Manual Focusing Assist Using Auto-Focus Circuits

KBVP
Member

OK, sounds crazy, but here's the idea for industry to incorporate into pro & semi-pro cameras.
If you have an auto-focus system that uses contrast as the optimum focus, why not use that same circuit, while in manual focus, to display when the selected subject area is in the optimum focus?
I have several cameras for production- the main two are a Canon GL-1 and a JVC DV5000U. The Canon is a royal pain to manual focus under some conditions. The JVC has no auto-focus. When shooting sports, you are usually outdoors in bright lighting conditions that make critical focus even more difficult. It would be nice if we had a manual focus assist for some of these conditions.
Industry is always looking for "bells and whistles" that make their product stand out from others. This could be one.

Keith Breazeal
Flight Video Magazine
http://www.kbvp.com

Posted 5 years ago #
;0)
Member

digital slrs have had that for years. it's time. also image size tracking to alter the zoom as the subject moves to keep the subject the same size in the frame!
Do you know what else would really rock?
My Pentax slrs have a feature called "snap in focus" where you set the focus manually, lock the shutter, and when the subject moves into focus the shutter fires! (eg focus at a point in front of a bird feeder, and the camera doesn't fire the shutter until a bird moves into the spot where your lens is focussed).

now imagine having multi spots in your frame, where you can pre program manual presets for zoom, focus and exposure, and when a subject moves throught the targeted areas, the program shifts the camera settings! (ie you have one setting for the couple walking down an isle, but when they pass a point near a window, the camera settings change, then when they reach the alter, the camera zooms in, sets the right exposure settings).

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

(ie you have one setting for the couple walking down an isle, but when they pass a point near a window, the camera settings change, then when they reach the alter, the camera zooms in, sets the right exposure settings).

How about going just one little step further - why not build a robot wedding videographer? We could just program him (or them), set them out and let them do their thing while we sit home and watch a ballgame? X-D

Posted 5 years ago #
;0)
Member

I'm working on that.
24 volt wheelchair motors.
motorized camera mount.
connected to a mackbook.
operates over internet with video feed and remote camera operation.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

macbook? I'd have been a customer if PC compatible!

No wait - just now noticed that I'd have to operate the @#$%& thing. I'll wait until they're outfitted with sufficient artificial intelligence to not require so much work!

Posted 5 years ago #
KBVP
Member

OK, sounds crazy, but here's the idea for industry to incorporate into pro & semi-pro cameras.
If you have an auto-focus system that uses contrast as the optimum focus, why not use that same circuit, while in manual focus, to display when the selected subject area is in the optimum focus?
I have several cameras for production- the main two are a Canon GL-1 and a JVC DV5000U. The Canon is a royal pain to manual focus under some conditions. The JVC has no auto-focus. When shooting sports, you are usually outdoors in bright lighting conditions that make critical focus even more difficult. It would be nice if we had a manual focus assist for some of these conditions.
Industry is always looking for "bells and whistles" that make their product stand out from others. This could be one.

Keith Breazeal
Flight Video Magazine
http://www.kbvp.com

Posted 5 years ago #
;0)
Member

here's a snapshot of a partially assembled prototype. Mechanically functional, but no robotic arm (think boom crane, but smaller) installed yet.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Keith,

I'm sure others will agree, we owe you an apology for hijacking this thread.

I've reread your post and it got my attention this time. Yes, it would really be nice to have some sort of feedback for when our subject is within the depth of field...HOWEVER...the very reason we use manual focus is that the @#$&* cameras' computerized circuitry doesn't know what or where our subject is! ("Oh - I'll bet that window in the background is the subject, so I'll focus passed this pesky couple saying their wedding vows.")

If manufacturers could get these chips to reliably detect our subjects, we wouldn't often need manual focusing.

So, by that same reasoning, the feedback could be quite faulty, causing you to manually make a mistake that camcorders are already quite capable of making automatically.

Posted 5 years ago #
KBVP
Member

They already make the perfect robot for remote work. 8-O

Posted 5 years ago #
KBVP
Member

While we are off topic, here's one for covering all outdoor weddings in a tri-state area at the same time.

http://www.kbvp.com/node/35

Posted 5 years ago #
;0)
Member

I don't think either of those will fit in my van.
javascript:emoticon(':(')
robotic camera platforms, are not so far off the list of features one could ask for in a pro camera setup.
my rig can already do dolly moves, serve as a tripod, power lighting equipment, and recharge batteries, broadcast live video via Ichat or quicktime broadcaster, record dv and hdv direct to harddrive, and serve as a remote telepresence.

Having some of the programable features I mentioned, and more computer and web integration built into the cameras, may in fact become more desirable features as robotics become more popular. I don't think many camera operators would scoff at the idea of having a remote controlled camera/tripod combo that could be controlled by say a bluetooth enabled phone.
live preview, pan, tilt, zoom, focus, exposure controlls at your finger tips. (I recall some posts on other threads about videographers not being able to move around to get shots.....remote enabled, programable cameras, discretely placed may become viable sooner rather than later).
How people use the equipment does weigh in to what what features we'll all be asking for in the future.
So I don't consider this thread to be totally hijacked.

Posted 5 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Tell us more about your rig!

Posted 5 years ago #
;0)
Member

The built in storage compartment can keep a six pack cold for hours.....

Posted 5 years ago #
KBVP
Member

Now that is technology at work! Remembering to integrate the human factor has always been the shortfall. Don't forget to integrate the auto-corkscrew for the reception. ;-)

Posted 5 years ago #