Panasonic VFX1 - Focus weighting?

John7

Well, nothing is sharp in that picture (probably motion blur) but to me, it looks like the plant in the centre is closer than the camera can focus.

Some cameras can focus up close but only when the lens is at the wide setting. Usually, to zoom in, you have to move a bit further away.

12harry

It's difficult to transfer info from one model to another, let alone from different Mfrs as their mind-sets will be different.
On the Sony CX410. I can set it so the LCD screen-touch determines the focus point. As the subject ( or camcorder ) moves, the focus stays with whatever was chosen. If it comes closer it changes the focus so the "subject" stays in focus.  This is far better than "Auto-focus" which chooses something large/bright/close/ in the middle.
However, there is an annoying feature that appears to be built-in: if something interrupts the scene, CX410 will randomly select something else.
I would expect the software to recognise the subject is "lost" but retain the position and focus, in the hope it returns.  This is particularly annoying where someone walks across the field of view.... or.... you are filming through trees  . . . e.g. a boat on a lake . . . as soon as it is hidden, the camcorder focus will be lost.  However, it does depend on the nature of the obstruction . . . I've noticed that small branches of trees/shrubs allow the focus to be retained.
Oh dear.
If there was a "focus hold" feature that might fix this, so you release the "hold" when the scene/subject has moved.


On the subject of 4K Camcorders:  I've not seen any new consumer models - could this be the Public is quite satisfied with their phone-images?
The greatest snag ( for me) changing from HD to 4K is that I don't yet have a suitable 4K TV - and I need a new PC to run Editing software to process 4K.
However, it is somewhat disturbing to read that a slightly older camcorder without 4K is sharper "on-screen" ( i.e as seen by the Audience ) - suggesting that the money saved might better be used for batteries, accessories..... with the benefit that the old-HD software
can continue to work its magic without this Operator needing to re-learn how-to.

I agree with Terfyn's comments regarding "Content" - maybe we like to have "new gear" - even when there is nowt wrong with the Old. Of course when a camcorder croaks - it is time to replace - that's when the Mfrs  try to sell us something we may not need.

Cheers.

Terfyn

My V800 (the HD version of the VXF1 but with the same lens) will focus up to two inches away from the subject but only with the zoom at wide angle. Have you tried wide aperture and manual focus in Manual mode?