Follow focus using facial recogntion at DVinfo.net

Jim Snow · January 2nd, 2011, 11:57 AM

One of the challenges with standard video cameras is maintaining sharp focus on a subject that is moving toward or away from the camera. The shallower the depth of field, the more difficult the problem is. Auto focus is worse than useless. It will focus on the background, not the subject, ten times out of ten. Does anyone have any feedback on how well the focus assist functions work on the GH2 with respect to follow focus?

Evan Lloyd · January 2nd, 2011, 12:31 PM

My advice would be to try one out and see if you like it. I've had mine for a few weeks and I generally love the auto focus. In macro situations or critical shots, I switch to manual. When I use my Merlin it's nice to have auto focus. I tried a lot of different, even more expensive, cameras. The GH2 is the best video DSLR I have found.

Check one out and see what you think. You might hate it. You might dig it.

Paul Mailath · January 3rd, 2011, 07:27 AM

in the right situation it's terrific but it has it's limitations. If someone is walking toward you the face recognition should be fine but if they turn their face to the side or another face becomes more prominent they you may have a problem.

As far as I can determine it needs to 'see' 2 eyes nose/mouth to recognise a face. You can set to recognise a particular face but I haven't tried that.

Aaron Courtney · January 3rd, 2011, 07:46 PM

there's a comical youtube video that shows the GH2 does not pull this off too well, certainly nowhere near as effective as a person pulling focus.

Jim Snow · January 3rd, 2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Courtney

there's a comical youtube video that shows the GH2 does not pull this off too well, certainly nowhere near as effective as a person pulling focus.

Do you have a link?

January 2nd, 2011, 11:57 AM	#1
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Follow focus using facial recogntion One of the challenges with standard video cameras is maintaining sharp focus on a subject that is moving toward or away from the camera. The shallower the depth of field, the more difficult the problem is. Auto focus is worse than useless. It will focus on the background, not the subject, ten times out of ten. Does anyone have any feedback on how well the focus assist functions work on the GH2 with respect to follow focus?

January 3rd, 2011, 07:27 AM	#3
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,610	in the right situation it's terrific but it has it's limitations. If someone is walking toward you the face recognition should be fine but if they turn their face to the side or another face becomes more prominent they you may have a problem. As far as I can determine it needs to 'see' 2 eyes nose/mouth to recognise a face. You can set to recognise a particular face but I haven't tried that. __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

January 2nd, 2011, 12:31 PM	#2
Evan Lloyd Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fresno Posts: 111	My advice would be to try one out and see if you like it. I've had mine for a few weeks and I generally love the auto focus. In macro situations or critical shots, I switch to manual. When I use my Merlin it's nice to have auto focus. I tried a lot of different, even more expensive, cameras. The GH2 is the best video DSLR I have found. Check one out and see what you think. You might hate it. You might dig it.

January 3rd, 2011, 07:46 PM	#4
Aaron Courtney Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 229	there's a comical youtube video that shows the GH2 does not pull this off too well, certainly nowhere near as effective as a person pulling focus.