Advice on Shooting Movies

Why not simply learn to  focus manually? It is surprisingly easy with a good viewfinder. A bit of understanding about DOF lets you anticipate the needed changes of focus. No matter how good a camera AF may be, its decisions will not always be what you wished they would have been.

dickcampbell wrote:

I went out and purchased the 18-55 IS STM. It solves the focus noise issue but sill gets out of focus (and hunts) at times when presented with big change in subject distance.

Yup, been there done that.  Unfortunately the only thing that can help with this is focusing manually, even with an STM lens.

The only other option at this time is upgrading to a 70D.  Although I'm sure hoping that the next Rebel will incorporate the new (and very effective) Dual Pixel technology.

BTW the previous poster is correct in that the M-series lenses (ie 22mm STM) are not compatible with your DSLR.

Best of luck,

R2

There are 4 Classes of Canon Rebel Film Making:

1. Manual Class - old canon dslr that doesn't do continuous AF in video. MF is a requirement, but MF motion often will distrub video. Buying a big bulky Follow-Focus Mechanism is highly recommended when your doing focus pull.

• Canon 500D (T1i) - no Mic Input, 1080p limited to 20fps
• Canon 550d (T2i) - add Mic Input, 1080p @30fps
• Canon 600d (T3i) - add swivel articulating lcd

2. Hybid CMOS Sensor 1 - Next Generation Canon DSLR design with continuos AF tracking. Made possible by

1. Hybrid CMOS Sensor - 1st Gen (slow) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p4G0Z-_9--w
2. STM LENS - smooth and quiet
3. Touch-Screen - eliminate the need to buy bulky Focus Pull Mechanism

• Canon 650d (T4i) - 1st canon dslr with continuous AF tracking
• Canon EOS-M - 1st canon mirrorless interchangeable
• Canon 700d (T5i) - no difference from 650d, more creative filters

3. Hybrid CMOS II - vast improvement in Live View AF speed with bigger area. You can watch the difference in AF speed here:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7-DhFvluqiw#t=54
• Canon 100d (SL1) - 1st canon with Hybrid CMOS sensor II
• Canon EOS-M2 - 2nd Gen M, but is only sold in limited Asian Countries (Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore)

4. Dual Pixel CMOS sensor - the BEST.  Minimum light lost, usable On-Sensor-PDAF cover 80% of area

• Canon 70D - one and only for now

So for you 650D, you're best bet is to buy a Canon STM lens.  I highly recommend you buy the more expensive 18-135mm STM over the cheaper/lower 18-55 STM

dickcampbell wrote:

Somewhere in all the replies there was mention of a camera firmware upgrade to improve focussing performance.

Firmware version 1.04 is specifically aimed at working better with STM lenses and does seem to have made a difference. Time will tell.

Right.  I found that the new firmware increased performance nicely.

Perversely, having found the noise of my older lenses too intrusive, the total silence of the STM lens takes some getting used to.

Isn't it so eerie?  Esp in AI Servo mode.

R2

dickcampbell wrote:

I'm not sure that I would want to be thinking about focussing while I am shooting a video

It requires no more thinking than riding a bicycle, rather less in the beginning even. Really, it becomes quickly a reflex to turn the ring in the right direction when the subject gets closer or further. It becomes as natural as simply looking. Digirame's advice about using a short focal length is great for inside shooting since they have a lot of DOF, especially inside. Learning about hyperfocal distance is also great but usable mostly when there is at least some room between the subject and the camera.

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Dick Campbell
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