Fucus pulling techniques

[Abraham Williams]

Hi,
I'm wondering if any one could give me any professional tips, techniques, and/or exercises for focus pulling. I would really appreciate it!

Also wondering if anyone knows of any particular monitor that we can take on location that is very good for checking focus, ie. something with good sharpening, etc.


CHEERS!
tnx heaps

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

With your accent, I don't think you should say that word.

In any case, my recommended technique is to set lots of marks for stuff in the shot as well as planned motion of actors. If your actors are starting at point A then moving to point B, you not only want to tape and verify distances and marks for A & B, you also want to get distances for any landmarks between A&B where the subject may choose to stop.

There is a movement of AC's not taking measurements. Resist the urge to join that batch of non-professionalism. If you don't get the distances on set then other people who need them won't have them. Visual effects mostly.

With a lot of digital cameras, and especially with cheaper lenses, you have to not only take the measurement, but you must also set the focus on the camera with the monitor. That is because the marks on the lens are wrong. Low end digital is more work for AC's, not less. Once you step up to real motion picture lenses you can trust the marks a lot more once you've done prep.

As much preparation as you can manage is the ideal, but you have to balance that with your other duties of course.

Practice estimating distances by eye by playing the "tape measure game." A couple of AC's sit around guessing how far away something is, then they tape it out.

As far as monitors, if you are shooting 1080p, then you can use any monitor that has a 1:1 feature.

If you are shooting Red, then use a Red monitor.

 

[Abraham Williams]

Thanks very much for the info. I'll be using the red with Red Pro Primes so that should be good. Do you often look at the monitor when on the fly? Or mostly by eye? For example if you are pulling for a hand held shot in a fight scene, would you look at a monitor for that or just judge. I'm guessing you could measure off land marks on the set and just judge the focus depending on where the fight is in relation to those land marks?

Thanks again

 

[Martin Weiss]

I would look much more at the subject, rather than the monitor. If you look at the monitor, you'll tend to be too late.

Read good books, like http://www.betterworldbooks.com/optics-and-focus-for-camera-assistants-id-0240802004.aspx

As others have suggested, get a "feel" for the distance. Know how long you arm's length is, for quick checks.

Have a friend repeatedly walk towards the camera, another one shouting out distances, and practice the focus pull, how the dynamics change of each focal length, and lens type.

Practice, practice, practice. A good focus pull is one that you don't notice.

 

[David Battistella]

Hi. Good question.

First off you should figure out your focus rotation. Figure out which way to rotate when the subject is moving away and the opposite when they are coming closer.

It's different with Nikon glass compared to cinema glass. The rotation changes, it's the opposite. So figure that out first.

Next. Why not set up a drill?

Place measured items at three, six, nine, and twelve feet away.

Rotate between bringing each into focus, going both ways.

After a while try it at different f stops. At F22 you will find it easier and less critical than f2.8.

Try to get really good in low light at f2.8 or more open like f1.4.

Try to use the built in Epic tools like focus assist. I like this mode in some situations because it shows you the sharpest pixels in the frame. So you can use this to highlight eyelashes or catchlights in the eyes.

Mote than anything. Practice. Walk around and practice. Pic targets in the frame and keep them in focus while you move and change the focal distance.

You can even record and then review the performance to see how well you pulled focus. Practicing will increase your skill and help you get a feel for lenses and distances.

Happy filming.


David Battistella

 

[Abraham Williams]

Thanks heaps for the replies. We're practicing these now.

 

[Gabo Guzman]

http://www.theblackandblue.com/2011/02/21/5-common-focus-pulling-mistakes/