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Canon T4i owners - How is the video autofocus

Maybe if you stopped trolling I'd answer it. Nah.
 
How am I the one trolling?
 
Both of you need to tone it down and keep an open mind.

The first DSLR to have video was the Nikon D90.

Canon was the next to offer a DSLR that could do video. The camera makers astonished that adding the video feature to DSLR cameras would be as popular as it has turned out to be.

It was only recently that TPF created this forum specifically for DSLR video.

No doubt, to do high quality video with a DSLR camera requires adding several acessories, like manual follow focus or an external microphone.


 
I'm the OP. Those who are complaining that filming video with a DSLR is a waste of time, have clearly not given it a fair shot. Granted, filming with a DSLR can require more effort, but that effort does pay off. This was one of the points I was making in my opening post. The video imagery created with a DSLR with a shallow aperture does not compare with conventional video equipment. If the primary argument to use conventional video equipment/camcorders over DSLR's is simply because "it's made for it" or "it's easier", then IMHO that's not a very strong argument. With regard to cost. I disagree that it's very expensive. It does not have to be. I already have the 7d. To add a off camera digital recorder, mic, and hoodman viewfinder was about another $500-$600 +/-. The rig itself is a couple modified monopods. Worked great. Well, to be honest... I actually did buy a Redrock Micro rig at first. But I found it to be very lopsided no matter how I arranged it, and it was just flat out overpriced for what it was. I sold it, and have had much better luck with two cheap monopods rigged together. So yeah, it does not *have* to be expensive.

I already know that I much prefer the DSLR footage over my ($1500) HF G10 camcorder. Hands down. It just does not compare. Like I mentioned, DSLR footage is like moving portraits. There's more to admire in what you're watching than just sharpness. Clearly, I don't I don't believe filming with a DSLR is a waste of time, but I will concede it is more time consuming and takes more patience and effort. Note: I'm not in this field, I only film my family, namely my kids. The point of this thread was to get real world feedback from actual T4i owners of the AF performance. It was not intended for an open debate on DSLR vs. Video.

Thanks to those who gave me your feedback on your experience with your T4i's.

TheKenTurner, I agree with you here 100%
 
Did you use any follow focus ring gear in your existing rig? Of course, if the issue is your kids keep running in and out of the in focus plane, then it is hard to focus because you just not able to focus that fast. I do not shoot much video with my DSLR so I do not know enough. I often stop by my friend's site which is focus mainly on cams and they may have more experience than people in this site.

DSLR and Still Cameras
 
When I had the Redrock Micro rig I had the follow focus bundle. To be honest, for me using the follow focus was not a whole lot different from simply holding the focus ring directly on the lens. In fact, for me holding it directly on the lens is more natural. It's also more convenient this way as I can easily zoom in and out and focus with my hand in the same position.

It's is not so much that I'm not able to focus on them at all, but it is challenging since they can easily move in & out of focus. This also places a limit on the DOF I'm able to film them with. Too low and it becomes obvious that I'm not adjusting my focus quickly enough. I don't think anything I'm saying doesn't come with the territory so this is not a complaint. I was just *hoping* that the T4i might offer the best of both worlds with its supposed ability to do touch screen AF and face follow focusing similar to the G10. Also with its silent STM lenses and built in stereo mics, no off camera digital recording and post syncing would be mandatory for a simple stereo audio track.

Thanks
 
I do not have the G10, but I have the M42 and I understand that face follow focus thing on the camera. When I flip the screen so that it face the same direction where the camera point to, my 7 years old daughter always want to beat the camera to stop it from following her face by moving left and right very quick. LOL
 
I set mine up on a tripod with the 40mm STM and shot my kids in the kitchen. Every time my daughter took a step or two back the AF followed her and it was kind of annoying to watch going in and out like that.
I can see where it would be a good thing sometimes but not always. I bought a Rode shotgun mic to eliminate the motor noise but forgot to turn the thing on for the test. I did like the touch screen to pick what I wanted to focus on. I just touched my son or daughter on the screen and it changed to focus on them. If I was going to video an event like a recital or something on a stage without movement I would turn the AF off.
I need more practice with it too.
 
4meandthem said:
I set mine up on a tripod with the 40mm STM and shot my kids in the kitchen. Every time my daughter took a step or two back the AF followed her and it was kind of annoying to watch going in and out like that.
I can see where it would be a good thing sometimes but not always. I bought a Rode shotgun mic to eliminate the motor noise but forgot to turn the thing on for the test. I did like the touch screen to pick what I wanted to focus on. I just touched my son or daughter on the screen and it changed to focus on them. If I was going to video an event like a recital or something on a stage without movement I would turn the AF off.
I need more practice with it too.
Click to expand...

Where was the motor noise coming from? With your 40mm STM it should be pretty silent.
 
4meandthem said:
It's quiet but not silent. It still shows up.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it's not worth it compare to manual...

-Ken Turner
 
I also have a T2i coupled with a sigma f1.4 prime lens I have used for over a year now. Last year, as my baby daughter started crawling and walking, I realized I needed a video camera and tried all sorts of things to turn my T2i into something more useful and all failed. I then realized I had to get a dedicated camcorder and bought XA10 (I am so glad I bought this instead of G10, but that's another discussion). Fast forward a year, my T2i no longer satisfies me, even with the F1.4 prime lens, its low light performance (or lack of it) is not something I can take anymore. I do have a 430 speedlite flash, but I honestly hate flashes, which is why I have had my eyes on a 5d mark III. I even almost bought it, but hearing about T4i made me wait, I told myself "maybe" the AF on this camera would be the answer to all my questions. The biggest problem with XA10 and T2i is, well, you are carrying two bags all the time. I'd do anything to do have 1 camera that does both. I wasn't going to buy T4i, but maybe 7D II or 60D II, or whatever the high end rebel they will come out with which will have even more improved AF than T4i.

Anyways, reading all the comments, I honestly don't think there will ever be a camera, not even 1D XV, that will match the performance of a camcorder like a XA10. These things, internally are just not wired good enough to act like video cameras (the ones meant for family videos and running and recording videos). If 5D Mark III was $5000 and had the perfect AF, I would buy it yesterday! I am that desperate, but I guess I'll have to keep dreaming.

I will most likely trash the T2i and sigma and grab a 5d mark III and continue using my XA10 for videos.

I also don't think Canon will ever release a video feature superior to 5d Mark III in any of the high end Rebels (60D, 7D, etc). That would be like BMW releasing a 3 series better than a 7 series.
 
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