeps the 'auto focused' point... not as quick as locking the focus on the half-pressed button, but would help...

It funtions in AFC whether the focus knob is switched to AFS or AFC.

For shooting live events, the easiest thing I've found to do is put the knob on AFC, lock focus with a half-press of the shutter release, and switch to MF....then frame the shot and press the record button...or just release the shutter if already recording. It's a pain.

If you put the knob in AFS and try to pull that off, you'll lose the focus lock as it goes past the AFC setting...which you may not notice on the tiny little LCD.

I'd take video AFS over any other firmware upgrade on this camera...with a better codec coming in at a close #2!

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

I'd take video AFS over any other firmware upgrade on this camera...with a better codec coming in at a close #2!

Since I'm not doing events any more, it isn't a serious issue, in the sense that the 'AF' then switch to 'MF' is a work around. I did shoot some 'event' style shots of my day job's convention show booth, and that's when I noticed this problem... but these were not for hire shots, so it was just a disappointment to 'learn' of this issue...

I did notice in the announced firmware upgrade from Panasonic due out on May 10, there were some focusing issues addressed, but this is not one of the mentioned items.

The good thing, if there is anything good of this... is I know my camera is not 'broken'...