T3 Video Focusing Issues

[f5joe]

I'd appreciate some incite. Just bought a new T3 and we're headed to Alaska in about ten days. I'm trying to get used to shooting a few videos while on the fly. I anticipate encountering some whales and the like.

I'm having video focus issues with both the kit lens (18-55) and the zoom (75-300). I have ended up with a lot of out of focus shots while using the AF position on both.

Should I AF first on the topic of interest? When I do this ... and the target moves closer to me it goes out of focus.

Thanks for any help. Yes, I'm probably a complete idiot.

Yes, I proved it by posting in the wrong forum. Mod contacted. My apologies.

[Hillbille]

Originally Posted by f5joe

I'd appreciate some incite. Just bought a new T3 and we're headed to Alaska in about ten days. I'm trying to get used to shooting a few videos while on the fly. I anticipate encountering some whales and the like.

I'm having video focus issues with both the kit lens (18-55) and the zoom (75-300). I have ended up with a lot of out of focus shots while using the AF position on both.

Should I AF first on the topic of interest? When I do this ... and the target moves closer to me it goes out of focus.

Thanks for any help. Yes, I'm probably a complete idiot.

Yes, I proved it by posting in the wrong forum. Mod contacted. My apologies.

Video with the T3 will not allow you to set OTHER modes. The dial MUST stay on the VIDEO indicator. Regardless of what other "experts" tell you this is true of the T3. Also the T3 (to my knowledge) does NOT have the ability to control exposure in VIDEO mode like it's brother the T3i.

What you CAN do is try to set the initial focus of the camera BEFORE pressing the record button. A half press on the shutter button will initiate the AF feature of the lens BEFORE the video is started. I have the best success with this method. I have tried pressing the shutter button AFTER the video is in progress in an attempt to initiate an AF - but it never has worked for me. So what I do is STOP the video with a press of the RECORD button - half press the Shutter button for an AF anf then repress the video button to restart the video.

Sounds complicated but once you get used to doing the sequence it works pretty well. Essentially the video process of the T3 is the same as that in a P&S in that focus is what it is at the moment the video record button is pressed. If you have set your lens to max zoom and pressed the shutter button - the camera WILL auto focus BEFORE the record button is pressed. Once the record button is pressed ALL other functions of the camera are suspended UNTIL the recording is stopped.

These are my observations for the T3 which I own and do NOT cover the T3i which has different controls. There is a way on the T3i I believe to set the shutter "speed" and aperture for the camera PRIOR to initiating video - but it does not seem to be the case with the T3.

Hillbille

[Hillbille]

Try this little experiment with your T3. Mount either of your lenses. Bring the camera up and turn it on. Point it at an object tha it at least 50 feet away. Press the shutter button to initiate the AF to focus on that object. NOW go ahead and move your dial to the VIDEO indicator and bring the camera back up and press the record button. You only need a short session. Work the zoom of the lens back and forth at least ONCE during the video trying to stay on a subject. Stop the recording and LOOK at the video. Preferably on a monitor and not in camera. Did the camera STAY in focus throughout the zoom range? It should.

I shoot a lot of Remote Control aircraft. Small objects that move really fast AND come to within 15 feet and go out to about 1500 feet in a couple of seconds and this method works for me - MOST - of the time. If I get in a hurry and do NOT do the first step - focusing on an object at distance - then the entire video is OUT OF FOCUS no matter what I do during the video!

I hope this helps.

Hillbille