How to use Sony AutoFocus - FX3 / FX30 / A7SIII

In depth video autofocus guide for the Sony FX3, FX30 & A7SIII. I demonstrate all of the video autofocus features including focus transition speed, focus sensitivity and Face / Eye AF. I then show how to register faces so that the camera can prioritise subjects and finish with a demonstration of touch focus and focus tracking.
Huge thanks to the following KZbin creators who agreed to let me feature them in the video:
Gerald Undone - / geraldundone
Camera Conspiracies - / @cameraconspiracies
The following are affiliate links, if you use these and go on to purchase something then I make a small commission. Thanks for supporting my channel.
Kit Discussed
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Sony FX3 - geni.us/Mc4njM
Sony A7S III - geni.us/9bBgq3
My FX3 Rig
----------------------------------------------
Sony FX3 - geni.us/Mc4njM
Sony 50mm GM Lens - geni.us/NRL7d
SmallRig half cage - geni.us/No7EPwh
SmallRig handle extension - geni.us/uenOVz
SmallRig 6" carbon rods - geni.us/EheyP
SmallRig 4" carbon rods - geni.us/tnQgRS2
SmallRig rod clamp - geni.us/iNBIW
SmallRig HDMI cable - geni.us/fDAy9XK
Nitze monitor mount - geni.us/VIGVG9
Sony mic spacers - geni.us/LChTC6B
Atomos Shinobi monitor - geni.us/AllxdBw
Atomos Ninja V Recorder - geni.us/EuxLa
Sennheiser MKH416 mic - geni.us/WeoR8
AngelBird 128GB V90 Cards - geni.us/z0p6
Kit used making the video...
----------------------------------------------
Sony FX3 - geni.us/Mc4njM
- Sony 50mm GM Lens - geni.us/NRL7d
- Atomos Ninja V Recorder - geni.us/EuxLa
- Sennheiser MKH416 mic - geni.us/WeoR8
- Tiffen Black Promist Filter 1/8 - geni.us/0yLR5
Table of Contents:
----------------------------------------------
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - AF/MF Menu Settings
01:22 - Focus Area
05:39 - Focus Transition Speed
06:30 - Focus Shift Sensitivity
08:00 - Face / Eye AutoFocus
09:00 - Register Faces
11:11 - Face / Eye Menu Options
12:19 - Touch Focus
14:20 - Touch Tracking
15:20 - Final Thoughts
Links
----------------------------------------------
Blog Post - www.pauljoy.com/2021/11/sony-...
HashTags
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#SonyFX3
#FX3
#A7S3

[@PaulJoy]

I've posted a follow up to this video where I go through how I assign custom buttons to the camera to control autofocus and more - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYmznGeMf7WIrZY

[@PaulJoy]

👽Just saying hi to all my visitors from Camera Conspiracies today, it's great to see you and I hope you like the video. No squirrels I'm afraid... maybe next time! ;)🐿

[@Supercon57]

6:50 That Camera Conspiracies cameo was hilarious lol

[@mgportraits]

Finally someone who fully understands and knows how to explain these settings! You make it easy to understand. I have a hard time remembering everything. I will visit this video over and over. Thank you!!!

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks so much for saying so, really pleased it helps.

[@Isaac_Insoll]

Dude, this is the best AF video I have seen for FX3 and the examples made it super easy to understand. Thanks 🙂

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks loads for letting me know, really pleased it helped.

[@jendrajarnagin6861]

I concur, thanks so much for this!!

[@hellolau]

Camera conspiracies sent me here 🙌 Your video is so detailed and so much fun ! Subscribed 👍

[@PaulJoy]

Welcome aboard!

[@djshu_g]

I appreciate you for making this video. I know it takes time to make it. Thank you!

[@PaulJoy]

And I appreciate you for taking the time to let me know, thank you too!

