My SONY HVR-V1U/V1N Auto Focus Question at DVinfo.net

Ron Jones · April 14th, 2010, 09:18 AM

My SONY HVR-V1U/V1N when in Auto Focus as I was filming a speaker talking (tite croping) keeps going in and out of focus with any slight movement of the speaker. Haven’t had this problem before. Any one had this problem?

Thanks, Ron

Seth Bloombaum · April 14th, 2010, 09:38 AM

I try to avoid autofocus as much as possible, because it sometimes gives these sorts of problems. This is true of any autofocus camera. Auto on the V1 is really pretty good as such things go. From a distance, it's difficult to tell if yours is behaving normally.

Although tight framing helps, autofocus frequently "hunts" when there is detail or high contrast in the background.

Ron Jones · April 14th, 2010, 11:01 AM

Thanks Seth,
Normally I don’t use auto focus. We were running around from speaker to speaker with no set up time so, we went with auto. There was a PowerPoint slide slow that accompanied the speaker. We didn’t film the PP but it did effect the lighting contrast of the speaker and maybe this is what effected the auto focus.

Ron

Seth Bloombaum · April 14th, 2010, 03:25 PM

If subject lighting was low enough that splash from projection made a difference it sounds like you were in a range where autofocus would tend to hunt more.

The electronics are incredibly sophisticated, but, they're looking for high-contrast areas to focus on. Seems like lighting was pretty low? That does make it extra-difficult for auto. Of course, it makes it difficult for manual focus as well, even when you're not in a hurry.

My focus tricks - I carry a pair of reading glasses in the camera case. Really helps me know what's going on on the LCD. I use them much more than I use the "expanded focus" function, which is pretty useless for events since you can't use it while recording.

I do hit the "push-auto" button (is that the name of it?) sometimes, when I doubt my focus but don't necessarily know which way to spin the ring. This will give you a touch-up on auto focus, it's momentary, when you release it it's back on manual. For me, I'd rather be slightly (ok, very slightly!) soft than see the focus hunt.

April 14th, 2010, 09:18 AM	#1
Ron Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	My SONY HVR-V1U/V1N Auto Focus Question My SONY HVR-V1U/V1N when in Auto Focus as I was filming a speaker talking (tite croping) keeps going in and out of focus with any slight movement of the speaker. Haven’t had this problem before. Any one had this problem? Thanks, Ron

April 14th, 2010, 09:38 AM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	I try to avoid autofocus as much as possible, because it sometimes gives these sorts of problems. This is true of any autofocus camera. Auto on the V1 is really pretty good as such things go. From a distance, it's difficult to tell if yours is behaving normally. Although tight framing helps, autofocus frequently "hunts" when there is detail or high contrast in the background. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

April 14th, 2010, 11:01 AM	#3
Ron Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	Auto Focus Question Thanks Seth, Normally I don’t use auto focus. We were running around from speaker to speaker with no set up time so, we went with auto. There was a PowerPoint slide slow that accompanied the speaker. We didn’t film the PP but it did effect the lighting contrast of the speaker and maybe this is what effected the auto focus. Ron

April 14th, 2010, 03:25 PM	#4
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	If subject lighting was low enough that splash from projection made a difference it sounds like you were in a range where autofocus would tend to hunt more. The electronics are incredibly sophisticated, but, they're looking for high-contrast areas to focus on. Seems like lighting was pretty low? That does make it extra-difficult for auto. Of course, it makes it difficult for manual focus as well, even when you're not in a hurry. My focus tricks - I carry a pair of reading glasses in the camera case. Really helps me know what's going on on the LCD. I use them much more than I use the "expanded focus" function, which is pretty useless for events since you can't use it while recording. I do hit the "push-auto" button (is that the name of it?) sometimes, when I doubt my focus but don't necessarily know which way to spin the ring. This will give you a touch-up on auto focus, it's momentary, when you release it it's back on manual. For me, I'd rather be slightly (ok, very slightly!) soft than see the focus hunt. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.