Problems in autofocusing from left to right and viceversa, why?

[irino]

Hello,

I did a video with a canon HV40 NTSC model in 24p mode.

I used the auto mode, and I try with both auto focus and instant autofocus but don't seem resolve my problems I will describe below.
I use sony vegas for capture and rendering.

The problem is as you can see in my video Malta [ame="http://www.vimeo.com/9281588"]Malta on Vimeo[/ame] here, that when the camera is moved from right to left and viceversa seem that the focus is in late to focus and is not clear the image/footage we see and disturb the eyes, not pleasant at all, while when the camera is not moved or where I zoom and unzoom the problem there isn't and the footage and quality is quite good. So the problem seem to be only when we move in horizzontal the camera.

Do you have an idea where we wrong?

[lmbsoares]

I'm just a noob here myself, but I would think the problem is not the focus. When shooting in 24fps you'll get blurred and choppy video when panning your camera, that's just 'cause you're not capturing enough frames to have really smooth video. But it also depends on your shutter speed, you might want to try increasing it.
If I'm wrong, someone correct me please.

[Bif]

irino,

It looks to me like 3 things are affecting your video.

1. As each pan starts and as it continues I see a "jerkiness" that looks to me like the OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is trying to "stabilize" your pan. It "fights" movement of the camera including your deliberate movement during pans.

So OIS should be OFF when working from the tripod (or any mechanical support).

2. Autofocus is often not fully dependable. Most of what you are shooting is far enough away you should not need for the camera to refocus as you pan. So what I suggest is manual focus, or use autofocus to lock it in while the camera is still and then switch to manual. The lens will remain focused at that distance until you change it or go back to autofocus.

Do this at the beginning of each scene.

3. Frame rate: 24p is a "holdover" from old film technology. It's common shutter speed of 1/48th of a second allows a certain degree of motion blur we've become accustomed to in movie theatres, but it's really not necessary. Some feel it is the "magic" setting that makes video look like film but there is really far more to getting a film like look than one frame rate.

You have a couple of other choices that for now may help you improve on sharpness while you "sort things out".

One is to use 30p and the other would be to use 60i (the default). Both are nominally 30 frames per secone (really 29.97 or so) and out in daylight you should wind up with faster shutter speeds (which will make individual frames sharper).

You can always "revisit" 24p when you have a need for it in your final output.

Also be aware that Canon's HV series and HF series has a short delay or "lag" in both 24p and 30p due (I think) to the camera waiting to record each frame until both "fields" have been processed. The LCD and audio will seem to be a split second "later" than what is really happening in front of the lens.