How To Master Sony’s Video Autofocus - Part 2

[@Basicshape4242]

Mr. Bloom started it all for me here on YT. The reviews, the calming voice, honest camera critiques, excellent shots. Thanks for the all the inspiration Phillip.

[@AZzackP]

This series proves that AF in video is not cheating or a cop out when it comes to cinematography. Mastering AF is a skill all in its own.

[@UCreations]

Ì work in a camera store and I regularly refer customers to your videos for advice on drones en Sony cameras. Your channel is one of those highly educating channels that makes KZbin a better place!

[@philipbloom]

Thanks :)

[@birdie399]

I’m sorry to tell you, but your cats are the stars of your video. Thanks for the video.

[@philipbloom]

Don’t need to tell me! That’s why they have their own successful channel! 🙂 @onemanfivecats

[@peakperformancemediauk]

By far, this is the best video explaining the focus on Sony cameras. Thank you so much

[@sidepieceseason1414]

Great tutorial! Thanks!

[@DillonLoomis22]

this video is a masterpiece. wow. THANK YOU!

[@sunnynaguri]

Thank you for uploading this to youtube for all the non UK people.

[@ADISKIN007]

Mo is wonderful. She is forever in my heart.

[@mansuriafzal2546]

Such beautifully & detailed explaination, i hope this reaches to people who are finding video focus hard in their initial career, Much love :)

[@philipbloom]

Thank you! :)

[@rehanlive2]

The shot at 0:20 always surprises me. What a beautiful work of art by such a humble human being.

[@Epictutorials]

So happy this is on KZbin 🎉 Just yesterday I was watching on the Sony site, but the lack of transport controls in their player is maddening. I accidentally closed it half way through and as a result had to watch from the start just to get to where I was up to. An absolutely brilliant guide. Thanks Philip.

[@RoadJournal]

The auto focus can be a challenge, your videos clear up the most of the issues I have while shooting with the A7S3 ... Thanks Again ,,,

[@jameskingston]

Thanks for this, Philip!

[@jenskallgren]

Thank you Philip. Your A7S settings seminar got me started 7 or 8 years ago. Your time and effort on your videos is incredibly appreciated!

[@alexanderchua]

Bloom’s review and tutorial films are just phenomenal!

[@timdanyo898]

Ironically, auto focus has become an art unto itself.

[@helencogan2187]

I watch these two videos constantly..they have been a huge help to me..THANK YOU!!!

[@philipbloom]

Welcome!

[@toms3964]

Thanks so much! That was brilliant. Despite using an FX6 for work, it was my personal A7 IV that brought me here, I can't believe how beneficial this has been for both of them! I was resistant to AF for a long time as it used to be wholly unreliable, but the latest generations has seen an enormous leap. I'm now confident that I will never again have to manually flick the AF/MF on the lens at the end of a walking/walk off PTC, so very appreciative!

[@robert-zech]

Fantastic masterclass! 💯 Watched and re-watched again and again since it came out. Beautifully put together and packed with great tips on Sony's autofocus system. Thanks @Philip Bloom

[@donaldstoot2422]

Thank you for some level of understanding on this complicated process

[@gravitymediapro]

These two videos were so helpful! I can’t believe the mistakes I was making - thank you! Love seeing the cats and their beautiful lives. Well done across the board! Thank you.

[@philipbloom]

Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated. That you’ve benefitted from this is why I made them, it took me so long to understand why things happened and once I finally figured it out it was such a relief! Sony themselves didn’t know because there are so many variables and filming situations that they couldn’t foresee.

[@mmgh7298]

Thanks man. finally I will know what to do... good luck

[@DACnew]

Thank you. Just starting my video journey having got to grips (almost) with stills. This pair of videos has opened my eyes to the new skills (and settings!) I’ll need to embrace. Great content and pace.

[@PeterYacono]

Thank you to Philip + Sony for sharing part 2 on KZbin.

[@sasqwatch35mm]

Much appreciated your time and efforts you put into this lesson. The narrative, the storytelling speed with real life examples - everything was brilliant and absolutely worth watching to the very end. Will be reviewing my camera settings one more time tomorrow morning! Thank you very much, Sir! God bless you!

[@vancekoenig5503]

Thank you so much for this extremely helpful tutorial which is the best out there on the Sony auto focus system!!!

[@YuriSuphanBuri]

Finally! I wanted to watch this part two since ever but could not access it via the Sony Academy Europe site as not based in Europe. All my thanks for the great work you do!

[@TheArizonaHooligan]

Another impressive offering Mr. Bloom. Again, I can't thank you enough for the time and care you put into every review and tutorial. Thank you for being a reliable and honest source of information on this platform and an advocate for contentment creators.

