Focusing in video can be challenging, especially when you are dealing with moving subjects, low light, or shallow depth of field. Fortunately, there are some tools and techniques that can help you achieve sharp and consistent focus in your video projects. In this article, we will explain how to use focus peaking and zebras to assist you in focusing in video.
Focus peaking and zebras are two features that are available in some cameras and external monitors that can help you visually identify the areas of your frame that are in focus and exposed correctly. Focus peaking highlights the edges of the objects that are in focus with a colored outline, usually red, green, or white. Zebras are diagonal stripes that appear on the areas of your frame that are overexposed or underexposed, depending on the threshold you set. By using these features, you can adjust your focus and exposure accordingly and avoid blurry or blown-out footage.
From my point of view, it makes sense to use focus peaking and zebras together. Then you get a more accurate and precise focus in your video. For example, you can use focus peaking to find the sharpest areas of your subject and zebras to ensure that the exposure is balanced and not overexposed. By doing so, you can create an image that is sharp, well-exposed, and visually appealing.
Depending on your camera model and settings, you may be able to enable focus peaking and zebras from the menu or a button. If your camera does not have these features built-in, you can use an external monitor that supports them and connect it to your camera via HDMI or SDI. Some monitors also allow you to customize the color, intensity, and sensitivity of the focus peaking and zebras. You should check your camera's manual or monitor's instructions for more details on how to enable and configure these features.
Once you have enabled focus peaking and zebras, you can use them to assist you in focusing and exposing your video. To make the most of these features, it is best to use manual focus mode and avoid autofocus, as it may not be accurate. You can adjust your focus ring until the focus peaking outline appears on the subject or area you want to be in focus. Magnifying or zooming in can help you check the focus more closely. Additionally, using a neutral density (ND) filter or adjusting your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to control the exposure is recommended over using auto exposure. Check the zebras on your monitor and make sure they are not covering any important parts of your frame, such as the subject's face or eyes. If they are, lower the exposure until they disappear. If there are no zebras present, increase the exposure until some appear on the brightest parts of your frame, such as the sky or a light source. Finally, review your footage to ensure it is sharp and well-exposed; histograms and waveform monitors can help you check exposure levels more precisely.
Using focus peaking and zebras in video can offer several advantages, such as improving the quality and professionalism of your video, saving time and effort in post-production, enhancing your creativity and confidence, and increasing your flexibility and versatility. Focus peaking and zebras allow you to ensure that your footage is in focus and properly exposed, reducing the need for fixing or reshooting blurry or overexposed footage. They also enable you to experiment with different focus and exposure settings and see the results in real-time, allowing you to shoot confidently in various lighting conditions and scenarios.
From my point of view, it makes sense to use focus peaking and zebras together. Then you get a more accurate and precise focus in your video. For example, you can use focus peaking to find the sharpest areas of your subject and zebras to ensure that the exposure is balanced and not overexposed. By doing so, you can create an image that is sharp, well-exposed, and visually appealing.
Focus peaking and zebras are useful tools for focusing and exposing your video, however, they have some limitations to be aware of. These features may not always detect subtle differences in contrast or brightness that affect the focus and exposure of your video, and can be affected by the resolution, color, and quality of your monitor. Additionally, they can be distracting or confusing as they may cover or obscure parts of your frame or interfere with composition or color grading. Furthermore, they may not be compatible or available with your camera or monitor, as not all models or brands support these features or have the same settings or options. They can also be hard to see in bright or dark environments.