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While one should not pull off the monitor, one often uses the monitor to know what the cue is for a focus pull.
You're funny!
You too.
Sorry guys, I guess I have been doing it wrong for all these years, using the necessary tools when it was appropriate to do so. I should have asked you guys first. Now I know better. We have such all-knowing experts here on RU!
How would you suggest I focus remote crane shots, car-to-car from a chase vehicle, helicopter mounts, car mounts, running chase sequences, camera on a remote control car, etc? How about a Technocrane at a live rock concert with no rehearsals?!?
Is the camera operator still allowed to look at the monitor?
-sheesh!-
While a bunch of folks on this forum have argued the point, with extremely few exceptions, no decent AC will pull off a monitor. The simple reason is that if you are watching the monitor you aren't watching the actor. Obviously you can't see his marks on the monitor and can't tell if he came up short or long. You are also reacting on a monitor which means that by the time you realize whats going on, he's soft. Plus you can't really judge on a monitor if you are shooting film, or RED. You can judge focus on a nice big monitor on 720 or 1080p stuff. AC's trust good lenses, and trust in math. Knowing your hyper-focal distances is very helpful, as is a very good understanding of depth of field charts. P-cine is an excellent program, if anyone knows how to get it on my I-phone, please tell me ;-)why? what's the difference? pros and cons of evf vs monitor? thanks.
All that said, there are a few times where focusing off a monitor is OK/the only way to do it. Like 135mm wide open on a guys face, mouth only, tilt up to the eyes. The depth of field is so shallow only bits of it are in, and you have to pick which bits you want (you want his close eye, or his far eye?)
Nick
Keep at it. You'll learn how to if you keep practicing. I've done major features with all of the above and have never used a monitor to pull. Yes, to see exactly what the camera is pointing at but a monitor is just not accurate enough to trust for focus.
Once you know the focal length, stop, and distances of the subject it will all fall into place for you.
Howdy crewpix,It's called peripheral vision and it is part of the art of being a focus puller.
No disrespect intended, I was actually typing my post when yours popped up, so I was not responding to you.
Your examples are some more good ones and I am not personally attacking you. But on a set, on a dolly, or steadicam or sticks or handheld, even on a really good tap like the XL or an Arricam, you can't trust a monitor. I am not saying that the monitor is not usefull, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a good AC who would trade a tape measure for a transvideo.
Nick
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