Soft Focus video issue using 7D

[Richard Harrington]

Are you relying on the LCD panel for focus? It’s too small and low res.

See the DSLR podcasts on the COW site about external monitoring and loupes

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Steve Crow]

Hi Mike,

Tell us more detail so that we can help you better. For instance:

1) Are you using a custom picture style that has sharpness turned down or even “off”?

2) Are you using auto focus or manually focusing?

3) How are you focusing?

It’s not the lens, or the fstop/shutter speed but something else. If you are coming from a photography background perhaps also you need to adjust your expectations a little. In standard photography, getting very sharp focus is practically a badge of honor…in shooting video with HD DSLR sharpness is actually something we turn down in order to purposely have a softer and more filmic image. Now soft doesn’t really mean “out of focus” so maybe if you post a sample clip we can see more precisely what your issue may be.

[Brent Dunn]

Using a 1.4, you’ll always have trouble achieving a perfect focus, especially on moving subjects.

Do a test shoot on a still object with a tripod. Alter your focus slightly and take multiple photos or video of the same object to see if you still have soft images.

Clean your sensor and mirror. Clean your lenses.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite

[Bob Pierce]

You know, shooting at f16 is not giving you the best performance out of these lenses. Try shooting at f4 – you might be pleasantly surprised.
Bob

Director of Photography • Editor
http://www.lightstreamassociates.com