[@philipbloom]

Thank you 😊

[@konstantinzahharov9211]

Mr Bloom, this was really helpful and well explained! Can’t wait for another brilliant video episode. Thank you

[@Alexrocks1253]

Instructions misunderstood. Tried it on my Panasonic S5 and it wouldn't stop focusing on the background! In all seriousness great guide and I will be sure to try what I can of this on my older A7RIV camera. Sony auto focus is magical if mastered!

[@yuidfbse]

Amazing video on Sony AF.. pretty much the only video you need to watch from the only guy that truly knows about it.. maybe even better than the Sony people? Thanks so much Philip, you are a master of knowledge, kindness and mindfulness❤️❤️❤️

[@philipbloom]

Thank you.

[@kaimelis]

Sony autofocus is tight!

[@piratetech3722]

This video came at the right time, I am struggling at an a7iv at the moment capturing content in an mma gym. Thank you for this

[@Edwin--]

Happy and healthy 2023, and thanks for another great video!

[@p1p1z]

Incredible video, blending experience with practical information. And so really calming to watch...Thank you so much for creating this masterpiece!

[@21daysHs]

Philip you are the Man. Sony website was redirecting but your blog helped, Thanks for this masterclass .

[@MrStevebenjamin]

Part 1 and part 2 are such great videos really helpful, thank you your very much appreciated

[@markus_knoedel]

Thank you for your wisdom

[@maybejensen]

This was absolutely delightful

[@PeaLoop]

Thanks for this! I'm especially enjoying 'manual auto focus' .... 👍🏼📷

[@madacenyc]

Happy New Year Philip!

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

Looking fit and suave with those glasses Mr Kent.

[@nyambe]

watched it in the academy after finally managed to register! glad is here

[@FrancescoPaggiaro]

This video is a masterclass, thanks Philip, I found a lot of tips too for my old a7iii

[@bombtham]

thank you so much for putting this part 2 on youtube :)

[@titaantjewerner]

Thanks a lot for this video!

[@victormultanen1981]

Looks very promising! Thank you for the effort you put into your videos!

[@Ali_ReBORN]

Invaluable! Thanks Philip ❤ good to see you two together again!

[@marclabro]

super tuto. very helpful for a beginner on a74. I am interested in a7r5 and I would be interested to see similar videos using IA, pose recognition and new customer settings you do.

[@The_Daliban]

5:34 so i would either set the dial to manual and use the toggle button to toggle to AF-C or the other way round. It works but is more comfortable on an A7siii with the menu option.

[@OneManFiveCats]

Which dial?

[@The_Daliban]

@ the focus mode dial on the A1. I was hoping there is an option to set the dial to blank and use a focus mode option in camera. But it doesn’t exist. So you have to set the dial to M as in manual and then use the AEL button(set to selector hold) to acquire focus. Also works if the mode dial is set to af-c and the ael button then switches to manual. It’s not as elegant, but it works

[@philipbloom]

@@The_Daliban unfortunately the a1 won’t let you put AF mode in the fn menu because it’s on the dial. It’s a bit annoying.

[@philipbloom]

You can still set the AF on to switch between them but it’s different to the AF mode option in the a7siii

[@The_Daliban]

@ exactly what i did. It’s not as smooth as it is on the A7siii but it works just fine for me. Thank you for the reply and the deep dive.

[@thatsamuellu]

Thank you for your dedication, Philip!

[@Okiyah]

Thanks a lot for this! I'm taking out my FX3 in the most run'n'gun situation yet, it will definitely be a shot saver to master the autofocus! I have been using a a6400 on some live show filming before buying the FX3 and my setup was a simple AF-C On button with the speed/sensitivity close at hand. Keeping it pressed when tracking a subject and releasing it (MF) when setting up an easier shot. And also, how bad can this coffee be hahaha 10:25

[@Robodila]

Incredibly informative in a visually stunning way as always, thankyou sir!

[@moc1911]

Thank you very much Phillip! This was extremely helpful. (with excellent sound mixing too)

[@pascoedunphy9269]

This is incredible

[@bluemarblemark]

Thank you doctor Bloom.

[@paulgero]

This is such a helpful series Philip. Thank so much!

[@vividmotion66]

Great video. Thanks a lot

[@behindofthesorrow]

thank you for great info! i already changed my setting it is easier for filming

[@skymakai]

Oh, nice! No need to watch it on the Sony site anymore! Thank you Philip, happy new year!

