Video focus with 5d mk II?

[anewman143]

LOVE my 5d mk II, but it doesn't do real time focusing for video capture. Does the mk III?

Not happy to consider dropping that much more money, but as I do more video, my old (47 year old) eyes don't manually focus as well, especially on the live-view screen.

Suggestions?

Adam

 

[ocabj]

LOVE my 5d mk II, but it doesn't do real time focusing for video capture. Does the mk III?

Not happy to consider dropping that much more money, but as I do more video, my old (47 year old) eyes don't manually focus as well, especially on the live-view screen.

Suggestions?

Adam

No, it doesn't have continuous AF in video.

All the guys I know that are doing dSLR video are using field monitors with focus peaking.

 

[Chad3eleven]

DSLR shooters also use larger rigs with follow focus control.. some are large to hold audio packs, others are compact..

http://philipbloom.net/2010/01/09/two-very-different-follow-focus-systems-for-hd-dslrs/

 

[acearchie]

The more professional you get, the less the camera does for you.

You won't find autofocus on any professional video cameras (give or take a few).

If you are looking for easier focusing look at getting a wide lens and stopping down so that the DOF is deeper and gives you more chance to get everything in focus.

 

[Policar]

Magic lantern offers focus peaking (outlines the area that's in focus) if you're willing to learn it and install a hack.

The Mark III might technically have an AF mode (I should know; I own one) but I'm pretty sure it's useless. The 70D has very good autofocus, but you'll lose the benefits of FF. Image quality should be similar, though.

 

[Borntorun]

The only DSLR that currently allows autofocus during video is the canon 70D. The autofocus of all other dslr's does not allow continuous focus during video, not even in live mode. The reason is that the image needs to be redirected from the main sensor onto the AF sensor, and this only happens with the prism in the "off" position - for the lack of a better word.

In the 70d canon has managed to embed the AF system into the main sensor (I can explain more on how they accomplished that, if there is interest), hence continuous autofocus is available during live view and hence video as well.

Here is a good tutorial on how dslr autofocus works:

http://www.reikan.co.uk/focalweb/index.php/why/how-autofocus-works/