Panasonic GH4 User Review Part 3.2 Manual Focus

GH4 with 100-300mm lens

 

The Panasonic GH4   has a very sophisticated and effective focus system. This post is about manual focus.  The user who has never before encountered a recent model Panasonic M43 camera might find the number of options and functions for manual focus a bit daunting at first. Fear not, with help from the owners manual and a bit of practice the process of camera work will become second nature.

The GH4 has several technologies and features to make the user experience enjoyable and the results of manual focus very effective.

Focus on the imaging sensor  All focus determination is carried out right on the imaging sensor. As a result focus is both precise (repeated measurement gives the same result) and accurate (that result is the correct one).

Focus looks and works  the same in EVF view or monitor view.

Setup for focussing  I use and recommend the following settings in the Custom Menu:

* Direct Focus Area On

* AF+MF  On

* MF Assist On, set focus ring on lens.

* MF guide  On

* Peaking  On,  Detect level High, select a color, I use cyan.

* Leave Fn3 with default function which is Autofocus Mode.

To enter manual focus   push the Focus Mode lever around the AF/AE Lock button to MF.

To move the active MF area  Press Fn3. This brings up the manual focus rectangle with bounding arrows in a box within a box display. Note MF uses a rectangle,  AF uses a square so you can tell at a glance which focus function is active.

Move active MF area with the Control Dial. Recenter by pressing Disp. The MF area can be set anywhere in a box about 3/4 the linear size of the whole frame.

To change the size of the MF area use the rear dial for big steps and/or the front dial for small steps.

To activate MF  turn the focus ring on the lens. This brings up a box within a box showing the preview image magnified at the position of the MF area.

Move the box around the screen with the Control dial.

Change the zoom level with the rear dial for big steps and/or front dial for small steps.

Peaking  if set to On in the Custom Menu will activate automatically. The implementation of peaking in the GH4 is very good  and a genuine aid to focus speed and accuracy. The only exception I would make is that in very low light levels peaking is less effective and AF works better.

AF in MF  Set the function of the AF/AE Lock button in the Custom Menu to AF On. Now you can press the AF/AE button in Manual Focus and the camera will quickly autofocus on the active area, so you only have to fine tune with the focus ring on the lens.

MF in AF  If you set AF+MF On in the Custom Menu you can MF while in AF. Just turn the focus ring on the lens while half pressing the shutter button or holding down the AF/AE Lock button.  This brings up the MF box in a box with peaking.  This allows you to fine tune focus manually while in AF focus mode.

Summary  The GH4 provides a very comprehensive and effective suite of Manual focus functions and options. It readily enables the practiced user to find precise and accurate manual focus in all conditions except the very lowest light levels when AF appears to be more effective.

The new GH4 owner will find perusal of the owners manual and some practice using the manual focus functions pays dividends with more confident camera handling  leading to more effective MF operation.