[@quasiguy]

YOU ARE A BRILLIANT TEACHER! I've just had a three video Paul Joy marathon and I'm sure I'll watch more. I'm not kidding. I've owned the A7iii, the A7Siii and just got an FX3 and I did NOT know that I could switch and cancel the touch feature by tapping the icon on the screen. AND I didn't know that Touch Focus switched the camera into manual focus. Am I admitting that I'm a daft punk who probably doesn't deserve to have cameras this advanced? Possibly. But if I keep watching your videos, I may actually figure out how to get the most from my technology. (By the way, the Gerald Undone and Kasey comedy was a hoot!) Keep up the great work!

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks so much for leaving such a nice comment, it's hugely appreciated. Have fun with the FX3 and never think that you don't deserve it, the most important thing is to feel inspired to shoot and sometimes new tech really helps with that.

[@byRobertEklund]

Thank you for this very informative video! As a new A7SIII owner, this is gold! Camera Conspiracies sent me here, I’m so happy he did!

[@PaulJoy]

Welcome Robert, thanks loads for saying hi and letting me know :)

[@gspam154]

Thank you for all the work that went into this video tutorial. Wonderfully helpful!

[@PaulJoy]

You're very welcome, thanks loads for letting me know.

[@kmalfred]

Great video. Thanks for the info. Looking forward to the next one.

[@PaulJoy]

Thank you.

[@TwiceBlessedJoey]

I needed this so bad. Thanks so much for the outstanding tutorial!

[@PaulJoy]

My pleasure, thanks for letting me know it helped.

[@Ribeye512]

Thanks for the fx3 specific content! 🤙

[@PaulJoy]

My pleasure, thanks for the feedback

[@tiredjustwakeup]

This video was fantastic! informative and funnie! I look forward to the follow up on how you configure the cam for autofocus!!!

[@pantha3486]

Excellent video. Very well done, easy to understand. Thanks heaps

[@FlorenceRobbiano]

Congratulations on this awesome video! So helpful! THANKS A LOT 🙌

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it was helpful, thanks loads for letting me know.

[@leochow6477]

Thanks for your sharing. Just switched to SONY and I'm amazed by the autofocus but also a bit of overwhelmed. Your video is really helpful.

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it helped Leo, thanks for letting me know.

[@leethomaskc3327]

Your demonstration is very informative. Thank you.

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mariomorgado9149]

Great content! You definitely are one of the bests talking about this kinda of subjects !

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks very much, really pleased you like it.

[@mojojeff]

Great video! Thanks. Picked up a couple of knowledge nuggets. One was the ability to use manual focus when in tracking mode. Going to give that a try this afternoon.

[@PaulJoy]

Really pleased it was useful, let me know how you get on with it.

[@linchpinmusic]

Explanation is superb!

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for the feedback :)

[@elmono3939]

Super helpful ! Thank you for sharing !

[@PaulJoy]

You're very welcome

[@KevinMcKinneyFilms]

More FX3 videos! Nicely done.

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks. What is it you'd like to see?

[@ptojal]

Thank you for the video. Very useful 🙏

[@kleinzak8437]

Thanks for a great lesson from South Africa

[@PaulJoy]

Really pleased it was useful, thanks for letting me know :)

[@kostasmatt392]

Yoy deserve more views sir. This video, among others, helped me the most about the philosophy of auto focus. I have even adjusted other cameras after this.

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks very much. Hopefully the channel will pick up over time, KZbin doesn’t make it easy!

[@nokidding152]

Kasey sent me here. Let's see what he's talking about! Great job!

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for visiting :)

[@MaikKleinert]

Thanks, bro for explaining it so well, huge thumbs up 🙂👍

[@PaulJoy]

You're very welcome, glad it helped.

[@benjamindover4337]

Brilliant illustration 👌 thank you

[@PaulJoy]

You're very welcome, thanks for letting me know your thoughts.

