Bricks in Motion
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So, I have a Panasonic TZ5, which I have used to make some tests and the quality was brilliant. One thing though, It has no manual focus. Also, my camera is not plugged onto anything while I take picture, instead I transfer the pictures afterwards and import into MonkeyJam, mainly because I can't have a set anywhere near a computer. Is this method ok for brickfilming? also, would I be fine without manual focus?
Haha. I normally don't use my manually focus but I do import my picture/frames after. It works for me. Once I get iStopMotion, things may be easier for me. I think it's fine. If you could show one of the test, that'd be great.
Hold on thar, LegoAndStickfigs. Having auto focus will mess you up, just like any other setting that's on auto. I once animated with it on auto and I got "focus flicker". In one frame, it was focused on the minfig. In the next, it was focused on the background, In the frame after that, the whole thing was out of focus. Focus flicker is to autofocus what light flicker is to auto light settings. Get a camera with manual focus.
Last edited by minifig051 (July 10, 2011 (11:29am))
I have a lot of focus flicker problems. 
I use a camera where for manual focus you have to hold down a button in the side of the camera while scrolling through the focus. And you have to do it every time for every frame. Since Holding down the buttons usually causes lots of bumping, I just use manual focus. It does cause a lot of problems, but I've been finding ways to try and get around them. It's really annoying.
While manual focus is essential, you also have to consider what is holding your camera. If you are animating by pushing the button on your camera then you had better make sure you have something to hold it steady, or you will get something like this: Movement Test.
I made that a couple years ago when I had barely anything (if anything) holding my camera.
Also, I have had no problem with removing the SD Card and putting it onto the computer.
I transfer pictures from the memory card into my editing program, there is absolutely no need to have your camera hooked up to a computer. Manual focus is essential because with auto focus, the point of focus can change from frame to frame, which leads to disaster. Manual focus locks the focus so you don't end up with random frames where the background is in focus instead of your target.
does anybody know if i can lock the focus so it is consistent between shots on a panasonic lumix tz5?
heres a test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iut_auXV56w
It was made during the day, and, even though the curtains were closed there was still light in the room. Also, please ignore the camera shake, I am getting a new tripod soon. Please comment if you see any focus flicker.
I don't see any focus flicker. Light flicker? Yes. Focus flicker? No.
I don't see any focus flicker. Light flicker? Yes. Focus flicker? No.
I know of the light flicker, I was animating during the day. Is there any chance my camera could contribute to light flicker?
Having manual focus will mess you up, just like any other setting that's on manual.
I hope you got a bit mixed up there. (^DO NOT LISTEN TO THE ABOVE ADVICE)
All your settings MUST be set to manual. Having your exposure set to auto can cause what appears to be light flicker. Similarly, having your focus set to auto will cause "focus flicker" (which isn't a term I've heard before).
If all of your settings are on manual, you shouldn't have light flicker. If you still have light ficker with them on, something else is causing your light flicker.
You said your curtains were closed, but did light still get in the room? Light can still get in a room from around the edges of your curtains, or the curtains could be a little sheer, allowing light in. Put a black garbage bag tightly over the window. Do you have any other light source(s)in your room besides the lamps that are lighting the set? If so, turn those other lights off. Put baking paper on your lamps to diffuse the light, somehow it helps get rid of light flicker.
EDIT: I meant to say auto, Hazzat. Yes, I got mixed up. Thanks for pointing that out for me. I edited my post.
And I came up with the term "focus flicker".
Last edited by minifig051 (July 10, 2011 (11:34am))
If all of your settings are on manual, you shouldn't have light flicker. If you still have light ficker with them on, something else is causing your light flicker.
You said your curtains were closed, but did light still get in the room? Light can still get in a room from around the edges of your curtains, or the curtains could be a little sheer, allowing light in. Put a black garbage bag tightly over the window. Do you have any other light source(s)in your room besides the lamps that are lighting the set? If so, turn those other lights off. Put baking paper on your lamps to diffuse the light, somehow it helps get rid of light flicker.
light was coming through the curtains. ill do a test at night to see if it is my camera settings
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