Wow is all I can say.

Jeff Harper · March 15th, 2011, 07:18 AM

Jim, I do not understand how the auto focus works, and I wanted an auto mode that changed only when I changed it, but don't know how!

Can you please explain, that would be fantastic!

Is it AFC or AFS? and then is there a menu setting for it as well? Can auto face detection be turned on in the menu while you use your feature?

I'm getting ready to leave for the day, but I'll return this afternoon anxiously awaiting your repy!

Thanks, Jeff

Jim Forrest · March 15th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Hi Jeff
On the top left of the camera is a dial that says MF, AFC, and AFS. Just rotate the dial to AFS (auto focus single).
I am not sure about face recognition, I haven't used it but I hear it can be quite effective for a quick focus.

Jeff Harper · March 15th, 2011, 08:20 PM

Thanks Jim, I thought I tried that and it kept changing..."auto tracking" came on the screen and it would keep changing. I'll take a look at it!

Jim Snow · March 15th, 2011, 09:17 PM

I think I was having a dumb attach today. I took my GH2 to a colleagues office to let him see it along with my new Marshall 7" monitor. I was not able to successfully demonstrate tracking focus. The LCD display showed a box that seemed to track when someone walked toward the camera but the focus didn't follow. One thing that occurred to me after I left is maybe it actually needs to be recording for this to work. Is that the case? I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

Jeff Harper · March 15th, 2011, 09:23 PM

The auto focus in general confuses the hell out of me! I think that yes you must be recording.

Jim Forrest · March 16th, 2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

Thanks Jim, I thought I tried that and it kept changing..."auto tracking" came on the screen and it would keep changing. I'll take a look at it!

You also have to go into the menu settings and set "Continuous AF" to off.

Jeff Harper · March 16th, 2011, 09:38 AM

Aha! Thanks Jim, that's huge!

Jeff Harper · March 16th, 2011, 09:47 AM

I have wanted the ability to set focus with the shutter button and for it to stay, didn't realize what to do to make it happen. If I spent more time with the camera it would help!

Paul Mailath · March 20th, 2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Forrest

You also have to go into the menu settings and set "Continuous AF" to off.

well I'm stumped - can't find that option anywhere - is it in a particular sub-menu?

Jeff Harper · March 20th, 2011, 07:54 PM

Paul it is in there, just keep looking. I don't have my camera handy so I can't help, but stay strong brother. The menu may get you down, but don't let it keep you down, you'll find it. It just a but tough to navigate through. I personally can never seem to remember where things are in that freakin' menu. Probably just my age.

Brian Luce · March 21st, 2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Snow

I think I was having a dumb attach today. I took my GH2 to a colleagues office to let him see it along with my new Marshall 7" monitor. I was not able to successfully demonstrate tracking focus. The LCD display showed a box that seemed to track when someone walked toward the camera but the focus didn't follow. One thing that occurred to me after I left is maybe it actually needs to be recording for this to work. Is that the case? I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

There's been discussion about this, allegedly this tracking focus function was disabled on the GH2, the G2 (allegedly) still has a working mode.

On auto focus in general, I've never been able to use it successfully in video. Not on a TRV900 (unless the subject was dead center), EX3, and GH1, GH2. The GH2 has a killer EVF, why risk it with AF?

I just wish there was a way to engage focus assist when recording.

Jim Forrest · March 22nd, 2011, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mailath

well I'm stumped - can't find that option anywhere - is it in a particular sub-menu?

Paul there are different menus depending on what mode you have the camera in. Go to the Manual mode and in the Motion picture menu, go to page 2 and you will see 'continuous AF' and set it to off.
For instance if you go to the 'Intelligent Auto' you have the least amount of menus, but to the 'Manual' mode you seem to have the most amount of menus and choices.
I guess certain 'modes' are not able to achieve all settings.

Paul Mailath · March 28th, 2011, 06:04 AM

well - it's weird

I've followed your instructions and still can't find it - I tried on a native PAL camera and a hacked NTSC camera but no go. I get the 2 pages but all that's on the 2nd are digital zoom & wind cut.

I've even gone through the different modes hoping to stumble across it.

Jim Forrest · March 28th, 2011, 07:14 AM

Strange that you wouldn't see it. I put it in Manual, go to Motion Picture Menu (the one that looks like a video camera, second one down on the left) go to the second page and I see a 'continious AF' and I turn it to 'off'.

March 15th, 2011, 07:18 AM	#16
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Wow is all I can say. Jim, I do not understand how the auto focus works, and I wanted an auto mode that changed only when I changed it, but don't know how! Can you please explain, that would be fantastic! Is it AFC or AFS? and then is there a menu setting for it as well? Can auto face detection be turned on in the menu while you use your feature? I'm getting ready to leave for the day, but I'll return this afternoon anxiously awaiting your repy! Thanks, Jeff __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 15th, 2011, 08:06 AM	#17
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Wow is all I can say. Hi Jeff On the top left of the camera is a dial that says MF, AFC, and AFS. Just rotate the dial to AFS (auto focus single). I am not sure about face recognition, I haven't used it but I hear it can be quite effective for a quick focus.

March 15th, 2011, 08:20 PM	#18
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Wow is all I can say. Thanks Jim, I thought I tried that and it kept changing..."auto tracking" came on the screen and it would keep changing. I'll take a look at it! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 15th, 2011, 09:17 PM	#19
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Wow is all I can say. I think I was having a dumb attach today. I took my GH2 to a colleagues office to let him see it along with my new Marshall 7" monitor. I was not able to successfully demonstrate tracking focus. The LCD display showed a box that seemed to track when someone walked toward the camera but the focus didn't follow. One thing that occurred to me after I left is maybe it actually needs to be recording for this to work. Is that the case? I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

March 15th, 2011, 09:23 PM	#20
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Wow is all I can say. The auto focus in general confuses the hell out of me! I think that yes you must be recording. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 16th, 2011, 09:38 AM	#22
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Wow is all I can say. Aha! Thanks Jim, that's huge! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 16th, 2011, 09:47 AM	#23
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Wow is all I can say. I have wanted the ability to set focus with the shutter button and for it to stay, didn't realize what to do to make it happen. If I spent more time with the camera it would help! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 20th, 2011, 07:54 PM	#25
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Wow is all I can say. Paul it is in there, just keep looking. I don't have my camera handy so I can't help, but stay strong brother. The menu may get you down, but don't let it keep you down, you'll find it. It just a but tough to navigate through. I personally can never seem to remember where things are in that freakin' menu. Probably just my age. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 28th, 2011, 06:04 AM	#28
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Re: Wow is all I can say. well - it's weird I've followed your instructions and still can't find it - I tried on a native PAL camera and a hacked NTSC camera but no go. I get the 2 pages but all that's on the 2nd are digital zoom & wind cut. I've even gone through the different modes hoping to stumble across it. __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

March 28th, 2011, 07:14 AM	#29
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Wow is all I can say. Strange that you wouldn't see it. I put it in Manual, go to Motion Picture Menu (the one that looks like a video camera, second one down on the left) go to the second page and I see a 'continious AF' and I turn it to 'off'.