An Explanation of the Focusing Methods Of A Panasonic GH4 Micro Four Thirds Camera

[@richardbresden8474]

It is 2024. I am using this video to understand my GX8 focusing. David you were a generous man. We all miss you.

[@sess5206]

Miss your videos, Sir. Rest in peace.

[@chrisaddy4604]

I cannot stress how delighted i am to see this, up until now I thought this camera was terrible at keeping focus. Thanks for everything you do!

[@independent900]

This is one of the most useful videos I've seen. I'll use it for reference for a long time! Thank you.

[@twosheafilms]

This was fantastic!! I just got the GH4 as my first DSLR shooter (I know it's a mirrorless MFT) and this is a subject and skill I am really weak on, but trying to figure out ASAP. This has been really helpful with that. Thanks!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+Two Shea Films That's gratifying to hear - thanks for telling me!

[@NE_Pigeons]

I own a g9, but most of these settings were the same and very helpful in that it showed what each button actually does unlike other videos that just verbally go over it and keep on moving.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, the focusing modes are pretty standard now so my basic overall explanation still cover most cameras. I keep meaning to update things but time, time, time...

[@robbyboyo]

Always helpful. Complex but useful focus modes.

[@jrarsenault1937]

Probably the best, easier ways to AF on GH-4 instructional video

[@rocketdog67ify]

Just bought the GX80 today. Never had a Panasonic before and the focusing options in the menu were very confusing. This video has been a life saver!! Fantastic videos David with a perfect balance of information, humour and enthusiasm. It's your other videos that sold me on the Panasonic. Great work and you have another subscriber.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+Jeff Jarvis Thanks, Jeff. The options on Micro Four Thirds cameras can be daunting but once you are familiar with the cameras they offer great flexibility. My aim is to help a bit and if I have been useful I'm glad.

[@jonhermannsson9555]

very very nice David - and very sweet of your wife to be the model - very helpful video as well - look forward to more of those in depth settings videos

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks Jon - that's my daughter! I'll see what I can come up with but if anyone has any ideas I'd be happy to hear them.

[@Bonobo3D]

Excellent explanation of the GH4 focusing options. Thank you.

[@MOWFWDU]

Thanks David, the complex range of focus has been driving me mad since I got the camera. A big help!!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Gregory David Good to hear the video helped, thanks Gregory. The GH4 has an amazing range of focusing options - it's come a long way since you just turned a ring on the lens and watched what happened on the screen!

[@healing2gether]

Wow David, I hope I can learn half of what you u der stand about what this wonderful camera has to offer! Thanks for this timeless video for someone late to the game like me!!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks! I've acquired so much experience of these cameras now and it is great to be able to pass it on.

[@rondeblok]

David, Thanks for the video have learned a lot, this is what we panasonic users need a clear explanation ...... hope to see more of these videos

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Ron de Blok Thanks! I'm glad it is clear, Focusing used to be simple but now there are so many choices.

[@ManInTheBigHat]

Thanks. I'm planning to get the GH4 when BH stops teasing with jacking the price up - and brings it back down. This video reinforces the decision to go with the GH4.

[@davidthorpe7732]

ManInTheBigHat Great camera! Nothing handles like it in my opinion.

[@garfaras8130]

Excellent tutorial, best on youtube concerning focus. Love the accent!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+G Arfaras Great to hear that - thanks for telling me! Accent? What accent? :-)

[@the1790abhi]

David Thorpe Great tutorial! But my question is what about tracking the moving object while video recording? Or when the object is moving towards the camera..? While recording especially.. N not for still photos

[@shadowdiamond4053]

extremely helpful review for someone who is brand new to photography.

[@davidthorpe7732]

shadow diamond Good to hear that - thanks!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

OY CHRAIBI No, as I understand it C-AF only works in video with the 20mm. There are so many good (read excellent) primes around the 20mm range that it's hard to pin any one lens down. In fact, there are no bad ones ones. My favourite is the 17mm f/1.8 Olympus but the 25mm f/1.8 Olympus is excellent too. As is the Panasonic f/1.4 25mm. For street I'd go for the 17mm but since you specify 20mm or more, I'd say the Olympus 25mm over the Panasonic, mainly because of the price.

