Need MF help?

Hello All,

So, I really trying to work on my manual focus technique. Here's my issue, So, I'm taking video of Softball games from a distance (trying to get ready to take video of my daughter in the marching band) and I'm just not getting the shots crisply in focus. I'm using the 50-150 S lens w/focus assist and I'm looking thru the EVF. I use the red color and i get what I see as outlined in red but when I play the video back it's slightly out focus. I've tried this multiple times as I will talk during the focusing saying this is out of focus, out of focus and then when in focus I say ok this is in focus and at times during the out of focus statement its in focus and the when i'm saying it's in focus it's not. I hope that made sense? I assume many of you are using MF with the NX. I've really tried using autofocus but the NX as well as the Cannon 70D (which was worse) had issues with not staying focused. I would think that from say 100 yards away if your subject moves 30 feet you should pretty much stay close to focus. Do you have any suggestions?  I intend to keep practicing until I can nail it.

Thanks

cookedraw wrote:

andre2you wrote:

Hello All,

So, I really trying to work on my manual focus technique. Here's my issue, So, I'm taking video of Softball games from a distance (trying to get ready to take video of my daughter in the marching band) and I'm just not getting the shots crisply in focus. I'm using the 50-150 S lens w/focus assist and I'm looking thru the EVF. I use the red color and i get what I see as outlined in red but when I play the video back it's slightly out focus. I've tried this multiple times as I will talk during the focusing saying this is out of focus, out of focus and then when in focus I say ok this is in focus and at times during the out of focus statement its in focus and the when i'm saying it's in focus it's not. I hope that made sense? I assume many of you are using MF with the NX. I've really tried using autofocus but the NX as well as the Cannon 70D (which was worse) had issues with not staying focused. I would think that from say 100 yards away if your subject moves 30 feet you should pretty much stay close to focus. Do you have any suggestions? I intend to keep practicing until I can nail it.

Thanks

There are many tools that can be helpful.

You should read the manual a few times maybe.

Some tips, one or two of these will maybe be helpful.

DMF (on)

Lens priority

Adjust the af setting so you can full press but it will not take photo until in focus.

Use a smaller aperture and higher ISO for larger DOF.

SAF with a small center spot.

If nothing works, try the scene modes maybe.

When it is green it is focused but it can be on the background ofcourse.

Use burst mode.

5x/8x focus aid

Make sure speed is enough so it is not motion blur or camera shake.

Turn OIS off.

good luck !

Thanks for the suggestions but I'm shooting  video not  stills. I have no issue shooting stills, I love my stills.

Tomorrow I'll try to the AAF while shooting video and see how that works out.

cookedraw wrote:

ok. maybe set focus on the ground and switch to manual focus and let it be is the best.

NX is a stills camera .. this may be the issue. For video and manual focus you are maybe better off with a mechanical lens , samyangs line up or example.

Try the 50-200 also and do not underestimate it.

I will try out my 50-200 lens, but after testing again today I'm much faster using MF with focus peaking and focus assist off for shooting video.

Thanks