Choosing the Best Focus Area on your Sony Alpha Camera

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Join me on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to my 500-page camera-specific eBooks, member-only Q&A Forums + Over twenty 1-hour member-only seminars + cameras settings files & access to the Raw files from the lens and camera reviews (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). www.patreon.com/markgaler

[@chrisbennett2977]

I have been a working professional photographer for 29 years, using Sony Alpha exclusively for the the last 5 years. I never stop learning useful things from your videos. I consider myself pretty tech savvy, but your understanding is on a different level. It's not just the tech, you have a great eye too. Very impressive Mark!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for taking the time to provide this positive feedback 👍

[@jeffmiller8950]

I really appreciate your willingness to help explain the ins and outs of the Sony systems in a clear and concise fashion. I also appreciate the fact you focus on education v. product promotion. Keep up the great work!

[@kavod777]

I have watched so many videos where people try and explain the Sony focus system and none compare to yours. You know when you are dealing with an expert on a subject when they can explain a concept so simply. Thank you for putting this video together, you have a real talent for teaching.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for the positive feedback Phil. I used to be a senior lecturer in photography so preparing talks is something I have been comfortable with for a few decades now.

[@JustCallMeJustiin]

100x better than those run-off-the-mill 5 minute tutorials from those "popular" youtubers.

[@vaggos5417]

I cant imagine why anyone would give a thumbs down on this video. Just perfect. Thanks Mark!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Probably because I couldn’t say what needed to be said in under 3 minutes 😉

[@SLR33406]

It’s a great video! I’d say one of the easiest to follow to help me with my Sony a7 Mark II.. thanks!

[@neneodonkor]

😂😂😂😂 49 peeps so far. They could be bots.

[@RW_CreativeMedia]

Probably Canon-Nikon fanboys-girls 😂😂😂

[@yagitchronicles9233]

I think this will be the first time I'm not skipping adds . Oh man this channel is a gold mine. Thanks Mark!

[@digital_Inside]

An excellent way of explaining the issue of choosing the right focus method.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lcmlcm2460]

Unbelievable how advanced these digital cameras are. This video was helpful thank you

[@michaelwhite1322]

Mark, You consistently offer the clearest, most informative, and most helpful tutorials on the Sony Alpha system of anyone on KZbin. I really appreciate your efforts!

[@loganyang]

This is the best focus tutorial on KZbin

[@johnpfeffer3933]

Thanks Mark... although I’ve been around the Sony systems for 5 years now, your tutorials not only tell me about features but also why some work and others don’t. My success rate has improved quite a bit since I started watching your videos. The thoroughness is exemplary. Cheers.

[@julianmor9191]

MARK GALER IS DA BOMB. Thanks Mark!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks - I think

[@andyraeber6044]

Always a pleasure learning from you Mark.

[@mdallie01]

I’ve been a patron for almost a year now, but I seem to continue to learn every day. THANKS!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad to hear it Michael! It is important to note that I only manage to get to 10% of the comments here on KZbin, so be sure to use the Q&A forum on Patreon.com/markgaler if you have nay questions relating to this video.

[@sjsphotog]

great short summary here Mark but the top photographers will want to watch the entire 1.5 hr Master Class for sure. keep it up

[@kayyipliu699]

Just moved to Sony and your video is a great help, thx.

[@sjenkin88]

I changed over to mirrorless (Sony a7riii) around 18 months ago. Switch over from using Nikon DSLR systems. I've struggled with the autofocus modes and just used spot, but felt like I was missing shots and the focusing was all that it was cracked up to be. I've been searching for tutorials to help me better understand, and by far this is the best one I've come across. Thanks for the real clear and simple lesson, my future portfolio and I appreciate it greatly!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for the positive feedback

[@IanWilkinson]

Just when I thought I'd mastered an aspect of my camera's slightly bewildering range of customizable features, along comes another of your comprehensive and well-explained videos and I realize my misunderstanding - in this instance I hadn't noticed that Eye AF works in AF-S too, rather than just from a custom button in AF-C. Thanks again!

[@Gtech-ny5rd]

You really nail these videos. You make me feel like a student again whenever I watch them, so many insightful lessons! You've earned a new sub!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad you like them!

