Rack focus at DVinfo.net

Geoff Schatzel · February 17th, 2009, 08:35 PM

One of the things that gets me about the Z7's original lens is that I can't do out of focus to focus shots (I shoot alot of weddings) which used to be a fav shot of mine. The Z1 does this well, but of course I would rather use the best camera I have.

Ivan Snoeckx · February 18th, 2009, 06:15 AM

Take a look at this free chapter from Vortex Media's DVD "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270".

Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training

Is this what you mean?

Geoff Schatzel · February 18th, 2009, 03:09 PM

Hmm partly. The depth of field in that video allows you to do a rack focus. What I was after is just turning the focus ring so my subject, at whatever distance, completely blurs out and then I focus it up. The stock lens doesn't seem to do this very well. I can't get anything completely out of focus that I choose to do so. And YES, I have the camera on manual for any of you wise guys out there :P

Thanks for your help.

Greg Laves · February 18th, 2009, 03:39 PM

Another obvious question. Were you shooting with the lens wide or in telephoto? When you are wide it is harder to get anything out of focus.

Zach Love · February 20th, 2009, 10:36 PM

I'm guessing what is getting you is the MACRO.

Z1 has two focus modes: 1. Auto & 2. Manual
Z7 has three focus modes: 1. Auto, 2. "mostly" Manual & 3. "real" Manual

Z7: 1. & 2. are in focus ring position A, 3. is in position B.
(Please correct me if I got these A/B switched from how the manual mentions it)

Macro focus doesn't work when the lens is in position B.

So keep the lens in the A position, set it to manual focus & make sure macro focus is turned on.

Dimes to donuts, that will solve your in-focus problem.

February 17th, 2009, 08:35 PM	#1
Geoff Schatzel Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 33	Rack focus One of the things that gets me about the Z7's original lens is that I can't do out of focus to focus shots (I shoot alot of weddings) which used to be a fav shot of mine. The Z1 does this well, but of course I would rather use the best camera I have.

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February 18th, 2009, 06:15 AM	#2
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	Take a look at this free chapter from Vortex Media's DVD "Mastering the Sony HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270". Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training Is this what you mean?

February 18th, 2009, 03:09 PM	#3
Geoff Schatzel Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 33	Hmm partly. The depth of field in that video allows you to do a rack focus. What I was after is just turning the focus ring so my subject, at whatever distance, completely blurs out and then I focus it up. The stock lens doesn't seem to do this very well. I can't get anything completely out of focus that I choose to do so. And YES, I have the camera on manual for any of you wise guys out there :P Thanks for your help.

February 18th, 2009, 03:39 PM	#4
Greg Laves Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 640	Another obvious question. Were you shooting with the lens wide or in telephoto? When you are wide it is harder to get anything out of focus.

February 20th, 2009, 10:36 PM	#5
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	I'm guessing what is getting you is the MACRO. Z1 has two focus modes: 1. Auto & 2. Manual Z7 has three focus modes: 1. Auto, 2. "mostly" Manual & 3. "real" Manual Z7: 1. & 2. are in focus ring position A, 3. is in position B. (Please correct me if I got these A/B switched from how the manual mentions it) Macro focus doesn't work when the lens is in position B. So keep the lens in the A position, set it to manual focus & make sure macro focus is turned on. Dimes to donuts, that will solve your in-focus problem.