7D video Questions????

So my wife blessed me with a 7D for my B'day (January 2nd)

the video question i have if this....

does the Aperture work the same for video?

Say, f/1.8 has a shallower Depth of fielt than an F/8

if i wanted to focus on a group of people and keep that focus on video do i use a higher aperture (if i have great lighting?)

Every time i shoot at 1.8 it only focuses on 1 to 2 things and as soon as they moves i have to refocus...

thoughts?

The physics of light do not change from still to video.

^^x2

OP, there is no continuous auto focus on the 7D in video mode. If your subject moves out of the focal plane then you'll need to refocus either manually or by using the autofocus (which I'd advise against since it will bump exposure automatically to hunt and lock on focus).

1.8 aperture is a very shallow depth of field so your 'margin for error' on movement will be critical just as it would be for regular photography. The smaller the aperture the less critical your focusing will need to be.

Thanks for the reply guys... really appreciate it!

So manual focus seems to be best...I've tried the auto focus and it hasn't worked out so well for me.

andrea31419 wrote in post #9357789
So manual focus seems to be best...I've tried the auto focus and it hasn't worked out so well for me.

Yes, unfortunately the system has to bump exposure for a moment to achieve auto focus, and even then it's spotty. Manual using the LCD is the way to go. That is why so many serious videographers are using a loupe or z-finder for video needs. I am going to get one someday myself here, but editing software comes first.

I did some test video at home with the 50mm 1.8 and i def need a tripod for shooting.. lol

On the tripos the image quality looks awesome, but the focus ring on the 50 1.8 is tiny hard to focus. i will make a nice little video when i get a chance... and post!

what i do IF the subject is not moveing is focus the normal way i.e AF then put the lens on manual focus .
Then all i have to do is throw the vidio switch and start vidioing.
Rob.

With video, you always have to always change the focus as you shoot. Big difference from stills. And any mistake in focus gets recorded on the video. You kind of have to anticipate the motion and compensate. The most fun is in a dark church with no lights allowed as the bridesmaids walk one at a time down a very long aisle quickly! It gets even more fun with lighting and motion. Not only are you adjusting the focus, but the iris as well as they move closer or farther from the light source.