NAIL YOUR MANUAL FOCUS - Why You Shouldn't Autofocus
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
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How do you improve your manual focus?
It's spring. Baseball/softball/soccer season. Go out to the local Little League or high school baseball or softball fields and shoot some games. Practice nailing the pitcher, the catcher, hang out by first base and try to follow the batter as s/he runs to first. Do the same thing with rec league soccer, there's usually no fences to deal with. Make friends with a coach so they don't think you're a lecher and you can shoot from the sidelines, even during practices. The nice thing about digital is you're practicing for free, and if you get some good stuff, parents would love to buy your pro-quality videos, so you're getting paid to practice.
Honestly, for me having marks on the lens helps.
Learn marking at the right spot and practice focusing while moving around
Shoot photos on film once in a while - use manual focus. Limitation and risk makes you pay attention
Mark Bone I’ve always used manual focus (since I use a 6yr old camera) and I use an assortment of helpful tools. Peaking is really helpful but I find the red outline distracting and on certain lenses it completely blinds your composition. On my Sony nex6 there’s a button that if I push, it digitally crops in about 4x so you can nail that focus and I press it again and it’s back. If you shoot while on that mode it takes a normal uncropped photo. This is key since kit lenses or cheap lenses or primes don’t zoom in or preserve focus when zoomed. Also all your other tips are helpful but I already do them all the time. It’s not like I watched a video to get them I think I sorta just got it with experience.
On my A7III, for video mode, I turn the AF-ON button to "AF/MF Control Hold".
Then I switch to electronic MF (not the switch on then lens), and when I press AF-ON, it will grab focus wherever I aim the focus zone to, and when I release it goes back to MF preventing any shift of the focus plane. It's incredibly useful for run and gun situations as well, since at any given point in time you can just hold it and it'll be in AF until you release it. And it's vital when you don't have an external monitor with you.
When you're in AF mode, if you press it, it will go to MF. You can use the AF-ON button to hold that focus plane and then when you release it, it'll switch to AF. This is great for focus pulling as well.
Just thought I'd share this tip for hybrid AF/MF shooting. Cheers!
wow, I didn't know you can do that. Thanks for the tip!
Best camera ever? Lol
That's very smart! Thanks for the tip!
I would love to watch a tutorial on this. I’m not sure how to do this with my A7iii but would love to learn
@@Copymykinkos. here you are th-cam.com/video/R8uUqDSXGS0/w-d-xo.html
We talkin' 'bout practice!
Kyle Matthew Hilton PRACTICE mane!
Wonder how many people read this comment and saw ✈️ s 😂😂😂 love A.I.
Allen Iverson?
Half the people reading this think AI means artificial intelligence and not…. You may never know lol
Not the game…
5:30 zoom in to grab focus. Pretty sure this only works with a parfocal lens. 70-200 2.8 is close to parfocal but most zoom lenses aren't parfocal unless you're buying a broadcast zoom lens which costs a ton. Using magnification tool on your camera monitor or external monitor is a safer way to do the same thing.
Yub, zooming in to grab the focus is generally not a great advice, unless the viewers are shooting on a parfocal cinelens, which I don't think a lot us do. At deeper depth of field it might be a little more forgiving though.
Yeah, all good advice except this point.
I think he probably meant ..digital zoom....
Sigma 24-70 2.8 ef if parfocal too
I think most Panasonic lumix cameras have a feature that magnifies part of the screen so you can see if it’s in focus or not
All the advice here is so valuable, especially the focus wheel and external monitor. I was having focusing issues and now will be switching to manual. Thanks for the great video :)
This is the thing I've been working on, but still had no idea how to get even better until this video. Thanks!
That tire swing practice is actually a brilliant idea! Imma try that out for sure 👍🏼
Same
I completely agree. That’s probably the best thing I’ve heard for getting know your focus per lens. Genius idea.
Definitely going to try this
Thank you for actually teaching us real skills man and not just the usual gearjunky affiliate links BS! Priceless how you share your experience!
