MovieProMoviePro

Focus: manual focus, reticle and A/B focus pulls

Open the Focus rail, hold autofocus, focus manually, choose the reticle, and set up repeatable A/B focus pulls with a timed move.

MoviePro 10.0.4October 2026 edition4 min read

Browse the manualFocus
1.8

The Focus rail#

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FIG 1.7The Focus rail on the left edge: opened with the focus key (1); the AF/MF control (2) sits at its top, above the scale (3).

On iPhone the Focus rail sits on the left edge of the picture. It can stay open together with an exposure rail on the right.

ToDo this
Open itTap the focus key (1) at the bottom of the audio and scopes group.
Close itSwipe the rail left, toward the edge, or tap the focus key again.
Bring it back after a swipeSwipe right from the left edge, or tap the focus key.
On iPadFocus joins the rails on the right; a tap outside closes it.

Autofocus hold, manual focus and A/B pulls: Manual focus and Focus pull (A/B).

7.1

Manual focus#

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FIG 7.1Manual focus on the Focus rail: the focus key (1) opens it, the AF/MF control (2) shows the mode, and the scale (3) sets the focus distance.

The AF/MF control (2) reads AF while autofocus runs, AF with an amber lock while focus is held, and MF with a gold mark after you drag the scale. Tap it to hold or resume autofocus.

Focus manually

  1. Tap the focus key (1) to open the rail.
  2. Drag the scale (3) up or down.

Expected result: the control reads MF with a gold mark, the rail turns gold, and focus stays where you set it. Peaking: Exposure and focus tools.

Focus on a subject

  1. With Tap Action set to OFF (the default), tap the subject in the preview.
  2. With the Standard reticle, the focus and exposure point moves to where you tap; drag it to adjust.

Choose the reticle

In More () › Reticle, choose Standard, Center or Hidden. Reticle modes

7.2

Focus pull (A/B)#

A/B stores two focus positions and moves between them over a set time. Numbers in the figure match the steps.

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FIG 7.2The A/B button (1) on the Focus rail opens the A/B controls: A (2), B (3), play (4), duration (5) and clear (6).

Set marks from subjects

  1. On the Focus rail, tap A/B (1).
  2. Tap an empty A (2), then tap subject A in the preview.
  3. When A is accepted, TAP ON SUBJECT B appears by itself: tap subject B.
  4. Tap the duration (5) and choose the move time, 0.5 to 3 seconds.
  5. Tap A to return to the first mark, then play (4), labelled A→B, to run the pull.
7.3

Set mark A on the subject#

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FIG 7.3After tapping an empty A: the controls fade, TAP ON SUBJECT A shows at the top (1) with Cancel (2); tap the subject (3).

Tapping an empty A hides the controls so you can see the whole frame. Tap the subject you want in focus at mark A. If B is still empty, TAP ON SUBJECT B follows at once: tap subject B, and the controls return with both marks set. Tap Cancel to stop without setting the mark on screen.

Set a mark with the rail

During a take, or on a Remote controller, an empty A or B is set from the rail instead: tap it, drag the focus scale, then tap the same letter again to store the position. During a take the Assist Line reads RECORDING — SET A ON THE RAIL.

7.4

Run the pull#

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FIG 7.4A pull in progress: the focus travels between A (1) and B (2); play (3) shows ▶ until the focus reaches a mark. Clear is (4).

Tap A to park the focus on the first mark; play (3) then reads A→B. Tap it: the focus moves to B over the duration you chose, and play shows ▶ while it travels. At B it reads B→A for the return move.

Replace or clear a mark

Select the mark and tap clear (4); with no mark selected, clear removes both. Moving the rail during a pull interrupts it.