Autofocus question

Hirschkorn said:

The following question might seem dumb — I’m not a photographer, I’m working with video and I’ve always used video cameras; the D500 is my first DSLR (long story short, a video camera with the same video quality as the D500 would be three times more expensive). So here it goes…

For Nikon (or other DSLR makers), “auto-focus” seems to mean to half-press the shutter to focus: one doesn’t need to touch the focus ring — but basically this still is a variant of manual focus, as you still use your hand. Meanwhile, the autofocus function on my video cameras means that the camera will focus on anything that gets in front of it, automatically. Like really automatically. (Very useful when the camera is mounted on a Ronin, for instance.)

Question: is there a corresponding function on the D500? Thank you.

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I am not a videographer, but I quickly did a pan with my 17-55/2.8, auto-ISO, AF-F Wide, and focus switched on various objects as I panned across the room. I guess it would follow moving persons too.

Since you have the camera, why not try?


JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

Hirschkorn said:

The following question might seem dumb — I’m not a photographer, I’m working with video and I’ve always used video cameras; the D500 is my first DSLR (long story short, a video camera with the same video quality as the D500 would be three times more expensive). So here it goes…

For Nikon (or other DSLR makers), “auto-focus” seems to mean to half-press the shutter to focus: one doesn’t need to touch the focus ring — but basically this still is a variant of manual focus, as you still use your hand. Meanwhile, the autofocus function on my video cameras means that the camera will focus on anything that gets in front of it, automatically. Like really automatically. (Very useful when the camera is mounted on a Ronin, for instance.)

Question: is there a corresponding function on the D500? Thank you.

Click to expand...

I just tried that and the camera keeps refocusing all the time. Really automatically.

One may find that a bit annoying in some scenarios.

Let's ask another question - how do you make the camera focus only when you want without turning the AF knob (either body or the lens) from A to M and back all the time?

In my opinion I think the short answer is no. It's a stills camera with video capability. Not a dedicated video recorder. You can get focus pull grips to manually adjust focus but the auto feature will always judder slightly and 'hunt' more than a dedicated video recording device and in my opinion will always have some lag and hunting around. With a narrow aperture it is not so bad but for shallower dof work I'd say forget it especially if you wish to pan your shots or use the zoom. Most lenses 'breath' as their focal lengths change but video lenses are mainly of a different construction. The quality of the video is very good if you are willing to do the focusing manually and use a tripod but the breathing effect in itself looks odd with automated focusing even if the focus doesn't jump around.

It's still an improvement on earlier offerings but not quite there yet for ease of use.

CubeAce said:

In my opinion I think the short answer is no. It's a stills camera with video capability. Not a dedicated video recorder. You can get focus pull grips to manually adjust focus but the auto feature will always judder slightly and 'hunt' more than a dedicated video recording device and in my opinion will always have some lag and hunting around.

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Hmm, yes, D500 autofocuses all the time, hunting a little.

On the other hand, D7100 does exactly what I described - stays focused and doesn't hunt, but if I want to, I can press the focus button (remapped AE-L to AF-ON) and re-focus on demand.

I would at least expect that the more sophisticated camera would have this as an option.

Do you want constant hunt focussing or do you want focus on demand? Hunt/demand option. Especially when pencil/g (video) settings is such a massively vast chaotic labyrinth full of options, settings and whatnot in D500.

CubeAce said:

With a narrow aperture it is not so bad but for shallower dof work I'd say forget it especially if you wish to pan your shots or use the zoom. Most lenses 'breath' as their focal lengths change but video lenses are mainly of a different construction. The quality of the video is very good if you are willing to do the focusing manually and use a tripod but the breathing effect in itself looks odd with automated focusing even if the focus doesn't jump around.

It's still an improvement on earlier offerings but not quite there yet for ease of use.

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There are two focus modes in Live View, AF-S & AF-F. AF-S focuses only when you press a button. AF-F focuses continuously, but you can lock it with a half shutter button depress. See page 47 of User Manual.

Danny W.

The Nikon D610 has continuous autofocus in video mode. While in Live View, press the focus mode button (bottom left of lens) and rotate the rear command dial to AF-F mode. I would think this is a feature of all current Nikon cameras. Have you read the D500 manual?

Hirschkorn said:

The following question might seem dumb — I’m not a photographer, I’m working with video and I’ve always used video cameras; the D500 is my first DSLR (long story short, a video camera with the same video quality as the D500 would be three times more expensive). So here it goes…

For Nikon (or other DSLR makers), “auto-focus” seems to mean to half-press the shutter to focus: one doesn’t need to touch the focus ring — but basically this still is a variant of manual focus, as you still use your hand. Meanwhile, the autofocus function on my video cameras means that the camera will focus on anything that gets in front of it, automatically. Like really automatically. (Very useful when the camera is mounted on a Ronin, for instance.)

Question: is there a corresponding function on the D500? Thank you.

Click to expand...

Danny W. said:

There are two focus modes in Live View, AF-S & AF-F. AF-S focuses only when you press a button. AF-F focuses continuously, but you can lock it with a half shutter button depress. See page 47 of User Manual.

Danny W.

Click to expand...

You can also use the touch screen for the same job or jump to a new focus point within the frame but it doesn't necessarily make the transition smoothly or accurately.

I think for a static famed shot, letting the camera track a subject at a distance that doesn't vary a great deal, or a tripod mounted panned shot that is similar, without the use of zoom, the results are quite good. Even hand held at the lower resolution where you can use the electronic stabilisation work, everything is fine.

On the other hand, trying to use a lens's VR will make the scene 'jump about within frame' so is not an alternative method for the 4k shooting option. Add the focus breathing that happens when pulling back from a longer focal length to show a wider perspective of a scene, or to keep a subject looking the same size while approaching, makes the resulting video uncomfortable to watch. Not even taking into account the amount of 'stiction' that happens when using the autofocus. It isn't apparent in stills but shows up a lot in video. It may not be that apparent at first but once you notice it, it becomes a real source of constant annoyance.

If you used it with good production techniques similar as that for television production I'm sure professional looking videos are achievable with a little planning. However it wold be a lot less hassle with a dedicated 4k camcorder. They do tend to be a little expensive though.

AF-On provides manually-activated autofocus on demand. Just deactivate the half-press with A8 menu option set to OFF.

Does this work with live view movie shooting? It should, but I don't want to confuse my camera or its operator by shooting movies.

Somebody who knows how to use the camera for video should answer that one.