[@justalittledaf]

Just subscribed to your channel. Appreciate the Face Registration portion of this video. It quickly helped me figure out how to use this feature for my Sony a7siii. Thanks.

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for the sub, really pleased the video helped. Thanks loads for the feedback.

[@markifi]

camera conspiracies sent me

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for popping over and saying hello Mark :)

[@drcinematic.youtube]

Great Tutorial! Thanks

[@milapuccini4703]

Best videos on the FX3 out there

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks!

[@WaltervanDusen]

Great job with this FX3 focusing video. I’m now a new subscriber. Happy Holidays.

[@PaulJoy]

Hi Walter, thanks loads for the sub and letting me know you liked the video. Happy holidays to you too.

[@WaltervanDusen]

@@PaulJoy you’re very welcome. Great Quality content. Glad you popped up on my feed. I’ve been on a video learning journey by adding motion to my stills content. I love using my FX3.

[@PaulJoy]

@@WaltervanDusen Yeah it's a great little camera, I'm constantly being surprised by how good it is! You channel looks nice too, subbed back :)

[@WaltervanDusen]

@@PaulJoy thank you. I spent waaaaaaay to much time editing my latest video because I learned how to implement tracking and video movement in Adobe Premier Pro CC. 😬😳🤗

[@CB-qy2zl]

I've been using the A7s III on a gimbal and the autofocus is making me crazy, thanks for explaining this and the autofocus icons

[@PaulJoy]

Pleased it helped. Thanks for letting me know.

[@newhousepictures]

Awesome video. Thank you

[@PaulJoy]

Your very welcome

[@radiancecreativeco]

Thanks so much! This is really helpful!

[@PaulJoy]

My pleasure, glad it helped.

[@dzyanw]

Brilliant vid mate

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks Dzyan

[@romanmachanec2467]

the fact u playing with other youtubers characters is hillarious :D

[@markashworth2609]

Thank You. I was getting very frustrated with the Sony "Help Guide" on my recently purchased FX30. You really cleared it up.

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it helped, thanks for letting me know.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Kasey sent me . . . thumbs up! 👍

[@PaulJoy]

Welcome Patrick, thanks for visiting :)

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

@@PaulJoy The video was well done, but I don't own Sony. Regardless, since I'm a pagan . . . Happy Winter Solstice! 🎄🎅🎄

[@Joel-ge6ht]

Very good video, thank you!

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it helped!

[@JDCALDECOTT]

Brilliant video

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks.

[@vahidamini1863]

Thanks! That was very helpfull...✌

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it was helpful, thanks loads for letting me know.

[@ShellShockedFarms]

Great video man

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@revmatchtv]

Great video!

[@PaulJoy]

Thank you for letting me know.

[@barryryan2425]

Brilliant!

[@DOPindia]

this video is perfact to understand Af for sony fx3

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for letting me know Rajesh.

[@newmillennials]

Very much appreciated!

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@CAP2009films]

really useful - thanks.

[@PaulJoy]

You're welcome!

[@HamedAlgabbani]

Probably the best video on this subject ive seen! Why are you buried in the algorithm?

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks, probably because I’ve not been feeding it recently :)

[@elementary8963]

Nice Toneh.

[@PaulJoy]

Toneh 1.2 Baby!

[@happy1wandering]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing (-:

[@PaulJoy]

You're very welcome, thanks for taking the time to let me know.

[@dulamprasadcreativevideos9733]

thnak u somuch for this tutorial sir

[@PaulJoy]

You're very welcome, glad it helped.

[@girlsbyvalmont]

Very good, thank you so much!

[@PaulJoy]

You're welcome, thanks for letting me know :)

[@MikeMena]

LOLOL that was awesome! So many celebrities on this channel

[@PaulJoy]

I might have to invite some more :)

[@SergioPellico]

@@PaulJoy Of course. That's a very smart move ... no doubt more people will come here to see your high-quality videos. Very good info specific to the FX3 and its ecosystem. Thanks!

