Auto Focus With 35mm Adapter

T

taylor_h25

New member
Hi

I have a Sony PMW-EX1 and i am interested in purchasing a 35mm adaptor. I use the camera for many applications including snow sports. I'd love to be able to get the depth of field look when filming but because i am often using the camera handheld for snowsports and because of the rapid subject movement it would be difficult to maintain focus manually. Is there a system possible (i understand the camera is on a set focus when using 35mm adapters) that can be autofocused when manually focusing would be difficult. It sounds impossible but you never know.
 
from what i understand, and someone please correct me if i'm wrong, the autofocus system does not work with the 35 mm adapter. let's say you are using a nikon lense autofocus, well it's like trying to use a autofocus setting on a manual 35 mm camera. it's the camera that works in conjunction with the lense. the new digital nikon camera's have built in hardware and software that let you autofocus like that, and it works hand in hand with the lense.
 
You're right, zmephestox. Autofocus SLR lenses depend on feedback from the SLR to work properly. I'd say that in your case, Taylor, you may not need to use a 35mm adapter to get shallow dof. Try backing up as far as possible and zooming into being as telephoto as possible. Then open up the iris on the stock lens to it's widest setting. Even on 1/3in. cameras this will give you shallow DOF so it should definitely do the trick on a camera with 1/2in sensors.

And since you're filming sports you're probably already far away so zooming in to the end of the zoom range shouldn't be an issue.
 
The cameras autofocus function needs to be disabled for an adapter as the cameras focus must remain locked to the focusing screen. You need to focus using the manual lens, which has no autofocus function. A follow focus helps, but in any case, follow focusing is a skill in its self, Its taken me quite a while to be able to acuratly follow focus on moving action. It is possible though.
 
hoarp001 said:
but in any case, follow focusing is a skill in its self, Its taken me quite a while to be able to acuratly follow focus on moving action. It is possible though.
Click to expand...

Follow focus is a Nightmare for me right now. It really is a skill in it's self just like you said. As far as shooting snow sports with a 35mm adapter, You will be in the snow with a bulky adapter and rig. one slip and everything could go bye-bye. I would just move back and zoom in to get the DOF you are looking for.
 
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