[@jayyoung3478]

Thank you. Very thorough and in-depth. You are not annoyingly padantic.

[@benjaminlauwick2340]

Thank you for all the useful info Mark. BTW that motorcycle photo is absolutely stunning. I didn't know it was even possible.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brianrudolph3594]

Thank you for a fantastic video! I appreciate the speed in which you speak which is slow enough that I can pick up the information and process it effectively! Keep up the amazing work!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kimgoodwin2700]

Thank you so much for your time and knowledge sharing of these videos. I am a converting Canon user and so appreciate how easy to understand your teaching style is.

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

I watched you for the first time last night and liked it so much I'm watching this other great video of yours tonight.

[@ZeroDean]

For someone moving to Sony, this is another incredibly helpful and informative video. My thanks to you Mark. I have a feeling I'll be referring back to this one again. You produce excellent content. Thank you.

[@lindamcmullin785]

Your tutorials are SO comprehensive and concise that it just amazes me. What a breath of fresh air!! You have truly found your calling. Thank you so much for making it easier for us regular folks who just want to learn without a lot of extraneous silly or impertinent info. 😁

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

When I used to write text books I called them essential skills as I cut out the extraneous info (unfortunately for some I still have a lot to say about some topics). If Sony made the technology simpler I could perhaps make shorter movies 😉

[@rugsack2005]

Lots to learn and getting a lot closer with your excellent intro. Will check out the longer video on your website. Many thanks

[@drmouton]

Wow. You really explained a lot for me. Not only do I have my C2 button mapped out to my focus systems, I understand when to use them. I’ll definitely check out the more in depth explanation, but this video really helped me out a lot.

[@ngosh08]

Mark, as usual great video and well detailed. Just to add on, if you are shooting an event or sports and you happen to use 2 different focus areas mostly, you can recall one focus area by customizing a recall button.

[@SuperFrise]

Excellent idea!

[@thesteveprichard]

I'm waiting for the next "subscribed" mile mark. Sony lovers are very appreciative of your free stuff! Thanks, Mark! You'll have 500.000 subscribers before the next year is out.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

500,000 would be nice - the associated advertising would mean that it would finance a full-time support role. Shooting jobs for money and not being able to share the images and workflows now seems a waste of my skills as an educator.

[@SDW2000]

I'm new to Sony A7 world this year and was struggling to understand the nuances of these focus modes. This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CassidyHansen]

Your ability to demystify is outstanding! I'm going to try wide more often now. Thank you!!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Have fun!

[@lindseymunro1693]

So useful. Thanks for taking the time to make these movies. I really can't understand why some peeps give a thumbs down, just daft

[@xxjurajxx]

I just want to thank you for your precious teaching. Thank you very much!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

You're very welcome!

[@KennethDillard]

This is a great refresher (as I did watch the full 90-or-so minute video on focusing you previously posted). Thanks for helping the Sony shooters keep their skills sharp (no pun intended).

[@praytera7949]

This is very helpful and informative. A lot of others try to teach the subject matter; you succeed.

[@কাঁঠালেরআমসত্ত্ব]

Very informative and details. People told me that they usually preferred flexible spot focus mode but could not explain clearly the benefits over other modes. I now understand the usability of wide focus area mode and lock on mode. Thank you.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Many people offer suggestions or recommendations without actually knowing how the camera is designed to work. I also have to admit to getting slightly frustrated with photographers recommending a single setting. Sony would not give us so many options if there was a single ‘best’ setting for all situations.

[@SteveTravis]

Thank you Mark, very informative. Cannot wait to try out these new focus skills when I am on safari next month. Will be great to catch the wildlife instead of the flora around it this time.

[@copperstatestudiosPhxAZ]

Your motorcycle pics are phenomenal

[@arthurstreatfield9311]

Terrific. Clear and comprehensive.

[@julianuk3266]

I noticed the joystick, if pressed goes to AF-S. So you can have the best of both worlds. Using back button focus using AF-C and the joystick pressed to AF-S. I'm very new to Sony, so this may of been a recent firmware update. Before this video. Anyway thought i'd share !

