How To Configure Sony Autofocus (Moving Objects Or People)

In this video, Gary Fong shows how to configure a Sony A7ii, or any Sony mirrorless camera,i for object tracking of moving objects or people in motion. Features demonstrated include Continuous Autofocus Mode, Wide Focus Area, Lock-On Autofocus Flexible Spot, and Center Lock-On Autofocus
This technique applies for all Sony mirrorless cameras, but the Lock On AF: Flexible Spot feature is available for the A7S, A77ii and A7ii.
This video is an example of the depth of coverage in our in-depth "Unleash The Power" series of videos dedicated for revolutionary new cameras.
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[@rusy7406]

Why do you seem to be the only dude who teaches this info? Thanks so much for USEFUL and helpful information.

[@3ttayww]

Does this work in video mode? if not, what are the settings for video mode? Thanks

[@pedzsan]

One suggestion -- tell me how to activate the Center Lock-on AF (its on the center button on the control wheel but I had to go look it up). I very much appreciate your videos and products.

[@kristyo1460]

Just received my A7II in the mail today. Even though there are many newer models, I am STOKED to add this camera to my arsenal! Shooting a wedding in 1.5 weeks with it so I am grateful for this tip!

[@BeMe33]

you are an excellent teacher ... I love how you repeat the core principles over & over that help a beginner learner.

[@jagdeeprawat844]

Whenever I face any problems or I don't understand the settings of my A6000, then I always watch you . Thanks .

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

Super clear instructions. I have the Sony A7 mark I and had issues with portraits in night time street photography. This video really makes sense when doing outdoor portraits that aren't subjects that stay still.

[@laurenmcdowall1690]

Thanks for sharing! This is exactly what I was looking for help with, very clearly explained, thank you! 🙏

[@kristopherspencer9538]

I have the A7, and I've set continuous shooting, AF-C and phase detection area on, but I'm not getting the green object-tracking snowflakes - why not?

[@LukaszRox]

WHOA I am here now and you Gary and you're video helped me a tone. I was struggling with focus setting and now I can shoot what I want instead what camera wants :) THANK YOU SO SO MUCH

[@stavros1655]

Thanks a lot for the GREAT videos, Gary. Direct instruction with demonstrations in plain everyday language. You are "focused" on the lesson of the video and it helps us focus as well! Thanks again.

[@_patontheback_]

Why didn't I stumble to this video before??? This tutorial has been really helpful!

[@andrzejolejnik991]

Best tutorial on KZbin. Thank You.

[@shahzaibshah2389]

you are the one who teaches this really like your info thankyou so much sir im glad you are focusing on weird techniques of sony

[@GaryfongInc]

Thanks for being a viewer!

[@fotoindio1665]

GRACIAS POR TU VIDEO, SOY DE ARGENTINA Y LA VERDAD, SOS MUY BUENO EN LO QUE NOS EXPLICAS..GRACIAS.

[@BreakyourboundariesTv]

This was beyond helpful, Gary! Thanks a ton man!

[@Paulus449]

I bought an a7iii yesterday. This is great, thank you

[@ahmadmustafa2444]

Hi Gary, I bought Sony HX90V a year ago. Its a vary good point n shoot camera. After I watch your video on youtube I learnt something about AFC. If possible pls do some tutorial video on this point n shoot camera. I m sure those who got this sony HX90V will be very happy...tq

[@texelnet]

Nice video! I´m more interested in autofocus for video, wich works different. Unfortunately, most of the techniques you show don´t work in video mode... :-(

[@DorfyBoi]

I'm in search of a tutorial on this so I can use my glidecam with people.

[@JoshuaDeanGuiles]

SAME! Why doesn't anyone have any tutorials of this!?

[@MagicMan20041]

Just bought my A6000 and you are just absolutely amazing! Thank you for so many videos that are absolutely exquisite. The only thing I am missing from my Olympus M10 is the ability to take better video and take a picture (16 mp) WHILE TAKING THE VIDEO without stopping or the ability to zoom in and out while it is recording. Perhaps I am overlooking something?

[@archelfrancisco]

Very nice tutorial now I know Autofocus correctly, a6000 user here, thank you.

[@tsogtmunkh]

There is a lot unknown things in Sony A7ii. Thanks for tutorial. Its great.

