[SCRIPTING] Multi-point focus hard stops

[dlrpgmsvc]

It will be useful, in some situations, to have some programmable focus hard stops. A user-defined numbers of focus points would be perfect, along with a user-defined sequence to follow (for example: 1-2-3-2-1 or 1-4-2-3-1-2 and so on)

[Marsu42]

It will be useful, in some situations, to have more than two focus points in focus stacking. A user-defined numbers of focus points would be perfect, along with a user-defined sequence to follow (for example: 1-2-3-2-1 or 1-4-2-3-1-2 and so on)

I'm curious: what situations are you talking about?

[dlrpgmsvc]

For example when I have three actors at three differet distances from the lens, that have to be focused separately when each is talking

[Marsu42]

Interesting - but it is something rather different from the current focus stacking for extended dof and sharpness, it's more like "multishot af". The current code is very targeted at stack/rack focus, I don't think your idea is trivial to add to this.

Adding a new menu/submenu "multishot af" for your idea might be more appropriate, with items set points/reset/play - but reordering a list afaik isn't included in the current ui. But simply coding a record/play list of af positions should be doable.

The question is how many people would use this and thus how high the priority should be. Maybe you could further elaborate potential usage scenarios for other users to generate interest for this idea.

[dlrpgmsvc]

Normally, we have two focus hard-stops on some follow focus. It would be useful to have a more-than-two programmable focus points, and this is useful expecially for the electric lenses like the Canon EF series, expecially for the 18-55 classic stock kit that cannot be follow-focused because the front lens is the one to rotate for focusing, but it is too thin to attach the follow focus belt, and also zooming makes the front lens push and pull and so it disengage the follow focus belt. And also for the prime lenses it will be a bonus to have more than two focus hard stops like said before. Also, it is useful for who has not a follow focus or for who has a follow focus but without the hard stops, or also for who has a classic 2 hard stops follow focus but needs more focus points. Do you think this can suffice to rise interest to work on this feature ? Many thanks !

[dlrpgmsvc]

This feature is a must for filming purposes, where a physical follow focus cannot be used, like on stock 18-55 lenses

[a1ex]

You have all the ingredients to implement a script that does it