[@Daweisstebescheid]

20:07 pssst, Philip already testing the new Sony Alpha 0,5... 🤫 can't wait for it

[@rudolphlagarrigue5072]

Thanks Philip to share with us your experiences, it is very very usefull in addition with our experiences. You are one of the best since longtime.

[@tnacrew]

awesome, lots of great info. Was that a true split diopter scene with all the tree tests with Sarah?

[@philipbloom]

Thank you. Yes it was.

[@clausstahl5166]

This is what I wish to see for the Xh2s... but the Sony af is the state of the Art I have to admit :-)

[@Shawns_snapshots]

Thank you for the guide, Philip! Did you receive any response about Focus breathing compensation and animal eye AF still missing on the A1?

[@MichaelSchultzNZ]

Thanks mate useful as.

[@MTBs]

Very useful and eye opening. Thank you!

[@Shadow_Li]

learn So much , thank you

[@ReefPatrol]

Can't thank you enough for this video!!!! I think you saved many many people hours and hours of work figuring out this system! And I love #ManualAutofocus!!! ;) Thanks again for all the sweat and hart work! Your videos are always a joy to watch and so helpful! :) Keep on the good work!!! Cheers from Germany. Vanessa.

[@anchorsanvils]

Love this!

[@ride_run_wild]

Thanks for the great content and tricks. The Eye/face AF often needs too much time when a subject suddenly enters the frame to recognize it. As its a faster moving subject manuel AF is not possible. With Spot Focus area the composition would change. Any Tips? Same if the subject is too far away so the subject recognition doesnt work anymore, the AF needs to long to reaquire the face/eye/subject even when its near enough (same as with your example and the tree). As I see the sonys doesnt have the option to set the focus area as AF Starting point, with sony the AF stops tracking when the subject leaves the focus area set.

[@DarkStoneCastle]

Very informative, thanks.

[@vegardpedersen]

I just got my A7s III last week, this was really, really helpful Phillip! Thank you so much. I actually used the switch between AF and manual and thought I was the only one smart enough to do that lol. One question, will the lens be damaged if I switch between AF and Manual focus on the body instead of the lens or the other way? I am afraid to damage the motors on my new 24-70 GM II lens. I got so inspired to test this autofocus more as you shared amazing tips here, and the production-value is extremely high! Too bad my A7s III had a dead pixel and are in for repair, only 1 week after I got it. I kind of am afraid I choose the wrong camera for Auto Fcus as it is older than the new ones, what are your thoughts about that? Can you notice the difference or is the A7S III holding up?

[@philipbloom]

the a7siii is still an amazing camera. Never use the AF/MF on the lens, do it on the body via a custom key!

[@vegardpedersen]

@@philipbloom ok thank you for the answer, Phillip🙂

[@JasKenMoore]

HI Philip, thanks for always educating. Do you give one on one Training?

[@philipbloom]

Yes I do. Head to my website for info.

[@JasKenMoore]

@@philipbloom Did that already. It said noting about online one on one training. Considering we are in different countries.

[@gordonnorman8259]

Thank you for this informative YT... Any chance you will be adding the A7RV to an updated video focus Masterclass in the near future?

[@philipbloom]

Thank you. No, there are no plans to update it. To be honest it’s much the same as the a7iv just with more subject recognition. Everything else is the same.

[@FranciscoRamirezAraya]

Thank you for this video Philip! a wonderful educational work. I'm having trouble loading the settings in to a new FX3, with Firmware 2.0 Is the instructions on the first video enough or are there other secret settings that one should be aware of when configuring the camera?

[@VankillaVanil]

A fantastic guide to autofocus and more. Not only this one, but also the previous part is great. 🍻😀😉 By the way, I have a question. Well, I have a problem maintaining focus when shooting a video with my Sony A7 III. The same effect that can be seen in your video at 27min51sec What I mean is that it tries to take a shot that starts very close to the subject and then zooms out and vice versa. I can't keep my subject in constant focus. The Sony A7III sharpens so that first there is sharpness, then blur for a moment and then sharpness again. The only ways I manage to somewhat maintain focus, but with not entirely satisfactory results, are either 1. Slow motion movement my camera while recording with touch focusing and use a stabilizer or 2. Setting a large depth of field. However, I would like to record a video in 120 frames so that I can make a slowmo, which will stabilize the image even more and not have such a large depth of field. When manually focusing, I can't do it well. Is there any way to solve the problem of losing focus when moving away from/closer to the subject in the Sony A7III? Can anyone help and advise me? Thank you in advance and best regards.

[@philipbloom]

Thank you. The problem you have is what I show at the timecode. The A7III uses the old system for AF and there’s no way round it. Are you zooming during a shot though?

