getting more out of AF-lenses

[Maik Müller]

Playing around with my new Canon L-primes and the AF-features on my Scarlet, like the focus control on the REDMOTE. Did i miss something or is it currently not possible to map that functionality on side-handle-buttons/wheels or the zoom rocker? Anyway, it gives a nice taste what could be possible with the REDMOTE PRO or a electronical follow focus., just add a smooth wheel, add smaller steps and voila... I hope the USMs will hold up. I also wonder what the STM-Lenses from Canon do add here, i actually don't get what they mean by saying the STM-stuff is better for video-shooters.

There are also functions to set focus to the near/far, this brings the idea of a third point of this kind up: hyperfocal. Would that be possible? Guess that needs profiling and maybe a bit assistance by the AF. Could probably done by the user, via preset. Just save aperture and focal distance into a preset, map it to a button. But this would be just for one lens/focal length. So this brings another idea up, lens dependent presets.

On the other hand, i still can't get decent AF-performance. Its pumping and pumping all the way, every time, even during recording. My new lenses are the 24 1.4 and the 50 1.2, i've also done some tests with a 35 1.4, 24-105 4.0, 70-200 2.8 and a 50 1.4. Nothing comes close to Mark Toia's sample-vid with the 85 1.2:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?74361-EPIC-AUTO-FOCUS-LENS-TEST-POSTED-VIDEO&highlight=

Does the AF-performance depend on backfocus? I havn't played around with that, because i can get my lenses sharp (even with AF - after lots of "searching") and don't want to mess it up.

 

[Mike P.]

Whoa, whoa, you can map focus to the REDmotes wheel, but not the side handle? That'd be pretty ideal for lone-wolf shooters or shoots that can't afford a focus puller. It's less pliable on the red mote because it's usually at the back of the camera or not easily adjustable by the camera op (alone I guess it'd be a blessing for a dedicated puller, as it's a built-in remote follow focus.)

For some reason I thought this was solely for the REDmote Pro. If it can be mapped to the side handle that'd be sweet.

My auto-focus also has a tough time, generally fishing back and forth twice and half the time not landing on target. That said, the glass I used is not officially supported, so I figured that's why. Maybe if Toia reads this, he can chime in on his AF-settings (centre, spot, continous, etc.) I seem to recall him saying that he's gone back to PL lenses for shooting most of his jobs, but uses canon glass when he's just out and about. He's also at f5.6 in that video, which probably helps quite a bit.

 

[Maik Müller]

No need to map it on the REDMOTE, this function is built-in. It's a great way to set focus wireless but it's a bit rough. The steps aren't small enough (and they're getting bigger with increasing focus-distance) for fine-tuning and focus-tracking during recording, so no, this isn't a ff-replacement. But i find it useful and it's a great preview. There is more potential here, i hope the REDMOTE PRO comes out soon.

 

[Victor MOREIRA]

After a mix of these :
- Meitzler module
- iPad
- Tracking focus system

I can die happily

 

[Victor MOREIRA]

After a good use of it of course