[@tranphan9013]

I'm looking to move from a 5D3 to A7II and always wondered how object tracking worked with the Sony A7II. Thank you for providing a visual of the different types of settings.

[@williamballard7077]

Very useful information explained in a simple to understand way.

[@brettthomas5501]

very useful thanks i have a sony alpha 3500 just starting to take photos so these videos help alot thanks

[@JeffreyWang1109]

Hi Gary, thanks for the video. In 1:54~2:00, the green focus frames are large, in other situations they are small. Why and how can it always be large?

[@MommyMax]

Super happy I found you, and your amazing tutorials...the A6000 is so much more exciting after viewing your demos. Thanks Gary

[@zakarewicz]

Hi Gary! I've put my sony in film mode and it didn't let me put in Focus Continuos. What am I doing wrong? Thanks!

[@JetspotNetworks]

Same here. MOVIE MODE + AF-C + WIDE area. Still tracking doesnt work :(

[@franklinmiller6892]

Sony a7R only use contrast detection. Wish Gary made the distinction and provided info on it. He says "applies for all a7 . . ." Which might mean all a7 series - so it doesn't mean that.

[@BoxLaneProductions]

I purchased your a7sii tutorial and they're really well done with the graphics etc thank you for your help

[@roosdeboeck9573]

Thank you so much for this fantastic video, it made it possible for me to connect both devices! thanks again Rose from Antwerp Belgium

[@ask4mukul]

Hi Gary, excellent tutorial , very easy to comprehend

[@TURST67]

2:2 that type of autofocus also available on the A7sII? Because I have it since more than one year, I never had to use the autofocus too much until now but I will have to, but it seems that I can't find how to get this tracking dots (I only found how to enable the standard face detection but without these dots).

[@ExposedRoot]

I have a dslr but just picked up a cheap $95 a5000 body to play around with for walkaround/street and smacked on a new Sigma 30mm. This lower model does not have all the aon screen sensors which make it easier but I can set the settings so I was able to apply them. I'll check out more vids. Gonna see it I like mirrorless. Thanks again.

[@gregnielsen7924]

Would it be correct to say there are two basic operational methods for locking onto moving objects like this? 1) The "hold shutter button half way" method in the 'Wide" or 'Lock On-AF' AF modes and 2) The "Use a programmed button" in the 'Flexible Spot' AF mode. This second one needs the extra "Center Lock on Focus" button pressing sequence to turn it off and on.

[@Shawnski-f1.4]

DUDE...🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏 THANK YOU.... WOW... YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION AND EXPLAINED IT THOROUGHLY... GREAT JOB GARY.. TY

[@GaryfongInc]

Glad it helped!

[@wenwen9435]

Gary, this was amazing...thank you! Helped me get by with my camera tons... Please keep the videos coming!

[@AlvinSays]

Thanks for sharing. Already know how to do it. but you did a clear and good demonstration.

[@phenomenia]

Thanks for this great tutorial. Short and straight to the point. Thumbs up!

[@billy000ling]

It is so interesting to watch your videos. I own the a6000 and i want to learn everything about it!

[@billy000ling]

***** I will take your online lesson as soon as I have a little time!! Thanks again for your videos!!

[@iwanhaniyoto]

Nice info Gary. May I updated: the last updated firmware on A6000 now have Focus Lock-On Features.

[@OttoRascon]

Thank you so much Gary. I'm new to the Sony A7 Mk 2 and this was a great tutorial on the AF system. I'm pumped to learn this stuff, thanks for sharing!!!

[@nevildadrewalla]

Very nice. Thanks to you, i understand my camera a bit better....

[@5tahlin]

Great video! Exactly what I needed to understand my A6000 focus modes and features!

[@ScottDelleFave]

I love your videos Gary! I just purchased the unleash the power of the A6000!

[@SocyQueen2012]

Hey Gary, thanks for this video. I do street photography in my Memory 1. Would you use the Wide focus area or the Lock on AF Flexible spot? Thanks for answering!

[@monicab28]

Does the A6000 not have that little box around the focus area? I was following along and I don't see the little box once it focuses.

[@MrOizo]

Also, the phase detection or as you refer to as the little snow flakes, how do you turn those on?

