GH2 Focus problems

[scorsesefan]

I bought a geared FF and had problems pulling focus with the GH2 and Lumix lenses, so I went with a gearless FF and I'm having the same problems: I mark my focus points and they always change when I pull. Is it possible to accurately pull focus on a mirrorless camera or am I wasting my time?

 

[Jaime Valles]

I believe the problem is the lenses, not the camera. To do what you describe (repeatable, controlled focus pulling) you're probably going to have to use all-manual lenses (not Lumix). What lenses are you using? I use my GH2 with a Canon FD 50mm lens and a Voigtlander 25mm lens. Both are manual only, and they both maintain perfect focus repeatability take after take.

 

[scorsesefan]

I use the Lumix 14-140, 25 1.4 and I have a Canon 50mm like yours. I just sold a 28mm F2 Canon FD lens that I tested a few times and had trouble with focus repeatability. I will do some more experiments with the 50mm... Thanks.

 

[mcbob]

Lumix lenses have variable electronic focus (or whatever the proper name) - the amount of focus change is proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. Bonus is making the lenses smaller, lighter, and cheaper, and (arguably) easier to use, downside (as mentioned) is that focus pulls are completely unrepeatable with those lenses.