the dvx100 focus at DVinfo.net

Stephen Gibson · April 1st, 2006, 12:11 PM

hello to all....

planning on shooting a small action film with dvx100. I am going to build or rent a steadicam for the shot.

Understandably budget is tight so renting a good steadicam with monitor etc etc is not going to happen.

As we all know the auto focus doesn't work in 24pa so any suggestions on how i can keep shots focused as i move around my subjects.

thanx...p.s. any good recommendations for dvd authoring after film completed.

regards
steve

John Hudson · April 1st, 2006, 03:36 PM

I just sat here for 5 minutes trying to think of some sarcastic wisearse thing to say in reply to your question and just do not have the heart, so...

With Auto Focus off (and who really uses that Auto Focus thingy anyway ?) you are goign to have manually adjust the focus dial. Use your LCD or the EVF to determine if you are in focus on the subject matter.

I would assume you will be rehearsing and blocking your shots ? This would also be the time for you (Or your DP) to rehearse locking in focus and hitting your own marks, particulary with a moving camera

You can use gaffing tape to make marks for your talent to move to and from as well as for your camera operator in keeping the focus dialed in or you can simply determine the distance and framing you want for a shot and always keep your camera 'at that distance' from the subject matter.

Hope this helps (really)

Winston Vargas · April 2nd, 2006, 08:22 AM

When you're shooting with the steadycam you rely on Depth of field, if you don't have focusing capability remotely. Depth opf field means that after you focus on the subject, depending on the aperture you will be in focus a certain distance in front and in back of the subject.

Stephen Gibson · April 2nd, 2006, 02:36 PM

hmmm...john

great way to start the reply to what i thought wasn't really a tricky question.
in fact it was such a good leader that i couldn't really get past it.

Please as the audience waits with baited breath, tell us what the wisearse reply would have been....never pull punches..leads to " oh if only i had said that.."

I guess my concern was that with a cheap ie no hands free steadicam that i would not be able to focus because my hands were not available.

sorry for the dumbass question...."oh yeah that ring on the front if i move it one way everything looks sharp and if i move it again it gets fuzzy....wow..these cameras are awesome..."

once again thanx
steve

p.s thanx winston that was the reply i needed..

April 1st, 2006, 12:11 PM	#1
Stephen Gibson New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: burnaby b.c. Posts: 5	the dvx100 focus hello to all.... planning on shooting a small action film with dvx100. I am going to build or rent a steadicam for the shot. Understandably budget is tight so renting a good steadicam with monitor etc etc is not going to happen. As we all know the auto focus doesn't work in 24pa so any suggestions on how i can keep shots focused as i move around my subjects. thanx...p.s. any good recommendations for dvd authoring after film completed. regards steve

April 2nd, 2006, 08:22 AM	#3
Winston Vargas Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: new york, ny Posts: 32	following focus on the steadycam When you're shooting with the steadycam you rely on Depth of field, if you don't have focusing capability remotely. Depth opf field means that after you focus on the subject, depending on the aperture you will be in focus a certain distance in front and in back of the subject.

April 2nd, 2006, 02:36 PM	#4
Stephen Gibson New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: burnaby b.c. Posts: 5	dvx100 focus hmmm...john great way to start the reply to what i thought wasn't really a tricky question. in fact it was such a good leader that i couldn't really get past it. Please as the audience waits with baited breath, tell us what the wisearse reply would have been....never pull punches..leads to " oh if only i had said that.." I guess my concern was that with a cheap ie no hands free steadicam that i would not be able to focus because my hands were not available. sorry for the dumbass question...."oh yeah that ring on the front if i move it one way everything looks sharp and if i move it again it gets fuzzy....wow..these cameras are awesome..." once again thanx steve p.s thanx winston that was the reply i needed..

April 1st, 2006, 03:36 PM	#2
John Hudson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 32° 44' N 117° 10' W Posts: 820	I just sat here for 5 minutes trying to think of some sarcastic wisearse thing to say in reply to your question and just do not have the heart, so... With Auto Focus off (and who really uses that Auto Focus thingy anyway ?) you are goign to have manually adjust the focus dial. Use your LCD or the EVF to determine if you are in focus on the subject matter. I would assume you will be rehearsing and blocking your shots ? This would also be the time for you (Or your DP) to rehearse locking in focus and hitting your own marks, particulary with a moving camera You can use gaffing tape to make marks for your talent to move to and from as well as for your camera operator in keeping the focus dialed in or you can simply determine the distance and framing you want for a shot and always keep your camera 'at that distance' from the subject matter. Hope this helps (really)