icarusfilm
Veteran
Has anyone tested how well AF works with NEX lenses. I've been shooting on a c100 with dual pixel AF and am switching to the fs7 planing to use the zeiss 16-70 as a standard zoom.
FS7: autofocus with native mount lenses
- Thread starter icarusfilm
- Start date
Erik Wittbusch
Well-known member
I have the 18-200 and consider the AF more or less useless during the shooting.
I have never and certainly will never use AF for video, as I don't think that any AF
in the world knows what I want to see sharp in the frame.
I use one push auto AF for focusing before recording and this works fine.
I have never and certainly will never use AF for video, as I don't think that any AF
in the world knows what I want to see sharp in the frame.
I use one push auto AF for focusing before recording and this works fine.
icarusfilm
Veteran
icarusfilm
Veteran
That's great to know. The dual pixel AF feature is what I realy liked on the c100.
Erik Wittbusch
Well-known member
AF detection area can not be moved around - no face detection.
I also tested the 28-135 kitlens. I won't use it in serious conditions
because you can't control the AF. It will focus on whatever subject
what comes close and in the midth area of your frame.
If you really want AF: Use one push AF on one of the buttons on your
handgrip. But I have to say that one push AF isn't perfect because
it's always hunting and pumping first before staying sharp.
It may depend on your personal needs and workflow.
For me AF was never something to consider for video.
I also tested the 28-135 kitlens. I won't use it in serious conditions
because you can't control the AF. It will focus on whatever subject
what comes close and in the midth area of your frame.
If you really want AF: Use one push AF on one of the buttons on your
handgrip. But I have to say that one push AF isn't perfect because
it's always hunting and pumping first before staying sharp.
It may depend on your personal needs and workflow.
For me AF was never something to consider for video.
Ben Scott
Veteran
Yup. And doubly so with stills lenses. Everything's a workaround but they simply weren't built for that sort of operation.
Erik Wittbusch
Well-known member
If you're used to the EX3 kind of AF be aware that
the depth of field of the FS7 is 4x shallower.
This means that the AF will have to search and pump
4x more. Then 4k means another new problem, as the
focus must be even more precise.
It's a whole other league of focusing with S35.
If and only if you're not operating in low light, you can still
work with stops bigger than 5,6 and wide angles to get a
huge depth of field. This is what I do if I can't pull focus
precise enough e.g. during fast walking etc.
the depth of field of the FS7 is 4x shallower.
This means that the AF will have to search and pump
4x more. Then 4k means another new problem, as the
focus must be even more precise.
It's a whole other league of focusing with S35.
If and only if you're not operating in low light, you can still
work with stops bigger than 5,6 and wide angles to get a
huge depth of field. This is what I do if I can't pull focus
precise enough e.g. during fast walking etc.
Lenilenapi
Carbonite Member
There is also a switch on the side of the camera that engages continuous auto focus.I use it like push auto - engage it till it finds the spot then switch it off. Its much smoother than push auto. Doesn't seem to hunt at all but its a little slower. Considering all the hunting push auto does its only about a second ro so slower and won't ruin the shot. I wish pushed auto worked like this does . Worth playing with if you must use auto. I'm undecided about keeping the 18-2104 and the 18-200 Sony's . I like having the power zoom and AF option but the manual focus is really maddening.
Erik Wittbusch
Well-known member
I'm avoiding all AF options now.
Push AF = hunting/pumping
AF switch = camerashake, when switching most of the time (YMMV)
This is what I do: All my lenses give me focal distance readouts in the display.
The Sony SEL's do it, the Canon 17-55/2,8IS on my Smart Adapter (advanced mode!)
and the Canon 24-105/4L IS on my Speedbooster do it.
If I can't use expanded focus I just pull focus based on the distance readings. I've done
this with my FS100 for the last 2 years and never had a problem or unsharp footage.
This method is not made for 85/1,8 shallow DOF stuff, but for R+G handheld quick focus
stuff...
I really hate the MF ring on the native lenses. As I said before: I will test the new Tamron
28-300/3,5-6,3 Di VC PZD on my Speedbooster. It gives the same focal range as the SEL18-200,
but is 1 stop faster on the Speedbooster and has better MF capabilities.
I would have loved a 28-200/4-5,6 with the focus ring in front even more, but only the huge
Canon 28-300/3,5-5,6L is giving me that with push-pull zoom at the same time.
Push AF = hunting/pumping
AF switch = camerashake, when switching most of the time (YMMV)
This is what I do: All my lenses give me focal distance readouts in the display.
The Sony SEL's do it, the Canon 17-55/2,8IS on my Smart Adapter (advanced mode!)
and the Canon 24-105/4L IS on my Speedbooster do it.
If I can't use expanded focus I just pull focus based on the distance readings. I've done
this with my FS100 for the last 2 years and never had a problem or unsharp footage.
This method is not made for 85/1,8 shallow DOF stuff, but for R+G handheld quick focus
stuff...
I really hate the MF ring on the native lenses. As I said before: I will test the new Tamron
28-300/3,5-6,3 Di VC PZD on my Speedbooster. It gives the same focal range as the SEL18-200,
but is 1 stop faster on the Speedbooster and has better MF capabilities.
I would have loved a 28-200/4-5,6 with the focus ring in front even more, but only the huge
Canon 28-300/3,5-5,6L is giving me that with push-pull zoom at the same time.
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