Panasonic G85 Autofocus Improvement

[@michelemoneywell5474]

Go to the settings tool with the wrench and C, go to page 2, turn on Quick Auto Focus. By default it is off. Thanks for the tip!

[@ordjk4797]

Thanks so much

[@TheDIYFilmmaker]

Thank you Martin, happy to discover the Quick AF. Thanks for sharing!

[@AlanLangdon]

I agree, this Quick AF option is understated everywhere when people try to address AF focus with the G85. I just spent a whole day exploring the focusing options, as I am a documentary filmmaker and sometimes I like auto, and sometimes manual. And a lot of times I am moving around, and auto-focus is critical. The Quick AF is a sure improvement, I recommend it for anyone who likes to go between auto and manual!

[@MartinGuder]

+Alan Langdon Totally agree.

[@WarmWeatherGuy]

According to the manual Quick AF is only for stills. Normally, for stills, AF won't engage until you push the shutter button half way down. With Quick AF turned on the AF will constantly be changing the focus as you move the camera around and pause on different subjects. Then when you push the shutter button half way down it will already be very close to being in focus and will save a few milliseconds of AF time. Quick AF will use up your battery faster.

[@MartinGuder]

For me it changed the way how the AF kicks in. Maybe because exactly of the permanent focus measuring. It's also mandatory for me, when I use the G85 with a HDMI-USB-Adapter for livestreaming or when using an external recorder, to record the clean HDMI signal.

[@PlanetDoug]

I'm late to the party having just purchased a G85, but I find that the Quick AF feature has the same affect for stills and video. With Quick AF set to "OFF", the camera does not focus until I half-press the shutter button. That's for both video and stills. I can wave the camera around and aim it at different subjects, but the focus never changes. It just stays at whatever setting it was on before. But if I set Quick AF to "ON", then it focuses continually in both video mode and all the stills modes - BEFORE I've touched the shutter button. It just focus constantly whether I'm shooting video or taking pictures or not. I'm not sure why the manual says it is only for stills, because it definitely works in video mode as well. I like it having it set to "ON" because I can see what the camera is focusing on as the main subject, and I have confidence that when I fully depress the shutter button, that subject will be in focus. I don't know yet if it actually improves Continuous Autofocus speed while shooting video. Logic says that it should help with acquiring focus on the initial subject - when you first press the video record button. That makes sense because the subject will already be in focus and the camera won't have to hunt for it. BUT I don't think it will have any effect WHILE you are shooting video and changing subjects. In that situation, the camera will be maintaining focus on your main subject. If you change subjects by pointing the camera at something else, it will just change focus as usual. The Quick AF setting won't have any effect then. Logically, it can't. So from that point of view, I can see why the manual would say the Quick AF feature is meant for stills. It would work for every single still because every still is a new subject. But in video mode, it will help for acquiring focus on the first subject when you first start recording video. But after that, it can have no effect in mid-video. But I still think it is a helpful feature.

[@johnmcfarland2055]

I was thinking of buying a G85 but after you just proved how extremely slow the autofocus is, I'll give it a miss. Thanks for confirming what many people are saying about this camera.

[@MartinGuder]

+John McFarland Then the videos purpose seems fulfilled. Making a purchase decission. :)

[@EdwinHenryBlachford]

This setting is also on my Panasonic FZ80 and makes a difference. With the 1200mm focal length it's usually on a tripod so the setting is useful

[@MartinGuder]

+Edwin Henry Blachford 1200mm? Holy moly, that‘s equivalent to 2400mm b/c of Micro-Four-Thirds? Or is it different on the FZ80?

[@EdwinHenryBlachford]

1200mm is optical focal length. Due to cropping, in 4K stills or video it becomes 1680mm optical focal length. In addition there's an "intelligent dynamic zoom" which takes you to 3,370mm which is excellent in video, but very grainy in stills. Her sweet spot is in 4K video mode between 1200mm and 1300mm.

[@MartinGuder]

+Edwin Henry Blachford Interesting. Maybe the intelligent zoom is just interpolating and in video it's due to the moving content not that obvious than on photos.

[@UDoIt2]

Thanks for this. I have the G85 as well - I finally bought it (my comment down below 4 weeks ago). I just made this setting and I'll report back with the results.