[@chirantha]

Thanks for this Mark! I have moved from Canon to Sony and learning a lot about my new camera thanks to you!

[@SoCalPresa]

Top notch!! Always a pleasure 🙏

[@davebailey5678]

Thank you Mark for your reply to my query on assigning functions on Sony camera lens....I don't know how you do it but the message was well received...I'm just a hobby photographer but belong to a non competitive camera club in Grimsby Ontario Ca...you're the best thank you...

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Happy to help!

[@josienelder8325]

Fantastic video as always Mark, found this particularly helpful as I've been missing focus on a few birds-in-flight shots. Can't wait to put this into practice and get out shooting again!

[@StewartLeishman]

Thanks!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for your support Stewart

[@captynrj]

I keep coming back to this video as its so concise and covers a wide range of situations WITH suggestion of possible solutions. I can't thank you enough for the clear explanations! It's always helped me so much!😌

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rekha2345]

Superb video! Thank you, Mark! Very thorough and succinct.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ckfvideo]

Mark, this was great. I am going to look at your other resources now. Coming from Canon it's quite a leap getting to know the Sony AF system.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I also have free-to-download eBooks on my website for a range of Alpha cameras.

[@StephanieBestebreur]

I am so thankful for you! This is the problem i have experienced at dog photography. I can't wait to try and use your advise. :) Thank you!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Happy to help!

[@brentmcdeez]

Awesome explanation mate. This is the best video on this topic.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

I might be slow but I have to watch these clips a couple of times, taking notes. Speeding up the video to 1.5 x is a works well for me.

[@MrJuanduenas]

I have my cam out and kinda just follow long with my cam. It is helping me remember alot.

[@imola8]

Outstanding tutorial!!! Precise and understandable explanation! By far the best video i found that explains the capabilities of my sony alpha 7. Thank you so much!

[@mpsinghphotography1]

Awesome, comprehensive and easy to understand, thank you.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickl3140]

So clear when you explain it...

[@miladmafi8978]

You are the best camera expert; no doubt! Thank you so much ❤🙏🏻

[@Marco-zp7nb]

Best Video on youtube. I watched a lot

[@Patcam_1]

Excellent video. Super helpful breakdown

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christopherfugle6592]

Fantastic focus starter guide. I have been shooting spot and have been disappointed and will try wide on my A7ii. Many thanks

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Just be aware that on the A7II the PDAF focus is a little slower than on the later cameras. It got quick in full frame around the release of the A7RII which came after the A7II. You should be able to track people walking but not running. Sony was still perfecting on-sensor PDAF with its release of the A7II.

[@christopherfugle6592]

Many thanks. It will be fine for my casual photography needs and is a big jump on my Olympus EM5's focussing which was hit or miss each time. @@AlphaCreativeSkills

[@LitiAquaria]

That's so useful video that I have been looking for! Thanks Mark!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@berniekrippner7489]

Thank you Mark for all the helpful info to get the best out of our cameras.

[@dreichmuth]

Thanks a lot Mark! A very informative video on the focus system.

[@cynthiarehrig8160]

Most helpful video I have found to date to help me futher my knowledge of my A7iii. I will be going to your website. Thank you.

[@seivertpt]

excellent tutorial. Thanks so much.

[@rayatkinson9714]

Another great video Mark. I have learnt so much. Thank you

[@Wildicon19]

Thank you Mark for your valuable wisdom! This was my problem keeping my subject in focus!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FerrellMcCollough]

Very Informative! Sony should make the focus brackets more visible in the Zone mode of AF. Prior to attaining focus they are gray and barely visible when the subject has mostly dark colors. The brackets are small and separated by greater distance than say S,M,L brackets and because the zone can be moved, the brackets should be more visible.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I agree - I put this in my Sony Alpha wish list for 2019 movie 👍

[@MrChrissk]

Firstly great shot of Marc coming around what I think is lukey heights at Philip island. But I don't think you could use and rely on wide focus mode from behind the fencing if photographing motorsport.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

If the fence is very close to the camera it is unlikely to be picked up by the camera ss something it needs to focus on. If the fence is in the middle distance then I would use Zone and position the Zone at the top of the frame. I am, however, most likely to use a lens with a longer focal length where the entire frame clears the top of the fence.

