Focusing at DVinfo.net

Mitchell Skurnik · March 28th, 2009, 04:53 PM

I am new to eng cameras and need some help on learning a few things.

How do you focus on a subject using manual focus on a black and white view finder. I am used to focusing on people with and SLR but I always seen in color. How do you do it in black and white.

Thierry Humeau · March 28th, 2009, 06:54 PM

The black and white does not matter. Just zoom in tight on your subject, turn the focus ring right or left to focus and pull back to reframe the shot to your liking. If the shot is not in focus when you are pulling back, you need to chek the lens back focus adjustment with a focusing chart.

Thierry.

Mitchell Skurnik · March 28th, 2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thierry Humeau

The black and white does not matter. Just zoom in tight on your subjec, turn the focus ring right or left and pull back to reframe the shot to your liking. If the shot is not in focus when you are pulling back, you need to chek the lens back focus adjustment with a focusing chart.

Thierry.

I think it was the back focusing now that you said that. I did exactly as you said but when I zoomed back out the person was out of focus and the wall behind her was in focus. It sucked as I had to in post blur the background and sharpen the person...

Thank you as I now know what happened.

Shaun Roemich · March 28th, 2009, 07:24 PM

In fact, focusing in black and white should be easier than focusing in colour, given that you are using an electronic viewfinder. An optical viewfinder like on an SLR would make no difference obviously...

Greg Boston · April 4th, 2009, 06:19 AM

One of the reasons for using black and white is that our eyes are more sensitive to luminance than chrominance. Removing the color information from your eye should help you focus easier.

The other thing that didn't get mentioned is the peaking function of the viewfinder. Objects in focus will get a white edge around them. A great way to see the effect is to point the camera at a patch of grass and rack the focus. You'll see a white band going back and forth across the grass.

-gb-

Rick L. Allen · April 4th, 2009, 06:55 AM

Also, when shooting people set focus on their eyes.

March 28th, 2009, 04:53 PM	#1
Mitchell Skurnik Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, California Posts: 201	Focusing I am new to eng cameras and need some help on learning a few things. How do you focus on a subject using manual focus on a black and white view finder. I am used to focusing on people with and SLR but I always seen in color. How do you do it in black and white. __________________ Mitchell J. Skurnik http://www.mjcsstudios.com/ - EX1, 4x hoodman 16GB, Libec Tripod, Sony LAV

March 28th, 2009, 06:54 PM	#2
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	The black and white does not matter. Just zoom in tight on your subject, turn the focus ring right or left to focus and pull back to reframe the shot to your liking. If the shot is not in focus when you are pulling back, you need to chek the lens back focus adjustment with a focusing chart. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com Last edited by Thierry Humeau; March 29th, 2009 at 09:04 AM.

March 28th, 2009, 07:24 PM	#4
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	In fact, focusing in black and white should be easier than focusing in colour, given that you are using an electronic viewfinder. An optical viewfinder like on an SLR would make no difference obviously... __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

April 4th, 2009, 06:55 AM	#6
Rick L. Allen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 536	Also, when shooting people set focus on their eyes. __________________ "The good thing about science is that it's true whether you believe it or not." Neil deGrasse Tyson https://www.nautilusproductions.com/

April 4th, 2009, 06:19 AM	#5
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	One of the reasons for using black and white is that our eyes are more sensitive to luminance than chrominance. Removing the color information from your eye should help you focus easier. The other thing that didn't get mentioned is the peaking function of the viewfinder. Objects in focus will get a white edge around them. A great way to see the effect is to point the camera at a patch of grass and rack the focus. You'll see a white band going back and forth across the grass. -gb-