[@ovuoostudio4382]

David, Excellent review on focusing. Things are finally getting clear.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

OvuOO STUDIO Thanks for that. Good to know.

[@AndySnap]

Interesting to hear you don't use Quick AF, as I've always thought this made for the most responsive AF. A useful video, even for people like me who feel they know about AF settings (though I still need to work out what my Nikon dslr is up to!)

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Andrew Higgins I find it doesn't add anything over eye sensor AF, so I guess we must use the camera differently. The fact that Panasonic offers both means they must understand different methods themselves.

[@prabhakarrao4922]

Fantastic simple and the most informative Gh4 focusing tutorial. Thank you sir for posting

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Music to my ears, Prabhakar, thank toy for telling me.

[@shahajidhotre9113]

Q jv nk. V

[@Tickleme3090]

David, thank you again simple, succinct an very easy to follow!!!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks John, glad you find it so.

[@stuffmattycooks5016]

This was a helpful video. When it comes to video I do alot of overhead cooking videos. Still trying to find the best focus method because I have had some go out of focus in the middle for no apparent reason.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Glad it was helpful. If you are shooting overhead the distance won't be changing much. Wouldn't manual be best? Or locking the focus point with the AE/AS Lock button?

[@debbiescott1970]

Thanks for video David. I've been struggling with the complexities of the focus function and didn't find the Panasonic User Guide much help, although I've been happy with how clever the autofocus is, i wanted to take a little more control. In frustration I turned to You Tube and found your video. What a godsend,

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Debbie Scott thanks so much, Debbie! These cameras can do so much but they seem overwhelming sometimes. The manuals explain what things do but not why you might want to do them. I approach it the other way round. I'm a photographer. 1/ What do I want to do? 2/ How do I do it? I suppose that is beyond the scope of a manual.

[@pangaeadesign]

The G6 has a very similar setup so this was helpful to me, thanks.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

John Moe Thanks for that information and I'm pleased the video was helpful. All the Panasonic MFTs have similar facilities (and Olympus), I suppose. I wish I had one of each body then I could include them in the titles or do a little extra bit for where they differ. On the other hand I'd hate to explain something for a camera and then find it didn't have that attribute or did it differently. That would really annoy people!

[@dbwproductions]

Loved it for learning my G7! For some reason the "AFS/AFF" option under the top Camera category is unable to be selected. I must have something else turned on or off that's preventing me from accessing this menu.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

If you have an Olympus lens on it, you have probably pulled the focusing ring clutch back to the manual position. If not, the focusing switch on the back may be on AF-C or Manual.

[@custardavenger]

Fantastic video. Really helped me with how best to use the various focus options. No to get some practice.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Happy it was useful - one of the great things about digital photography, practise is free!

[@JoEtsu1989]

As good as I expected it to be. I've never been able to get to grips properly with these settings, and unlike other commentators, I will have view the video many more times to really understand everything. Thanks so much. Just one criticism: please include the GH3 in your titles when there is so much overlap in the settings of both cameras. You'll get more hits too.

[@corridasloucas]

Great video, thanks :) Yes, the FZ1000 is the same thing, without touchscreen. I'm having lots of fun learning thanks to your video.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+Daniel Geraldo Glad to hear it Daniel, thanks.

[@full_metal2452]

This was very helpful even on our new G85! Thanks David

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Good to hear that Nick - thanks for telling me.

[@rayjenkins2754]

I have a fz2500 and found your video very helpful. Am going with some friends to a nature preserve to shot birds - some in flight - and will use your tips. Ray

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Glad the video was helpful. Birds seem dedicated to making life difficult for photographers so good luck with them :-)

[@Mjollnir1234]

One of your more useful vids, Dave. Well done.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Glad you lie it, John.

[@lfcmarkeb7124]

I'm a bit late to the M43 party but again a great video tutorial.diferent camera being a gx80 , but menus the same .thanks again

[@davidthorpe7732]

All the Micro Four Thirds models have a lot in common in the focusing system so what's good for the GH4 translates almost exactly to the GX80.

[@willlodge5386]

Really helpful video thanks. Like most guys, I never bother to read the manual!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks Will. Sometimes a visual rundown is easier to follow than words in a manual. Having said that, sometimes it's not!

