Why I DON'T care about auto focus and image stabilization

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[legend]

the whole Youtube camera influencer community needs to watch this video again and again until they get it!
thank you so much for this video! Such an eye-opener and great insight into the serious video industry!

[FilmshooterOH]

I'm an old guy who started out shooting on film with no autofocus or stabilization. You really learn to be one with your camera and lens. I have done dolly in, zoom out moves by myself, pulling the zoom, racking the focus, and pushing the dolly. It takes practice and being zen.

[FlatlandFilmsLLC]

Great vid. Haven't reached for a gimbal in about a year after switching to a heavier rig, definitely helps. Your comment about when AF misses focus it looks worse than manual focus missing focus - 100% SPOT ON. Appreciate these videos. Keep em coming!

[Mr_Moka]

Your completely right on this...I started out with A7SII using auto focus. The issue was I was doing a lot of night events (clubs, artist performances etc.) and I simply couldn't trust autofocus so I forced myself to learn focus pulling and I haven't looked back since. That's why in my opinion the BMPCC cameras will forever be the best option for anybody looking to get real camera power without having to spend too much. Develop your skill as mentioned in the video and you will thank yourself later.

[robieibor]

Yes, Matteo-- preach it! 🙌 Using auto-focus and stabilized sensors/lenses is subjective, BUT knowing how to pull focus and stabilize shots yourself are definitely critical skills in being a camera operator. I'm usually a one-man band on music video gigs, so I pull focus when doing handheld shots and switch to auto-focus on a gimbal. Thank you for sharing wisdom with the filmmaking community!

[joshuamartinstudios]

well said. This is the reason we have 1st AC's. Sure there are Lidar tools to have with focusing but it's still not a standard. IBIS doesn't have an organic look. The gap is still wide for AF to be a standard, it's great in some cases but not reliable for critical focus.

[dameanvil]

- 00:00 📸 Mateo introduces the topic of autofocus and in-camera image stabilization (IBIS).
- 00:14 🗣 He mentions a post on YouTube that sparked many comments, prompting this video.
- 00:27 🎥 Mateo is a cinematographer who often works alone or with minimal crew.
- 00:46 🚫 Despite working solo, he never uses autofocus or IBIS.
- 01:00 📷 He started with cameras like the Canon T2i and 5D Mark II, which lacked these features.
- 01:18 🛠 Learning without these tools improved his skills and understanding of cinematography.
- 01:35 🎬 Professional cinema cameras like ARRI Alexa and RED do not have autofocus or IBIS.
- 02:08 📏 Professional lenses often lack autofocus and stabilization.
- 02:43 ⚖ Adding weight to a camera can help stabilize it without needing IBIS.
- 03:09 🏋 Mateo recommends tools like the Easy Rig for additional stability.
- 03:54 🕵‍♂ He prefers manual focus over autofocus for its natural and unique results.
- 04:48 🔧 Using workarounds and learning manual techniques has made him a better cinematographer.
- 05:33 🎯 He believes autofocus can never fully replace a skilled focus puller in professional settings.
- 06:01 🚀 Learning to operate without autofocus or IBIS prepares one for higher-level cinematography roles.

[WillinovaTV]

Hello Mattel, Can you please make a video about how to Pull Focus in various scenarios? Like in fast moving movements what f stop best to use etc. it will be really appreciated 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’ve been practicing every week slowly getting better but still no where l want to be

[alexparadis]

Been shooting for a year now and i'm so glad i never relied on autofocus or ibis! Like you said it prepares you so much more to eventually shoot on bigger professional rigs and the feel of the image is so much smoother imo 👌

[theslowfoodshow]

I would add to this beautiful video the fact that The use of an EVF is also one of the most under appreciated skills in some young people and the best way to analyze your work as a cinematographer on set. I also have never used auto focus or gimbal and even more, I once in one shooting started using a wireless follow focus and in 10 seconds changed it for my trusty good old manual follow focus. I am a cinematographer to be part of my job, to be able to make the decisions that make it my own and to savor the joy of getting the right focus to tell the story I want, not the one a computer chip thinks I want. Cheers!

[shalomshalom]

thx for sharing this... sometimes i whish i had autofocus, but when i m listening to you, i m shure, i dont need autofocus.. :) keep going manual focus!

[aahritya_tv]

Steadicams are usually wayy better than using a tripod if you dont wanna go handheld if a story requires. They just deliver so smooth flow of footage which looks so natural and filmic:)

[albertusbodenstein]

Totally! ~YEAH!! Imperfections is what gives your work authenticity. This is where the magic happens.

[dragerdrager]

My blackmagic 6k pro just came in the mail today and this video fired me up. So many people were telling me to get the A7siii for the auto focus and image stabilization and how it'll be really difficult to have to deal with it all being a one man band the majority of shoots. I never even thought about the fact on bigger sets you dont even have the option with fancier cinema cameras. Awesome vid, excited for the growing pains of the manual world!

[ShadowKingpin]

Mad respect for posting this. I pushed myself from cameras with IBIS to the BMPCC6K Pro so that I can continue teaching myself to think outside the box regarding my shots and to not rely on IBIS.

[Light_Camera_Story]

Finally A Real Expert Talking About Real Life Experience In The World Of Videography.
Those "Other Guys" Call Themselves Experts Should Watch It.
Including Gerald Undone. I love Him. But He Is Also Biased On Autofocus And IBIS.

[markworkman]

Great video. Like many others have commented you really need to know your camera until it becomes a part of you. Years ago I earned my way as a photographer with a Canon F1, a beautiful f1.4, 50mm lens and a winning smile. The advice I was given then remains true, the way to improve is burn more film. I think auto-whatever simply gets in the way of that as a learning experience. I really think there is nothing better than intentionally producing great images knowing that you made all the decisions and dealt with all the challenges yourself.

[roryonabike]

Having recently purchased an EasyRig Minimax myself, I would love to see Matteo make a video about how he uses his. On the subject of focusing, I think that it's useful to learn how street photographers use zone focusing.

[RockWILK]

Amen to all of this. Believe it or not, I just shot a feature-length film on my LG v40 smartphone, using manual everything. And it felt like I was in school, because now I'm using a Sony a 6400, and I'm still using manual focus, and I don't have image stabilization, and I am in love with this camera, simply because I can choose any lens that I want to use, and I feel like I've walked into the land of flexibility, and possibilities. But I don't trust autofocus, it just never seems to work properly to me. I also come from the music business, and autofocus to me, it's kind of like Auto-Tune. You can tell immediately, and manual focus is beautifully imperfect. Just like real life. Great video, thanks so much for sharing.

[david_djent]

If you do weddings, autofocus is invaluable though. I highly prefer manual and the organic look for sure, but the a7siii autofocus is great for things that you can’t afford to miss or know is coming in the way that it does