What is Expanded Focus and Peaking?

[Tow3r]

Does anyone have any advice on focusing with cameras that utilize the Expanded Focus and Peaking functions? I don't fully understand what they are, but I believe the HD camera I'm about to shoot with has both? It is the Sony HVR-Z1E.

General focusing question:
Is there a tool to measure in feet or metres the distance from a subject, so I can then hit the focus mark? I really do need this footage to be as crisp as possible.


Thank you in advance

[Makris]

I have a Z5, but it has the same functions.

I use peaking all the time. It shows you what's in focus and what's not by highlighting in yellow in the viewfinder the edges and detail of things that are in focus. It's an easy way of checking focus without having to really concentrate.

I almost never use expanded focus, but it seems to zoom in (electronically, not mechanically, I think) on the centre of what you're looking at so you can inspect in more detail whether it is in focus or not.

[Tow3r]

So in my shoot I should be looking for my subject to be highlighted in yellow? is this always on or will I have to activate it through the menu/switch?

Thanks for the speedy reply

[Tow3r]

They have a 34inch HD TV set up in the studio, it has HDMI inputs. Would it be worth using this as a monitor to setup our focal distance?

[Makris]

Originally Posted by Tow3r

is this always on or will I have to activate it through the menu/switch?

On the Z5 I have it allocated to one of the buttons, so I can switch it on or off easily. I usually leave it on, although I tend to have a lot of indicators on in my viewfinder, e.g. grids, levels etc: sometimes I can't see the subject for the displays , but it seems to work for me.