[@Uscenes]

Really valuable video tutorial. Will have to rewatch again; seems like you have all options covered. :)

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+Uscenes relaxing videos I'm pleased to hear that, thanks.

[@MichaelJohnsenOslo]

Very, very helpful, David. Thank you so much for making this.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

You're welcome - thanks Michael.

[@VipinPG77]

That was awesome David.Thanks very much for the detailed video.

[@davidthorpe7732]

+Vipin PG Thanks for letting me know - much appreciated.

[@redoxrecords6384]

Thanks for the video. I've re-checked the video and gone through the comments but the location of the AF Mode on the menu remains a mystery.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

It's not on the menu - unbelievably. The only access is to set it to a button. By default it's on the button above left the arrow pad with the little checker mark. If you've reset it to something else, probably best to put it back at its AFD mode default.

[@redoxrecords6384]

@@DavidThorpeMFT Thanks.

[@stevebrooks65]

Fabulous...just what I needed to get me started with my new G7. Preparing for my first trip to London-Paris in June. perhaps I'll see you somewhere along the Thames haha as I plan to rent a bike from southbank. Cheers!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Great camera! Glad you found the video helful and - who knows? - we might meet along the Thames. Beer will be in order :-)

[@stevebrooks65]

I'd be happy to share a pint David. Fedex just delivered my "gentlemen's" lens (purchased before I read your blog haha) and now looking to add a wide angle. I love to capture those sexy lines and curves...I'm referring to London, Paris architecture of course. :) Looking at the Panasonic 7-14mm. What would you recommend?

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

I bought a 7-14 a long time ago and have seen no reason to change it. The Panasonic is nice but bigger and more expensive and since such wide angle lenses are easy to hold still with or without stabilization, an extra stop speed doesn't concern me. Architecture - well of course, what else? :-)

[@stevebrooks65]

Thanks again David

[@lindamcmullin785]

Great video! Your answer to Jason Disbrow (below) answered my question as to how to keep grandkids and puppies in focus. Looks like there's no pat answer. I now have 4k photo mode on the Lumix G7 and am so excited to see if I can achieve a high level of success with focusing the previously mentioned situations. I would love, love, love for you to review and post your findings of the Panasonic Lumix G7, particularly the 4K Photo mode. Thank you so much, from Texas!!!!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Linda McMullin Great to hear from you Linda and I'm hoping to get hold of a G7. It looks like it might be the GH4 that most of us need!

[@lindamcmullin785]

David Thorpe Hi, again, and thanks for your quick response! Hard to believe that people from different countries and so far away can get in touch so readily and easily. The GH4 is a better camera, that's for sure, but I felt like this new one on the market would be plenty for this grandmother! Ha. It's being referred to as the baby brother of GH4 with 90% of the qualities and features, and much cheaper. I know, I know, you get what you pay for, that's true, but I got two lenses and the camera for $1295. I loved your review of the 14-140mm, the new version, and that's what I got along with the 14mm f2.5 prime. I feel like I'm set up for a while and then I'll probably get the 30mm macro later, or the 42.5 portrait. I think I'm going to be okay on the continuous auto focus in 4k photo mode. Went back and looked at some photos I took of a bee in mid-flight and some flowers that were blowing in the breeze and found many super crisp shots. The ultimate test will be the grandkids who never sit still...lol. I have one last question. Why do photographers spend bigger bucks on wide aperture lenses (1.4, 1.7, etc...) and then in the reviews it'll say, "stop down to 2.8 (or whatever), and you'll get even sharper"? I don't understand why people pay big bucks for wide open apertures and then need to stop down. Thanks for your help!!! Best wishes for the coming week. :-)

[@alb41ful]

This is excellent! Would you consider doing one for Olympus OM D E5 Mark 2? Thank you!

[@DigitalRaider1]

Wow, you have the perfect voice for a Nat GEO channel. "The wildabeast, doesnt realize its in danger as the lion steathly approaches" :)

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Well , thanks! I await their phone call :-)

[@laurieinjapan]

Thanks David! I'm a video man so 95% of the time I use manual focus. I was starting to wonder what all those settings were when taking some quick snaps.

[@jeremykemp3782]

Manual focusing using the shutter button half way in? Or twisting the lens?

