Need help with selective focus.. at DVinfo.net

Michael Vaden · January 31st, 2007, 01:39 PM

How do I do selective focus on the Canon XL H1? I'm curious to know so when I buy it, I'm good to go. Example. I want the back ground to be blurry but the object to be clear and vice versa...

In the mean time, how can I do it on a Mini DV camcorder? I have a Canon ZR70mc model. Any help would be appreciated...

Marcus Marchesseault · January 31st, 2007, 01:45 PM

Selective focus is not easy to accomplish on cameras like we use. The small imaging chips provide for a large depth of field. To get a little selective focus, keep your iris completely open. If your location is brightly-lit, turn on the ND neutral density filters to get the iris to open. Put everything on manual exposure and keep the iris open. If necessary, add an external ND or polarizing filter to bring the exposure down in sunlight scenes.

Additionally, you can look into a 35mm lens adapter like the Brevis, Redrock M2, SGPro, or Letus. You can learn all about them in the "Alternative Imaging" area of these forums.

Jon Fairhurst · January 31st, 2007, 04:19 PM

Marcus is correct that you would open the lens iris to its maximum aperture. You would also zoom in as tight as possible. That will be as shallow a depth of field as you can achieve with any given lens/camera.

Of course you may need to adjust your lighting, shutter speed, gain and framing to compensate for the wide aperture and tight zoom and still get the shot that you want.

January 31st, 2007, 01:39 PM	#1
Michael Vaden Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 43	Need help with selective focus.. How do I do selective focus on the Canon XL H1? I'm curious to know so when I buy it, I'm good to go. Example. I want the back ground to be blurry but the object to be clear and vice versa... In the mean time, how can I do it on a Mini DV camcorder? I have a Canon ZR70mc model. Any help would be appreciated...

January 31st, 2007, 04:19 PM	#3
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Marcus is correct that you would open the lens iris to its maximum aperture. You would also zoom in as tight as possible. That will be as shallow a depth of field as you can achieve with any given lens/camera. Of course you may need to adjust your lighting, shutter speed, gain and framing to compensate for the wide aperture and tight zoom and still get the shot that you want. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

January 31st, 2007, 01:45 PM	#2
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	Selective focus is not easy to accomplish on cameras like we use. The small imaging chips provide for a large depth of field. To get a little selective focus, keep your iris completely open. If your location is brightly-lit, turn on the ND neutral density filters to get the iris to open. Put everything on manual exposure and keep the iris open. If necessary, add an external ND or polarizing filter to bring the exposure down in sunlight scenes. Additionally, you can look into a 35mm lens adapter like the Brevis, Redrock M2, SGPro, or Letus. You can learn all about them in the "Alternative Imaging" area of these forums.