Canon 5d II - Auto Focus - real time automatic focus - in video mode (for selfies)

Sorry for this really beginners questions, but, how does the auto-focus works onthe 5D II? I mean, when I'm shooting a vídeo, is it possible, like in a regular vídeo camcorder, to just turn on the auto-focus and the camera just focus automaticaly the scene, without having to press the AF button all the time? How?

I'm trying to do a vlog, with me speaking, but there is no camera man. Since I move all the time, I need to be in focus, so the camera has to do this automatically, Is is it possible? Or am I just wasting my time?

PS: The lens I'm using has AF)

Thanks

flip 21 said:

Sorry for this really beginners questions, but, how does the auto-focus works onthe 5D II? I mean, when I'm shooting a vídeo, is it possible, like in a regular vídeo camcorder, to just turn on the auto-focus and the camera just focus automaticaly the scene, without having to press the AF button all the time? How?

I'm trying to do a vlog, with me speaking, but there is no camera man. Since I move all the time, I need to be in focus, so the camera has to do this automatically, Is is it possible? Or am I just wasting my time?

PS: The lens I'm using has AF)

Thanks

Click to expand...

Sorry this is not possible with the 5DII even 5DIII, 70D and 700D has video servo af though.

What about the 650D? or the 6D? Is it also normal with the mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A7 line? I really need to buy a new camera that does this, smothly...lke a vídeo camera does

flip 21 said:

What about the 650D? or the 6D? Is it also normal with the mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A7 line? I really need to buy a new camera that does this, smothly...lke a vídeo camera does

Click to expand...

I have no ideas about mirrorless. But as i said if you really need: 7D Mark II will do this magically. Or downgrade to 70D and 700D.

flip 21 said:

Sorry for this really beginners questions, but, how does the auto-focus works onthe 5D II? I mean, when I'm shooting a vídeo, is it possible, like in a regular vídeo camcorder, to just turn on the auto-focus and the camera just focus automaticaly the scene, without having to press the AF button all the time? How?

I'm trying to do a vlog, with me speaking, but there is no camera man. Since I move all the time, I need to be in focus, so the camera has to do this automatically, Is is it possible? Or am I just wasting my time?

PS: The lens I'm using has AF)

Thanks

Click to expand...

Well, first understand that DSLR video is an artistic type of tool. It isn't used like a video camera. If you want that, I highly suggest getting a video camera. Like the Sony AX100, good auto focus, 4k video, focus peaking, all under 1500 bucks, with ND filters and full manual control.

With a DSLR, it works like Hollywood cameras work in a way. They don't use auto focus in any movie you watch.

Auto focus for video is starting to make it's way into DSLR's and has made it's way into mirrorless cameras, but none of them can do it perfectly.

The way you do a vlog, you focus where you are going to be sitting or standing, manually. Then you hit record and go to that spot. If you shoot at like F/4 on a full frame camera, you can still move around a bit. If you shoot at like 1.8 you can't move at all or you'll go out of focus.

When I record guitar videos, I put the guitar in the chair, I focus on the guitar, the guitar is where I will be. I then hit record and I'm in focus.

flip 21 said:

What about the 650D? or the 6D? Is it also normal with the mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A7 line? I really need to buy a new camera that does this, smothly...lke a vídeo camera does

Click to expand...

No camera is going to do it smoothly like a video camera. The Sony A7R does it well, but it still isn't perfect. Big sensor DSLR's or Mirrorless cameras don't have perfect AF tracking for video yet. They have a much shallower depth of field.

A camcorder has a smaller sensor, so even at F 2.8 most thing are in focus.

My vlog, as also, a kind of sitcom stuff, where I'm the main character.

What I don't understand, is why not mixing the best of both worlds. Camcorders (with theur áudio, and vídeo features), and DSLR (with their larger sensor). I think Sony is doing that. I also think Canon will have to do that in the future.

Thanks

BlueCosmo5050 said:

flip 21 said:

What about the 650D? or the 6D? Is it also normal with the mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A7 line? I really need to buy a new camera that does this, smothly...lke a vídeo camera does

Click to expand...

No camera is going to do it smoothly like a video camera. The Sony A7R does it well, but it still isn't perfect. Big sensor DSLR's or Mirrorless cameras don't have perfect AF tracking for video yet. They have a much shallower depth of field.

A camcorder has a smaller sensor, so even at F 2.8 most thing are in focus.

Click to expand...

You haven't tried the 7D-II with Dual Pixels then. Specially with the STM lenses, the AF is pretty close to perfect. No hunting as I can see, and silent.

Even the 760D is pretty quick to focus in video mode.

By the way, I just tried both cameras with the EF-S 18-135mm lens, so it's nothing I just read on a Internet forum.

flip 21 said:

What about the 650D? or the 6D? Is it also normal with the mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A7 line? I really need to buy a new camera that does this, smothly...lke a vídeo camera does

Click to expand...

If you have the possibility to try the EOS 760D with a STM lens, you will be surprised how well it works for video. I guess the 750D is the same, haven't checked ths specs. And totally silent AF.