GH2 Holding focus for tracking shots with fast prime lens

Mj882

Mj882

Well-known member
Can anyone give me a few tips on holding focus with a manual lens for tracking shots. I mainly use my Nikon f/1.2 AI-S manual lens to shoot things with the GH2. I'll be purchasing a rig this week, but here is a video I shot handheld that drifted out of focus a lot: http://vimeo.com/26999649

Can anyone provide any advice on how to utilise the camera/lens to maintain focus on shots with movement.

Cheers
 
Stopping down would be a good first step. Practice would be second through fifteenth. Using a wider lens would be a good sixteenth step.
 
Otherwise, you can do like for film production and use a first AC to pull focus. You can also do this wirelessly. Focus pulling is a full time job that requires all your attention.
Like most of us I usually am alone when I shoot, but for some critical shots, I sometimes ask for some help to pull focus for me while I frame. A follow focus with hard stops may help as well.
 
I assumed the OP was looking for a solution as an operator, but, yes, a qualified AC would be the best solution. With a good monitor and wireless control or a focus whip is often how it's done.

It's also very unusual for a tracking shot to be shot so shallow. What focal length are you using that opens up to 1.2? I'm betting it's not a moderate wide, like a 25mm, which is great for handheld tracking. If you're a skilled operator and want a tighter shot, a 35mm looks great handheld, but it requires skill and a very balanced camera rig.
 
Your big problem is you're doing it with a telephoto lens.

Your big problem is you're doing it with a telephoto lens.

The lens you're using magnifies shake and has too shallow of a depth of field.

You need to use a wider lens -- eithe rthe 20mm or 14mm pancake or the equivalent. To track and follow people, it will show less shake and have more forgiving DOF properties.
 
The number one thing that will help you is to get an external monitor that has peaking. With peaking turned on you will clearly see what's in focus and what isn't. In the absence of an external monitor, try using the viewfinder instead of the LCD screen. When hit record, the viewfinder turns on a mild sharpening which makes it somewhat easier to see what's in focus. But, this is a distant second to having an external monitor with peaking.

Of course, everything people have said about stopping down and/or using a wider lens is all valid. It's important to choose the right tool for the right job.
 
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