Auto or manual focusing

[Nickyb65]

Hi,

Would it be better to manual focus the drone for both video and still images, when they are some distance, say 6 ft away or more?

Would be interest to hear what other pilots use?

thanks

 

[akdrone]

the hyperfocal distance is 22feet so manual focusing might be very useful. You can use the red indicators to see what is actually in focus. I forget the term that is used but it's in the three dot menu under Camera.

 

[Yogi053]

the hyperfocal distance is 22feet so manual focusing might be very useful. You can use the red indicators to see what is actually in focus. I forget the term that is used but it's in the three dot menu under Camera.

Is it called 'peaking threshold' maybe?

 

[retiredNH]

Is it called 'peaking threshold' maybe?

Close. It's called focus peaking. The settings allow you to control how aggressively it shows, if at all.

 

[Black Diesel]

I've had several clips ruing by the camera hunting for focus using Auto Focus mode. With that said, is the best technique to use AF to select the closest spot in the frame and then with to Manual Focus mode to capture the flight/clip?

 

[retiredNH]

I've had several clips ruing by the camera hunting for focus using Auto Focus mode. With that said, is the best technique to use AF to select the closest spot in the frame and then with to Manual Focus mode to capture the flight/clip?

No firm answer for this problem. It depends on what you're filming. If everything is decently far, say 50 feet or more, you could do what you suggest. If you're flying through a forest road, though, where the distance varies a lot, you probably best stick with auto focus.

 

[Lister]

The "hyperfocal distance" is that focus point that just barely includes infinity. It's a good search term.

With that setting, on the Mini 3 lens I think you're good to twenty feet or so. Somebody else will know this setting for the Mini 3.

Hyperfocal Distance depends on what lens you're using and what aperture it's set to. (not relevant in many drones, since the aperture is fixed)

 

[Nickyb65]

The "hyperfocal distance" is that focus point that just barely includes infinity. It's a good search term.

With that setting, on the Mini 3 lens I think you're good to twenty feet or so. Somebody else will know this setting for the Mini 3.

Hyperfocal Distance depends on what lens you're using and what aperture it's set to. (not relevant in many drones, since the aperture is fixed)

thanks for the info.