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> Something that makes a video look amateurish [...] changing parameters mid-recording A prime example of this is leaving autofocus on when you're moving about

> Something that makes a video look amateurish [...] changing parameters mid-recording A prime example of this is leaving autofocus on when you're moving about. There's many YouTubers who haven't yet learnt this lesson and it can make the video unwatchable.

abm53 3y ago
I’ve seen enough videos with otherwise high production values to make me suspect there is a valid trade-off to keeping autofocus on.
- astrange 3y ago
  It depends if you have a cameraman or not. If you don't, and you're walking away from the camera, it's probably best to leave it on and hope it tracks you.
KineticLensman 3y ago
Yes. It’s very rare to see the focus change during a movie or TV show. The main exception is when the focus switches between two people talking, when their positions are known in advance and dialled in so there isn’t any visible hunting
- kuschku 3y ago
  You can actually see focus changes quite often in movies and TV shows - but they're usually done intentionally to accentuate something, e.g. a focus pull from a foreground object to an actor in the background. But it's a slow and smooth motion without any focus breathing intended to highlight an object or an actor, not just autofocus hunting to find something
  - didntcheck 3y ago
    This is probably an elementary question, but are those focal shifts still done manually, with a camera guy turning the ring by hand? Or do they set the two points in advance and hit a button to start a motorized transition?
    - AtheistOfFail 3y ago
      there's a dedicated person usually called a focus puller.
    - kuschku 3y ago
      Kind of both? You've usually got a small motor connected to the lens that turns the focus ring. A dedicated person, called a focus puller, has a remote with a wheel on the side. By turning this wheel the focus puller can remotely control the focus ring of the lens. The remote usually allows the focus puller to set the maximum range of motion with A/B points. The system doesn't automatically execute the focus pull, but with the hard stops at the A/B points the focus puller can make sure they don't overshoot the target.
      - thirdsun 3y ago
        At that point it sounds easier to have the focus switch executed automatically with all relevant parameters preset, e.g. duration or curve. Sort of like CSS transition or MIDI automation.
        kuschku 3y ago
        look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AsGgR9oZak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AsGgR9oZak Back then the focus puller would use a remote connected by a cable, which is why you see a focus puller running behind the steadicam op in that video. That's why while you've got A/B points set and marks set on the focus control, you still need a human.
    - petee 3y ago
      Behind the scenes, look for when they are "marking," which is leaving little piece of tape or otherwise on the ground where the actors are standing. The focus puller will make indications on their focus ring to match these; as long as the actor "hits their mark" the focus will be dead on. A majority of time the operation is fully manual (though possibly remote to the camera)
      - 3y ago
- kenjackson 3y ago
  With “Cinematic” video mode on the iPhone you can edit focus in post with the iPhone Photos app. It does a good job for this two person talking scenario.
- germinalphrase 3y ago
  Having worked as a loader/2nd AC and getting thrown into the focus puller chair on some b-roll - focus is changing constantly. On a movie set, it’s pretty much an entire person’s job.
  - badcppdev 3y ago
    Does the focus change during a shot?
    - germinalphrase 3y ago
      Unless the distance of the camera and the subject do not move at all, the focus will be actively changing - yes. Depending on various conditions (lighting, lens choice, etc) there might be a very large distance range that is in focus - or it might just be a few inches. Even if the focus puller isn’t doing any big focus swings, they are likely making small adjustments.
- ilyt 3y ago
  It's not rare at all. It is just deliberate in movies/shows, not something algorithm on camera constantly fiddles with.

abm53 3y ago

I’ve seen enough videos with otherwise high production values to make me suspect there is a valid trade-off to keeping autofocus on.

astrange 3y ago
It depends if you have a cameraman or not. If you don't, and you're walking away from the camera, it's probably best to leave it on and hope it tracks you.

KineticLensman 3y ago

Yes. It’s very rare to see the focus change during a movie or TV show. The main exception is when the focus switches between two people talking, when their positions are known in advance and dialled in so there isn’t any visible hunting

kuschku 3y ago
You can actually see focus changes quite often in movies and TV shows - but they're usually done intentionally to accentuate something, e.g. a focus pull from a foreground object to an actor in the background. But it's a slow and smooth motion without any focus breathing intended to highlight an object or an actor, not just autofocus hunting to find something
- didntcheck 3y ago
  This is probably an elementary question, but are those focal shifts still done manually, with a camera guy turning the ring by hand? Or do they set the two points in advance and hit a button to start a motorized transition?
  - AtheistOfFail 3y ago
    there's a dedicated person usually called a focus puller.
  - kuschku 3y ago
    Kind of both? You've usually got a small motor connected to the lens that turns the focus ring. A dedicated person, called a focus puller, has a remote with a wheel on the side. By turning this wheel the focus puller can remotely control the focus ring of the lens. The remote usually allows the focus puller to set the maximum range of motion with A/B points. The system doesn't automatically execute the focus pull, but with the hard stops at the A/B points the focus puller can make sure they don't overshoot the target.
    - thirdsun 3y ago
      At that point it sounds easier to have the focus switch executed automatically with all relevant parameters preset, e.g. duration or curve. Sort of like CSS transition or MIDI automation.
      - kuschku 3y ago
        look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AsGgR9oZak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AsGgR9oZak Back then the focus puller would use a remote connected by a cable, which is why you see a focus puller running behind the steadicam op in that video. That's why while you've got A/B points set and marks set on the focus control, you still need a human.
  - petee 3y ago
    Behind the scenes, look for when they are "marking," which is leaving little piece of tape or otherwise on the ground where the actors are standing. The focus puller will make indications on their focus ring to match these; as long as the actor "hits their mark" the focus will be dead on. A majority of time the operation is fully manual (though possibly remote to the camera)
    - 3y ago
kenjackson 3y ago
With “Cinematic” video mode on the iPhone you can edit focus in post with the iPhone Photos app. It does a good job for this two person talking scenario.
germinalphrase 3y ago
Having worked as a loader/2nd AC and getting thrown into the focus puller chair on some b-roll - focus is changing constantly. On a movie set, it’s pretty much an entire person’s job.
- badcppdev 3y ago
  Does the focus change during a shot?
  - germinalphrase 3y ago
    Unless the distance of the camera and the subject do not move at all, the focus will be actively changing - yes. Depending on various conditions (lighting, lens choice, etc) there might be a very large distance range that is in focus - or it might just be a few inches. Even if the focus puller isn’t doing any big focus swings, they are likely making small adjustments.
ilyt 3y ago
It's not rare at all. It is just deliberate in movies/shows, not something algorithm on camera constantly fiddles with.