You have presented some of the best practical and well thought-out tutorials I have seen in this genre. Definitely a fan!
I can never remember which direction to move the focus ring for farther or closer when the shot actually starts rolling. I think a follow focus is going to be really game changing.
Most our lenses- right when they come tight, left when they go long
This is the problem I run into as well
I have this struggle for a while too. I also tend to change which hand I use at times which adds to the confusion.
i never knew others had this problem too lol i suck at left & right
Great tip on focusing on the tire swing. Perfect way to practice.
A lot of truth here. Very nice to hear. Very few on TH-cam don’t mention the shots are impossible without manually focusing (things entering frame, exiting frame, controlled rack focuses, etc.) not to mention the amount of realism it provides to see those slight slight out of focus parts - similar to how handheld gives the human element to the cinematography. Great vid.
Stoked you're back! I practice my manual focusing but... just doing it, practice practice practice.
This is the second video I'm watching from you and you're giving out good and fresh advice for people like us. You earned a subscriber!
I have started to use vintage lenses and this has forced me to start doing manual focus, Thanks for the tips they help alot! keep up all the hard work.
Mark, I dont usually comment on videos that I watch on youtube but after watching this video and your video about smoother handheld videography I am officially a lifelong fan! I've been searching all over for videos like this to no avail! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for making a youtube channel for novices and amature filmmakers like myself. Keep up the amazing work!
J. Tidwell Photography wow! Thanks for letting me know! I’m glad I can be a resource like this for you! Keep shooting!
Yeah, same with me. I always wanted to build videos since I was tiny and now I'm an amateur figuring it all out and as @d4darious says, making my mistakes now, so it's nice to have these videos. Good work
Mark! Once again, great video. Manual focus has been intimidating for me, but something I know I have to tackle. I'd like to see a video about the difference shutter speed makes while filming (particularly when aiming for a certain vibe/mood/emotion in a film)
Manual Focus still is the most natural way to work in cinematography, I work mostly in Weddings and love Using my Auto Focus in the 6Dmkii, it's an amazing feature, but my best shots, are using manual focus, the smoothness in the shots are decisive for an harmonic scene.... Great Video Mark! Keep it UP, Love your content!
One of the best teacher and motivator of doc films! Thanks mark❤️
I've been literally running away from buying a camera with not-so-good autofocus for doing the occasional videos I'm interested in. Your video just became gold to me! Subscribed!!
Great video man! I like it that you talk about this! Bc those days it seems like nobody is manual focussing anymore!
I shoot most of my stuff on a NIKON D750 and it's all manual focussing.... bc I don't have auto focus! Best way of learning it!
Keep up the great work!
This is a great skill that has been getting unnoticed. Glad to learn from this! 😃👍
This is super helpful! I'm changing from the mirrorless world to the bmpcc4k world so I can start getting a more cinema/hands on approach to be prepared for the future. We rely too much on auto things these days
So glad I've stumbled across your channel... your advice is golden!!
Manual focus also gave me some really nice footage and shots in nature. I have seen lots of people being frustrated about things in front of the camera so the AF is not working properly. Good video.
Totally find this one so helpful and encouraging. As a solo, it's so hard to keep track of everything, but I want to learn this art.
Mark, I appreciate your knowledge you share with the TH-cam universe. Your simple approach to getting the job done is amazing. When I see creators like you I'm so inspired to reach my maximum potential. Thank you
You're welcome!! Keep crushing it!
