Background of my shot is "breathing?"

M

michellefinch

Member
Has anyone noticed this before or had this problem?

I just shot an interview with the subject about 20 feet from a brick wall and part of a window as the background of the shot. When we were editing the video, we noticed that the window and parts of the brick seemed to be going in and out of focus.

Looking at it more closely, they weren't really going in and out of focus, it just seems like it at first glance- but they were more like pulsating or shifting around. Almost as if the background was artifacting as if it were moving, but it was a static shot.

I was on a tripod with the focus set to manual, and the subject remained in focus and not shifting around like the window and the bricks- so I don't think it was a lens/focus searching issue.

Does this seem like an in-camera issue, or an uploading issue? It was captured and edited in Final Cut Pro.

Any ideas for troubleshooting or if anyone else has had this problem would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

-Michelle
 
Michelle, I've seen the same thing. It's very odd, since the subject stays in sharp focus, but something distant in the background goes in and out. It doesn't seem like such a thing would be possible, but I've seen it. Never got an explanation on this. Anyone?
 
Hey michellefinch,

I'm having the EXACT same issue. I took it to panasonic, they charged me a 150.00 and said everything was fine and that I shouldn't use auto focus. Although I use manual focus the problem is still there.

I pretty sure that it has nothing to do with the NLE software you use because I can see the "breathing" in my production monitor on set. For me the breathing happens sometimes and at other times the DVX is normal. Its driving me nuts. Does anybody on the forum have any idea what causes this!

Thanks in advance,

Manny
 
Last edited:
i havnt looked @ your footage.

if u shot on a tripod and u had the stady shot on, that coudl be the issue. if u shot on tripod without steady shot it sholdnt be doing that
 
manymoosh said:
michelle,

How long has this been happening, or when did you notice it?
Click to expand...

I've noticed it in some shots in the documentary I just finished (www.brownfinchfilms.com/currentfilms.html), but it's too small to notice in the camera or on monitors. It also comes and goes- even the shot I linked to- the camera settings don't change and the effect comes and goes.
We also used two different DVX's for the whole film, and it happens with either camera.

I just talked to a friend at a commercial post house and she thinks it might be an issue with capturing/uploading and interlacing. We filmed at 24P (f5 on the wheel), and I guess it's possible that it's an interlacing issue.

Anyone have any thoughts on it being an interlacing issue?

When I get a chance, I'm going to take the original tape to a suite with a deck and large monitor, and test the interlacing theory...

-Michelle
 
if u shot on a tripod and u had the stady shot on, that coudl be the issue. if u shot on tripod without steady shot it sholdnt be doing that
Click to expand...

Hey Saturn, did that solve the "breathing" problem for you?

Thanks,

Manny
 
yup, anytime i shoot with tripod i turn of "steady shot" function, i only use it for hand held

seems to work for me
 
Saturn, many thanks, greatly appreciate you talking the time to help out, I'm gonna do some test shots to see if it does the trick.

Michelle give it a try and see if it works for you as well, if it does then Saturn just saved me some money and a trip down to panasonic service center.

BTW "Steady shot function" is that the OIS?

Thanks again,

- Mannymoosh
 
This is just to follow up on the "breathing problem" in manual mode. I have done what Saturin suggested; which is turning of OIS when using a tripod and so far the "breathing" or focusing problem hasn't re-occurred. I will do some more test since the breathing problem, for me atleast, would happen at intervals.

Michelle, how did it work out for you?
 
switching off the ois when static usually stops any naughty vibrations (as i call them)...now if I could remember to switch the darn thing off!!!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top