-
Basic question about shooting video with 5D
Hello,
I would like to hear your opinions about how to best configure the Autofocus on the mark iii, for shooting video. I would like to have to not worry too much about the focus on a shoot where a lot of different things will be happening. Of course, if I need a specific shot, I will focus manually.
But is there a setup ideal for having the focus work as closely as possible to how it works on a normal digital camera?
I know it won’t be the same, but I’m just looking for the best way to configure the camera so focusing won’t require too much attention on a shoot where I must be pretty versatile.Thank you!
-
6 Replies
-
You have to manual focus in video mode. You really do need an external monitor or EVF to get accurate focus. You can also try the old school method of using a tape measure from the film/Digital chip Plane to the subject and set that distance on the lens.
But as I wrote, you need to manual focus. The alternative is make sure once you have focus you don’t move the camera subject distance.
Warren Eig
O 310-470-0905email: warren@babyboompictures.com
website: https://www.BabyBoomPictures.comREEL: https://www.babyboompictures.com/BabyBoomPictures/Reels.html
For Camera Accessories – Monitors and Batteries
website: https://www.EigRig.com -
Thx Warren,
Why are you discarding the “AF-ON” button, which does find focus even while filming? Of course you have to edit out the part where it’s trying to find focus, but that is still some kind of autofocus during shooting, isn’t it? -
It’s just not usable. What you really want is something designed to shoot video with AF built in. A DSLR is like shooting with a manual film camera.
Warren Eig
O 310-470-0905email: warren@babyboompictures.com
website: https://www.BabyBoomPictures.comREEL: https://www.babyboompictures.com/BabyBoomPictures/Reels.html
For Camera Accessories – Monitors and Batteries
website: https://www.EigRig.com -
OK well already found a pretty interesting solution right here:
https://blog.planet5d.com/2013/03/secrets-of-fast-focusing-while-filming-with-the-canon-5d-mark-iii-and-other-canon-hdslrs/You can autofocus while shooting. You just need to edit out the parts where the camera searches for focus but that’s not so bad!
-
[Jacob Giacometti] “You just need to edit out the parts where the camera searches for focus but that’s not so bad!”
Except when it hunts for focus during a portion of the video you need to keep. Hence, why Warren says “it’s just not usable.” Many video professionals aren’t willing to take the chance that the camera decides to go squirrelly and start hunting for focus in the middle of an important section of dialogue, or during a sit-down interview, or (fill in the blank). When I shot video on DSLR’s I only ran manual focus and used a SmallHD DP4 or AC7 monitor to judge critical focus.
If you’re demands are lower and having the camera hunt for focus is acceptable, then by all means roll on. But it only takes it biting you once in the back side to never use it again! 🙂
Ryan Holmes
http://www.ryanholmes.me
@CutColorPost -
Yes yes I know all this, I explained before hand that I will manual focus when I need it, but for some other stuff, autofocus is acceptable but just needed to know how to do it, not get a lesson on if this was a good idea or not 🙂
Anyway thx
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up