DSLRs with autofocus

none: if you can wait a bit, what you're looking for is an SLT, specifically one of the new sonys (A77 or A65); if you can't, probably it is an EVIL, the GH2
 
Well, technically if you run Magic Lantern with a fast USM lens on a Canon, you can get some basic autofocus functionality.
In my tests, it has been slow to react (I don't have a USM lens to test, admittedly), but it DOES work. I've used it when filming myself and leaving the camera unmanned. I gave it about 10 seconds or so before I started to ensure my focus was on.

Norman- doesn't the GH2 have autofocus lenses that work in video? Or are you trying to say that the GH2 isn't really technically defined as an SLR due to the lack of mirror? I'm not sure if the OP intends to make that distinction- when it comes to video, the mirror/SLR part of the camera doesn't really matter as I understand it anyway.
 
I'm actually interested in big-sensor cameras(SLT and EVIL included).
How are the Nikons? I understood that some models have autofocus in video mode.
And will the A77 have video focus?
 
kittykatro said:
I'm actually interested in big-sensor cameras(SLT and EVIL included).
How are the Nikons? I understood that some models have autofocus in video mode.
And will the A77 have video focus?
Click to expand...

I believe Sony's current line of Alpha DSLRs (like the a55) already support autofocus in video mode. However, they are not popular to use for digital film makers for various reasons, including lack of desirable frame rates (24p) and automatic controls that get in the way (turning on autofocus, for example, opens your aperture all the way and messes with adjusting your shutter and ISO automatically as you shoot, often with undesirable levels. I do not have first hand experience with this, but it is what I have been told by others who tried it). Perhaps the new models will be better, but if autofocus is all you are after, it is already there.

Yes, indeed there are Nikons with continuous AF, such as the D3100. I've never seen one in the wild nor spoken to anyone who's tried to shoot video with one. But I know that in the past, Nikons were not considered strong contenders for video (slow rolling shutter, etc). Maybe they've gotten better- I'd like to think so.

Meanwhile, as we already mentioned, the GH2 has autofocus as well. Here's a sample video taken with it:

The problem is, when focusing fast on such shallow DOF, it really looks artificial IMO. Happens too fast and abruptly, and sometimes overshoots and has to compensate the focus backwards a bit. Not that hand focusing wouldn't do that, but there's something about the smooth controlled speed of a hand focus that is pleasing to the eyes, and I feel like it gets totally lost in examples like this one. Last time I experimented with Magic Lantern's option for auto focus on Canon, it allowed you to adjust the speed of the focus and how often it should check and adjust, which might allow for better results. But IMO, autofocus and shallow DOF are a dangerous combination.

The GH2's is not terrible as far as they go, and I'll admit to using Magic Lantern's when in a pinch and using the camera unmanned, but when the Olympus EP-1 came out and showed us all what autofocus could look like on a DSLR, I have to admit I lost a lot of my enthusiasm. I do NOT want my video to look like this:

But, to each their own. It really depends on what your priorities are. If autofocus is the most important feature, we've mentioned a few good options that already exist. Or wait for the next crop and see if they've figured out how to make it work better.
 
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yes, I was just being a prick about the SLR/SLT/EVIL thing; my answer was: if you can wait, A77 or A65; if you can't, GH2; but I have to admit I have no idea how the nikons do in this respect (I just hear they're more painful to use in general because of some silly interface issues)
 
I can confirm the new Sony SLRs autofocus is as good as it gets, mind you the A55 was pretty good already
 
The GH2 isn't bad, neither is the Sony. They are nothing compared to dedicated Video Cams though.
The Nikons auto focus quiet well, at least from the tests i've seen of the D7000... it looked close to Sony and Panasonic.
Look at the camera forums though, if you want to see some samples of DSLR in action. http://www.dpreview.com/
The have started to include testing of the video abilities of many of the current DSLRs...
When the GH2 was introduced, they said it was one of the faster/better auto focusing Cams compared to their "mirrored" brothers.
 
Wow. The A65 looks pretty sweet, great example vid there. Especially now that 24p is a standard feature. As I understand it, one of the reasons the A55 didn't take off for film makers is the limited framerate (mostly offering just NTSC 29.97).

But something about the autofocus on shallow DOF shots still bothers me. Following a subject (like the biker there) actually worked pretty well and looks great, but when forcing a drastic change (from distant background to close-up, etc), it just moves far too abruptly. I wish there was a way to slow down and smooth out the speed of AF and make it look more like a hand-controlled job.
Until then, I just can't consider it practical. But that's just me.

Also, what's up with the hinge on Sonys articulating display being on the bottom?! If mounted on a tripod, how useful could that possibly be? I much prefer where the later Canon and GH2 put them- side hinge seems to make more sense.
 
+1 for the configurable AF speed, otherwise this is a useless awesome gimmick - plus: the mount on tripod LCD thing: it is problematic with the A65, but the A77 has an extra hinge at the top and does swivel up: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonyslta77/page3.asp - http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonyslta65/page4.asp - anyway, what I want a swivel screen for is to have it on the left of the body, looking towards me, for shoulder mount simplicity and stability... and that can't be done with either A77 or A65, just with 60D, 600D and GH2 - this sony swivel thing looks overengineered with some other guy's needs in mind
 
I shoot HD1080 at 30fps with my D5100 in Auto mode (usually AFS sometimes AFF)
It works for me, but I am into home movies not cinema.
I do not like dealing with rolling shutters or 24fps.
I would like to use 60fps if it helped with action videos.


The excellent LCD on the 5100 swivels to the left.
 
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NormanBates said:
+1 for the configurable AF speed, otherwise this is a useless awesome gimmick - plus: the mount on tripod LCD thing: it is problematic with the A65, but the A77 has an extra hinge at the top and does swivel up: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonyslta77/page3.asp - http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonyslta65/page4.asp - anyway, what I want a swivel screen for is to have it on the left of the body, looking towards me, for shoulder mount simplicity and stability... and that can't be done with either A77 or A65, just with 60D, 600D and GH2 - this sony swivel thing looks overengineered with some other guy's needs in mind
Click to expand...

I actually like the swivel screen that is not hinged to the left.
Why? It makes using an Arca L plate possible on this camera as a normal tilt screen would be blocked from rotation by the plate.
See this GH2 plate and this 60D plate to see what I mean.
Just because you do not understand why they put a design elemet in a camera doesn't mean you should label it "over-engineering".
Photographers use L plates when shooting in portrait mode and need this feature 24/7 so having an lcd that accomodates it is a plus for many.
 
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I said it is overengineered because it has 4 hinge joints instead of 2 - and thanks, now I understand why this could be better than the GH2/600D/60D system for some people (still, not me)
 
NormanBates said:
I said it is overengineered because it has 4 hinge joints instead of 2 - and thanks, now I understand why this could be better than the GH2/600D/60D system for some people (still, not me)
Click to expand...

Ah I see you're point now. Thanks for clearing it up.
It really could have done with just two joints.
 
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