[@MartinGuder]

+U Do It Well done. I still don't regret it. What lense you decided to use?

[@MartinGuder]

+U Do It How are you doing with this settings?

[@olegtsmu5799]

U Do It I

[@Stick3x]

The sound was pretty too. Thank you, nice video.

[@MartinGuder]

Thanks to Røde! :)

[@8rittany]

Wow the focus is even slower than I thought. Now I'm looking at the Sony A6500 with more interest...

[@agungms26]

Yeah, but you don't have dual ibis on Sony

[@colin-4794]

A useful tip, thank you.

[@MartinGuder]

+Colin Cubitt Thanks back. I'll post a follow-up video this week.

[@TheDIYFilmmaker]

Very useful video. Thank you very much!

[@connorgioiafigliu]

Thanks for the tip Martin!

[@VoltesWithElias]

Sounds good to me. I’ve heard the autofocus is ok but not as good as some Sony Mirrorless cameras. For the price thought I’m still looking to buy this camera.

[@MartinGuder]

Yes. Autofocus is not as fast as Sony and Canon, but still good. If you are used or in need for dead fast AF, then this is of course not your camera.

[@ejpmusicandvideo]

Thanks, Ill use your tip!

[@AdamSalaah]

Thanks for the tips!

[@HermanThind]

Thanks for sharing. I had some focus issues initially, on a client shoot, and it reduced my useful footage. After I made some setting changes, it works great! Does this work equally well in 4K and 1080? Coming from the Canon world (still have all my gear: 5dii, 70d, 40d, L lenses, EF lenses, etc.), I LOVE the small form factor of the G cameras, and I have been using the G85 exclusively for run-and-gun and b-roll footage. It's just too easy to slip into a messenger bag. I take along a LAV mic and Zoom H1n to slip into a subject's pocket, sync in post with camera's not-bad on-board audio, and I have a super portable rig. The IBIS is amazing, and I often don't bring a monopod. Speaking of a monopod, when you indicate the fast focus feature needs a stable camera, can it be handheld with the IBIS working?

[@MartinGuder]

Happy to hear it helped! This improves both 1080p and 4K. Some people say, that in 1080p the autofocus overall works faster. Didn't tested it yet, but for me 4K autofocus was fast enough though. Switching from the Canon could indeed be a bit irritating at first, as everything works out of the box without tweaking. Regarding monopod: i just carry a Gorillapod with me. But just for mounting the camera for steady B-Roll footage. My lense (12-35mm G-Lense) also adapts to the motion and stabilizes the footage even better. Not sure if this applies to all new Power O.I.S. lenses or just to this (it's a grand and talked about in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoTHYaGrhpuLjLs). Overall the 5-axis IBIS is really really good and that was one of my main criteria, why I bought a Panasonic. Regarding monopod and fast focus / Quick AF. It’s completely the opposite: if enabled, the camera focusses faster even though it’s not that stable. Don’t know, why it’s deactivated by default. I would suggest every G-owner to activate this setting. This would result in less confusion and a lot less complaining user base, if Panasonic would have activated it by default. Maybe they do it via firmware update.

[@PeterLucassen]

when filming in 1080 the AF is way faster then in 4K but overall always on the slow side.

[@MartinGuder]

+Peter Lucassen Didn't compared that yet. But due to the fact, that I aim to have 4K as standard if possible, I got used to it pretty good. Also by default using face detection AF, as it suits most of my situations.

[@rjtech1193]

I searched the big video/tech youtubers...they go on and on and resolve nothing...quick auto focus...that’s it lol. Thanks!

[@MartinGuder]

Probably because they just review those cameras and don't use it frequently for a long period of time. A good source for camera related insights and deep dives are PhotoJoseph and Max Yuryev. They usually also work with the gear they review or at least it seems, that they use it for longer periods to get the whole picture. ;)

[@rjtech1193]

Martin Guder you resolved my issues. I also have a Sony ar2 course it’s faster but enabling quick focus my LUMIX does more than good enough for b rolls and lone auto focus pullings and such. Thanks so much!!

