7D video and no continuous AF?

[mellofelow]

Just received my 7D and total noob as far as shooting video on dslr. But after reading the manual, my understanding is to AF before recording, and then it's not continuous during the recording session? Is that right?

From 7D manual, page 156

AF mode. Note that continuous focusing of a moving subject is not possible.

Then how do I shoot a video of my daughter dancing or playing ball and keep her in focus?

[jwcdds]

Time to get good at MF'ing w/ the back LCD.

Zooming & focusing at the same time will prove extreme difficult unless you've got the camera on a tripod. I hope you got the 7D more for shooting stills than for its Video capabilities. Even though there have been a number of great videos made with the 7D (and 5D2), it takes a LOOOOOT of work and additional gear and skill-set/know-how to make it happen. My hat's off to those who pull it off.

[mrkgoo]

Yeah, I discovered this. It will definitely take some practice.

Also requires a pretty steady hand or IS to keep a good handheld image.

You CAN focus using the AF-on button, but it uses the contrast on the sensor, so while still pretty accurate (i find), it is slow.

Also, the built-in mic picks up USM and IS noises. And the crazy focus motor of the 50 f/1.8

[BigBlueDodge]

Originally Posted by mellofelow

Then how do I shoot a video of my daughter dancing or playing ball and keep her in focus?

Now you know the dirty little secret all of the slr video proponents aren't speaking about. Now you understand why 99% of the video's floating around from 7D/5D MKII are from a camera setting on a tripod prefocused to specific spot. Video on my 5D MKII is great if I can convince my daughter to stand still and not move, but if she moves around, well then you can forget about it. I'll get great some incredible 1080p footage of an out of focus subject.

I'd say get used to manual focusing, and looking at the LCD hoping that you are in the ballpark.

[psxindo]

check out DVartistry.com. they are one of the best videographer I've seen.
I had a pleasure working with them in a wedding a couple of months back.
They use 3 5DII.
I ask them about the focusing...
basically experience is the key. Keep playing with MF and you will get better.
they use tripods, monopods, some sliding thing. and hand held as well...
Yes, basically they don't move alot.

[mikeassk]

f/8

[cccc]

Originally Posted by jwcdds

Time to get good at MF'ing w/ the back LCD.

Zooming & focusing at the same time will prove extreme difficult unless you've got the camera on a tripod. I hope you got the 7D more for shooting stills than for its Video capabilities. Even though there have been a number of great videos made with the 7D (and 5D2), it takes a LOOOOOT of work and additional gear and skill-set/know-how to make it happen. My hat's off to those who pull it off.

Alot of those videos are done with primes i believe. And very expensive video equipment.

[jwcdds]

Originally Posted by psxindo

check out DVartistry.com. they are one of the best videographer I've seen.
I had a pleasure working with them in a wedding a couple of months back.
They use 3 5DII.
I ask them about the focusing...
basically experience is the key. Keep playing with MF and you will get better.
they use tripods, monopods, some sliding thing. and hand held as well...
Yes, basically they don't move alot.

It is my understanding that you don't want to move the camera too much nor pan it too quickly as you'll end up with the rolling shutter effect. But it is what it is. I'm sure with subsequent releases in the coming years, the video aspect will only get better as technology improves. However, still photography is still my main hobby (not video) so I'd like to think I'll be keeping this camera for many many years.

[Rendition]

Like shooting stills, for video, when it comes to a large group of people, moving subjects etc, if light and style permits, I'd usually use manual mode and stop down aperture to get larger DOF. You don't really need to keep focusing. MF is a challenge and very fun.

(Link) Had a gig few months back, had my 5DII set up to 1/60 at f/9... I believe ISO was 200..

[mellofelow]

The camera is absolutely for still photography. It's just that we (family) have a China trip next month. For the 10-20 minutes of video I'll probably shoot, will just leave the HD camcorder home. Now I'm not so confident about winging it with the 7D.

[smythie]

you've got at least 3 weeks to practice

[valoisr]

Originally Posted by smythie

you've got at least 3 weeks to practice

I had bottom-lined my upgrade from my XTi to the T1i or the 50D given pocketbook and so many other parameters. This was befoe the 7D was launched.

Originally, I had narrowed down my choice to the 50D but by the time I was ready to do the the deed, the T1i was launched.

I considered all sorts of parameters and decided on the T1i. The package included 2 IS lenses and 2 8Gb cards. Other things being equal, I was swayed by the video aspect.

Wouldn't it be GREAT to take a short video of the B&G coming down the aisle ... what a neat surprise for them on the DVD that I produce ... the stills PLUS some video here and there ... WOW !

I tried doing the focusing for an entire week ... and gave up. Video absolutely MUST have AF just like camcorders and given the state of today's technology, it's simply beyond me why AF is not included on these cameras. And maybe that's just me . Anyway, I returned the entire kit and bought the 50D.

And that's my experiece. And maybe I should have been more patient

Ray

[Honeybee]

Study this: http://tinyurl.com/ydm8nwt

[apersson850]

As far as I've understood, professional video cameramen don't move the camera while shooting as much as the amateurs do. They also have handles and grips which allow easy manual focus while shooting.

But I'm no big video movie maker, so somebody else may know this better?

[tkbslc]

Originally Posted by valoisr

I tried doing the focusing for an entire week ... and gave up. Video absolutely MUST have AF just like camcorders and given the state of today's technology, it's simply beyond me why AF is not included on these cameras.

It's just the way SLR lenses and AF was designed. By making it fast and accurate for photography using phase-difference methods, it has made it so that it will not work well for slow, smooth contrast detect AF that video cameras and most compacts use. Also note that most compact cameras and video cameras have such small sensors and large DOF that focusing is almost unnecessary.