Focus with Nex 5n/7 video and a manual zoom - possible?

[nick berkeley]

Is there any way the Nex camera can keep the subject in focus when using a manual zoom (I was thinking of purchasing a legacy lens eg minolta rokkor) during video? Generally any comments on use of manual zooms and video would be great..

 

[viking79]

Is there any way the Nex camera can keep the subject in focus when using a manual zoom (I was thinking of purchasing a legacy lens eg minolta rokkor) during video? Generally any comments on use of manual zooms and video would be great..

If you can find a parfocal, or true zoom lens (as opposed to a vari-focal lens that most modern lenses are), you will be better off. Then you can zoom without changing focus, which is what I think you are asking.

I don't know of any great parfocal lenses off hand, but maybe this will help your searching.

Eric
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[CBuff]

Depends if your lens has a focus shift with zoom. Many do.

 

[cruz031]

Is there any way the Nex camera can keep the subject in focus when using a manual zoom......

If you are using one of the AF zoom lenses (18-55,18-200....etc.), then answer is yes. New 5n has a focus tracking function and i'm sure it will be able to keep subject in focus while zooming. By using manual focus/zoom lenses, focus tracking gets harder, but not impossible! Peeking function helps a great deal on tracking subject trough the frame in mf mode. Also, it would be best to use a so called 'one-touch zoom' or 'push-pull zoom' lenses as they provide you with one ring for focusing and zooming. That ( combined with peeking function ) should ease operation of keeping subject in focus while zooming.