Is there a custom firmware for Canon EOS 500D which will improve AF in video recording?

Question

There is a way to get a custom firmware for this model that improve the video recording? Especially the autofocus, which is extremely slow.

Maybe there are some other good options in a custom firmware that I don't know of.

Answer

I'm not aware of any software to improve the video autofocus performance of the Canon EOS 500D. In general, video recording was added to DSLRs an afterthought (except the Sony Alpha A33, A35), thus the usability generally suffers in comparison to true camcorders / video cameras.

So in light of that, you will have to use the method that all filmmakers live by: focus pulling - in other words, manual focus by hand.

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