Can I get some advise on a manual focus technique? I know how to zoom in tight and pop the focus in so everything in that range stays in focus but it seems to not work as well when you have something moving closer to the camera.

Example: Wedding march with bridesmaids walking down the isle. What is the best method to keep them in focus from the back of the church to when they get close to you? Is there a way so you will not have to "ride" the focus ring?

Thanks!

. . but it seems to not work as well when you have something moving closer to the camera. - Well, what is it then? What are you getting? What is happening?

Grazie

It seems like the subject walking towards the camera goes soft. Should the same procedure (zoom in - focus - and zoom out) work in this case also?

Anybody? Tips?

I hope I am not repeating something you already know when I say that the shallows depth-of-field produced by wide apertures and long focal lengths (such as many tight zooms) makes follow-focusing all the more demanding. There is no substitute for practice with the equipment you use, in circumstances similar to those you encounter. Practice until it becomes almost intuitive.

Bear in mind, that at maximum focal length (full zoom), the minimum distance at which the camera will focus is diminished. I have a GL-1 with the same lens, I believe. The manual will tell you what the minimum focusing distance at max zoom is; I don't recall.

Philip