focusing

[drab]

What's he best way to switch focus between objects in foreground and background? Is it done manually? or can you literally set a sort of stopping block on the focus ring at the points you need? Or do you just pay attention to the focus numbers in the eyepiece? Is there a way to program desired focus points in the DVX? Any help is appreciated. Cheers.

 

[ryan brown]

Manually and watch the numbers. There's no way to program it in (to my knowledge)... but you could always look into getting a follow focus.

-brown

 

[drab]

thanks

 

[Barry_Green]

What's he best way to switch focus between objects in foreground and background? Is it done manually?

Yes, by watching the focus point numbers or by setting tape marks on the ring.

or can you literally set a sort of stopping block on the focus ring at the points you need?

On a DVX (or HVX) you could, but you can't on other cameras because their focus rings aren't repeatable. The DVX and HVX are (so long as you don't spin the ring past infinity or minimum focus distance). So you can put a couple of pieces of tape on the focus ring at the two focus points, and then rack between them and it'll be accurate.

Or do you just pay attention to the focus numbers in the eyepiece?

That's the way you'd do it if you needed to keep watching through the viewfinder during the rack focus and you didn't have an assistant, so yes.

Is there a way to program desired focus points in the DVX?

No.

 

[andy_starbuck]

One useful trick in some circumstances is to use the autofocus as a rangefinder. Frame the foreground subject, let autofocus settle, note the numbers. Frame the background subject, let autofocus settle, note the numbers. Then switch to manual focus for the shot.