Auto Focus Lenses for Racking With Magic Lantern 0.1.6 at DVinfo.net

Chris Barcellos · August 14th, 2009, 11:19 AM

I would like to hear from those who are shooting auto focus lenses successfully with the Magic Lantern rack focus set up, and have you report the particular lens and give any pointers on how to best handle the process with that lens. Jon already posted on this in the general release sticky thread, but I think developing a list of workable lenses would be great to other who are buying.... like me...

Oh, by the way, Canon.... we told you this would happen....

Tramm Hudson · August 15th, 2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

I would like to hear from those who are shooting auto focus lenses successfully with the Magic Lantern rack focus set up

I'm in agreement with Jon -- one of my favorites is the 85mm f/1.8. It is quite inexpensive for the quality and the length is very good for one and two shots. I'm eager to hear if anyone has tested the f/1.2 version since it has a special focus motor compared to these other lenses.

The 50mm f/1.4 micro-USM isn't as fast, but seemed to be fairly accurate in repeatability with computer control. I haven't tested the f/1.2 or f/1.8 versions.

The 135mm f/2 is also a super lens for one shots, but a bit long for two-shots. I wish I had one of my own.

Some non-Canon lenses will work with the rack focus, but there is no lens data returned. My Sigma 20 mm f/1.8 doesn't have Full Time Manual, so it is not possible to do both manual focus and computer controlled pulls with it.

For my team's 48 Hour Film submission earlier this year we shot almost entirely on the 85 and a Lensbaby, with a few establishing shots on the 20 and one or two closeups on the 70-200 (at 200).

Harry Simpson · August 15th, 2009, 09:59 AM

Glad to see some of my lenses listed here. I've got the 85 f/1.8 and 50 f/1.8 and 24-105 f4L, 70-200 f4L

My question as i just downloaded ML .6 last night.....what exactly is rack focus - memory focus points or does one need a rack/rail system other than just the camera?

I shoot a lot of music acts and to pre-show set focus points would be huge! But how to go from one to the other?

TIA
Harry

Chris Barcellos · August 15th, 2009, 12:22 PM

Harry, the rack focus in this version is not savable, as I understand it. Nice feature to request though.

Harry Simpson · August 15th, 2009, 03:50 PM

Chris

I didn't make myself clear.....what exactly is rack focus?

Harry

Chris Barcellos · August 15th, 2009, 03:56 PM

Essentially, its the kind of shot in a film where there are two important subjects in the shot, at different focal planes, and the camera is focused from on to the other for effect.

Harry Simpson · August 15th, 2009, 05:04 PM

How does Magic Lantern implement this on the 5D Mk2 and then i'll let it rest Chris. ;-)

Chris Barcellos · August 15th, 2009, 05:31 PM

Check out this manual. I have not actually used this feature, so I would be working from this too. You do need an autofocus lense.

http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/M....6_User_Manual

Michael Kelly · October 8th, 2010, 05:56 PM

Hey there,
For some reason, I can't get the rack focus to work, and its breaking my heart!
I am running 0.1.8, on 2.0.4 on 25fps
Two parts don't work - when I press the Zoom in button to refocus, nothing happens, and when I hit Set to start the rack focus, nothing happens.
Any ideas?

Michael Kelly · October 8th, 2010, 06:02 PM

Hey there,
For some reason, I can't get the rack focus to work, and its breaking my heart!
I am running 0.1.8, on 2.0.4 on 25fps
Two parts don't work - when I press the Zoom in button to refocus, nothing happens, and when I hit Set to start the rack focus, nothing happens.
Any ideas?

Andrew Drefs · April 19th, 2011, 08:07 AM

I am having the exact same issue(s) and would love to get this to work. Although I am running 0.1.9 on 2.0.8 at 24fps, if that makes a difference.

August 14th, 2009, 11:19 AM	#1
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Auto Focus Lenses for Racking With Magic Lantern 0.1.6 I would like to hear from those who are shooting auto focus lenses successfully with the Magic Lantern rack focus set up, and have you report the particular lens and give any pointers on how to best handle the process with that lens. Jon already posted on this in the general release sticky thread, but I think developing a list of workable lenses would be great to other who are buying.... like me... Oh, by the way, Canon.... we told you this would happen.... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 15th, 2009, 09:59 AM	#3
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Nubie Question re Rack Focus Glad to see some of my lenses listed here. I've got the 85 f/1.8 and 50 f/1.8 and 24-105 f4L, 70-200 f4L My question as i just downloaded ML .6 last night.....what exactly is rack focus - memory focus points or does one need a rack/rail system other than just the camera? I shoot a lot of music acts and to pre-show set focus points would be huge! But how to go from one to the other? TIA Harry __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

August 15th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Harry, the rack focus in this version is not savable, as I understand it. Nice feature to request though. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 15th, 2009, 03:50 PM	#5
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Chris I didn't make myself clear.....what exactly is rack focus? Harry __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

August 15th, 2009, 03:56 PM	#6
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Essentially, its the kind of shot in a film where there are two important subjects in the shot, at different focal planes, and the camera is focused from on to the other for effect. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

August 15th, 2009, 05:04 PM	#7
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	How does Magic Lantern implement this on the 5D Mk2 and then i'll let it rest Chris. ;-) __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom

August 15th, 2009, 05:31 PM	#8
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Check out this manual. I have not actually used this feature, so I would be working from this too. You do need an autofocus lense. http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/M....6_User_Manual __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

October 8th, 2010, 05:56 PM	#9
Michael Kelly Tourist Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Castlegregory, County Kerry, Ireland Posts: 2	Hey there, For some reason, I can't get the rack focus to work, and its breaking my heart! I am running 0.1.8, on 2.0.4 on 25fps Two parts don't work - when I press the Zoom in button to refocus, nothing happens, and when I hit Set to start the rack focus, nothing happens. Any ideas?

October 8th, 2010, 06:02 PM	#10
Michael Kelly Tourist Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Castlegregory, County Kerry, Ireland Posts: 2	Hey there, For some reason, I can't get the rack focus to work, and its breaking my heart! I am running 0.1.8, on 2.0.4 on 25fps Two parts don't work - when I press the Zoom in button to refocus, nothing happens, and when I hit Set to start the rack focus, nothing happens. Any ideas?

April 19th, 2011, 08:07 AM	#11
Andrew Drefs New Boot Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 6	Re: Auto Focus Lenses for Racking With Magic Lantern 0.1.6 I am having the exact same issue(s) and would love to get this to work. Although I am running 0.1.9 on 2.0.8 at 24fps, if that makes a difference.