[@laurieinjapan]

@@jeremykemp3782 Twisting the lens!

[@jasond1500]

Great video, I'm still on a GH3 been trying to use AFC for action and wildlife with hit and miss results I'll have to try AFS instead. I'm curious though,I heard somewhere that AFF basically AFS repeating over and over and over without having to release and press the focus button? If true, then wouldn't that be the optimal mode for action or no? Thanks.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Jason Disbrow Interesting point re AFS/AFF. AFF _is_ repeat AFS but when it thinks it needs to. With AFS _you_ are forcing when which could be better. The optimal mode for much action is still AFC because it will predict where the subject will when it is moving fast towards or away from you. If something is moving across your field, I find AFS can be better than AFC but AFF will work OK too. What is happening dictates what the best method would be and it is down to personal experience with a bit of trial and error thrown in. It's funny because focusing on moving objects simply _is_ difficult, It was in manual days and still is because only the photographer can decide what will be the best mode. And you won't know that until you have seen the results!

[@lindamcmullin785]

David Thorpe I'm glad to know it's not just me and my inability to figure out the focusing issues.... My problem is, all I really want to shoot are things that move...grandkids, pets, wildlife. Thus, I purchased the Lumix G7 with 4K Photo Mode. Hopefully it will help me.

[@smiff4748]

Excellent review David

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks!

[@paulhax]

HAAA, love the Hindenburg Zeppelin disaster audio on manual focus.

[@Check-it-out]

Hi David, Very informative and i enjoyed watching, as always. I finally have my back-button focus settings right now. I was bugged by the fact that i had to press the button twice to release the focus again which annoyed me somewhat. There is still one thing i still can't figure out. On the Canon bodies, i was used to have a back-button focus button next to the Auto Exposure lock-unlock button. The one with the asterisk, you might be familiar with it. My question is; where is my asterisk on the GH4 ? I can lock the AE, but only within the composition. To photograph a nice silhouette, i used to take the exposure reading from the brightly lit sky, lock it, recompose, take the shot. So far i have not been able to program a AE lock button on my GH4 and i miss it dearly. Have i overlooked a setting ? Thx.

[@electricpictures100]

Another great video Dave. Keep em coming!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks, Paul.

[@oyc8374]

Hello David, you made a couple of great videos on m4/3 cameras, back button focusing and the GX7 so I have a question if you don't mind : I was very disappointed to see that the AFC didn't work on my GX7 + 20mm 1.7 lense. I read somewhere that it didn't work with that lense period and it wasn't my camera or lense that was defective. Do you have any recommendation for prime lenses (fixed focal 20 to 50mm, something for street photography) that would work with AFC using BBF ? Thank you, OYC

[@RMS118]

David, really excellent and helpful video thank you. I followed your instruction to set up my new GM5 and was amazed how well it tracked moving cars using the 45-175 lens. For catching my son playing rugby would you recommend C--AF and tracking or do you think the S-AF is a better bet? Regards Rob

[@davidthorpe7732]

Rob Taggart I think S-AF is a more reliable bet. Like all human as opposed to animal or car/ motorcycle action, rugby action is very unpredictable and _relatively_ slow so S-AF might well be best. With the kind of action melee you get in rugby, it's so easy for C-AF to pick up on the wrong area.

[@RMS118]

David Thorpe Yep that sounds sensible thanks. I'm astonished by the GM5 - what a camera!

[@johnnyraycampbell]

Thanks David, your video has been very helpful. Did you just say AFC only works in video with the 20mm? Not with the Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm HD lens? Or is C-AF different than AFC? LOL, SORRY I'm still learning

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+Doctor Campbell Nothing to be sorry for - I'm still learning too. C-AF and AFC are the same thing, continuous auto-focus. It works with all native MFT lenses but not the 20mm which is quite an old lens now. It does focus continuously in video but not the best. Very nice lens for IQ but even its single AF speed is a bit laggy compared to newer optics.

[@JeanV1986]

Excellent video, as always!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Jean V Thanks, Jean.

[@peacefulpony]

Very clear explanation. Thanks!

[@newportcycling]

Hi David; TNX again...quick question of the topic... when you shot professionally, and sent on assignment... who owned the rights to the pics?