[@GoldstudEquine]

Wow!! Awesome video. Thank you for sharing this information. Liked and subscribed.

[@riddlerMD365]

Gary when I have my a6000 set to AF-C and in wide mode instead of seeing what you called little snow flakes to track a moving subject I will get a small square do you know why this is?

[@scht19]

I just bought this camera and this is so helpful I sold my 5dmlll and made to move to sony I have a lot to learn..

[@paullivingston1009]

Why do you some times get the little green "snow flakes" and sometimes the double-lined green box; and still other times a double-lined white box? Except for single lock, I only get the snow flakes.

[@chasingmidnight_us]

Hi Gary, I have A7S II and it doesn't show me any little green boxes as shown on the video. Any idea why? Thanks!

[@lauraharris9465]

Are you using back button focusing? Does it matter which you use?

[@WeNeedRealMusic2]

Thank you Gary for some wonderful knowledge.

[@lesliemt]

So nice I have found your videos and have subcribed too.....the explanations are so easy to understand and so helpful especially to a new one like me. More Power to you.

[@johnchristophercenson162]

Sir gary fong can i have a favor? Can u give the best combo settings for sony a6000 and my lens is 50mm..thank u sir.. Im a beginner sir..

[@lisalirones4893]

When I'm taking landscape and want everything to be in really nice focus which one of these do I use? You are so wonderful at what you do, i will watch you for now on.

[@EclecticLensYT]

Really appreciate you sharing with everyone!! Thanks!

[@pavlabartonova3640]

great tutorial Gary!

[@GearBoxVideo]

Just catching up on all your videos. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. Is there a good method to connecting external audio to the A7II? Switched over to all Sony on all my vids now. I use the RX100M3 and the A7II

[@saganandroid4175]

Does this video entirely apply to the A6000, or should I find an A6000-spcific video. I know it's focusing system is different.

[@lisalirones4893]

You are fantastic but i didn't see you go over DMF auto focus and wondered if that is used more for Macro?

[@THESPICEBOY]

Awesome- big help Gary. Thank you

[@davidpinkham1006]

Could you explain your use of the term "christen"? If you mean choose, how do you christen the object you want to focus on?

[@raajasingh9646]

hi sir, recently i have purchased A7Sii Camera and i m using my Canon lens 24 to 105, but i m un able to take photos auto focus is not working and i m doing manual focusing but i m not happy with that, specially when i m using flash i have to change setting for object focus and for shoot again i have to change for flash firing, pls suggest me.

[@MidsierramusingBlogspot]

Gary I used continuous AF Wide, Center and flexible spot photographing an eagle flying in front of mountains with the 100-400 GM and A7R3. The sensor had the mountains in focus in every shot but the eagle was not. What about lock on flexible spot instead of Wide?

[@GaryfongInc]

Sure, if you can target and lock-on, the that is a better way to track the eagle in flight!

[@sarbasriadhikary9310]

Waooo...its really helpful. I use sony @6000 model and i am the beginner and have primary lense of 16mm to 50mm,just want to know can i capture the blur images with these lenses. I am very fond of capturing street photography, Natures and Potrait, can you pls suggest which lens i should purchase . Thank u so much.

[@kapuramesh7310]

nice detailing

[@reg171reg]

One of your best Gary

[@sameerbelekar7249]

nice tutorial. though i would appreciate if you start it from the program dial. ie which program you use for fasr focusing. do you use auto or custom?

[@vertigev]

Very useful and clear, thank you!

[@joseluisrosales9226]

Thank you very much! really helpful, I use it for birding and it's amazing!!!

[@colinire15]

Hi folks, I need a bit of help in sorting a problem with my A7 lll. I have tried to set the focus mode in AF-S but every time I try to film it reverts back to AF-C. I know that the 'Movie' mode (top dial) only offers AF-M and AF-C but to get around that I set all my preferences in M mode (top dial) and save them to one of the top presets 1 and 2 (top dial). I have looked through the entire menu system to see where I might be going wrong but to no avail. If anyone can offer a solution I would be grateful. Happy weekend.