[@MartinGuder]

Glad it helped. :)

[@UDoIt2]

Thanks. I'm ready to buy this. Subscribed/Liked.

[@MartinGuder]

+U Do It Thank you. Glad it helped. Half a year summary will follow after my holidays.

[@NightTerrorsWithBill]

Good coverage of one menu setting, thank you. On the second menu setting, you never showed how to get to "AF Mode" in the first place.

[@MartinGuder]

Thanks. What exactly do you mean with getting to the AF Mode? Changing Face Detection AF to Custom AF?

[@NightTerrorsWithBill]

Sorry, wrong channel. Thanks for the reply.

[@MartinGuder]

Alright. :)

[@OutRAjious]

I’m still thinking the Panasonic g85 for me even tho canon and Fuji have new cameras now... like the pan colours and the sharpness .... am I crazy to invest in this now ?

[@MartinGuder]

Good question. Didn't inform myself about upcoming cameras. Maybe there is a successor to the G85 released soon. What type of videos are you doing? Nikon also released new cameras which seem to be promising.

[@rabobravo]

I should have seen this video one year ago. I rented a nice car to make a review with some shots from a corner filming how is coming the car and how it leaves...only 2/10 try are on focus. So frustrated that I'm looking for a new camera

[@nanungzula]

thank you very very much

[@jaroslavdlask]

Cool video, I have bought the g85 too and i am using manual focus in 4k. I am looking for 4k autofocus solution. I am going to try this.

[@MartinGuder]

+Jaroslav Dlask Keep us posted if it worked well for you. :)

[@CRVMedia]

I'm a GH4 owner , your video convinced me to NOT go with the GH5 . Sony a 6500 blows this camera away when it comes to auto focus . All the G series cameras are painfully slow (AF) Yes, there are some awesome features on the GH4/5 but Sony will have my business next time .

[@MartinGuder]

+CRV Media Can totally understand that. A matter of priorities and what features are more important for you. Just get enough batteries and a mobile fridge. ;)

[@nikos-giorgos]

Martin Guder Hahaha "mobile fridge"...that's a good one... Also try to remember never to pan, have a sh.. load of cash laying around for a decent zeiss glass and bring a mirror with you every time you want to film yourself. Yup, Sony is great that way...

[@nikos-giorgos]

Sam Santana Also make sure you can make do with the semi non touch screen and the "improved" "colour coded" super bloated menu system! Oh, and then ....the list goes on... But the focus is great!!!

[@MartinGuder]

+Sam Santana Didn't knew that with the lenses and AF. But: the Zeiss lenses are really good. Own some old ones back from GDR times with Exakta analog DSLR bodies and even today they deliver such a crisp image. Maybe there are metabones for that available.

[@MartinGuder]

CRV Media For Sony or for Panasonic?

[@10bombaa]

the issue is not fast auto focus so for some fast actions its very looooooooong time by auto focusing the action got finish

[@MartinGuder]

+10bombaa Depends on the image information. My guess: if contrasts are low, it takes longer, as the AF of the Panasonics is so far based on the contrats rather than phase detection. The better the lighting situation, the better faster focussing is finished from my experience so far.

[@Grougalette]

Thanks for the advice ! But I have a problem : my settings are always resetting... I got the impression that you said something about save settings, but i got difficulties to understand english orally. Do you know how I can fix that ?

[@MartinGuder]

+Grougal Hi. If you are working with Custom Settings C1 and C2, then it's necessary to save your settings. You can find this in the menu called "Cust. Set Mem." under the C with the tool menu on page 1. There is a video of how to do it on the canadian Panasonic website: eng-ca.faq.panasonic.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/39317/kw/39317/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDk4OTI4MTg5L3NpZC9vSGpnbHdtbg%3D%3D

[@Grougalette]

Nice ! Thanks a lot :D

[@MartinGuder]

+Grougal You're welcome.

[@stela_camera_girl]

Thanks!

[@Blumis2000]

So instead of using face detection AF, you're using 1-area? Or Tracking?

[@MartinGuder]

+Blumis2000 I used Custom Multi AF, but lately I got more and more used to Face Detect AF. Did a follow -up video on the Face Detect AF a week after this video. Maybe take a look and also see the comments section, as other users gave also good advice on improving the Face Detect AF even more.

