Focus like for video? Newbie advice

Focus like for video?
I am used to using video cameras, ( I run a small video production company) and the standard practice for ensuring focus is to use manual focus, zoom in on the subject, find your focus and then zoom out to frame up. We very rarely use autofocus. The focussing screen on our video cameras makes it easy to find focus, whereas it is very difficult to find focus on the K7. Since in video we tend not to trust autofocus, I am using the same technique for the K7 as I use with a video camera . From what I have read many people here trust autofocus and in my tests it seems to be easier. But I cant quite let go of the idea that I should be zooming in, focus and then frame up. Anybody got any thoughts as to what is best practice? I am sure there are many different situations where one or other method might be preferable. Is there a standard 'professional' practice?

Graham

Modern zoom lenses for still cameras don't necessarily hold focus very well when zoomed, so the technique may not work.

The technique you describe is backfocusing, but I'm afraid there is no similar adjustment avaiable on SLR zooms.

Probably because 99% of users would just make a terrible mess of it! Its not the easiest of thing to get right at all times, even for professional cameramen in a studio, and they constantly have to keep rechecking it (usually when I moan at them that their pictures are soft!)

With live view you can actually zoom in.
Don't know if that helps with focusing and if you can do that with video though.
But it's an suggestion

Digital zoom: You can do that with video, but only before the recording, not during.

It is the best method for accurate focusing when practicable. It illiminates any AF/focusing screen/sensor alignment error. It's great for macro stills photography on a tripod at least.

Accurate super-fine refocusing during K-7 video recording is rarely possible, to be honest. You'll end up using a smaller aperture than you would for stills to make focusing less critical.

pros are using some kind of viewfinder maginfier..
store bought (check out RED adapters and viewers etc) or home made.. (using an extension tube and lens, a loupe or what have you...)