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

newportcycling When commissioned to do a job, the copyright was with the client. However, the media at the time I was active in show-business photography, were mainly interested in black and white, so I would shoot colour as well and give that to my agent. It was accepted practise. Over half of my work while freelance was from my own ideas and those of course were entirely my copyright and form the basis of my library. In the case of working for Paul McCartney, the contract was that all material was strictly his copyright and I was held personally responsible for any unauthorized use of the material I did for him and Linda. That meant I stayed with the material right through processing etc until I delivered it in person. Paul was great to work for, paid very, very well and paid quickly and he and Linda were always appreciative which was sometimes as gratifying as the money.

[@luismiguelsilva9903]

where can i find 4k movie files from the GH4?

[@davehenderson9105]

Excellent work on this video!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks!

[@allnet4]

Thanks for the video. On a side note, I would do away with the dissolve transition and just do a straight cut. IMO it was too slow to keep up with your narration. I was like "hurry up so I can see what he's referring to". :) But anyway, thanks again. Good info. :)

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks Eugene. Yes, you have a point in the instructional videos. I'll keep it in mind. I actually know very little about video making!

[@Kakkojani]

Hi! How I should adjust gh4 if wan't the whole area of the picture to be clear and focused? (not just one single spot). Thx!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Hi Jani! That's called depth of field and as a rule of thumb, extends from one third in front of your focus point to two thirds behind it. So if you are doing a landscape, don't focus on the nearest object or the furthest one but in-between. Then stop the lens down to f/8 or so.and you should be OK. Try not to stop down further than f/8 or f/11 as Micro Four Thirds will lose some of their sharpness beyond that, due to a an optical phenomenon known as diffraction. In photography, as most areas of life, you can't gain an advantage without a balancing loss!

[@JamieGFletcher]

Hi David, thanks for the very useful video. I just got a GH4 for making music videos and tutorials like yours are fantastic! One problem I'm having is I can't seem to access the pinpoint AF mode as on my camera it is grayed out. I'm thinking there must be a prerequisite setting I have missed? Do you know why this might be? Thanks mate!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Jamie Fletcher Hi Jamie - glad the video was helpful. Maybe you have one of the 4k burst modes set? Both pinpoint focusing and 4k take a lot of processing power and I assume there isn't enough for both at once.

[@JamieGFletcher]

David Thorpe Thanks David for your reply.The burst settings didn't make any difference, but I found in the advanced manual that pinpoint focus will not work in AFF/AFC modes or while recording motion pictures. Changed out of these modes and it is no longer grayed out!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

David Thorpe Thanks for letting me know, Jamie. It's how we all learn in the long run.

[@patrickhansen6867]

Hi David! What do you suggest for settings for tracking a singer during a music video shoot? How can I have it continually focus to them without having to continue pressing or holding buttons? Thanks!!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

You just need to go to the Video menu and set Continuous AF on. Touch the screen where you want focus to be or line up the focusing box and when you press the shutter the camera will keep focus on the subject. If it loses focus, a touch on the singer's face on the monitor will bring it back.

[@patrickhansen9956]

@@DavidThorpeMFT thank you!!

[@mohamedaminjlassi714]

that will help me a lot. thanks man

[@petertaranscorsese2900]

Excellent review - thank you. I'm seriously thinking of buying the GH5 (mainly for video use) but unsure about which lens to use. I plan only to have a single lens to cover all needs & I'm thinking of the 12 > 35 F2.8 constant aperture, but it's £400 more expensive than if I go for the kit lens. Do you think it's worth the money & do you have alternative recommendations? - thanks - Peter.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Glad it was useful, Peter, thanks. For a single lens to cover all needs, I'd would go for the 14-140mm Panasonic zoom. 14mm is as wide as you'd normally need for video and its optical performance holds up very well right across the range. Compared to the 12-60 kit lens, it's just as sharp and loses nothing on speed. At some point a Panasonic 25mm f/17 added to the kit would cover you for very low light too. The 12-35mm is great and the constant f/2.8 is good to have but the 14-140 is a lot more versatile.

[@petertaranscorsese2900]

Thanks David, I appreciate your advice - Peter.

[@giannalomax6714]

David, thank you for another great video. Making it harder to find excuses not to get a Gh4. How does the auto focus work on video settings? Is it pretty reliable or is it better on manual?