[@curtisbaker9954]

Can this AF concern be remedied with a firmware update?

[@MartinGuder]

+Curtis Baker I don't think so as it's an issue with the type of AF (contrast based AF). Canon and Sony use phase detection AF if I'm not wrong. This is faster and more reliable under bad lighting conditions.

[@MrSlapp]

Also put the speed to +2

[@MartinGuder]

+Pri e Jan em Dublin Already done, was just not part of this video. Had it in a earlier version of this video. And increased AF speed is obviously better, but also leads to a tiny bit more focus hunting.

[@123hurst3]

I'm confused, what menu/setting are you referring to?

[@123hurst3]

I think the "speed" you are referring to the autofocus sensitivity found in the "wrench C" menu #3 of 9. Thank you for the tip.

[@MartinGuder]

+Paul Kerfoot Exactly. It's the speed of how fast the camera will focus. The Quick AF I refer to in the video just enables a quicker retriggering of the continous AF.

[@roxville]

It depends on the situation a bit. Say you are shooting a video of yourself in a park. The camera is place across a bike path, and you have people riding in front of you. You want the focus to stay on you. Then you you turn the sensitivity down instead, so you don't get a lot of autofocusing messing up the shot.

[@yingyang3321]

you speak like zlatan ibrahimovic

[@MartinGuder]

+ying yang Good to know. Have to watch an interview with him sometime soon. :)

[@JaySilva88]

For a "quick af" option, it focus slow as a snail.

[@MartinGuder]

Jaime Almeida Fast snails you seem to know. :)

[@Cagey7531]

Jaime ... Another moron ... it's fine for the purpose, it's also improved a lot with firmware updates. Cameras are for stills first and foremost, video is a bonus, learn that, and stop being a try hard

[@Minsetti]

Uncaged That's just BS. For example Sony A6300-6500 series is used primarily for video by about 50% of the user base.

[@Minsetti]

Uncaged Oh, I get it. You are just one of those immature children on the Internet. Well congratulations, you will never get anywhere in life with that kind of talk. Were you born with all that toxicity inside you?

[@Cagey7531]

No, I'm your dose of reality - sick of know-nothing mongs online spewing nonsense. If Video was all that mattered they wouldn't add 10 times more stills specific functions.

[@darenschneider]

I've heard the 4k focus is a bit slower than the 1080p. If I missed it, I apologize, but are these tests at 4k or 1080p?

[@MartinGuder]

+Daren Schneider Heard this as well. I shot everything in 4K. ;)

[@darenschneider]

Aww, that's not so bad then. Trying to decide what I want to buy, and I don't want to give up that 4k. I think I'm going with the G85. Thanks for this video, it helped a lot!

[@MartinGuder]

+Daren Schneider Nice to hear that. I think it really depends on the lense. I have the 12-35mm 1:2.8 mkII by Panasonic. Expansive, but worth evey penny. Just purchased the body without kit lense btw. I'm totally used to the G85 and the good battery life + Dual Optical Image stabilisation plus 4K (without overheating) is somehow a no-brainer.

[@darenschneider]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip. I'm about a month out from buying anything, but I think you've definitely helped me narrow it down.

[@MartinGuder]

+Daren Schneider Appreaciate this a lot. Happy filming! :)

[@MarsKvaratskhelia]

haha thank you funny think is once i turn your quick focus off it start focusing much better no jitter just bit slower but looks natural then electronic fast focus thank you for that i use right now fast leica 1.4 and what you advice its not wrking wioth it but once i turn it off its much better lets see ill update you

[@MartinGuder]

+Mars Channel Interesting. For me it's exactly the other way around. :) It takes ages until focus starts refocussing.

[@rickjac6909]

Wow. your voice. You should do vocal of a metal band.

[@MartinGuder]

Did this years ago. ;)

[@pauloancarvalho]

The continuous autofocus is ok with g85, the problem is the hunting, and this doesn't fix it at all, it just makes it worse.

[@MartinGuder]

Paulo A. Carvalho Depends on the situation. You can dial in +1 instead of +2 so that it's focussing a bit slower.

[@pauloancarvalho]

Martin Guder still hunts, slower but it still does. I’m ok with it, just not good as canon, I use both atm.

