5dmkIII- No video autofocus?

[starstreak]

I thought I just read on Planet5D that like the old MkII, the mkIII has no continuous autofocus? Or is video autofocus talking about something else?

http://blog.planet5d.com/2012/03/canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-vs-canon-eos-5d-mark-iii-vs-nikon-d800/

 

[Drama79]

when you shoot on a 7 or 5, why would you want autofocus? I think for professional video, I wouldn't want to trust an autofocus. I like to be able to manipulate DOF myself. It could be useful I suppose, but I don't regard it as a deal breaker.

 

[starstreak]

I'm not a professional videotographer, and not to mention not the best eyes. lol. To do simple video of a party, to have the video stay mostly in focus is a good thing when shooting at f2.8. Amazing how video on 55in tv will tell you that you focused not on the speaker but on the mic just in front.
Mind you, not saying having continuous focus will fix THAT. But knowing if I'm moving the camera, I don't need to be messing around with focusing.
And did I miss your DOF comment? That didn't have to do with autofocus as you could still set your apature to whatever you like?

when you shoot on a 7 or 5, why would you want autofocus? I think for professional video, I wouldn't want to trust an autofocus. I like to be able to manipulate DOF myself. It could be useful I suppose, but I don't regard it as a deal breaker.

 

[vuilang]

when you shoot on a 7 or 5, why would you want autofocus? I think for professional video, I wouldn't want to trust an autofocus. I like to be able to manipulate DOF myself. It could be useful I suppose, but I don't regard it as a deal breaker.

Have you try to document video for event such as wedding?? 1,2 second oof then focus give leading view, but that's only when you can focus accurately and quickly. PLUS OOF view can be done in the Post (client wont see a different).

 

[NormanBates]

for me, it's a good thing that it doesn't have video autofocus
it means they didn't throw resources at a feature that's only useful for casual users
in many respects, it feels like it's designed with pros in mind, and that's good (for me, and even though I'm not a video pro myself, just an amateur... that may not buy this yet because of the price)

 

[Drama79]

I think that with long shots (wedding videos, etc) it could have some use, but I'd worry it would pull to the wrong object as the camera moved, and blow the shot. I do a lot of music videos, and have always liked playing with focus in shots (although a lot of people that shoot film hate that effect, and say it looks amateurish - I guess I am an amateur!) So I'm fine with manual focus. I think at 2.8 you'd have trouble with it hunting for focus at times.

And what parties are you at that you need a $3.5k camera to shoot them?! can I come?

 

[daveswan]

I for one *do not* want autofocus of any kind in video, I'd rather pull my own focus (If I don't have an AC1 available).

And in any case nearly all my lenses are vintage primes (Mostly Leica R) with manual everything.

 

[Bennymiata]

It's amazing how well you can manually focus if you have some practice, but a good autofocus system would come in handy occasionally.
Hey, if they can do it on a $99 handy cam, why not on a $3.5K camera?

 

[Astro]

I thought I just read on Planet5D that like the old MkII, the mkIII has no continuous autofocus? Or is video autofocus talking about something else?

well nobody who is serious about video will use AF for video.
only soccer moms would have that idea.

that´s why hollywood is paying focuspuller.

 

[ruuneos]

You don't need auto focusing for video. So why to add it?

 

[expatinasia]

I do a lot of pro video and definitely want autofocus. Why would you not want it, the technology is there, and depending on what you are shooting - and how - it can make things a lot easier.

If you want to stick with manual, you can but at least give both options.

 

[Astro]

Anyone who says "you don't need autofocus in video", please keep this for himself and his work. As you see there are many people want it.

soccer mums and dads.. yeah. ;D

I do a lot of pro video and definitely want autofocus

examples?

im curious to see what you need AF for.

 

[Astro]

this forum is seriously fuked up.. it´s buggy as hell.
you can´t edit messages without getting an error message... an when i think i have succesfully edited a message ..... the new message will not appear.

 

[Astro]

I am a film director that uses 90% manual of course, but I wanted to have at least the af feature available in video mode of this camera. At least to have it available...

examples mr. scorsese for the 10% where you used AF?

 

[Kristo]

This is a lack of course.
All professional video cameras have auto focus capability as standard feature. It is not by luck there, they know that it is importand in scenes sometimes for videographers. That is why it is standard in all video cameras. So, this is a mistake from Canon, specific If Canon wanted to have a dslr called video camera. Also 5D MarkIII is a semi professional.

But there are others dslrs that have autofocus in video mode, so if anyone wants it, will get these dslrs that.
1DX is for the one who needs it. Or if you are Nikon guy you get D800 or even D4...me no, I will go for Canon and 1DX is my choice till now. But if we don;t see real tests by consumers we cannot say anything.
MAybe autofocus feature can be added in firmware?...I don't know...

 

[cm71td]

I thought I just read on Planet5D that like the old MkII, the mkIII has no continuous autofocus? Or is video autofocus talking about something else?

well nobody who is serious about video will use AF for video.
only soccer moms would have that idea.

that´s why hollywood is paying focuspuller.

Well, anybody serious about stills or video will also use manual exposure. I say, pull out the light meter as well.

Only soccer moms use automatic exposure.

 

[awinphoto]

this forum is seriously fuked up.. it´s buggy as hell.
you can´t edit messages without getting an error message... an when i think i have succesfully edited a message ..... the new message will not appear.

My name will appear logged in on certain forum topics but log me out on others and reconnect me on this one... I wonder if it's canonrumors trying to limit what I can talk about haha

 

[WoodysGamertag]

I guess I shoot pro video in that I get paid but I consider myself an amateur in terms of skill. I'd love to have auto focus available as an option.

BTW, some of the bugs we're seeing are a result of a far to aggressive cache. They need to revert it when the 5D traffic dies down. It might be time right now. I want to see my posts and updates within a few seconds of making them. If they don't do that, people will leave the forum because it seems buggy.

 

[Deleted member 32755]

Not all scenes are staged, there are many occasions when autofocus is at least a stress reliever!
I shoot weddings with 7d's and though I'm able to stay focused even at 2.8 for 90% of the time, the added effort of pulling focus while trying to check changes in exposure and lighting, keep a watchful eye at the surroundings for important activity, trying not to bump into the guests and so on, is getting tiresome after the 1st couple of hours.
Are event shooters restricted from the use of dslr? (I see some hardcore filmakers in here making disrespectful comments about people and describing them as soccer moms-dads and "Mr. Scorcese")
And FYI, dslr event shooters are not "casual users".You probably don't keep up with the trends in international event videography.

 

[MK5GTI]

i was doing a family shoot with 2 toddlers, try chasing them with MF; not every subject walk predictably like a bride

I can shoot with MF most of the time, but will sure WANT a good AF in the MK3. not the contrast detection from D7000, and assuming the D800 use the same contrast detection?

the only hope to get decent phase detection AF is from Sony's up coming A99. But as far as i know, the A77 do'nt offer full manual control when you have the AF on, its either or.