Focus Difficult at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony NXCAM / AVCHD Camcorders

Sony NXCAM / AVCHD Camcorders
Sony HXR-NX100, HXR-NX70, NX30, NX5, NX3/1, HXR-MC2500, HDR-AX2000, etc.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 25th, 2012, 04:29 AM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear
Posts: 12
Focus Difficult

Is it just me or is the NX5 (PAL) difficult to focus? Anybody else think the same?
Mike
Mike Trewhella is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 26th, 2012, 04:06 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Waller County, TX
Posts: 340
Re: Focus Difficult

Are you using peeking? It makes it easy.
__________________
Vic Wilcox, http://wilcoxvideoproductions.com/Default.aspx
Sony FDR-AX100, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, GoPro Hero 8 Blk, Vegas Pro 15, DaVinci Resolve 18
Victor Wilcox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 26th, 2012, 04:15 PM   #3
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear
Posts: 12
Re: Focus Difficult

Hi Victor, Yes I've tried peaking but it's a facility I'm not really fond of. I prefer my own eyesight which has normally served me well with many different cameras but the NX5 is so critical with it's focus.
Mike Trewhella is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 27th, 2012, 01:30 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 44
Re: Focus Difficult

I am new to this so excuse my lack of knowledge but what is peeking?
Andrew Parker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 27th, 2012, 01:57 AM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,313
Re: Focus Difficult

Peaking is a feature on cameras that dramatically sharpens the edges of the image in the LCD to make focusing easier. When an object is in focus, it creates a thick outline around the areas in focus. Don't worry though, the camera doesn't record this effect to card/tape.

Mike, I've found myself using the distance readout on the LCD to better judge focus. The focal plane is rather deep on a 1/3" camera such as the NX5, so as long as you know you're close , things usually turn out pretty well - on wider shots at least. You could also bump the AF button for a moment to figure out the distances.

After that, it might be monitor time! Marshall just released a few new 5" LCD panels that sell for under $400. I use one of the older versions on all my cams for events and tripod mounted work - it just makes things easier, even for my young eyes! It uses your Sony batteries too:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867538-REG/Marshall_Electronics_V_LCD51_SL_5_MONITOR_w_PRE_INSTALLED.html
__________________
Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX
www.flightcreativemedia.com
Nate Haustein is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 27th, 2012, 02:12 AM   #6
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear
Posts: 12
Re: Focus Difficult

Thanks for that Nate.
Mike Trewhella is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 27th, 2012, 06:39 AM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tipperary, Ireland
Posts: 624
Re: Focus Difficult

is it the LCD Panel or the EVF your using?

it happened me the other day i was using the EVF, I realise my eyesight aint what it used to be, but i thought i was going to have to go straight to the opticians, then i discovered i must have bumped the Viewfinder adjustment lever under the EVF!!

I suppose you could use peaking for critical close up stuff and then turn it off if it's annoying, you could also compare what you focus by eye and what results auto focus gives.

R
__________________
http://www.robertcantwell.com
Rob Cantwell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 28th, 2012, 05:18 PM   #8
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear
Posts: 12
Re: Focus Difficult

Some good ideas from Rob too. Thank you everyone who responded to my question.
Mike Trewhella is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 28th, 2012, 08:32 PM   #9
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,220
Re: Focus Difficult

I have peaking set as one of the buttons so it can be turned on and off as needed. The NX5U is very critical of focus and I spend some time setting up the shot now using the expanded focus, peaking and rationalizing the distance scale. Make sure macro focus and flicker reduction are definitely off. I shoot mainly stage shows so once I have it set for mid stage correctly I can check with peaking that all is well and almost never then change focus.

Ron Evans
Ron Evans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 29th, 2012, 01:26 AM   #10
New Boot
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Boldon Colliery, Tyne & Wear
Posts: 12
Re: Focus Difficult

Thanks for that Ron. I will need to play around with the peaking etc to see how I can use it to my benefit.
Mike Trewhella is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony NXCAM / AVCHD Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:43 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network