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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Magic Focus

The magic focus assist seemed incomplete.

Here is a situation where it falls short...

Let's say we are trying to focus on the tip of a gun barrell. The gun barrell has a crosshair 1 inch behind the tip of the barrell.

Now, we want the tip of the barrell to be in focus but our point of focus is currently set at the crosshair, 1 inch off of our target pof.

The magic focus assist waveform would show this as being in focus even though it is not acutally set on our intended target.

What is the solution? Create a graph that identifies foreground to background focal distance in terms of line thickness? Line color? Or maybe a graph with horizontal distance markings in addition the to the vertical waveform spikes? This can be made possible by incorporating a lens with i technology to communicate the lens' current focal distance to Red and the magic focus graph. There are many choices...

The RGB parade is an awesome feature!

The new waveform design seperates low range, mid range and highlights into seperate lines with their own waveform to each, great idea as well!
 
Stephen Williams said:
Hi,

The simple low tech one is to use a focus puller!

Stephen
Click to expand...

lol, Stephen, an AC without a tape measure is a dead man in my opinion. That's still the only method I trust for focus. But, if they throw the magic focus function in there, they might as well do it right!
 
Keeping focus is not a single solution thing. Whilst A.C's go though actors marks with a tape or laser, its a combination of those known marks, judgement, experience (actors often lean in more on a take rather than a rehearsal for example), and tools like the on board monitor (if the AC is not using a remote foucs setup) or cinetape that are used to keep things sharp. In my experience, any Magic Focus would unlikely to be a single solution at least in the shorter term, but rather a useful tool especially in 'wing it' situations. I do think its important though to emphasise how important good focus is when you think of the available resolution and potential image size. Thats also why in my opinion stills lenses have a limited use - following focus is extremely difficult with them.
 
Josch said:
I thought the magic in the Magic Focus would take care of that.

Jochen
Click to expand...

Hi,

A was thinking a magic gaffer would come in handy too.

Stephen
 
Yes, it's on a line by line basis, not an average of that collumn, so it's pretty useful in most situations. And because you can see when the graph bit you're interested in peaks (a new meaning to the word peaking!) you know it's not just in focus, but in maximal focus. Traditional techniques just say that you're sorta-sharp, not maximally sharp....

Graeme
 
jamesedwelland said:
Thats also why in my opinion stills lenses have a limited use - following focus is extremely difficult with them.
Click to expand...

I agree that pulling focus with still lenses is extemely difficult. Interesting thing though, is that if you learn on still lenses (my first 13 shorts pulling focus were using still lenses), then it trains you to be super johnny on the spot with your sharps. :)
________
Honda XL600R
 
Graeme Nattress said:
Yes, it's on a line by line basis, not an average of that collumn, so it's pretty useful in most situations. And because you can see when the graph bit you're interested in peaks (a new meaning to the word peaking!) you know it's not just in focus, but in maximal focus. Traditional techniques just say that you're sorta-sharp, not maximally sharp....

Graeme
Click to expand...

What are the chances something like a primary, secondary, terciary horizontal line being set and color coding those to lines to lines on the graph? That way you would have targets set through out the shot.

I suppose you could also allow for the horizontal line to move during the shot but tracking that line to stay on the point of focus while focusing could be a challenge.

Steve
 
Graeme Nattress said:
Yes, it's on a line by line basis, not an average of that collumn, so it's pretty useful in most situations. And because you can see when the graph bit you're interested in peaks (a new meaning to the word peaking!) you know it's not just in focus, but in maximal focus. Traditional techniques just say that you're sorta-sharp, not maximally sharp....

Graeme
Click to expand...

Ok, that makes alot more sense. Thanks for clarifying Graeme! I think I'm going to like it alot...
 
Steve Tammi said:
What are the chances something like a primary, secondary, terciary horizontal line being set and color coding those to lines to lines on the graph? That way you would have targets set through out the shot.

I suppose you could also allow for the horizontal line to move during the shot but tracking that line to stay on the point of focus while focusing could be a challenge.

Steve
Click to expand...

I think the point is not to tell you whats in general focus, your eyes will do a good job of that enough. The point is to tell you that something is in perfect focus.
 
Hi Graeme,
Hey, what part of the range of enabled features will this focus feature fall into? We're all dying to see it! Also, what was that rumor about Accuscene? Any truth to Jim buying the company?
 
acehole said:
I think the point is not to tell you whats in general focus, your eyes will do a good job of that enough. The point is to tell you that something is in perfect focus.
Click to expand...

Right, perfect focus. What are you referring to when talking about general focus?
 
acehole said:
I think the point is not to tell you whats in general focus, your eyes will do a good job of that enough. The point is to tell you that something is in perfect focus.
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense. Cant wait to play with it.

I guess the main challenge will indeed be steering the line and at the same time pulling the focus. Both of that should be done by the focus puller, right?

How is he going to do that?

Jochen
 
Man I really hope Magic Focus is enabled when the RED's ship.
With wildlife you can't really measure to see how far away the subject is.

Also, bears seem to have a negative reaction to AC's running at them with a tape measure in hand. :)
 
Ed Watkins said:
Man I really hope Magic Focus is enabled when the RED's ship.
With wildlife you can't really measure to see how far away the subject is.

Also, bears seem to have a negative reaction to AC's running at them with a tape measure in hand. :)
Click to expand...

My Wife has the same reaction.
 
ludmux said:
For everyone who knows the Accuscene viewfinder - it´s exactly that. We met today the man from accuscene and I needed a while to recognize him. He told us, that Jim bought the whole company, so they now have the technique from accuscene - thats really great - lots of dop´s will be very very happy !
and really the picture is great !
Click to expand...

How come the guy disclosed that information before Jim did ?
I guess it would be in order for a new owner to anounce these things.
 
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