focusing w/anamorphic lense
- Thread starter nohojoe
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Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
The adapter can be used at all zoom ranges and all focus ranges, and most combinations thereof, depending on your distance to subject and aperture. It takes some understanding to grasp the full picture, so I wrote up the Anamorphic Adapter Guide to explain it all, including charts and focus tables. The Guide is included as a chapter in the new DVX Book as well.
For a free reference graph you can check out adam wilt's focus chart at http://adamwilt.com/24p/7200chart.html
The adapter can be used at all zoom ranges and all focus ranges, and most combinations thereof, depending on your distance to subject and aperture. It takes some understanding to grasp the full picture, so I wrote up the Anamorphic Adapter Guide to explain it all, including charts and focus tables. The Guide is included as a chapter in the new DVX Book as well.
For a free reference graph you can check out adam wilt's focus chart at http://adamwilt.com/24p/7200chart.html
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
All thanks should go to the great Adam Wilt, who created that chart. ;D
All thanks should go to the great Adam Wilt, who created that chart. ;D
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
ok i got my copy of art history today and they used the panasonic anamorphic and they apparently just used a real monitor on the set and focused by eye?
if you have a decent monitor say a 13" sony connected via s video cable to the camera, is focusing by eye accurate?
you know zoom all the way in and spin the wheel till you can see the threads on the actors sweater etc.
matthew
ok i got my copy of art history today and they used the panasonic anamorphic and they apparently just used a real monitor on the set and focused by eye?
if you have a decent monitor say a 13" sony connected via s video cable to the camera, is focusing by eye accurate?
you know zoom all the way in and spin the wheel till you can see the threads on the actors sweater etc.
matthew
XCheck
Veteran
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
It's much more accurate than using viewfinder only (obviously), but especially with the anamorphic, I found a sharpness pattern really useful. The problem is that if you focus on things like threads in actor's sweater (to use your example), they may be aligned in a certain direction, and because the anamorphic has two different planes of focus, you could end up with sub-optimal sharpness.
I think using Barry's anamorphic guide or sharpness pattern chart is the best way.
It's much more accurate than using viewfinder only (obviously), but especially with the anamorphic, I found a sharpness pattern really useful. The problem is that if you focus on things like threads in actor's sweater (to use your example), they may be aligned in a certain direction, and because the anamorphic has two different planes of focus, you could end up with sub-optimal sharpness.
I think using Barry's anamorphic guide or sharpness pattern chart is the best way.
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
that was what i was wondering, if it was possible to get an even better focus for the specific scene using the pro monitor.
what focus chart is the best?
the only one i have is a weird psychedlic one i downloaded from www.rondexter.com and i have always wondered which one is better.
matthew
that was what i was wondering, if it was possible to get an even better focus for the specific scene using the pro monitor.
what focus chart is the best?
the only one i have is a weird psychedlic one i downloaded from www.rondexter.com and i have always wondered which one is better.
matthew
XCheck
Veteran
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
Is it this one? http://www.rondexter.com/intermediate/equipment/focus_pattern.htm
If yes, I must agree with what Ron says:
I don't think there is anything better than that - at least not for the DVX. When you use it to set the focus with the anamorphic adapter, you focus so that the sharpest wedges produce sort of an X-shaped pattern. That means the focus is set precisely between the horizontal and vertical axis focusing plane, and you can't get it better than that. For everything else, you must increase DOF.
Oh, I almost forgot - when you do this, make sure you have the iris set to the widest opening possible, even if you then have to stop down and/or change the ND filter.
Is it this one? http://www.rondexter.com/intermediate/equipment/focus_pattern.htm
If yes, I must agree with what Ron says:
Code:
I believe the best focus pattern is the Sieman's Star: a radiating pattern of black and white wedges each 5 degrees wide.I don't think there is anything better than that - at least not for the DVX. When you use it to set the focus with the anamorphic adapter, you focus so that the sharpest wedges produce sort of an X-shaped pattern. That means the focus is set precisely between the horizontal and vertical axis focusing plane, and you can't get it better than that. For everything else, you must increase DOF.
Oh, I almost forgot - when you do this, make sure you have the iris set to the widest opening possible, even if you then have to stop down and/or change the ND filter.
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
thats the one i use. it also appears to be the same one that came with dv rack.
so your supposed to get a true X pattern?
i get it in a very nice focus but i don't recall any X, i'm going out today to do some filter tests and i'll definitely try looking for the x.
thanks
matthew
thats the one i use. it also appears to be the same one that came with dv rack.
so your supposed to get a true X pattern?
i get it in a very nice focus but i don't recall any X, i'm going out today to do some filter tests and i'll definitely try looking for the x.
thanks
matthew
XCheck
Veteran
Re: focusing w/anamorphic lense
I'd say 'sort of X-shaped'. If your iris is fully open, the vertical and horizontal wedges should be slightly out of focus, but those at 45 degrees should be the sharpest. So when you look at it in EVF, it appears as a 'thick-ish' X shaped area of the pattern with maximum sharpness.
I'd say 'sort of X-shaped'. If your iris is fully open, the vertical and horizontal wedges should be slightly out of focus, but those at 45 degrees should be the sharpest. So when you look at it in EVF, it appears as a 'thick-ish' X shaped area of the pattern with maximum sharpness.