Need your Help HVX.!!

S

Steve McClean

Carbonite Member
I'm shooting something this saturday and sunday and I have some focusing questions.

Example of the shot.

It is a close up of the bong water bubbleing in a bong then we are going to dolly back out about 4 to 5 feet and reveal the characters on the couch. How would I go focusing this?

I tried to do a jub crane shot one day and messed up. I can't afford to mess up again!

I did a crane shot from a cellphone laying in the grass to panning up to the subject playing football in the field. I first focused on the cell phone and made a mark on the focus ring(with a piece of white tape) and then I focused in on my subject out on the field and made a mark on the focus ring. So when I did the shot I slowly twisted the focus while I panned up to my subject and it went out of focus...! I didn't get way?

How or whats the best way of focusing when you have to two main things to focus on?

example: I will be doing a ceiling shot of a guy laying in bed and I want to pan down from the ceiling to his face. So do I focus first for the start at the top of the ceiling and then focus up close on his face. And mark both of them?


I really kind of confused I don't know why, it didn't work when I tried it out in the football field.

this site is a life saver because I have nobody else to ask to get a legit answer on doing it right!!!

thanks alot

steve
 
Do you have 35mm lenses, or are you using just the HVX lens? If using the HVX lens, what type of focus device are you using? Electronic (like the Bebob Foxi Focus or the Varizoom VZ-Rock PZFI) or manual, like a Redrock Micro Follow Focus, etc?

Perhaps this is oversimplifying, but on your previous shoot was the camera left in auto focus?
 
No All I have is the stock lens. I have a guy control the crane and I'm twisting the focus ring while he controls the crane or dolly
 
It is a close up of the bong water bubbleing in a bong then we are going to dolly back out about 4 to 5 feet and reveal the characters on the couch. How would I go focusing this?
Click to expand...
With this kind of shot, you should be able to mark the start and stop focal distances on the focus ring and smoothly go from stop A to stop B as you dolly back. Do some practice takes on any inanimate objects that you can set up in the proper spots before the actual scene takes so that you can be confident of the technique in the exact envoronment you will shoot in.

example: I will be doing a ceiling shot of a guy laying in bed and I want to pan down from the ceiling to his face. So do I focus first for the start at the top of the ceiling and then focus up close on his face. And mark both of them?
Click to expand...
I would start with doing that and then make note of the distances of reference points in between the start and end as well. If the focus still does not remain sharp after practice, then consider widening the zoom (zoom out)and see if it becomes less noticeable.

Another helpful tip would be to measure the exact distances with measuring tape and then make note of the actual distances displayed on the camcorder. Whoever's pulling focus should be aware of the actual numerical distances and be watching the numbers progress in the viewfinder/monitor as the focus progresses.

I'm not sure what else to try other than recommending a follow focus like the IndiFocus to help simplifly pulling focus more accurately.
 
I am wondering if Auto Focus and some crafty camera operating will sort this for you. Give it a try at least on one of the takes.

I am often surprised just how good the Auto Focus works. > I tell my Cam.Asst that it does a better job than him ...so he might as well confine his talents to P2 Down loading. (Jokingly of course)
 
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