How to lock auto focus Canon 70D

Discussion in 'Beginner Questions' started by Foodie Emma, Feb 28, 2021.

  1. Foodie Emma

    Foodie Emma New Member

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    Canon 70D
    Hi there,
    Please could you share with me how to lock my autofocus on my Canon 70D. I want to use the 50mm 1:8 STM lens for a food video and need the AF to lock on for example the bowl and not my hands in the shot.

    Bonus question, any advice re how to get the best out of this lends for videography? I know its not the best, but it's going to have to do for now... so any tips for getting the sharpest/crispest footage out of it please let me know. Thank you so much in advance!

    Emma
     

  2. Caladina

    Caladina Well-Known Member

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    manual focus or you could use af on the bowl while you are not holding it then switch to manual focus so it wont change focus when you press the button
     
  3. Foodie Emma

    Foodie Emma New Member

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    Thanks, but I heard that there is a way to lock the AF on the bowl (for example) I'm shooting top down and my hands are constantly in and out of the shot. So I wouldn't be able to switch between Manuel and AF.
     
  4. Craig Sherriff

    Craig Sherriff Well-Known Member Site Supporter

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    60D, 10D, 50D 1dmark3, T70, AV1, lenses ranging from 28mm to 600 mm, canonet Junior, Canonet QL 25, Mamiya C3 and 3 lens sets,Mamiya 645 pro TL and 3 lenses. Pentax MG and various lenses, Toyoview 4 * 5 inch large format camera,Calimat C1 8*10 inch ultra large format camera.
    Welcome to the forum Emma, what Caladina suggested is a good start.
    On the lens is the AF/Manual switch. Switch to manual on the lens, then put the camera in live view mode to focus.
    Now turn on the video.
    What software do you use to edit your film clips
    may I suggest looking up what they have on youtube, there is quite a bit on the subject and it allows you to rewind back to parts that may be hard to understand. it allows you to download the clips to save for later reference.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2021
  5. Foodie Emma

    Foodie Emma New Member

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    Hi Craig,
    I will try this, I guess I get scared shooting in manual mode in case somehow the focus isn't right. I edit using Final Cut Pro.
    Emma
     
  6. Foodie Emma

    Foodie Emma New Member

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    Canon 70D
    Hi Craig, I just thought of something else, do you know how to slow down the auto focus. When I'm filming something hand held I want it to focus more gradually on what I'm filming. At the moment with my 50mm lens it focuses really fast.
     
  7. Craig Sherriff

    Craig Sherriff Well-Known Member Site Supporter

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    60D, 10D, 50D 1dmark3, T70, AV1, lenses ranging from 28mm to 600 mm, canonet Junior, Canonet QL 25, Mamiya C3 and 3 lens sets,Mamiya 645 pro TL and 3 lenses. Pentax MG and various lenses, Toyoview 4 * 5 inch large format camera,Calimat C1 8*10 inch ultra large format camera.
    Emma, using the lens no but..... this is something you do in Final Cut Pro. I do not have Final Cut Pro, I use photoshop 2018, very similar in a lot of ways and I think the procedure is the same, You use a fad in. this may give you the desired result. Not quite sure still, may I suggest youtube as there is some very good clips on most things there.My next suggestion is beg, borrow, steal or rent a zoom lens as this will give you a zoom in to the subject. More interesting than a single view, I hope this is of some help, Johnsey as he is very knowledgeable in this area. he may also be of assistance.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2021
  8. johnsey

    johnsey Site Moderator Staff Member Site Supporter

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    I haven't touched video since college, but generally focusing is set on the lens manually so that it is locked to the subject, you also have control over racking focus this way, and zooming can be done manually on the lens if you have a zoom lens or it can be done using your editor as an effect to the video.
    You still get focus confirmation when the lens is set to manual. I would get used to that and using live view to confirm the focus is sharp and get comfortable switching your lens to manual for video.
     

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