[@VankillaVanil]

No I don't. So I only have to focusing it manually? Without follow focus, which I don't have, will it be damn difficult? @@philipbloom

[@philipbloom]

@@VankillaVanil depends on the lens, the subject and distance. AF still works well. It’s just not that fast. Set it to honest sensitivity and play around with the speed.

[@VankillaVanil]

@@philipbloom So what speed and sensitivity do you suggest for the beginning set in A7III, to record in focus subject like for example yoda from yours first video about focusing? The scenario and subject in my video will be similar

[@philipbloom]

@@VankillaVanil you’ve got very few choices. Experiment! Depends on the lens. You won’t be able to get the same results as the more modern AF cameras.

[@braxtonwoullard1188]

What would you recommend to set the auto focus to on sensitivity and speed when recording fight choreography of five people in the shot ?🤔

[@AnthonyMichaelSneed]

Philip, what AF setting you suggest for filming live sports like football? I'm going to film today and obviously will be playing with manual autofocus but curious to hear what your instinctual answer would be? Also, THANK you for this entire video. Just...wow.

[@philipbloom]

Which camera and what lens?

[@AnthonyMichaelSneed]

@@philipbloom A1 w Tamron 35-150

[@philipbloom]

@@AnthonyMichaelSneed I with the A1 had autofocus assist as that would help a lot. You aren’t going to be super close with that lens but I would go with face/ eye priority and be prepared to turn it off easily if needed and the same with AF. Keep the speed at 1 and have the sensitivity at 5. This way it will think about switching subjects if someone goes in front but the slow speed will stop it changing hopefully! Avoid having the speed faster than 1 as it good jump to the background. I personally would be using the AF/ MF selector hold button, probably in manual focus so when you hold that button down AF will be on. It will be fiddly!

[@AnthonyMichaelSneed]

@@philipbloom thank you for much for taking the time to answer this question for me. I shot prior to your answer and undoubtedly had people passing in front of the focused subject which, at times, grabbed focus, but it wasn’t too bad and I got good practice with overriding AF to Manual. Luckily, it was just a practice, so I’m going to take your notes and give that a go again in a few days. Thank you so much for everything. Your videos are like mini-movies and raise the bar for what’s possible in so many ways.

[@connorkasnik]

10:30 shout out to the guy that was done with his coffee 😂

[@donovankean]

Thanks for this video! I actually didn't know you could have quick access to the AF Sens/AF Speed. I'm for sure going to add that to mine!

[@philipbloom]

It’s something they added with the a7siii. It’s also something DESPERATELY needed to be added to Canon and Fuji cameras!

[@donovankean]

@@philipbloom Guess I'm in luck because I own the a7sIII!

[@SianCKB]

what focus speed and sensitivity would be very good for filmmaking? Focus Racking is no problem it's just the focus for me, I sometimes have jumpy/stuttery focus which doesn't look professional.. ^^ (I currently have a Sony ZV-E1 coming from an A6400 so it's a huge difference for me atm.)

[@philipbloom]

If it was a simple as that I wouldn’t have a 2 part masterclass!

[@SianCKB]

@@philipbloom I really liked the 2 part focus video's they are really awesome and I really learned a lot! Don't know how I didn't find you a lot earlier.. but I subbed now! 🔥👏🏻

[@philipbloom]

@@SianCKB welcome! Have fun with the zv-e1. It’s very powerful. If I get a chance I will make a settings file for that too.

[@SianCKB]

@@philipbloom would love that! 🔥

[@JustinSpencers]

Thanks Philip, another invaluable video. Quick question. I mainly use the EVF on my A7SIII and I noticed a difference in the colours of the face detection frame when compared to the Viewfinder. While looking through the EVF, when the camera detects a face the detection frame is black. When the camera determines that autofocus is enabled the detection frame turns grey. Is this correct or am I doing something wrong?

[@Bobsmithabc]

Mr. Bloom, when you are on a tripod, do you turn off your camera IBIS? Thank you for the informative and insightful videos, as always.

[@philipbloom]

You don’t need it on but you won’t get any negative impact from leaving it turns on

[@Bobsmithabc]

@@philipbloom ok thank you

[@sebabidondo4220]

Hi, how are you? Excellent channel. Do you know if there is a way to disable vertical video on the Sony FX3?Thank you

[@philipbloom]

hi, nope

[@corlissmedia2.0]

Will you be reviewing the Panasonic GH5II?

[@shreddykrueger9171]

Amazing video! Question - can you turn off face priority/eye AF while recording on the A7SIII? I see in this video you can on the A7IV but I've been dying to figure this out for my A7SIII because i can't do it while rolling!

