tommy nguyen
Member
I know with HD focus is the big issue. Have anyone working with automatic focus a lot. How good is the auto focus on the A1. I'm going to do a lot shooting with auto focus because time concern.
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Focusing?
- Thread starter tommy nguyen
- Start date
Auto focus can be an issue because of the issues stated above. I use the A1 for run-n-gun shooting and have found the following to work well:
1. get one of the these for the lcd- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/294332-REG/Hoodman_H3C_H_300_Hood_with_Magnifier.html
2. keep peaking on
3. set the first custom key to turn the lcd to black&white.
Once you're ok with the colors you can leave the lcd on b&w, which, with the peaking and the magnifier on the Hoodman make focsuing much easier. Still gotta be very watchful, but is very doable.
1. get one of the these for the lcd- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/294332-REG/Hoodman_H3C_H_300_Hood_with_Magnifier.html
2. keep peaking on
3. set the first custom key to turn the lcd to black&white.
Once you're ok with the colors you can leave the lcd on b&w, which, with the peaking and the magnifier on the Hoodman make focsuing much easier. Still gotta be very watchful, but is very doable.
jaegersing
Well-known member
In addition to what the others said, be aware that autofocus affects how you frame all your shots. You need to keep the centre cursor on the subject to give the autofocus a chance to work, so it is almost always necessary to keep the subject in the centre of the frame. This is usually not the best option for shot composition, and it also gets boring very fast if all shots have the subject bang in the middle.
tommy nguyen
Member
Oh I though HD is going to be good. Now look like good picture but a lot of headache. Hum wonder what I do with the picture framing in the center when I don't even want the picture to frame that way. No wonder all the people shoot on HD cam focus look real funny I can definitely tell which one is pro and not pro if they shoot in manual or auto mode. Hum putting LCD on the camcorder make it even more stuff and heavier mean more battery all kind stuff. Run-n-gun shooting is real problem now with HD I guess. Are others HD brand camcorder having the same problem too with focusing? I knowledge that some guy shooting with the Sony V1 focusing look completely kind fade in the background. If the object stand still then focusing will not a problem but if they run like hell and we have to keep track of them I wonder how we can do a manual focus when this is not really a real lens. I hope auto focus will work well at wide angle. Else I just guessing by read the distance display on the focusing and kinda watch the LCD use peaking and hope that work well. I don't think you can use magnify while recording with A1. I hope I can use peaking and custom LCD to b&w. For the white balance I just use AWB. I can't control the light in the non setting shoot.
tommy-
the Hoodman I suggested for the lcd adds almost no weight and has a magnifier so you don't need the one in the camera (which, as you say, can't be used while recording anyway).
I would avoid using the AWB. One of the great features of the A1 is the ability to customize the white balance by dialing in the kelvins. I find this very useful and doable on the run.
You sound frustrated, man. Keep cool and keep at it and you'll be fine.
the Hoodman I suggested for the lcd adds almost no weight and has a magnifier so you don't need the one in the camera (which, as you say, can't be used while recording anyway).
I would avoid using the AWB. One of the great features of the A1 is the ability to customize the white balance by dialing in the kelvins. I find this very useful and doable on the run.
You sound frustrated, man. Keep cool and keep at it and you'll be fine.
Oh I though HD is going to be good. Now look like good picture but a lot of headache. Hum wonder what I do with the picture framing in the center when I don't even want the picture to frame that way. No wonder all the people shoot on HD cam focus look real funny I can definitely tell which one is pro and not pro if they shoot in manual or auto mode. Hum putting LCD on the camcorder make it even more stuff and heavier mean more battery all kind stuff. Run-n-gun shooting is real problem now with HD I guess. Are others HD brand camcorder having the same problem too with focusing? I knowledge that some guy shooting with the Sony V1 focusing look completely kind fade in the background. If the object stand still then focusing will not a problem but if they run like hell and we have to keep track of them I wonder how we can do a manual focus when this is not really a real lens. I hope auto focus will work well at wide angle. Else I just guessing by read the distance display on the focusing and kinda watch the LCD use peaking and hope that work well. I don't think you can use magnify while recording with A1. I hope I can use peaking and custom LCD to b&w. For the white balance I just use AWB. I can't control the light in the non setting shoot.
For the price, you just can't have a high res on board LCD so don't complain too much about it. In fact, there is no decent HD monitoring solution included at all usually in any cameras. Look at the HPX500, which is a "pro" HD camcorder for example. Yea, you have a big viewfinder as opposed to an LCD screen, but try focusing visually using that alone. An external monitor is recommended every time, and they cost big bucks.
Another thing is that focusing on the A1 is actually easier than most other cameras out there. Ever seen the HVX's LCD? Not to mention the deep depth of field makes it easy to keep subject in focus even when they're moving.
I was out filming with the A1 and the M2 35mm adapter this weekend, and trust me, focusing got a lot tougher when the DOF was just a couple of feet.
tommy nguyen
Member
Oh I'm not really complain about LCD and all the function of the A1. I just kindly say HDV take too much work if you shooting a lot camera at one with no time with setting at all. If shooting in a real film setting then nothing will be a problem at all just zoom in other way and focus then zoom out get your point then from there you can increase base on the distance the object move. But in gun-n-run I don't think I have a lot of time make all that decision. Especially I'm handle 2 cam at one not one. One on tripod and one on my hand. Thank you SamKam for the Hoodman. I love it to be simple like the DV so that my helper can use all the auto mode without I'm being worry what focus and F stop that he use.