Man I'm loving your content! Great stuff Mark
I have spent a lot of time for finding a vidéo which finally explains the manual auto focus on the Dslr. This video is really the first one which trys to resolves the problem. A great video👍👍👍
Dude, I saw this video title, clicked and subscribed immediately, probably within 10 seconds of the video. I'm coming from a screenwriting background from India and that was my gateway into the film industry. I recently had a chance to approach a DoP regarding focus pulling, he sat me down with his mate, a dedicated focus puller. They advised me to go to a tennis court and shamelessly fail in tracking the ball. This is what I've been doing for the last couple of days. Its impossible, but I'm not giving up. I have a GH5 and I have no other option other than manual focus because its AF sucks, but it's a great camera for video at that price. Sure il scale up later with the gears, but that isn't my priority now. Its networking and learning the craft. I ordered a manual focus puller for now. The NFL reference makes sense to me now, its bloody difficult and I'm struggling to focus a high speed ball. I think I'm going to start with something slower and then go for fast moving objects. What do you think? Also, I've clicked the bell icon. The fifth youtuber I've ever subbed for notifs too. Great video.
What’s up Mark,
I love the channel man. You have a great balance of demonstration and information, and the lean toward focused cinematography is a breath of fresh air with so many “run-and-gun” type channels out there.
Keep killing it man!
NEB VISION thank you! This is a huge compliment :)
I love the swing & practice tip - THANK YOU! Like everything in life practice, practice, practice - I do wildlife with flying birds and (so far) best video to help.
Important angle of mastering this art! Thank you
Thanks man, you just added a little confidence to my manual focusing. I´m a wildlife photographer and I like to make short videos of animals too, and in nature, the autofocus is sometimes useless.. I use manual focus but I need to practice a lot because animals are moving like that flying ball.
That is tight Mark, knowledge is power and get to know your gear is essencial!!!! Practice is the world... Thanks for this help!!!! 🖖
Good tips. I have been using anamorphic cine lenses and only way is to understand manual focus. I will also add Focus Peaking, maintaining distance if subject moves you move, and try to use Infiniti as much as I can.
The quality of this video is so 🔥!!
So good! Thanks for the tips! 🙌
Wow, thank you for this video! I am a pro photographer, and videography beginner. I have a Sony body but my lenses are all Canon. So, I am forced to learn manual focusing. I was so reluctant and scared to start learning how to manual focus for video. After watching this video, I am so motivated and encouraged now!
Good tips! Awesome channel, keep pumping content!
Yaaaay! I've been literally thinking of when you'd upload next!
Got to manual focusing almost from the first DSLR shot. Very cool. It's that kind of power and responsibility one personally could love most.
Love the video! Thanks for working on the content. I started making videos recently because of your channel so thanks again. I would love a video on shoot selection and building story. The process from whats in your head to the second you hit record what you think. Like angles, what's in focus or not, movement, etc.
Thank you Mark. Great video and great tips.
So good, brother!!! Thanks for sharing these tips!
Awesome video. Didn’t realize I had already been using those techniques. Subbed!
This was very Kiff to watch. Thank you for the help and the advice
BEST video I have watched about this. Thank you
this just boosted my filmmaking so much thanks !!!
Thanks for the tips! I definitely need to practice this more.
Came across this video just in time for my next video project. Autofocus is really getting in the way lol ...... When filming it just focus on what it wants lol..! Thanks for making this video!
The perfect video I was looking for! Thanks 👍
Love this video. definitely agree with practicing your manuale focus skills!
So good! Thanks Mark!
If you have a dog, you can sit on the ground and play fetch with them while practicing your focus!
Great idea!
wow! thank you! you make my life better. I would to see a workflow video sometime. I hope you have a good weekend; and thank you again for making our lives better
John The Limo Driver from Kansas city
Great pieces of advice, Mark! Thanks a lot, cheers!
Very educational. Saving it in my tutorials playlist
you give the best tips. coming from someone watching TH-cam for years and never the type to leave comments.
Awesome stuff, Mark!, thanks so much!!
A newbie just learnt a lot! Thank you, Sir!!
Mark this tips were amazing! Thank u so much for your help’.
Brilliant vid! Thank you so much, mate!
Since receiving my first DSLR, I have LOVED the control manual focus provides. I've been trying to practice manual focus techniques as much as I can. Thanks for the tips!
