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Pulling focus on extreme shallow DOF


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I would say that I am a pretty good focus puller but I am looking for some advice or maybe some tricks at getting better at pulling focus on shallow DOF.

 

Recently, I did a shot where the Alexa had a 75mm Master Prime at a T1.3 - The camera started at 9ft and was pushed in to 4ft 9in - I place marks on the floor for every foot. The subject does not move or at is not suppose to - the entire time I am only looking at the marks and following it with the WCU 3 and I had the 2nd ac watch the monitor to make sure it was all sharp. I think we did about 8 takes and about half of that 4 was in complete focus where the others had small buzz towards the last 3rd of the shot. (I did try one take looking at just the monitor but I was better at looking at the marks).

 

So based on this situation how would you guys tackle this shot?

 

(Also you can't ask the DP to stop down.)

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At these settings, your DoF is half an inch. 50% miss is expected (and even a good result I think!) given the conditions and depending on the movement of the actor of course. I don't know any trick except the usual: practice and muscle memory. And what Stuart said. Did you have a cinetape ?

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