[@MartinGuder]

Paulo A. Carvalho Someone mentioned, that he is still totally fine using the G85 without Quick AF. If scene is not that dynamic and cam is e.g. on a Tripod, maybe it's worth deactivating.

[@pauloancarvalho]

Martin Guder yes, that’s the best use case, and a really wide lens if vlogging

[@MartinGuder]

Paulo A. Carvalho Yep. Vlogging is not that important though. Can you recommend a good wide lense?

[@MyMarquezTV]

is not great, but is a good sacrifice, for price/4k vs a 80D only having 1080p +expensive lenses 🤔🙄🤓😎 in my opinion...😀

[@MartinGuder]

+Hambardzum Galstyan It really boils down to what you were used before. I come from a Nikon D80 with no video. Improvement is definitely huge and I had no reference to the better AF systems by Canon and Sony, with the exception of the Canon 5D MK2, which didn't had that much better AF then the Panasonic. 4K was also my requirement, so Canon was obviously no choice and Sony way too expensive with battery life issues.

[@MartinGuder]

It depends. If you want to be future proof, then choose 4k. Even though I think, that 1080p is perfectly fine by now and the next years to come. It really boils down to what you want to do. I would at least not think about cutting and performant PC hardware regarding 4k, as you can decode the 4k material to proxy media and choose then 4k for exporting, when you are done editing. I, for example, cut on a Mac Mini 2012 with no dedicated GPU and on a MBP 13" (no GPU either). Do you have the chance to try out different cameras? If yes, definitely do it. I have chosen Panasonic, as the body doesn't overheat (like the Sony does), the battery life is great (compared to Sony), I knew, that I will shoot everything in 4k and the price-feature-ratio is best on this system (compared to Canon and Sony). And I had no real issues with AF, as you also develop a certain style of shooting with each camera. P.S. I also read, that the Canon video codecs are pretty old/bad (motion JPEG based), so maybe that is also a thing to consider, when choosing your camera.

[@bendi1234]

anyway, it worsk now :-) i subscribed!

[@MartinGuder]

That's the only important thing. Have fun shooting.

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

I don't have a problem

[@TheSpade357]

Lol, you just proved that the Panasonics really sucks on auto focus.

[@MartinGuder]

+Rico Reyes Proved, that the AF is slower than e.g. Sony or Canon. Indeed. For me it works well enough to be satisfied. I think every camera has it's own issues: Sony Alpha (horrible battery life, overheating) Canon (no 4K in this segment) Panasonic (autofocus speed/reliability) Everybody should decide, what's most important for him. For me Panasonic offered the best feature set in this price range vs the managable drawbacks with AF from time to time. P.S. You can have very fast autofocus with tap to focus. But that was not the goal here. Get to know your tool and how to get the work done with it. ;)

[@eddyngkimyiong]

you have nailed it regarding the Sony, Canon and Panasonic. I got the Canon M5 but there is no 4K and the screen flips downwards and cannot mount on a tripod. The Sony Alpha does not have a 180 flip screen (except for the A5000 which does not have external mic input) So far for my use, there is no perfect solution. I still went with the Panasonic G85 for the 4K functions, mic input and flip screen.

[@MartinGuder]

For me the main reasons were battery life, price-feature-ratio and here especially the 4K to be future-proof for next years (bought an D80 in 2006/07 and used it nearly a decade and wanted to replicate this usage-lifecycle once again).

[@MartinGuder]

D80 = Nikon ... 80D = Canon. My camera: D80 as written. ;)

[@Cagey7531]

Abdullah Ammar, you are a moron who knows nothing about cameras. The Nikon D80 was a very famous camera for it's time, LONG before the Canon 80D.

[@MarsKvaratskhelia]

no man are you joking its sucks quick AF still sucks oh maybe i should turn it off goddamn it tnx for try but it doesnt help what lens you r using

[@MartinGuder]

I use a LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 II ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. … the newer iteration because of the Dual IS support. What's exactly your lense?

[@paulstevens2839]

Is this George Harrison?????????

[@MartinGuder]

+Crash & Burn Have to first grow a mustache. Then maybe ... ;)