[@moriarteaa4692]

Thanks for providing this information

[@amyzuniga3256]

Thank you for taking the time to explain these features! I have the a7ii, and these autofocusing features don't seem to work during video. If I lock focus on the subject before pressing record, it tracks but if a new object comes in I can't get the AF to focus on the new subject. I could have sworn that before I started using BBF the video mode would automatically focus (without me needing to press the shutter or AEL button halfway) on the subject within my focus setting (center, flexible, etc.). I also know that I don't have ALL the features because I have a Sigma lens. Could someone tell me in short: Will the video mode automatically focus on a subject within my focal point without needing to press the shutter/AEL button? What is the best way to change focus during video without MF?

[@olaraay]

hello. I using the sony a7s mark 2 and using a sony 24-70 G series. I have face detect on and I am continuous auto focus . Focus area is set to wide and and have set it to centre. Real big issue I am having is that background shudders, focus hunting whenever the subject moves during an interview. Its not noticeable on the viewfinder or EVF but when I get back to my rushes you can notice and turns the shot. I have had to revert back to manual focus for the time being. Any ideas what is going wrong ?

[@JetspotNetworks]

Ny A7s2 is set to AF-C and wide zone. But the focus green points doesnt move when I move the camera like its moving in your video, What am I missing ?

[@jvudoo]

Gary, how come you get the green brackets when using LOAF flexible spot at 3:50? I just get the phase detection (snowflakes). This also happens with center lock on AF too. I get the tracking box, but when I press the back button focus I get the phase detection instead of the green tracking box. Is there a difference?

[@shermansheeshwood7803]

helped me a lot. thx

[@english-maths1502]

good day... may I ask something... All SONY ALPHA have auth-focusing?

[@LukeFlegg]

What about for video? I can't hold down the shutter button when the camera is in a gimbal

[@jacquasliwilliams253]

this is good. i got camera settings but im too much of a beginner to even know how to set it!!! ugh slow downn a bit??

[@Tijuana_Drone]

Hi Gary. How did you connect the camera to the pc so that we can see the camera'sback screen on the screen behind you. I would like to test auto focus tracking and watch the camera's back screen on my macbook. Thanks

[@teclec]

i have the a6000 with the selp-1650 kit lens. i cannot get the dancing green boxes or (snowflakes) to show up. Set to af-c focus area is on wide and face detection is off. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@teclec]

Never mind, i found it... i had to set "Disp. cont. AF area" to on.

[@JonniArmani]

Excellent video Gary thank you,)

[@andyarts8382]

When you use lock on flexiable spot do you have to keep on pressing down on the focus button? Is there a way to lock on the subject, focus once, and then not worry about it. Love your stuff by the way. Thanks

[@alaschgari]

Great value Gary!

[@fermelom]

Hi! I'm using a Sony A7s with the SAL-2470Z Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar f2.8 24-70mm Zoom Lens and the LA-EA4 Adaptor but I cannot use many of the auto focus features you demo in the video. Am I missing something in the settings or my lens is incompatible with them?

[@matt_gunz]

What mode should I be in if I'm shooting a large group of people where I want them all in focus?

[@JanNoriega]

How to make shortcut on center lock on spot? While using continuos af i always go to settings to activate it

[@Burlappcar]

Thank you so much for this simple, easy to understand tutorial. This helps A LOT!

[@MrOizo]

Hey Gary, I shoot basketball athletes and usually want to take some shots when they're dunking or moving fast, any recommendation for ISO, Fstop etc for sports?

[@GaryfongInc]

Depends on the environment. Indoors, something like f/2.8 and a high enough ISO to get your shutter speed to at least 1/250 (ideally, faster), continuous AF, and high speed rive mode for bursts.

[@alexcaminiti]

Hey Gary. This is great. Thank you.

[@scooterz22]

Hello does this work with the Sony A7S camera the same way? I was looking at picking one up for video.

[@marcoaureliogarcia]

Great video, thanks!✌🏻

[@Querenciatv]

Incredible Work 👍

[@GaryfongInc]

Thanks ✌️

[@jorgeesquivel4005]

Thank you!! Great explanation

[@scooterz22]

The face register feature shown in the video is that also in the Sony A7S? I cannot find that information anywhere online.

[@stewartmunrovideo]

I have back button focus set up plus eye AF as well.But I'm can't seem to get AF-C to work while its set up like this. Please help The Gary Fong Channel