discussion: AutoFocus or not?

[B-Twien Bytes]

Hello all,

Just wondering the following...A dutchman in Holland told me the real prof. videocamera's do NOT have an AutoFocus option on there...It would also be wise to ALWAYS shoot in MF, because of unexpected movements
that can be blurry on tape.

What do you guys think about this? I thought I was in the posession of a prof. JVC camera - it is old but .. ;-)
but I do have a AF button on there?!

Thereby am I not sure how well my MF works - for whatever reason - ....

Thanks for advice in any kind!
Ewien

[JohnnyMalaria]

With my DV camcorders that have AF, I always turn it off. Most of my recordings are underwater and the lack of contrast confuses the AF circuitry.

My HDV camcorders, on the other hand, do a great job - more so than manually focusing - mainly because the LCD displays are not full resolution so you can't accurately gauge the focus. I let the camcorder do the auto focus for the shot I am about to make and then switch to manual to lock it.

[filmboss80]

Your JVC camera is probably a "prosumer" device. Old farts like me with film backgrounds don't feel right unless one hand is on the focus ring (these days with smaller camcorders, it's more like 2 fingers on the ring); although when shooting home videos, I'm lazy enough to leave the autofocus on a lot of the time. But, no, I wouldn't consider it a "pro" feature.

To get manual focus right, always zoom all the way in and focus; lock it in; then zoom out. If distance-to-subject changes while recording, slowly turn the focus ring by hand to keep it sharp in the shot.

[B-Twien Bytes]

Thanks guys, for your reponses...

JohnnyMalaria:
What do you mean by "switch to manual to lock it"? Just switch and that is it? No zoom all the way in and focus; lock it in; then zoom out etc? (is it that simple?)

filmboss80:
Thanks for your answer...I do agree on what you say, but because my jvc camera is an oldy, I do think my MF ring is not working that great (became a little more inflexible...) Would you still go for shooting manually in that case? Or pick your scenes where the background need to be more off-focus and then shoot manually?

[filmboss80]

Actually, on the zoom in and focus step, you could indeed have autofocus on, then switch it off when you get perfect focus -- and then zoom out and shoot. But in the case of changing distances, you cannot follow focus unless you have that focus ring working.

Not knowing exactly what's wrong with your particular focus ring, I cannot provide the best advice. You have to apply the best technique within the limitations of the equipment you have. Also, the situation will dictate what you do. For example, in fast occurring events that don't allow time to set focus, you really have to rely on autofocus. Usually if you are zoomed out wide, exact focus is not that critical.

You have to do the best you can with what you've got.

[JohnnyMalaria]

JohnnyMalaria:
What do you mean by "switch to manual to lock it"? Just switch and that is it? No zoom all the way in and focus; lock it in; then zoom out etc? (is it that simple?)

I've found that works for me quite well. Sometimes, I will zoom in first but it doesn't work well if you have a converter lens attached.

[B-Twien Bytes]

Thanks again for your further answers...

Here is a new one Reading over all my troubles with the old camera, I decided it was time for a good, new one!

What do you guys think about:
http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowProduct.action?product=PMW-EX1&site=biz_en_EU&page...DCAMCamcorders

My main goal is to not have moving parts anymore in my next camera...because the hot and dusty climate here in Mali will ruin it all..

The only thing I am still 'worried' about is:
The recording format, output....I did not see AVI in the list of specifics and if it will shoot in 16:9 (couldn't find that so fast, but trust it will do)...

I recently purchades Avid (educational version) and I'll need to figure out if it will work well together?!

Thanks for all your thoughts / input,

Caio!

[filmboss80]

The Sony camera you listed is XDCAM -- a pro HD format from their CineAlta line. Your Avid software should be the full version of Media Composer, not Liquid, although Sony provides good workflow for XDCAM in Vegas Pro.

Unless you are shooting for television broadcast, that camera may be more than you need. (I don't know you goal.) It's a sweet camera, though.

[B-Twien Bytes]

@ filmboss80

Thanks for your answer...Yeah I do have Avid Media Composer...

It is so true what you are saying about the "more than you need" part - shooting for the Malian tv is not my 1st goal, although it might be a possibility in the future

As as said before, the main reason I am buying this camera is : no moving parts, so it will last in Mali (dry, dusty)... There is nothing similar in this "priceclass" which has the same solid state storage...

[B-Twien Bytes]

@ filmboss80

Your Avid software should be the full version of Media Composer, not Liquid

Just called a store to get the camera ordered, but the guy thought it was not compatible yet with Avid in general...

Does anybody have any experiences using the camera Sony EX 1 in combination with Avid Media Composer??

Please respond asap.... we do need to order it very soon!!

[SCDVD]

B-Twien Bytes, please don't hijack your own thread. You started a thread about autofocus and then you jumped to the EX-1. The subject "owns" a thread, not the poster. If you want to start a new discussion, please just start a new thread.

Autofocus has its place. Even pros use it in certain situations. It's just a "tool" on the camera, not a measure of a person's video shooting skills. It can help you or bite you depending on the shooting situation.

One way it can create a problem is a shooting situation where people may unexpectedly walk in front of the camera in a public place for example. Autofocus will increase the disruption because it will switch focus to the person who walked in front of the camera. This just magnifies the interuption.

There are other shooting situations where autofocusing can be helpful. A real pro knows how to make the choice. Be careful with words like "always" or "never".

[edDV]

@ filmboss80

Your Avid software should be the full version of Media Composer, not Liquid

Just called a store to get the camera ordered, but the guy thought it was not compatible yet with Avid in general...

Does anybody have any experiences using the camera Sony EX 1 in combination with Avid Media Composer??

Please respond asap.... we do need to order it very soon!!

Why not call Avid or ask in their forums?

Most Media Composer installs I've seen are running uncompressed SDI off a server. Any format works for that.

[B-Twien Bytes]

SCDVD:

You are right, both ways This thread went another direction (apologies)....and yes, you are right too about the MF / AF choice. Guess, I am not a pro yet

edDV:
Yes, we are going to call Avid...and find out...thanks again everybody!