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

It's the best yet - I find the tracking very reliable with the right subjects. The continuous focusing is improved too but inevitably there are times when it will hunt a bit. Personally, I hate it when focus goes off in a video and when I can I use manual. Being reasonable, if you are shooting something moving with just one camera, there will always be times when focus goes out and it just has to be accepted whatever the camera. Whatever, it is definitely better tha(n the GH3 - which is itself no slouch! I think the improvement is mainly down to more processing power. If you use 4k which soaks up processing power), I'd suggest manual focusing where possible!

[@jeremykemp3782]

@@DavidThorpeMFT By pressing the shutter button halfway, is this what you mean by manual focusing? Or does it half to be focused by twisting the lens? Thank you

[@rondeblok]

Hay David, can you tel how to use the backfocus buton and keep it in focus even if the supject is moving ?

[@davidthorpe7732]

Ron de Blok Yes, you do it via the menus. AF/AE Lock ->AF-ON; AF/AE Lock Hold->OFF; Shutter AF->OFF; Set the AF switch on the camera back to AFC; I like to set the shutter release to Half Press Release->ON. Now, when you press the button, the camera will keep focus on the subject. It's good for sports to stop the focus transferring to other players when they run across the filed of view, for example. Just let go of the button and focusing remains where it was. When your view is clear, press the button to take up where you left off. Also, say there is an attack on the goal and your interest transfers to the keeper's save. Just release the button and focus will stay on the keeper, rather than keep trying to pick up the players running around in front of it. It takes practise but works well for some photographers. Handy for photographing birds, for example. When they land, finger off the button and focus stays on them without hunting. If there are branches in front of them, when you have focus, release the button. Focus stays on the bird regardless of the foreground.

[@rondeblok]

David Thorpe oeps I mis that, thanks

[@oscarmanville-hales6202]

I'm looking at either the Canon 80D or panasonic GH4 for surf filming. The only thing thats putting me off the GH4 is the autofocus/tracking of surfers which is incredibly good on the 80D. However, the 80D isn't nearly as good as the GH4 in video quality. Does anyone have any pointers or experience using the GH4 for surf filming or something similar? Cheers

[@justinspirational]

Been experimenting with sun backlit portraits (with flash photography as key light) with my gx8.. I got the gx8 partially because of the eye detection mode..I don't know why but I've found that the eye detection mode keeps stopping working mid shoot & have to switch the focus mode lever to reset the eye detection...do you have any idea why this would be happening? Also which options would you suggest for shooting such portraits (focus mode & in cam menu AF settings?) I also sometimes finds it hard to focus in general when backlit with the sun since until the flash fires the subject is silhouetted somewhat.. Do you have any tips for efficient autofocus in such portrait situations (backlit by sun and/or low light at dusk/night again where subject is dark until flash fires)? Particularly for low light portraits I've had to ask my subject to shine a torch in their face & manually focus on the eyes but really want the eye detection AF mode to work efficiently then instead..thank you

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+justinspirational There's very low contrast in heavily backlit scenes and the eye detection relies on computing that there is a face and eye in front of it. So it just can't compute that there _is_ a face/ eye and ducks out. Very difficult situation for the camera because there is all this bright direct sunlight around, confusing the meter and it doesn't really know that the flash will be lighting it. The chip does have its limits. My suggestion would be to switch the camera over to spot metering and also set the AF mode to a smallish central rectangle. Also, try tracking - touch the eye to set it there - may be no better but you never know. Otherwise, if the flash has a video LED, try turning that on. Let me know if it helps. In extreme it might just be a situation the camera can't cope with due to the contrast focusing system and there being little contrast.

[@justinspirational]

+David Thorpe great ideas to play with- thank you David!

[@medunkt]

@ Anticapitalist X: have you considered a Kiev III or perhaps a Zenit 5? Both handsome devices, always popular with discerning apparachiks. Your disparaging and colourful phraseology rings a bell. Did you used to write under the pseudonym 'Dave Spart' I wonder? Or perhaps I've I seen your racy outpourings more recently in the readers' comments sections of The Guardian?

[@mp4podcastDOTcom]

David I was wondering if you have any Micro 4.3 flashes you like?

