Focusing on the A1

LloydC

Veteran
I know there are major problems with focusing on the HVX because of its LCD... you pretty much need to fork over another 700+ for an external one.

I'm wondering with the A1 if you need an external monitor or LCD to focus? I'm specifically concerned with focusing with a 35mm adapter.

Thanks!
 
man i was shooting a band the other day in HDV and when I took it home and blew it up some shots that I thought I got were out of focus. Could be user error, its just hard to see the focus on a small screen and this applies to most cameras. I want an external monitor. But you cn use the lcd to focus most of the time.
 
Yeah, like lordybob says, it's hard to focus on a small screen. It's not impossible, and you can get your shots. Just, sometimes, it's tough.
 
You can't accurately focus a 2-million-pixel image on a 200,000-pixel LCD. Can't be done. Best you'll end up with is like lordybob had -- you think you've got it, but you find out when you view it at full res that no, you didn't.

It's not an "HVX issue", it's the fact that there just aren't enough pixels on any of these cameras' monitors to accurately display the image. The magnified focus assist is a great function and you should definitely be using it, it's the best way to get in the good-focus ballpark. Also, watch your iris, don't let it go smaller than f8 if you want to avoid small-iris diffraction. I believe the Canon limits the iris to f/9.5 so that shouldn't be much of an issue, but just be aware and keep the iris from going to f/9.5 if you can avoid it.
 
Hey Barry! I was at your seminar in Wellington! It was very good and I learn t a lot about the fantastic cameras.

I was the young looking canon xh-a1 user.
 
I know there are major problems with focusing on the HVX because of its LCD... you pretty much need to fork over another 700+ for an external one.

I'm wondering with the A1 if you need an external monitor or LCD to focus? I'm specifically concerned with focusing with a 35mm adapter.

Thanks!

I find that A1 alone, using the focus assist and magnify function I can get PERFECT focus and not just flat on the subject, but I can bring the focal plain a little back and forth to get the exact focus I want, sometimes slightly soft is what I am going for.

With a 35mm adapter it's just too damn imperfect to do, an external monitor really is a must.
 
Henry Cho, how did you customize the peaking option to display in B/W when selected? That seems like a very cool option.
 
Henry Cho, how did you customize the peaking option to display in B/W when selected? That seems like a very cool option.

Agreed. That would be nice.

I use the Redrock M2 with the Redrock follow focus and I'm pretty fond of it. It works pretty well for me. That is to say, I don't have any complaints. I use Magn. and Peaking and it works out great for me. If you can afford it though, get the LCD.
 
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