Red Focus Assist

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
I'm still hit and miss with the focus assist. I've been focusing on the eyes for the most part but sometimes the image is still a little soft. My field monitor is a Carrion, its pretty big compared to what's available now, and external power isn't all that great. I have a Tekkeon battery for it. I don't want to buy an EVF yet, but maybe my technique isn't working.
Any suggestions on how to nail focus on interviews?
I so wish the AF100 had that digital zoom in like the GH2 does. Works great.
 
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My advice is use Pcam or some type of calculator and know what your splits are . If anything I'm feeling like the splits Pcam gives are a little generous but at least its a base line.
Worst case scenario for interviews is have an assistant pop a star chart in next to interviewee's face as a reality check.
If you are using an olympus 35-100 zoom. MAKE sure that lens check is "on".
 
Erik Naso said:
I've been focusing on the eyes for the most part but sometimes the image is still a little soft.
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FIR is tricky at best, & sometimes I can't get anything to pop. The best option is 1:1 focus assist on an external monitor, or EVF.

I usually don't focus on the highlight in the eye with FIR as these are a reflection of a light that's at least several feet from the intended focus plane. Instead I look for FIR on the skin, eyelids, or eyelashes.

I'm a big fan of EVFs, & suggest you try one. Even without focus assist the view is much larger, so easier to focus.

On a side note, Zacuto's EVF is shipping soon.

Best,
Bern
 
In interview situations i'm usually using my DP6, but
I find that the with focus in red, you need to turn off evf detail. If evf detail is on, then focus in red is way too generous in it's assessment. Try putting the viewfinder in black and white, turn off EVF detail, and turn focus in red on. Then set the focus when the red is most bold on your intended subject. depending on the subjects posture and attire, often the texture of the shirt can serve as a great spot to use the FIR tool.
 
Bern Caughey said:
FIR is tricky at best, & sometimes I can't get anything to pop. The best option is 1:1 focus assist on an external monitor, or EVF.

I usually don't focus on the highlight in the eye with FIR as these are a reflection of a light that's at least several feet from the intended focus plane. Instead I look for FIR on the skin, eyelids, or eyelashes.

I'm a big fan of EVFs, & suggest you try one. Even without focus assist the view is much larger, so easier to focus.

On a side note, Zacuto's EVF is shipping soon.

Best,
Bern
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I will try this. I would love to get a EVF, it's just that I cant spend 1K for one right now. Thanks for the suggestions.
 
tacotim said:
In interview situations i'm usually using my DP6, but
I find that the with focus in red, you need to turn off evf detail. If evf detail is on, then focus in red is way too generous in it's assessment. Try putting the viewfinder in black and white, turn off EVF detail, and turn focus in red on. Then set the focus when the red is most bold on your intended subject.
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+1.

Never use EVF DTL and FIR simultaneously. It's way too generous.
 
tacotim said:
In interview situations i'm usually using my DP6, but
I find that the with focus in red, you need to turn off evf detail. If evf detail is on, then focus in red is way too generous in it's assessment. Try putting the viewfinder in black and white, turn off EVF detail, and turn focus in red on. Then set the focus when the red is most bold on your intended subject. depending on the subjects posture and attire, often the texture of the shirt can serve as a great spot to use the FIR tool.
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Thanks, I will give this a try as well. I have a shoot this afternoon so I have a good opportunity to give suggestions a try.
 
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Thanks to everybody that contributed.
Just got back from my shoot and everything looks nice and sharp even with tight focus due to wide open apertures at 2.0. Turned of EVF DTL which was on while I was using FIR. Tried black and white EVF. Not a fan but worked. All the shots nice and focused. I would say the EVF DTL was the biggest problem.
Thanks again!
 
The EVF DTL off tip for focusing is the best tip I've picked up in ages. Just had a practise with it an it really narrows down the red line focussing area a great deal - brilliant tip! Sparks x
 
Sparky874 said:
The EVF DTL off tip for focusing is the best tip I've picked up in ages. Just had a practise with it an it really narrows down the red line focussing area a great deal - brilliant tip! Sparks x
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That's why we play here. dvxuser has the best play structures on the web!
 
A great tip if your not shooting wide open is to open the iris completely, and focus from there with focus in red. This will help you dial in the focus much better and distinguish where the focus center point truly is. After focusing up you can than stop down to your desired t-stop, and as a result extend your depth of field from the point where you focused. If you can't get anything out of the focus in red you can use a light to create some contrast as many people have suggested.
 
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