Manual Focusing the 7D during video

bl0at3r

bl0at3r

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Ok, so having had my 7D for exactly 3 days, I am experimenting with all the settings, functions and features.

One thing that I am finding harder than I expected, is manual focusing during video.

For a start you can really hear the 'scratching' noises (me rotating the focus ring) on the audio when played back - I assume this will be addressed when I get an external mic?

The theres remembering which way to turn the ring! :cuckoo:

Anyone got any tips for me? other than 'practice makes perfect' - cos I struggle with that :lol:
 
if you look at videos shot with the 7D or 5D2 a lot of scenes are pre-focused unless the user has a pro rig setup...not easy to use these cameras for movie making to be honest
 
Focus and zoom on all DSLR's (including my 7D) are pants. Manual action renders zooming juddery and focus hard to nail whilst viewing the LCD. Doing both at once is impossible.

I still think camcorders are the best option for quality video, although DSLR's can produce some stunning effects if you put the time and effort in. The video on my 7D is used as emergency backup only. If I know I will be shooting video I will always take my camcorder because it is easier to use and provides consistent results. When capturing my kids football or karate tournements I just like to hit the record button and let the hardware take care of the rest. Tracking and focussing on someone running towards you with a football is near impossible with the 7D unless you shoot >f/8 which then destroys the whole reason for using fast camera glass (bokeh).

I am sure many 7D, 5D and D300s owners will disagree with me, but this is my opinion based upon using my 7D and HF100 camcorder. DSLR's should stick to photos and camcorders should stick to video. Saying that, the 7D is better at video than my HF100 is at taking photos.
 
britco said:
if you look at videos shot with the 7D or 5D2 a lot of scenes are pre-focused unless the user has a pro rig setup...not easy to use these cameras for movie making to be honest
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I don't know about the 7D, but this months "Professional Photographer" (Dec issue) has an article raving about the video abilities of the 5D mkll. Apparently, its amazingly good, in the right hands.
 
bl0at3r said:
Ok, so having had my 7D for exactly 3 days, I am experimenting with all the settings, functions and features.

One thing that I am finding harder than I expected, is manual focusing during video.

For a start you can really hear the 'scratching' noises (me rotating the focus ring) on the audio when played back - I assume this will be addressed when I get an external mic?

The theres remembering which way to turn the ring! :cuckoo:

Anyone got any tips for me? other than 'practice makes perfect' - cos I struggle with that :lol:
Click to expand...

Scratching noises? Did you switch your lens to MF before you start fiddling around with the manual focus ring? I don't get any noise from my focus ring turning.

Are you editing your footage before you watch it? I edit everything I film and so I just edit out the points where I am finding focus which works great unless you are capturing something that just has to be caught immediately and you cant afford to lose any footage. If I'm in this sort of scenario I'd go with a high aperture and ISO so I have a greater depth of field and it's easier to focus.
 
joescrivens said:
Scratching noises? Did you switch your lens to MF before you start fiddling around with the manual focus ring? I don't get any noise from my focus ring turning.

Are you editing your footage before you watch it? I edit everything I film and so I just edit out the points where I am finding focus which works great unless you are capturing something that just has to be caught immediately and you cant afford to lose any footage. If I'm in this sort of scenario I'd go with a high aperture and ISO so I have a greater depth of field and it's easier to focus.
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Hehe, maybe not scratching noises then - with my 1.8 nifty the focus ring is a little small and I was ham-fistedly twirling it round with my sausage fingers - you could definitely hear it on the soundtrack.

I checked - it was set to MF
 
bl0at3r said:
Hehe, maybe not scratching noises then - with my 1.8 nifty the focus ring is a little small and I was ham-fistedly twirling it round with my sausage fingers - you could definitely hear it on the soundtrack.

I checked - it was set to MF
Click to expand...

Can't say I have heard my focussing, I have that lens too. I always put a music track behind my audio too, maybe that will help you. Be aware with an external mike the 7d has automatic audio gain which can't be switched off at the moment it means external mica give out a quite noticable hiss. What editing software do you have? I have final cut studio and can remove this hiss easily in soundtrack pro
 
I like Sony Vegas, used that before I went to mac. Would have stayed with it had they made a mac version.

Acid is part of that package I think so maybe it has some background noise removal
 
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