[@RahulVerma-hv6jy]

very informative ❤️

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks for letting me know, glad it helped :)

[@WildTasteBuds]

Also, try to make a AF setting video for food bloggers, how to set camera focus to food only.

[@joshallenimages]

Very helpful!!

[@PaulJoy]

Glad it helped Josh

[@francescoiannaccone7366]

Thank YOU

[@PaulJoy]

You're welcome, hope it helped.

[@TheICUChannel]

one of the finest video on focus.. totally focused. one question, does the camera shakes when you start it ?

[@PaulJoy]

Really pleased you like it. I guess it depends how the camera is supported, normally in the tripod it doesn’t but even if it does the first moment you press record can normally be edited out anyway.

[@TheICUChannel]

@@PaulJoy ok thanks , now moving on to exposure video of urs . Amazing channel

[@valverdemichael]

thanks man

[@Nomadicaffan]

Love it n thank you

[@PaulJoy]

You’re welcome

[@quivigerjoel4889]

Bien expliquée

[@yudiakso5346]

Thank u so much

[@PaulJoy]

You’re very welcome

[@rafaelrockify]

Obrigado

[@TimeCodeMechanics]

😆😆😆 Great video!

[@PaulJoy]

Thank You :)

[@quigybalonton9780]

Great video Paul. I'm looking at the a7s iii, you mentioned it does the same thing as the FX3 (with the exception that the a7s has further functionality)?... It's exactly what I'm looking to do with the touchscreen whilst shooting and recording video, I'm just making sure 🙂

[@PaulJoy]

Hi there. I think the a7sIII has some additional control options based on the fact that it has the EVF. I've not used the a7sIII myself but as far as I'm aware it allows some additional touch controls when holding the camera to your eye.

[@quigybalonton9780]

@@PaulJoy Really appreciate your fast response Paul, I probably won't need the EVF additional functionality, just what you've shown here is exactly what I need... Keep up the great videos.

[@PaulJoy]

@@quigybalonton9780 No problem, have fun with the new camera.

[@BenPowellDrummer]

Hey Paul, great video. I'm a wedding videographer and film a large variety of different shots. Close ups, wides shots etc. Would you recommend leaving the focus in 'Off Mode' then switch to ether Focus or Tracking when needed?

[@PaulJoy]

Hi Ben. It really depends on the situation but I actually find I'm using AF a lot with anything with faces and then either using manual focus or touch tracking for anything else. With EYE AF it's easy to monitor what the camera is doing but a focus hunt can ruin a shot. I tend to trust AF with an obvious face to focus on but if theres multiple faces I'll normally touch track the one I want. I find I don't use AF for non face situations such as moving through rooms, closeups or exteriors and again will either use MF or touch tracking if I want a certain object to remain in focus. I hope that helps.

[@PaulJoy]

I checked out your channel Ben, as a musician myself I really appreciate your videos and we share a similar taste in music. Subbed :)

[@AlexanderCornel]

Camera Conspiracy and Gerald…no better way to demonstrate this

[@PaulJoy]

Indeed! Thanks for watching.

[@JonnCarr]

Thanks Paul. I'm not sure if the latest firmware upgrade on the FX3 changed some settings, but I can't get manual focus on my lens to work while in any autofocus mode. (touch focus on spot mode , but manual lens focus is totally disabled) at 14:02 on your video. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@PaulJoy]

Hi John. It’s def not the firmware as I have the latest too and AF/MF on the lens button works fine. What lens are you using and have you tried assigning it to a different button to check it works?

[@RahulVerma-hv6jy]

here from camera conspiracies

[@clipsthatsell]

Hi Paul, have you had issues with the FX3 or FX30 switching itself to Manual Focus when you want it on AF-C + eye detection? Any idea why my new FX30 keeps doing this while filming a panel discussion?

