Auto Focus issues in low-light.....

[J_Farina]

I know, I know...... everyone calm down. I manual focus whenever I can.
I am using the auto-focus for a very specific reason. I film a lot of live performances on stage and in clubs.
At times, I am floating through crowds and holding the camera above my head etc., and I have to use the auto focus. I have noticed in low-light situations that the camera just isn't able to zero in on anything.
Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any advice on how to work around it.
J.

 

[Barry_Green]

Re: Auto Focus issues in low-light.....

You cannot work around it. That's the nature of autofocus -- when the aperture is wide-open (as it will be in low-light situations) then your depth of field is at its narrowest point, and so the autofocus motor has to work extra hard to try to find something satisfactory.

The autofocus system has to be able to see, in order to work. The only way to "work around it" would be to add an on-camera light, or strictly do manual focus.

 

[Slapdragon]

Re: Auto Focus issues in low-light.....

Autofocus works by straigtening lines in a field of view on modern cameras (not ones with laser focus). Lower light flattens hour depth of field, and makes it impossible to determine depth by logic now available short of using a laser or sound.