skymiles 3 #1 July 29, 2005 I have done a complete search on this forum and there appears to be two opinions on manual focus, 1) set to infinity, and 2) focus on subject (5-10 feet away). So which method should I use, and are there situations where you would use one over the other? Also, I have a Sony PC109 and can use either [Manual Focus] mode and then select “mountain symbol” or [Spot Focus] mode. Which one should I use? Thanks, Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeasabird 0 #2 July 29, 2005 Setting to infinity might not work with all setups. For instance, on my HC40 with a Cookie 0.3x lense attached, setting to infinity causes everything to go out of focus. What I do instead is first set the focus to automatic...then I point the camera at an object of known distance which will match the distance of my subjects in the air (for me, average of around 15 feet)...then after the camera has automatically focused on this object and while I am still aiming at the object, I switch the focus mode to manual to lock it in at this distance. Even though I am focusing at something so close on the ground, the extreme wide angle of my lense allows me to keep far away scenery (i.e. the ground, clouds, etc.) reasonably sharp. This is due to the "depth of field" inherent with using wide angle lenses. The same principle applies to still photography.----- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
docjohn 0 #3 August 4, 2005 I never use autofocus (PC105). Autofocus has hosed me on several occassions. Water droplets on the lens causes the camera to focus on the drops making everything else out of focus. Same thing happens if there's dirt on the lens and the sun shines on it. . . . Doc http://www.manifestmaster.com/video Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymiles 3 #4 August 4, 2005 QuoteI never use autofocus (PC105). Autofocus has hosed me on several occassions. Water droplets on the lens causes the camera to focus on the drops making everything else out of focus. Same thing happens if there's dirt on the lens and the sun shines on it. . I hear ya, but the PC109 doesn't have a manual focus ring. Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevePhelps 0 #5 August 4, 2005 On my HC 20 I use the "mountain" focus. Everything is ALWAYS in focus. Love it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jvair 0 #6 August 4, 2005 i keep my pc 101 with a.45 wide angle on manual focus and ive never had a problem, doesnt matter if the jumper is close (3') or im shooting open canopys 50-100' away the vid is still pritty clear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #7 August 4, 2005 Depends nearly entirely on which wide angle lens you are using. Whatcha got on there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymiles 3 #8 August 5, 2005 QuoteDepends nearly entirely on which wide angle lens you are using. Whatcha got on there? I've got a Diamond 0.3 x and a Stealth 0.5x lens from Royal Lens. Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #9 August 5, 2005 QuoteQuoteDepends nearly entirely on which wide angle lens you are using. Whatcha got on there? I've got a Diamond 0.3 x and a Stealth 0.5x lens from Royal Lens. Phil Well OK then. On both lenses, set camera to auto in the menu and point the lens at something about 10 feet away. Then press the manual focus set button. Then, if you want, go to the menu and set the sports setting, if you like to use that. I have both of those lenses as well as a prototype .2, and they work great. Hey, Max, if you are out there, the .2 works fine with no fogging issues in the summer heat out here. If there is a significant temperature change and humiditiy present, it fogs a little, just like my Sigma aspherical. Just that big piece of glass, I guess. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velvetjo 0 #10 August 5, 2005 Deuce, thanks for the tip. I'll try that on my Stealth 0.5 / HC-40 setup tomorrow. Do you ever zoom in on your Stealth? If so, how much? Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #11 August 5, 2005 QuoteDeuce, thanks for the tip. I'll try that on my Stealth 0.5 / HC-40 setup tomorrow. Do you ever zoom in on your Stealth? If so, how much? Lance Yep, up to halfway. Once you have the focus set up, you can zoom about halfway and then because of the single-element thing with the Stealths/similars, the picture goes fuzzy. Just back the zoom out, and it will come back into focus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaaska 0 #12 August 8, 2005 A bit of a side note, or rather a question (for anyone, not just for Deuce). I'm thinking of buying HC-42. I haven't had a chance to see the manual yet, so... I hear HC-42 has very few manual controls. E.g. focus is set through the touchscreen menu. So the question for any HC users (I guess it's the same with 2x and 3x -series): Once you set the focus manually, do you need to re-set it every time you turn off the power? (I just don't want to go trough the pain of setting it over and over again)? Also, someone said that the "mountain" setting works just fine - is so? Jaakko Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velvetjo 0 #13 August 8, 2005 Good deal - tried both focus & zoom stuff this weekend with much success. Thanks again, Deuce! Jaakko, I've found that my HC-40 will keep most settings (except fades) when turned off & back on again. Changing batteries is another story, make sure you check settings after any battery changes. Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #14 August 8, 2005 You're wecome! Once you have that figured out, they are just dynamite lenses! Congrats! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
