Ok, this may be a stupid question but can someone recommend a technique for maintaining manual focus on a moving subject while the camera is on a handheld steadycam? I only have 3 people on my crew. Me operating the camera, my buddy holding the boom mic and my other friend holding the reflector.

Ok, this may be a stupid question but can someone recommend a technique for maintaining manual focus on a moving subject while the camera is on a handheld steadycam? I only have 3 people on my crew. Me operating the camera, my buddy holding the boom mic and my other friend holding the reflector.

This sounds like a recipe for disaster? However this Canon is real quick with AF, y'know? MF+Steady? Hmmmm... I DO have a LANC Frotti on my DVRig Pro which I do use to keep things in focus by employing the the PUSH Focus technique. I'm wondering if using a LANC somewhere ON the Steady you could do a PUSH AF and back to MF? Yeah, I can see that happening.

This sounds like a recipe for disaster? However this Canon is real quick with AF, y'know? MF+Steady? Hmmmm... I DO have a LANC Frotti on my DVRig Pro which I do use to keep things in focus by employing the the PUSH Focus technique. I'm wondering if using a LANC somewhere ON the Steady you could do a PUSH AF and back to MF? Yeah, I can see that happening.

Using the Manual Focus is the only way i can control DOF. Unless there is a better way to get DOF with autofocus.

Using the Manual Focus is the only way i can control DOF. Unless there is a better way to get DOF with autofocus.

Ah! I see! DoF. Hmmm... I have also done this with my LANC. I can use the ZOOM toggle AS a Focus adjust. Back and forth - yeah? Not QUICK quick, but it does do it. I guess what you are after is a simple sensible way to use a kinda whip or rack? Yeah? Interesting with a the Steady. Have I seen Racks and stuff on steadys?

Some interesting comments for you here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=73421&highlight=steady+rack