C300: Why No Auto Focus? Makes No Sense.

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
I was thinking about this today and really don’t understand the logic behind it. This is a top of line Canon camera and why not add a very useful feature. I’m just saying.
 
Canon planned it as a cinema camera and I think it hadn't visualised that the C300 will be a successful documentary camera as well. I don't think auto focus, with the current technology would be a good idea to have while filming as the camera can continue to hunt. However, a still camera style autofocus for acquiring focus would be a great help to quickly start filming and then do finetuning as per requirements.
 
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/misc/cinemaEOS_faq.shtml

"Does the EF model support autofocus? If not, why?"

"No. Neither the EOS C300 nor the EOS C300 PL support autofocus. The autofocus needs of a still photographer are very different than that of the cinema user. In cinema use, focus is preferred to be fully manual for full control and smooth shot timing by an experienced focus puller or camera operator."

You can purchase a 3rd party focus puller or camera operator separately to your C300.
 
I think it is great that it does not support Auto Focus. It is very easy to nail manual focus with practice.
 
That is odd. The Canon lenses require the camera to manage the aperture electronically, right? I would think that at least a "push button" focus would be extremely handy since you need to have that lens electronically controlled anyway. Sure you don't want it to hunt but you can always turn it off. Seems like a miss on a camera that expensive made for Canon lenses.
 
I never understood the need for auto-focusing for 8 years of my camera operating life. That was until I did a bit of tennis photography at an exhibition match. I was capturing the world's best tennis player, courtside in the photog booth and so hired a Canon 70-200mm IS to take pics with my 7D. To manually focus and frame a close up of a tennis player that darts around the court is a challenge and a half but the autofocus was spot on and as long as I had the player in the crosshairs, they stayed perfectly in focus, so in short, that with the 7d 8fps burst mode made it nearly childs play. If I had been shooting close-up video at f2.8, that silent, accurate autofocus would have come in real handy.
 
Push to focus is a very handy tool. I use it all the time with my AF-100 and Lumix lenses. I also found the feature very useful with the C100. Makes no sense to not have the “Push to Focus” feature on the C300. One thing I don’t like is when a company decides that I don’t need a feature. The C300 is a cinema camera so I don't need AF? Rubbish! The Red Epic and Scarlet Canon mount does support Auto Focus. Gee I wonder why? These are cinema cameras why would filmmakers need a push to focus feature?
I would never use continues AF . That just wouldn’t work. So if the C300 had the push to focus feature like the C100 you wouldn’t use it right?

On the bright side the C300’s viewfinder is a thing of beauty. Holy cow is it sharp. The best I have ever used, and the magnification works very well to get critical focus. I just think it’s a big miss to leave the AF feature out. Rant over. Maybe. :)

“Better to have and not need than to need and not have.”
mhood. January 10th 2013
 
Sony's autofocus using the LA EA2 adapter is nothing short of amazing. It's using a different system
(Phase detect) and it doesn't 'hunt'. So GREAT autofocus on the sony fs100/700 with this adapter and
sony a mount lenses. I wonder if this type of tech will become common?
 
Erik Naso said:
Push to focus is a very handy tool.
Click to expand...

I agree, and feel that Canon missed the boat not including this feature for use with their EF lenses.

I will also note the only reason I have not purchased a C300 is because of having to choose either an EF mount or a PL mount, rather than having the option to change mounts.
 
Even without a push-button AF, which would be extremely handy, I would love to have some on screen feedback about where the lens is focused. I used this all the time with Magic Lantern on the T3i. It's helpful information to have so you know if you are past or short of where you want to focus. Additionally, it can be used as a reference to know that you are in the ballpark of where you need to be. This is especially helpful with wide angle shots where it is hard to see where exactly you are focused. I don't see why this couldn't be added as a feature.
 
what i dont understand is that why if companies like birger or others are able to create focus systems that give nice long focus with EF lenses and also the option to do it wireless, why canon its self cant do it? that would a great tool to buy.....
 
anatusa said:
what i dont understand is that why if companies like birger or others are able to create focus systems that give nice long focus with EF lenses and also the option to do it wireless, why canon its self cant do it? that would a great tool to buy.....
Click to expand...
Canon has a WiFi module for the C300 to operate the focus with. I have no idea if it works well or not but it requires a PC to use it.
 
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