[@lindiekolver8333]

Great video. Very concise and most informative. Thanks Mark.

[@Madillusionist]

Thanks for this informative video! Even after fiddling around with my sony a7ii for 4 years how I still struggle with the auto-focus especially on moving subjects.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elektriksheep]

Very helpful, Mark. Thanks. I've been using Nikon SLRs for my whole career and just got a Sony a7s as a backup so this is very useful.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@David141071]

Fantastic, this cleared my doubts about wide and wide lock on, and when to use them ! Thank you again Mark.

[@fzovko]

Just bought the Sony AR7IVA...you have done an excellent presentation on the focus area which I found a bit confusing. Fortunately the camera is smarter than me :)

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@XperiaVideosCR]

Many thanks Mark for sharing this video. I learned stacks!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sandiegobowen]

As always, wonderfully informative, clear, and useful. Thanks, Mark!

[@cristinacoltro4517]

Great video Mark!

[@WayneLLC]

Great, very concise guide again Mark. Thank you!

[@ianmilne655]

That's where I've been going wrong. I recently used my camera at an F1 GP and alot of my photos were out of focus, I now know because I had it set on spot instead of wide. I was using a 100-400mm Sigma lens on an A7Rii. Everyday is a school day.

[@omaralexander7406]

Love your vids Mark.

[@aceadam1828]

Thank you didnt knew c2 was already assaigned. Sony did a great job i just had to switch iso to the center wheel and subject lock to the center button everything else was already mapped out good for me

[@leafsfan71]

Great video Mark. Thank you!

[@7r4c34]

Hey Mark, heard you want to expand your channel and become an educator for Sony alpha stuff - I'm really appreciate your work! Go for it! :)

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Yes that is correct - there are a lot of reviewers online but not that many educators. I spent 16 years at a University teaching photography so I think I have some skills to bering to the table :-)

[@danielstewart8325]

Top Notch Stuff!

[@Vibes2me]

Love your videos and the FB Group is Incredible.

[@Sarry_Banders]

Thanks for the helpful video. Loved the motorcycle shot as well.

[@andreagas9240]

Very useful informations

[@tinplater]

Great video...my only criticism is that it is rather camera specific but title implies many different Sony cameras which have different custom buttons, no joystick, etc.

[@oozrenn]

i had a lots of trouble autofocusing in low light when using medium spot focus area. i'll try some different modes. tnx

[@prudnikoff]

That's awesome. Thank you for explaining.

[@ZeeTaib]

Needed this! Thank you!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Dogsandsewon]

Thank you, extremely helpful

[@InMission]

Thanks Mark, this was one of the most usable video I watch thill now, I really like your videos and this one is great, specially at the end, when you talk about the Eye AF e few other stuff, I really love the AF of my Camera, but I was having some troubles, because the camera was going to focus in a different subject that I pick, but with this video I finally understand some of the troubles I was having with my great camera and I will be able to correct that, so excited about it. I use to shoot on M only, but I do agree with you about use Aperture Priority mode, however, on A7III, I'm scare to death of the Exposure Comp. Dial, since it never stay still. When store or pick the camera from my bag, that thing always turn, but since I the camera on M mode, not a big deal, but if I decided to use Aperture Priority, that will be terrible if accidentally turns and I don't notice. Is it anyway to kind of disable that Dial, so it would not affect my Exposure?

[@MrJuanduenas]

I am use to other people on KZbin just saying, "I never use this setting or that." I don't If they don't use it I want to know what it does. Lol Thanks these videos are so in depth. I love it.

[@jahbeanz9942]

GREAT VIDEO!!! HEADING TO YOUR WEBSITE.

[@dragonfist25]

These videos are so helpful. Thank you.

[@PsychicWorldTV]

Helpful as always

[@ribe3434]

Thanks, another well explained video.

[@Cheryl407]

PS-Sony should at the very least give you a 400mm lifetime loaner!

[@xtrynottoblinkx]

How did you get the Alpha a next to your name Sir?

[@BOTiTTE]

MFear_ sir?

[@ganga108]

Best tutorial on this ever!