Maintaining Manual Focus on GL2 at DVinfo.net

Michael Pennington · October 26th, 2006, 10:58 PM

Ok, this may be a stupid question but can someone recommend a technique for maintaining manual focus on a moving subject while the camera is on a handheld steadycam? I only have 3 people on my crew. Me operating the camera, my buddy holding the boom mic and my other friend holding the reflector.

Graham Bernard · October 26th, 2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Pennington

Ok, this may be a stupid question but can someone recommend a technique for maintaining manual focus on a moving subject while the camera is on a handheld steadycam? I only have 3 people on my crew. Me operating the camera, my buddy holding the boom mic and my other friend holding the reflector.

This sounds like a recipe for disaster? However this Canon is real quick with AF, y'know? MF+Steady? Hmmmm... I DO have a LANC Frotti on my DVRig Pro which I do use to keep things in focus by employing the the PUSH Focus technique. I'm wondering if using a LANC somewhere ON the Steady you could do a PUSH AF and back to MF? Yeah, I can see that happening.

Michael Pennington · October 26th, 2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Bernard

This sounds like a recipe for disaster? However this Canon is real quick with AF, y'know? MF+Steady? Hmmmm... I DO have a LANC Frotti on my DVRig Pro which I do use to keep things in focus by employing the the PUSH Focus technique. I'm wondering if using a LANC somewhere ON the Steady you could do a PUSH AF and back to MF? Yeah, I can see that happening.

Using the Manual Focus is the only way i can control DOF. Unless there is a better way to get DOF with autofocus.

Graham Bernard · October 27th, 2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Pennington

Using the Manual Focus is the only way i can control DOF. Unless there is a better way to get DOF with autofocus.

Ah! I see! DoF. Hmmm... I have also done this with my LANC. I can use the ZOOM toggle AS a Focus adjust. Back and forth - yeah? Not QUICK quick, but it does do it. I guess what you are after is a simple sensible way to use a kinda whip or rack? Yeah? Interesting with a the Steady. Have I seen Racks and stuff on steadys?

Graham Bernard · October 27th, 2006, 01:06 AM

Some interesting comments for you here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ht=steady+rack

October 26th, 2006, 10:58 PM	#1
Michael Pennington Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 26	Maintaining Manual Focus on GL2 Ok, this may be a stupid question but can someone recommend a technique for maintaining manual focus on a moving subject while the camera is on a handheld steadycam? I only have 3 people on my crew. Me operating the camera, my buddy holding the boom mic and my other friend holding the reflector.

October 27th, 2006, 01:06 AM	#5
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Some interesting comments for you here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ht=steady+rack