GH2 GH2 - manual focusing on a lumix lens (25mm 1.4)

T

teuron

Active member
i recently bought the leica branded 25mm f1.4 lens for my gh2.
its so far the most expensive lens i bought and i do really like it so far...

but i have a couple of questions about the gh2 that i was not able to find after searching.

i would like to SET the focus with the shutter button and then once i press it all the way in to start recording i would like the focus to be in full manual mode and not auto at all.
is this possible?
im noticing that if im in manual focus mode, the shutter does not focus at all. and when in afs mode, the shutter will let me focus on half press (unlike afc which is always focusing and annoying) but when i go to move the focus ring on the lens it does nothing...
so.
can i SET my focus with half-press of shutter, and once recording starts be in full manual focus mode without having to click the dial?

also,
not a big deal but when im in menu mode, the brightness of the lcd is affected by what is in front of the lens. is it possible to have the brightness of the lens a consistent level regardless of light level outsode? (only in menu mode ofcourse as i stil want to use the screen to judge exposure)

one more thing i forgot....
i would like to assign the focus assist to one of the function modes (instead of having it automatically come on everytime i touch the focus ring)
can i do this?
how? (i dont see the option when in function button assigning mode)

thanx!
 
You can turn off focus assist in the menus. I don't remember which button but one of the directional buttons on the back will do a digital zoom in which works like focus assist. Just hold the shutter button halfway and you'll be instantly zoom back out. So regarding your question #3, it is possible to do that.
 
omnikron said:
You can turn off focus assist in the menus. I don't remember which button but one of the directional buttons on the back will do a digital zoom in which works like focus assist. Just hold the shutter button halfway and you'll be instantly zoom back out. So regarding your question #3, it is possible to do that.
Click to expand...

thats the scenario im trying to setup. it wasnt set as default or more likely ive changed it accidentally when playing with functions/menu, but id like to have say fn2 button snap into focus assist (digital zoom) but im not seeing that option when in function button assign mode (or just not realizing what its called)
 
"Continuous Focus" is what your looking for... to turn off. I forget the menu location, but its under your video settings... when you have your camera in video mode.
Also Pre-focus (Q and C) should be off as well... as this has your camera always trying to focus even when not recording.

When i get home, i can look at my camera and tell you step by step. But basically in Video M mode, I have it so that when I half press the shutter my camera will focus where i need it. But once i let go, or start recording my camera stays at that focus until i half press my shutter button again, then it'll refocus... even while recording it will keep focus until i half press the shutter. Also i can compose my focus point, and hit the "video record" button (small red button) and my camera will start recording without changing my focus selection.
 
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daihard said:
"Continuous Focus" is what your looking for... to turn off. I forget the menu location, but its under your video settings... when you have your camera in video mode.
Also Pre-focus (Q and C) should be off as well... as this has your camera always trying to focus even when not recording.

When i get home, i can look at my camera and tell you step by step. But basically in Video M mode, I have it so that when I half press the shutter my camera will focus where i need it. But once i let go, or start recording my camera stays at that focus until i half press my shutter button again, then it'll refocus... even while recording it will keep focus until i half press the shutter.
Click to expand...

yes id appreciate that. this is EXACTLY the settings that i would like to have :)

daihard said:
Also i can compose my focus point, and hit the "video record" button (small red button) and my camera will start recording without changing my focus selection.
Click to expand...

im recording in 1080p24 and so always using the shutter button to start recording.
i thought it was not possible to record non interlaced video with the video record (small red) button?
 
Why not just set it to AF, focus with half press, then switch the dial to mf? your subject will be in focus, you will be able to focus manually, and it doesn't zoom in for focus assist during recording. Also if you do AF-C, make sure you keep the shutter half pressed, but it does work decently
 
@teuron
Well, you need to look at how to use your camera to its fullest... that means reading tons of stuff form this Forum, like i have.
Anyhow. Your Main dial should be set on Video M mode (between your C3 and SCN settings on the knob)
Once there, you have access to all the high end video modes.
Menu - "Motion Picture"
In that menu you will see a setting called "Continuous AF" - Switch to OFF

Then scroll down to Menu "Custom"
In that menu, you will find "Pre AF" - Turn that off, as it makes your camera constantly try to find focus all the time as long as your camera is turned on.
Also i have Direct Focus Area - Off
and Focus Priority - On, Shutter AF - On

You should be shooting mostly in M-Video Mode, then within that mode you would want to stick with M or S mode so that you have the most control over your camera. The other modes aren't to advisable... at least for professional needs.

My Top Dials are set in AFS and "Spot", so my camera Focuses once and focuses on the spot i have chosen.

Good Luck
 
thanx for the tips daihard.
much appreciated

btw, i have spent many many hours reading about all kinds of stuff on here, and learned alot, but sometimes it is hard to find very specific details which can be hard to find when worded differently.
 
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