Focus Problem at DVinfo.net

Jean King · March 17th, 2003, 12:51 PM

Hello!
I recently videotaped a debutante cotillion with my GL2, which was held in a fairly dark ballroom. I was a good distance away from my subjects (approx. 40 feet), and up high up on a platform. When I was zoomed in close onto the girls, I noticed on playback that the images were somewhat out of focus. (I had the camera on autofocus by the way) My husband was operating a second GL1 down near the runway, and had close-ups of the girls, with crisp shots.

Is there any set-up adjustment I can make in the GL2 to sharpen the image (given the distance I was from the subject) without compromising the picture quality?

Thanks
Jean King

Chris Hurd · March 17th, 2003, 01:12 PM

I'd say that your best bet in low-light situations is to *always* use manual focus, Jean. Auto focus works by comparing image contrast. In a low-light situation, there isn't much image contrast available, so auto focus seldom works well in low-light. For that reason, be sure to use manual focus in areas without good light. This is sort of a general rule of videography; the GL2 auto focus is really no different from any other DV camcorder. Hope this helps,

Brian Huey · March 17th, 2003, 01:54 PM

How Auto Focus Works @ howstuff works.com.

Chris Hurd · March 17th, 2003, 02:29 PM

Great link! Thanks, Brian.

Don Palomaki · March 17th, 2003, 09:13 PM

Decent autofocus performance requires around 50 lux.

March 17th, 2003, 12:51 PM	#1
Jean King Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	Focus Problem Hello! I recently videotaped a debutante cotillion with my GL2, which was held in a fairly dark ballroom. I was a good distance away from my subjects (approx. 40 feet), and up high up on a platform. When I was zoomed in close onto the girls, I noticed on playback that the images were somewhat out of focus. (I had the camera on autofocus by the way) My husband was operating a second GL1 down near the runway, and had close-ups of the girls, with crisp shots. Is there any set-up adjustment I can make in the GL2 to sharpen the image (given the distance I was from the subject) without compromising the picture quality? Thanks Jean King

March 17th, 2003, 01:12 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	I'd say that your best bet in low-light situations is to always use manual focus, Jean. Auto focus works by comparing image contrast. In a low-light situation, there isn't much image contrast available, so auto focus seldom works well in low-light. For that reason, be sure to use manual focus in areas without good light. This is sort of a general rule of videography; the GL2 auto focus is really no different from any other DV camcorder. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 17th, 2003, 02:29 PM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Great link! Thanks, Brian. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 17th, 2003, 01:54 PM	#3
Brian Huey Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Seattle , WA Posts: 184	How Auto Focus Works @ howstuff works.com.

March 17th, 2003, 09:13 PM	#5
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Decent autofocus performance requires around 50 lux.