Focus Difficult at DVinfo.net

Mike Trewhella · July 25th, 2012, 04:29 AM

Is it just me or is the NX5 (PAL) difficult to focus? Anybody else think the same?
Mike

Victor Wilcox · July 26th, 2012, 04:06 PM

Are you using peeking? It makes it easy.

Mike Trewhella · July 26th, 2012, 04:15 PM

Hi Victor, Yes I've tried peaking but it's a facility I'm not really fond of. I prefer my own eyesight which has normally served me well with many different cameras but the NX5 is so critical with it's focus.

Andrew Parker · July 27th, 2012, 01:30 AM

I am new to this so excuse my lack of knowledge but what is peeking?

Nate Haustein · July 27th, 2012, 01:57 AM

Peaking is a feature on cameras that dramatically sharpens the edges of the image in the LCD to make focusing easier. When an object is in focus, it creates a thick outline around the areas in focus. Don't worry though, the camera doesn't record this effect to card/tape.

Mike, I've found myself using the distance readout on the LCD to better judge focus. The focal plane is rather deep on a 1/3" camera such as the NX5, so as long as you know you're close , things usually turn out pretty well - on wider shots at least. You could also bump the AF button for a moment to figure out the distances.

After that, it might be monitor time! Marshall just released a few new 5" LCD panels that sell for under $400. I use one of the older versions on all my cams for events and tripod mounted work - it just makes things easier, even for my young eyes! It uses your Sony batteries too:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867538-REG/Marshall_Electronics_V_LCD51_SL_5_MONITOR_w_PRE_INSTALLED.html

Mike Trewhella · July 27th, 2012, 02:12 AM

Thanks for that Nate.

Rob Cantwell · July 27th, 2012, 06:39 AM

is it the LCD Panel or the EVF your using?

it happened me the other day i was using the EVF, I realise my eyesight aint what it used to be, but i thought i was going to have to go straight to the opticians, then i discovered i must have bumped the Viewfinder adjustment lever under the EVF!!

I suppose you could use peaking for critical close up stuff and then turn it off if it's annoying, you could also compare what you focus by eye and what results auto focus gives.

R

Mike Trewhella · July 28th, 2012, 05:18 PM

Some good ideas from Rob too. Thank you everyone who responded to my question.

Ron Evans · July 28th, 2012, 08:32 PM

I have peaking set as one of the buttons so it can be turned on and off as needed. The NX5U is very critical of focus and I spend some time setting up the shot now using the expanded focus, peaking and rationalizing the distance scale. Make sure macro focus and flicker reduction are definitely off. I shoot mainly stage shows so once I have it set for mid stage correctly I can check with peaking that all is well and almost never then change focus.

Ron Evans

Mike Trewhella · July 29th, 2012, 01:26 AM

Thanks for that Ron. I will need to play around with the peaking etc to see how I can use it to my benefit.

July 25th, 2012, 04:29 AM	#1
Mike Trewhella New Boot Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear Posts: 12	Focus Difficult Is it just me or is the NX5 (PAL) difficult to focus? Anybody else think the same? Mike

July 26th, 2012, 04:06 PM	#2
Victor Wilcox Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Waller County, TX Posts: 340	Re: Focus Difficult Are you using peeking? It makes it easy. __________________ Vic Wilcox, http://wilcoxvideoproductions.com/Default.aspx Sony FDR-AX100, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, GoPro Hero 8 Blk, Vegas Pro 15, DaVinci Resolve 18

July 26th, 2012, 04:15 PM	#3
Mike Trewhella New Boot Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear Posts: 12	Re: Focus Difficult Hi Victor, Yes I've tried peaking but it's a facility I'm not really fond of. I prefer my own eyesight which has normally served me well with many different cameras but the NX5 is so critical with it's focus.

July 27th, 2012, 01:30 AM	#4
Andrew Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 44	Re: Focus Difficult I am new to this so excuse my lack of knowledge but what is peeking?

July 27th, 2012, 01:57 AM	#5
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: Focus Difficult Peaking is a feature on cameras that dramatically sharpens the edges of the image in the LCD to make focusing easier. When an object is in focus, it creates a thick outline around the areas in focus. Don't worry though, the camera doesn't record this effect to card/tape. Mike, I've found myself using the distance readout on the LCD to better judge focus. The focal plane is rather deep on a 1/3" camera such as the NX5, so as long as you know you're close , things usually turn out pretty well - on wider shots at least. You could also bump the AF button for a moment to figure out the distances. After that, it might be monitor time! Marshall just released a few new 5" LCD panels that sell for under $400. I use one of the older versions on all my cams for events and tripod mounted work - it just makes things easier, even for my young eyes! It uses your Sony batteries too: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867538-REG/Marshall_Electronics_V_LCD51_SL_5_MONITOR_w_PRE_INSTALLED.html __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

July 27th, 2012, 02:12 AM	#6
Mike Trewhella New Boot Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear Posts: 12	Re: Focus Difficult Thanks for that Nate.

July 27th, 2012, 06:39 AM	#7
Rob Cantwell Major Player Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tipperary, Ireland Posts: 624	Re: Focus Difficult is it the LCD Panel or the EVF your using? it happened me the other day i was using the EVF, I realise my eyesight aint what it used to be, but i thought i was going to have to go straight to the opticians, then i discovered i must have bumped the Viewfinder adjustment lever under the EVF!! I suppose you could use peaking for critical close up stuff and then turn it off if it's annoying, you could also compare what you focus by eye and what results auto focus gives. R __________________ http://www.robertcantwell.com

July 28th, 2012, 05:18 PM	#8
Mike Trewhella New Boot Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear Posts: 12	Re: Focus Difficult Some good ideas from Rob too. Thank you everyone who responded to my question.

July 28th, 2012, 08:32 PM	#9
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	Re: Focus Difficult I have peaking set as one of the buttons so it can be turned on and off as needed. The NX5U is very critical of focus and I spend some time setting up the shot now using the expanded focus, peaking and rationalizing the distance scale. Make sure macro focus and flicker reduction are definitely off. I shoot mainly stage shows so once I have it set for mid stage correctly I can check with peaking that all is well and almost never then change focus. Ron Evans

July 29th, 2012, 01:26 AM	#10
Mike Trewhella New Boot Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear Posts: 12	Re: Focus Difficult Thanks for that Ron. I will need to play around with the peaking etc to see how I can use it to my benefit.