Canon 5D Mark III - I feel like I'm flying blind in MF video mode.

S

sparky33

Well-known member
Hi, I recently switched from a Sony DSLT and prior to that used a GH2.

When shooting video I feel like I'm completely flying blind when manually focusing. There's no confirmation of what's in focus; I cannot use the viewfinder in movie mode, and I'm finding the focus peaking offered up by Magic Lantern to be pretty useless.
So how does everyone do it? Before you get into follow focus setups, keep in mind I won't always know the distance of what I'm trying to focus on, so a repeatable follow focus won't help me. I'm not shooting films where I know exactly where the actors are going to be; more run and gun stuff.

In MF stills mode I can look through the viewfinder and get a nice red glow when I'm in focus (manually).

I do use an external monitor and it helps somewhat. In the Sony world you get the focus dot that lights up green to tell you where you've focused. Even in the GH2 world I can at least use the viewfinder while shooting movies, and manual movie mode it does at least show the little mountain - flower scroll thing.

I feel like I'm flying blind trying to pull manual focus in video mode. Does anyone know any way to improve this? Is there a way to enable the viewfinder during movie shooting? Be gentle I am new to the Canon Mark III world.
Thanks!
 
Well, I use a APS size sensor mostly, and just focus by eyeballing it. The times I have rented a 5Dmk2 I did the same thing.

An lcd loupe (which allows you to use the screen as a viewfinder) helps outdoors, and also gives you some magnification.

I am fairly confident focusing by eye these days, though it did take some practice. Lots and lots of practice! So just go out there and film your garden, your cat, flowers and stuff. For gods sake don't post it on vimeo as yet more test footage though! Just delete it and keep practicing.

Failing that you will have to look at external monitoring options.
 
Thanks - I was sort of hoping you'd say "oh, just hit the xyz button for focus confirmation to light up" or "hit these two buttons to enable the viewfinder in video mode". Problem is I'm not used to a real camera with a real viewfinder, so I've learned to rely on the VF too much...
 
What lens are you using? You can autofocus with canon lenses, though its not snappy. I use vintage manual Nikkor lenses (and just bought a set of manual Rokinon lenses), so I have not really used the autofocus on canon lenses.
 
It's ok, but nothing like the Sony implementation of focus peaking. But the Sony's video sucks.

Simon I use Canon lenses, and for now have been cheating and hitting AF to pull focus, and sometimes hitting it again to pull during a shot. The 2 seconds of iris flicker and focus cycle just gets edited out; no big deal.
 
Do you run and gun lots or shoot from sticks? Because if you're mostly on sticks, externally monitor. I use my Ikan D7 and it's a breeze to one man cam operate. For run and gun, load up ML and stick a loupe on the screen. Then....Practice shooting the FF and focusing.
 
sparky33 said:
When shooting video I feel like I'm completely flying blind when manually focusing. There's no confirmation of what's in focus; I cannot use the viewfinder in movie mode, and I'm finding the focus peaking offered up by Magic Lantern to be pretty useless.
So how does everyone do it?
Click to expand...

Without a screen magnifier I use quick focus between takes and hope for the best as long as it's not a critical shoot. It's usually pretty much where I would focus manually
 
I find the Zacuto EVF the most practical. I prefer it's red peaking because it does not just give edges, there is a little twinkling of red "stars" often in the area which is in focus. For mooves on the shoulder I can follow this field of twinkling points as it shifts from one subject to another. Far better than my Marshall monitor. I also like being able to position the camera like an old Rolleiflex, looking down into the evf as if it were a waist level finder.
 
I agree with others, get a loupe. When I had the 5d2, a z finder made all the difference. I had the 2.5x version and it was easy to see what was in focus. I never used focus magnify after getting the z. I like peaking too, but for me the z was more accurate as peaking will light up when something is just a bit soft. I missed focus more with peaking than with the z. Good luck.
 
sparky33 said:
Simon I use Canon lenses, and for now have been cheating and hitting AF to pull focus, and sometimes hitting it again to pull during a shot. The 2 seconds of iris flicker and focus cycle just gets edited out; no big deal.
Click to expand...

I sometimes use the AF in movie mode when recording events such as weddings - when there's multiple cameras and I don't want to keep breaking sync by stopping recording to check the focus. It's not exactly fast, but it is damn accurate. As long as you have another angle to cut to and can edit the focus hunting out, it's a great way to refocus without having to hit stop, zoom in, manually focus, then start recording again.
 
If you cannot see what you are pull focusing on, even in LCD, or external monitor, then i have to ask if you have a vision impairment?
You cannot film via eyepeice because canon dslr's are not mirrorless.

Focus peaking via ML has its uses, and run and gun for a newb is not recomended.

Just keep practicing pull focusing. learn the lens distance focal point via the indicator on top of the lens.
Cine lenses will have them on the side (and are also manual focus FYI)

Practice practice or sell up go back to AF video camera.
 
dustylense said:
Do you run and gun lots or shoot from sticks? Because if you're mostly on sticks, externally monitor. I use my Ikan D7 and it's a breeze to one man cam operate. For run and gun, load up ML and stick a loupe on the screen. Then....Practice shooting the FF and focusing.
Click to expand...
yeah i've used it too now and i really like the cleanliness and sharpness on the peaking function.
 
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