Recommend Me a PRECISION Reliable AF camera TRACKING without a Focus Puller

demoboy

demoboy

Well-known member
Looking for options.

Camera needs to be able to shoot in 4K. Minimum color space should be 10bit 4:2:2 with 200mbs recording.

I don't the know latest DSLR's or MFT cameras with combo AF lenses that are reliable in AF tracking? I plan to shoot a subject in slow motion and rotate around he/she with a Ronin rig. Rotations should be 7 revolutions total in a big empty space, continuous shot, of course, I want the subject TO ALWAYS be in FOCUS. If I could shoot in RAW 4K at 120fps with a recommended AF option that would be great.

I can settle for the best and newest BROADCAST style prosumer camcorders, but of course, are there better options? I will not have a focus puller at hand so this is why I need a reliable camera.

Best Regards, -J
 
C700 FF, C300 II, C200 (shooting raw), 1DX II (if 8-bit 422 is enough), Fuji X-T3. A7x III series are getting a firmware update for AF (eye AF); currently 8-bit and somewhat low bitrate.

Sony could surely produce a 120fps 4K AF-C 10-bit/raw camera (e.g. enable AF in the VENICE); nothing yet. If the upcoming A7S III gets 10-bit, it could be a contender.
 
Have you ever heard the saying, "f8 and be there"? Meaning, to set the aperture for the depth of field you want, and not worry about focusing.
 
demoboy said:
Looking for options.

Camera needs to be able to shoot in 4K. Minimum color space should be 10bit 4:2:2 with 200mbs recording.

I don't the know latest DSLR's or MFT cameras with combo AF lenses that are reliable in AF tracking? I plan to shoot a subject in slow motion and rotate around he/she with a Ronin rig. Rotations should be 7 revolutions total in a big empty space, continuous shot, of course, I want the subject TO ALWAYS be in FOCUS. If I could shoot in RAW 4K at 120fps with a recommended AF option that would be great.

I can settle for the best and newest BROADCAST style prosumer camcorders, but of course, are there better options? I will not have a focus puller at hand so this is why I need a reliable camera.

Best Regards, -J
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I have the C200 and the XT-3, the two cameras on the list JCS replied with that have the best, state of the art AF. Both cameras have very good AF technology and either could possibly do your proposed shot although, neither are perfect and neither are a substitute for a focus puller. The AF parameter settings are not variable, you can set tracking and focus speed and that's what you get whereas a real focus puller can vary any parameter at any time. DAF on the Canon is good but it does wig out at times and doesn't always track the face perfectly. Glasses, hats, bangs, or not having the face turned fully to camera or not having enough contrast differentiation between face and BG or having enough exposure will cause it to momentarily lose face tracking. So as a DP, me having talent walking through a richly lit, constrasty Chiaruscuro lit BG could easily cause the tracking to not work right.

I have only had the XT-3 a few weeks, but same caveats, it all depends on lighting levels, contrast and how the face relates to camera. Only seeing one eye or profiles seems to cause the facial tracking to not work as well. Of course the Fuji is 10-bit but 4:2:0 also, not 4:2:2 unless you buy an external recorder. IMHO, 4:2:0 vs. 4:2:2 doesn't really matter unless shooting green screen or pushing the signal like crazy for compositing. 10-bit is much more important. The Nikons I haven't used but they are intriguing to shoot RAW to the Ninja V via HDMI and aren't too costly.
 
There is another thread on 'tips' for the industry.

I made the point 'know your limits'

This sounds like a hard shot to pull off, and 120p4k10bit is rare in AF cameras.

Maybe you need to know your limits on this one?
 
Thanks guys so many good replies.

I think I have made my rental choice. I plan to use the Sony PXW-Z280 with an EasyRig Backpack (string.). I want to able to hold the camera with both hands, arms wide, and on my right hand the ability of a LANC zoom rocker. Any suggestions for the rocker and camera handle rig dangling from the string? Thnx
 
demoboy said:
Thanks guys so many good replies.

I think I have made my rental choice. I plan to use the Sony PXW-Z280 with an EasyRig Backpack (string.). I want to able to hold the camera with both hands, arms wide, and on my right hand the ability of a LANC zoom rocker. Any suggestions for the rocker and camera handle rig dangling from the string? Thnx
Click to expand...

Hi sorry to bump this thread but would be grateful if demoboy (or anyone else) had any luck with getting a 3rd party and cheap LANC zoom rocker to work with the Sony PXW-Z280? We're thinking of investing in this camera, but don't want to spend a load of money on the RM-30BP which seems overkill as we only need decent zoom control. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only option Sony are pushing.

Thanks, any advice would be appreciated :)
 
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