<p>Other than what you mentioned, the only other alternative is to use a third party firmware that highlights the points of highest contrast.  This gives you a better idea of what is focused on by highlighting the edges that are sharp in the LCD.  MagicLantern offers this for most Canon cameras.  I don't know if third party firmware for other DSLR makes has similar features or not.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-12T02:22:40.040Z
2014-01-12T02:22:40.040Z
AJ Henderson
<p>You could check focus before you start recording and use a narrow aperture so that everything stays in focus.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-12T19:40:45.737Z
2014-01-12T19:40:45.737Z
Jason Conrad
<p>I agree auto focus can mess with your capture especially when there is low contrast at the point of interest. In this situation with auto focus engaged, the focus tends to oscillate.</p>

<p>I generally do the following:</p>

<p>1) compose frame of shot.</p>

<p>2) set to auto-focus and zoom in on point of interest until auto focus is stable.</p>

<p>3) once this is stable, I then switch to manual, that is auto focus has got it and manual now keeps it there.</p>

<p>You may not have a zoom so you will have to improvise the best focus area.</p>

<p>I also use a Sony camcorder, my in camera display is only 3 or so inches.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-15T23:03:37.863Z
2014-01-15T23:03:37.863Z
filzilla
<p>I'm looking for advice on how to adjust focus effectively when using a DSLR to record video.  I find it difficult to judge focus on the small LCD screen on the back of the camera when focusing manually, and the auto-focus feature is not very useful during recording.</p>

<p>I am aware that it's possible to attach external monitors which help by having larger screen or focus peeking.  Other than expensive external accessories, what techniques can one use to achieve the best results in various situations?</p>

<p>I am not looking to get serious about video making.  I'm simply trying to find out what I can do with the video feature of a DSLR I got primarily for still photos, and focusing has been one of the major pain points so far.   I was successful only when pre-setting focus, and not adjusting it during recording.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-10T08:03:03.920Z
It wasn't available when the original question was asked, but the Canon 70D has vastly-improved AF-while-recording compared to older DSLRs, and a touch-screen that lets you tap on subjects to focus on them.
drfrogsplat
<video><dslr><focus>
How to focus when recording video using a DSLR?
Szabolcs
# How to focus when recording video using a DSLR?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-01-12)

I'm looking for advice on how to adjust focus effectively when using a DSLR to record video. I find it difficult to judge focus on the small LCD screen on the back of the camera when focusing manually, and the auto-focus feature is not very useful during recording.

I am aware that it's possible to attach external monitors which help by having larger screen or focus peeking. Other than expensive external accessories, what techniques can one use to achieve the best results in various situations?

I am not looking to get serious about video making. I'm simply trying to find out what I can do with the video feature of a DSLR I got primarily for still photos, and focusing has been one of the major pain points so far. I was successful only when pre-setting focus, and not adjusting it during recording.

**Tags:** video, dslr, focus

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It wasn't available when the original question was asked, but the Canon 70D has vastly-improved AF-while-recording compared to older DSLRs, and a touch-screen that lets you tap on subjects to focus on them.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-01-12. Score: 3

Other than what you mentioned, the only other alternative is to use a third party firmware that highlights the points of highest contrast. This gives you a better idea of what is focused on by highlighting the edges that are sharp in the LCD. MagicLantern offers this for most Canon cameras. I don't know if third party firmware for other DSLR makes has similar features or not.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2014-01-12. Score: 1

You could check focus before you start recording and use a narrow aperture so that everything stays in focus.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2014-01-15. Score: 1

I agree auto focus can mess with your capture especially when there is low contrast at the point of interest. In this situation with auto focus engaged, the focus tends to oscillate.

I generally do the following:

1) compose frame of shot.

2) set to auto-focus and zoom in on point of interest until auto focus is stable.

3) once this is stable, I then switch to manual, that is auto focus has got it and manual now keeps it there.

You may not have a zoom so you will have to improvise the best focus area.

I also use a Sony camcorder, my in camera display is only 3 or so inches.


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