6d HD Video Auto Focus

I'm considering pulling the trigger on a new 6D today and was about to do so...but read a post somewhere stating that the 6D does not auto focus while shooting HD video. I'm coming from a Rebel Xsi so I've never shot HD video with a DSLR before. I like the way my Xsi AF tracks while shooting photos and thought it would be great if I could do the same for video. I've also read that your better off manually focusing while shooting HD video ("like the pros do").

Can anyone set me straight please?

Keith

I rented a 6D with a 17-40L and it auto focused in video mode for me. Just very slowly. If you want a DSLR that has good video performance, check out the soon-to-be-released 70D.

You can find the sample images and videos here: http://web.canon.jp …samples/eos70d/​index.html

I'm confused. Why is the 70D half the price yet better at auto focusing? Why is the 6D twice the price?

Allagash wrote in post #16187831
I'm confused. Why is the 70D half the price yet better at auto focusing? Why is the 6D twice the price?

If you have to ask, then you clearly are not ready for the 6D.

Do you also know that your 18-55 won't work on the 6D too?

Allagash wrote in post #16187831
I'm confused. Why is the 70D half the price yet better at auto focusing? Why is the 6D twice the price?

The 70D is the latest body and has a new form of AF for live view, which I assume will also work with video, so that is probably where the AF difference lies (I have no interest in video, so I am making an assumption here).

The price difference is irrelevant. That comes from the differences as a still camera, video is merely a sideline for DSLRs their main purpose is still image photography (the exception being the 1D C, which is aimed more towards video use). The 6D has many features that make it a better stills camera than the 70D, not least of which is that it has a full frame sensor, that is where the value difference lies.

Your question is like asking why a Mini is cheaper than a Ferrari, but gets better gas mileage and has four seats. You cannot base value on one small part of the specification, you need to consider the whole package.

Would a 5D MIII be better at shooting video than the new 70D? I can't afford a 1D but can buy the 5D MIII...

AF for stills and photo are two entirely different beasts in the DSLR world, Canon was able to provide continuous autofocus during video first with the Rebel t4i (and only with dedicated STM lenses) and now with the 70D (using any lens).

If continuous autofocus is what you want, then you need either of these two models unless you are willing to manual focus to track your subject. If you are shooting video where subjects are mostly static (like in a seated interview) then you can set and forget your focus.

Allagash wrote in post #16188251
Would a 5D MIII be better at shooting video than the new 70D? I can't afford a 1D but can buy the 5D MIII...

Probably, but again, I have no real interest in video so have no in depth knowledge. However, the 5D mkII was used for making professional films and some TV drama episodes (one episode of "House" was shot entirely on the 5DII).

I am basing my answer on that, plus the fact that the 5DIII has an awesome sensor. However, I don't believe you can do continuous AF with it. Of course, that wouldn't bother film / TV crews because they would focus manually. Also you need to consider that for any serious video work a lot of money needs spending on other gear to get around the limitations of a DSLR.

The best DSLR for shooting video is of course the 1D C, which is aimed at pro users and costs around $11 - 12,000 but even that cannot do continuous AF whilst filming.

It is going to depend on how much continuous AF means to you, serious videographers avoid using AF in general, but I can see it's use in family video. It should also be considered what you will be doing with the camera as a stills camera, the 5DIII is far and away the better camera than the 70D, but the 70D will have more reach, so be better for birds etc.

Which will be the best for you depends on all the different uses you are going to put the camera to. I am assuming it isn't just for video - if it is, I would get a dedicated video camera that is designed for the job..

I'll be shooting some moving subjects (not sports or fast action) and some static subjects. My friend shoots weddings with the 5D MIII and loves it. I'm on the fence as to whether the 6D's video capability will cut it for me. I'd get the 70D but I want a full frame camera as my next camera...

Yeah, there is no split/dual pixel FF option, so you'll have to decide which is more important to you.

Allagash wrote in post #16188394
I'll be shooting some moving subjects (not sports or fast action) and some static subjects. My friend shoots weddings with the 5D MIII and loves it. I'm on the fence as to whether the 6D's video capability will cut it for me. I'd get the 70D but I want a full frame camera as my next camera...

if you want to use FF for video then you'll have to get used to Manual Focusing.

Maybe that SLT Sony A99. But I've never seen it's AF during video so have no idea how good it is.

Load magic lantern, enable focus peaking and focus manually. Thats what i did and its helped a ton. The 70D ofcourse would do video AF better than any other canon camera, even the high end bodies because its new tech. It will become a standard feature in all the new bodies no doubt. Im gonna keep my trusty 60D untill the 6Dii eventually comes out. Its certainly bound to have the new dual pixel AF and probably more than one cross sensor for stills as well.

kin2son wrote in post #16187850
If you have to ask, then you clearly are not ready for the 6D.

Do you also know that your 18-55 won't work on the 6D too?

This.

Allagash wrote in post #16188394
I'll be shooting some moving subjects (not sports or fast action) and some static subjects. My friend shoots weddings with the 5D MIII and loves it. I'm on the fence as to whether the 6D's video capability will cut it for me. I'd get the 70D but I want a full frame camera as my next camera...

May we ask why?

FIRST: Make sure you understand that shooting video with any of Canon's current DSLRs on the market is NOT like shooting video with a camcorder. Only the 70d with it's completely new system will track focus with any sort of usability, and it is not out yet.
The shallower DOF, high IQ, manual control, and ability to use different lenses are the great things about shooting video with a DSLR. It is just like taking photos with a DSLR vs a P&S. And just like with photos, getting higher quality video with a DSLR takes more user knowledge/interaction than a P&S/camcorder. If you want simple, get a camcorder.
Second: The 6d has a weaker AA filter than a 5d3 so it is more prone to moire and aliasing.
Third: When people get a Canon DSLR for video, it is understood that manual focusing is the only real and reliable way to focus. All serious videographers focus manually anyway.

As the tech from the 70d spreads across Canon's lineup, true AF for video will get more options (bodies) but for now, that's what you have.

The 6D will Af during video just not continuously like a camcorder. Like the T4i, T5i and soon the 70D do. You focus when you start shooting and if you want to AF again you hit the button. It makes a flash in the video when you do so. All of this doesn't mean the 6D isn't a great tool for video, but like many DSLR's that do not continuously AF when shooting video it's not a great for shooting family vacations. It's awesome for tripod work where you manually focus or your subject doesn't move.

One reason many pros manually focus is to kill AF noise. The lenses for cameras like Canon's XL1 have loud AF motors that can be picked up easily in the sound. With newer, silent Af motors I suspect that will be changing some but there will still be the idea that "if you're a pro you manually focus" for a long time. Still photography had the same kind of thing when AF first came out.