Focus, Focus, Focus

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Video on the Road

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So I am sure I am going to get burnt here at some stage but here goes...


I am shooting in a reasonably low light situation, which is also incredibly dusty, on the AF100 with a Redrock Live Lens converter using Cannon 16-35 and 24-70 EF lenses at between F2.8 and F3.5 and ISO 400, except in a few very low light situations where I will switch to ISO 1600, using the EVF DTL and FA to assist with focus.


I shoot long days of observational footage and am trying to follow events through camera movement, position and by following action and events through focus. I am not at present able to afford an additional EVF such as the Zacutto or something similar that wil give me a better output so as to better monitor focus and so am reliant on the viewfinder and the flip out screen along withe the EVF DTL and FA.


Are their any tips for achieving better focus on the AF100 using what I have listed above as I find a fair amount, though thankfully not all, to be soft in the areas I had thought to be tight. I am having a hard time using the FA in situations where I am working with the foreground or background or trying to pin point focus.


I have only been shooting on this camera for a couple of months and understand that I am still a novice as I come from a prosumer Sony cam background with lots of auto focus and zoom but if there are any tips, advice, obviously the odd bit of criticism is likely, books, videos, websites, whatever let me know.


I appreciate your thoughts and help.
 
Deep down I think you need an EVF or a TVlogic monitor. Biting the bullet on the cost must be cheaper than having to junk lots of your footage. I bought the Cineroid EVF and that has been very useful but even then it is easy to get caught out now and then. Focus in Red is useful but a sharp monitor is still needed to confirm that all is precisely well.
 
Try setting the viewfinder to Black & White and using FA with it. I've had very good results with that combination when shooting outside. Inside I use the TV Logic and zoom focus. Don't keep the EVF DTL on using FA in red.
 
As stated black & white viewfinder with red peaking/FA is a must and will get good focus in a great many situations. Ive actually found that the shallower the DOF the more accurate Im able to nail the focus? Im pretty sure the zoom lenses your using arent parfocal so you cant zoom in focus and then pull back and expect it still to be sharp.

Steve
 
Another vote for B/W VF + FA. It's the only thing that worked reliably prior to buying a small monitor.
 
If the detail setting is high and focus in red is on the viewfinder is going to be to generous with the focus and will give you false readings. I’ve been bitten by that one. As others have said us black and white with focus asset. This is the best way without an EVF. If your serious you should save up and buy at least a used DP4. The focus assist is very good on the SmalllHD monitors.
 
hscully said:
Don't keep the EVF DTL on using FA in red.
Click to expand...

Definitely don't use these features together, or you'll be tricked into believing your focused.

The 16-35mm is parfocal, & there's debate whether the 24-70 is. Mine seems to be.

As others said, get an EVF.
 
When I'm running and gunning and in doubt about focus..put the primary subject in the centre of frame and hit the auto focus button..then re frame as required
 
Thanks all. This has been a great help and yes when the dollars are a little more abundant the EVF or something like a TVlogic will be bought. In fact I am looking at a bunch of DSLR gear that is presently sitting unused and could probably fetch me a start.

I have been using black and white in the view finder and leaving the screen colour. It sounds like it might be best to use the lot in black and white at least till the arrival of any EVF.

Thanks again and any further tips or advice much appreciated.
 
Bruce196 said:
Deep down I think you need an EVF or a TVlogic monitor. Biting the bullet on the cost must be cheaper than having to junk lots of your footage. I bought the Cineroid EVF and that has been very useful but even then it is easy to get caught out now and then. Focus in Red is useful but a sharp monitor is still needed to confirm that all is precisely well.
Click to expand...

So Bruce196 other than the SDI in/out is there any reason I should stay away from the Cineroid EVF4c rather than go the Metal? As I can most probably sell enough unused bits to afford something like that.

I am wary of HDMI cables but I think I read somewhere you can get lockable ones or ones that do not fall out as easily.

Also how do you mount this to your AF100? I was looking at the Edelkrone EVF mount? As I am trying not to bulk up to much with rails and the like.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers
 
I've had some good results mounting my SmallHD DP4-EVF on an 8" eBay special magic arm, screwed into the top handle and with the EVF rigged forward. Pulling the camera into your shoulder isn't entirely comfortable, and the lens is a little close, but it's workable. Makes me want one of the WestsideAV handgrips, and also appreciate Sony's EX3 design with its little shoulder pad.

The EVF really helps in finding (and maintaining) critical focus. The only issue I've had is the slight lag on the HDMI, which eventually makes me feel a little queasy. But that's another problem, right?
 
I had someone tell me the new lilliput monitors are fantastic, they have some focus assist features, true high def as well, not the 820x480 or whatever it is. Plus it has a super bright screen. I have had an older model lilliput (2010) outlast two ikans, so the quality is decent, but not marshal, or small hd quality. Like any gear if treat it with respect it will do fine for a while.
 
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