[@philipbloom]

Yes. Assign it to a custom button or the fn menu

[@shreddykrueger9171]

I just tried that on my A7SIII but it doesn't allow me to disable/enable it while recording!@@philipbloom

[@philipbloom]

I will need to check mine and get back to you.

[@philipbloom]

I’ve just checked and no you can’t. Another tiny little thing they need to give it that all the cameras after it have. 🤷🏻

[@shreddykrueger9171]

Thank you so much for your response! I'm a huge fan of your work. Really appreciate you getting back to me on this. Wish it was possible to turn it off/on while recording! @@philipbloom

[@JeffreyJDavis]

Hopping in late here, but really appreciate both of these videos, as someone trying to finally dip my toe into video on my A1. I have to be honest with you, I've watch the segment on AF/MF Hold (ending at 5:45) about 5 times, and I still cant figure out whether programming AF/MF hold to a button makes sense on an A1. No ability to change mode via FN menu, only via dial, so AF/MF hold is only useful as a temporary AF-C to MF button, but not as a temporary MF to AF-C button, unless you set dial to MF. What is the best way you suggest to get the full benefit of your Manual Autofocus setting on an A1?

[@semihkayikci]

A masterpiece focus video :) thanks for share, one question;I recently started to use A7IV. I am doing wildlife photography. When bird is in flight on clear sky( no background) wide AF-C is doing’s great job , in a few seconds detects and tracks by self, but Same setting for Video mode doesn’t do same job, it almost can’t find bird ( AF speed and sensitivity is at max), have any recommendations or optinion?

[@MountVernon84Pictures]

Yo, are you gonna do a review on the new Panasonic S5 II?

[@tamasdemjen4242]

Note that the a7RV doesn't have "Face/Eye Prior in AF", instead it's called "Subject Recog in AF". It's essentially the same concept, just a different name. It was confusing me to no end. I just wanted to mention it, hopefully it helps someone.

[@NTGNS]

Thanks for this Philip! Very useful video! I'm wondering what your thoughts are on manual focussing with the G-Master lenses as the electronic focus mechanism is terrible for accurate manual focus (imo). Still looking for the best lenses for Sony camera's that meets the sweet spot of manual focus and auto focus.

[@philipbloom]

I did talk about this in the manual focus section

[@garrettstevensen2467]

Philip, thank you for this video... If you were forced to pick one system today... which would it be? Canon R5 w/RF lens, or Sony A7RV w/GM lens, when video autofocus and other things were considered? A future Canon R5 Mark II will be interesting. Thank you!

[@philipbloom]

That’s a REALLY complicated question. Not the A7RV. What I use, the a7s iii and alpha 1. Many complex reasons.

[@garrettstevensen2467]

@@philipbloom Thank you for replying.

[@KhalidBagwan]

Using Sony Alpha 1 Bird/Animal eye tracking not available in video mode. Is there any other workaround?

[@OneManFiveCats]

Only touch tracking.

[@chriss2295]

Philip - Panasonic S5ii. Doing a review? I remember your GH2 days.

[@philipbloom]

i don't have one.

[@mcronfpv8736]

I don't understand why they haven't borrowed you one for a month or two so you can test it if you wanted. The only reason I can think of is that Lumix isn't confident about their Autofocus on Cats lol. I was recently watching your EVA1 review (from 5years ago?) and you said it's hard to work with a camera that doesn't have continuous autofocus after being used to work with it! Panasonic should have send you the S5 ii the day they had one available!

[@zaiENT1]

Please tell sarah we appreciate her help in making this video

[@techsuvara]

Philip. As a part time solo documentary filmmaker and KZbin content creator, which would you recommend, the FX6 or the FX3 for this? :) Thank you.

[@OneManFiveCats]

The FX6 is a superior camera. The internal variable ND alone is a huge bonus. This is Philip by the way from my other channel. You need to watch the review of the FX6 V2 firmware I made a year ago

[@techsuvara]

@@OneManFiveCats hello Phillip, this is Peter Suwara, my other channel also. Thanks, I will check out your V2 review.

[@t0mwhazzup]

I love the FX6 and FX3 eye autofocus, but we have noticed recently that it does not work reliably when there's more than one person in the frame. Anyone else noticed that? Even though the screen shows that the autofocus is locked on one person's eye (and AF subject shift setting is set to "1" which is most locked-on), it always "pumps". It does not do this with only one person in frame. Please help!

[@junglisttt]

Why does my FX3 stay in MF when I am in AF-C after I touch the screen for a focus point? If is in AF on the lens aswell.

[@philipbloom]

@@junglisttt how are you setting it to MF?