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

I don't use flash a lot but when I do I like the Metz 15, a take on a ring flash. It works well off the camera too. If you want something more powerful, I still like the Metz flashes. Any one with the power you want will work with MFT.

[@parmindersbedi]

Great Video....Very nicely explained..... More of these videos Please :-)

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Parminder Bedi Thanks! I'll do my best.

[@Iamdrewharmony]

Thank you, this was very helpful!!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+Andrew Gardiner Glad to hear that, Andrew. Thank you!

[@justinspirational]

Trying to decide between gh4 and gx8..does the gx8 have accurate eye detection as shown in your video with the gh4? Would you choose the gx8 over the gh4 for the current best m43 camera for both stills and 4K video production? Thank you David

[@justinspirational]

I meant the gx8 not gx7 in my above comments

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+justinspirational For best video you'd have to opt for the GH4. It offers both flavours of 4K plus much more technical control than the GX8. For stills, apart from the 20 instead of 16Mp sensor, there's no real difference. The eye detection switching between monitor and EVF is the same on both cameras. It's too small for my taste but the Olympus E-M5ll is no slouch at video, either and has that amazing stabilization that makes hand holding possible where otherwise you'd need support. Fabulous for long lenses.

[@justinspirational]

+David Thorpe thank you David..so the gx8 isn't worth having over the gh4 for the image stabilization in the camera body and 20Mp files? You'd still choose the gh4 over the gx8 for stills as much as video? (I'm seriously currently getting into portrait and headshot photography in a big way but being able to play with 4K video will be handy to have too)

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

+justinspirational The GX8 stabilization is certainly worth having but if you use the GH4 and Panasonics own enses you have stabization anyway.. The 20Mp files don't bother me much since 16Mp is plenty for what I do - web, KZbin and stock. Nice to have but not a reason to buy Iin my opinion. To put it at its simplest, taking everything into account, if I rated video first, stills second, I'd prefer the GH4. Vice-versa, I'd prefer the GX8. If I attached equal importance to both it's be the GH4.

[@justinspirational]

+David Thorpe thanks David ..that's helpful..since I'm getting in to more photography over videography (though still handy for 4K video when needed) I think I'll get the GX8 (already have the GH3).. I have quite a few lenses but most are primes that do not have IS built in though I understand the GX8 doesn't use its inbuilt IS in video..only stills.. Is this correct or does IS work in 1080p but not 4K mode in video with the GX8?

one question, does this tutorial aplies for lumix g7?

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Yes, it works for the G7 too. There may be minor differences in implementation but the focusing of all Micro Four Thirds cameras is similar.

thanks for the quick answers. Greetings.

[@biblebasicsinternational6279]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks, glad to hear it

[@WhiteWoodEnt]

how do you get to AF Mode...

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

On the back of the camera you'll see the AF Mode button. Press that and you can set the AF Mode. Confusion comes about because this is also the Fn3 button and many photographers assign it to something else. You may need to go into the Fn Button Assign menu. That button is the only access!

[@greenophotography]

Superlative review.

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

greenophotography Thanks!

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Thanks! I enjoyed doing it.

[@MarkMcLT]

Thanks, this was helpful for understanding my G85. However I think there is a minor error at kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH-wh2d-fZero68 where you refer verbally to "AFC/AFF". I think you meant "AFS/AFF".

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

Yes, Mark, you are right. Thanks for pointing it out.

I just want to select manualy the focus point. :(

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

You can to do that via the arrow keys or the monitor,.

[@snowdogarcticadventureco.9246]

thank you

[@tredici72]

Panasonic FZ1000 has the same focus features as the GH4

[@DavidThorpeMFT]

ɹǝpun uʍop ɯsıɹǝıɹɹǝʇ Interesting and thanks for the info. I'll put it in the description.

[@tredici72]

You're welcome, The FZ1000 is no GH4 beater, but it's inherited a lot from the GH4 which makes it a really enjoyable bridge camera to use, it does lack a touch screen but with the wifi you can connect and control the camera with your phone I also love the articulated lcd screen, it sure makes it a lot easier to take a shot in low positions as compared to my X-E1 where you have to get on your knees.

[@padisczek]

useful :-) thanks

[@NuvoVision]

great video. thank you