Manual focus allows for more creativity! Keep crushing it
The "smaller movements" tip is what I'm working on now. Actually I'm a musician, not a videographer. Just trying to up my video game for my music channel. And it's interesting how "smaller movements" is a tip that also applies to synthesizer knobs, guitar strings, really almost all art can be improved through subtlety. Small movements, slow it down, keep it quieter. Thanks for sharing these ideas man
This was really great thanks man.
Great advice brother!
so much valuable key tips!
Bro. Such great tips here. I’m thankful you are doing TH-cam videos now!!
Same here
Great video mark...I've been very hesitant to use it on set. Time to practice in my down time!
Amazing video again, love the part about the tire swing. Keep it up!!
Yeah! Those NFL films guys are legends
Preach! I've been telling my v-log friends that they need to practice their manual focus. I'm so going to force them to watch this video. LOL!
The tire swing thing is brilliant. I know what I’m going to be doing!
Good work Mark, i use magic Lantern to nail focus and of course an external monitor.
GREAT VIDEO! I learned a lot about Manual focus techniques: Thank you...
A perfect follow up to my focusing question the other day. TH-cam algorithm for the win! 😄
Very helpful information. New to your channel, second video I've consumed with watch time. There aren't any short cuts in life, but hard work and grit so thank you for taking the time to explain your point of reference.
super valuable information. these videos are incredible. thank you mark!
frankmittenz thank you for checking them out!!
Really great advice! Thanks a lot
Amen to all of this. I have the a6400, which has incredible autofocus, but I hardly ever use it, other than talking head kinda stuff, but even then, I usually find myself manually focusing in. I can see for vlogging autofocus is necessary, but other than that, I agree with you...master your instrument.
I totally agree with this, because I just did a recording and decided to use autofocus and it just kept hunting for my subject and I wish I would have at first just used manual focus after the fact because the part that I ended up using of the video clip was not clearly in focus. And, on this particular day I forgot my external monitor LOL so definitely feeling you on not relying on the the small LCD screens. Thanks again for this video!
Great vid, great advice. Thanks!
That's why renting cinema lenses is useful. For example Zeiss makes their own set of lenses and they are made to have the same focus and aperture ring. Plus the focus ring can usually rotate a lot giving more flexibility. Thus, pulling focus and iris is much easier for the 1st AC since all lenses behave the same.
Super helpful! And very motivational... Yes autofocus good for vloggin.. I like also do it your self focusing
This was excellent!
Thanks for this video. I appreciate your tips!
I’m glad Matti talked you into making a channel your vids are very informative 👊🏻
Me too!
Thanks for sharing those tips ~
Very informative! Love the tip with the tire swing, will do some more practice with that :)
@Mark Bone I jumped in to focus remotely for the camera op today. How people ever gonna use these modern tools without doing the traditional manual focus work. Also your matching flannel / skate deck is on point 👌
I like your tips!!! I have Nikon D750 with terribre video autofocus, but i am using manual all the time! Practice Practice Practice
Learning from and loving this video. Keeo it up!
Loving your videos Mark!
Teppo Haapoja thanks brother! And likewise! Always encouraging and pumped watching your channel grow!
Great advice on the tire swing thing, would never have thought of that.
In regards to zooming in to focus, I think most people shooting on dslr style cameras are probably not going to have parfocal lenses, so maybe doing a digital zoom in could be a good alternative (that's what I used to do back in my t2i days).
Love the channel!
Your videos are the best thing since sliced bread! Rad Dude!
Thanks for emphasizing!
Great video Mark! Thank you!
Viktor Kotschy you’re welcome!!
Excellent video Mark!!
I think a video on understanding, interpreting and adjusting sensitivity of the peak focus tool. This would help a lot of people depending on peak focus but don’t know all the benefits and pitfalls to this feature.
Good call
Subbed for the tips and super quality video
Great video! I am so glad that I ´ve been using GH4 for past year and a half and my lens stopped working with autofocus so I always had to use manual :D Keep em coming!
Keep crushing that manual focus