focus for video

[video newbie]

Hi folks,
I recently bought a sony HDR SR7 with an amphibico EVO HD housing., I"ve been messing with shooting video in the SDHQ mode. I"m having a lot of trouble getting the camera to focus effctively where I can shoot things fairly close up yet have focus as well in the distance. I've used it in auto mode and of course it went in and out of focus whenever it picked up particulate. Can anyone give me a tip or two what sort of setting I should set the camera to before I go outa my mind hehe.

thanks
newbie

[video newbie]

bump. Is there anyoned who'll give me at least a hint?:)

[Jonathan Bird]

Sorry, I didn't see this. There is only one way to shoot video. Manual focus.

Jonathan

[video newbie]

thank you.

Here's what I've started trying. I should note though that I haven't had a chance to try this in the water since it's been horrible here. Got in today and had about a foot of vis:(
Anyway, I'm going to try zooming in about 3/4 zoom on an object about 15ft away(too close, too far?). Use either the spot focus function to focus?, or just use manual alone? Then zoom back to the widest angle and have at it. I had planned on leaving the other functions like iso on the auto settings but maybe use the backlight option since it seems to help to brighten up darker areas a little bit (I don't have lights........yet). Any thoughts

thanks again

[Jonathan Bird]

That's how you do it. Because of the dome optics, you often can only zoom in about halfway before it goes hopelessly out of focus. Also, you want to pick something about 3 feet away to focus on. With the depth of field you will have everything from 2 feet to infinity in focus. You only need to refocus if you go closer than that.

Jonathan

[video newbie]

thanks Jonathon, so zoom in about half way, focus on an object about 3 feet away(on the surface) using manual focus. Zoom back out and should be good to go. Should I do this before I put the camera in the housing or after? Sorry if this is a silly question.