[@PaulJoy]

Hi Keith. No that's not something I've ever noticed with my FX3. The first thing I would do is remove the lens and give the electrical contacts a wipe, maybe one of them isn't making contact properly.

[@nunusthirst167]

Ok so if walking through nyc and not trying to focus on anything or anyone specific meaning I just want the full screen to stay in focus, which settings are best? Using A7s3

[@PaulJoy]

Ultimately when using AF the camera will only focus one thing at a time, if you need as many things in focus as possible then use a high aperture to increase depth of field as much as possible. You would still need to choose which elements you want the camera to try to focus on though and theres not a single best choice for that as it depends whats in the frame and where you want the viewer to look.

[@cinemainthestreet]

👏👏👏💪🎥

[@teddaamen]

hi Paul, at 13.18 min in this very helpfull video here you are telling to check the display options when. there's no touch icon. on the display. I used to see those icons but suddenly they disappeared. How can I get them back? I went to the display option in the menu but where do I have to 'repair' this?

[@PaulJoy]

Hi there, sorry for the late reply. Have you tried cycling through the display settings by pressing the DISP button on the camera?

[@teddaamen]

@@PaulJoy thanks for answering!! Yes, that did the trick! Great. Sometimes I make it more diffucult than necessary….pfff🤨

[@TheOneMonk]

Great tutorial. However, what is missing (or what I am missing…) is a setting that keeps a wide area with multiple people in focus. e.g. a whole scene of a performance. I tried it with wide, eye focus disabled and a reltively high Aperture - I was shooting in EI at base ISO 12800 on an FX3. The AF worked only 90% of the time. Which is a miss when you want to capture an entire performance that you cannot repeat…Any suggestion for such a scenario?

[@PaulJoy]

That's always going to be a tricky one for AF as it's impossible for it to know what you want it to focus on in a scene with lots of people. If you only need one continuous wide shot when you were on the right track shooting wide with a deep DoF but it would likely be better shooting on manual focus. What I would likely do is use more than one camera and set the wide angle on manual and then use a second camera with a longer lens and a smaller focus zone to pick out detail.

[@steveloudon7491]

Hi. Very nicely done. I do have an issue. At 16:41 you are able to toggle from touch focus to tracking. I'm unable to do that on my a6700 although it shows it in the manual. If I'm in touch focus and I touch the icon it just disappears. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.

[@PaulJoy]

Hi, I don’t have an a6700 so can’t be sure but in the FX3 there’s a menu item where you can choose which touch features to include, might be worth checking you have both enabled.

[@steveloudon7491]

OK thanks

Paul Joy is awesome

[@PaulJoy]

Thanks :)

[@RSM2042]

Hi Paul, Can you please tell me the native sensitivity for the ISO in pp4? I know it's 800 and 12,800 for slog 3, but what about pp4? I'm thinking it's either 80 or 100. Thannks!!

[@PaulJoy]

Good question. I’m not sure, my guess would be that it’s the same as rec709 based profiles, ie 100 & 2000.

[@RSM2042]

Thanks Paul!! @@PaulJoy

[@AndrewCulture]

I can't move any of the focus areas. Once I have selected a focus type (like zone), when I try and move the focus area using the joypad it just switches on or off the zebra peaking (or whatever). I'm sure I'm missing something obvious but I'd love some help!

[@PaulJoy]

I think your trying to use the wrong control, you need to move it using the smaller mini joystick.

[@grayscale31]

Does touch subject continuous autofocus works if I want to do through external on camera monitor? so instead of using camera small screen I would touch subject on external monitor to focus and so?

[@PaulJoy]

Not generally however there are some monitors that are including wireless controls for the camera that will support touch focus. I posted a review of the Portkeys LH5PII that does offer this... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5XLgKaOmayajq8

[@grayscale31]

@@PaulJoy thanks Paul

[@Jonny2won]

Why does the FX3 NOT have the Focus area tracking mode? It only tracks with touch tracking. Am I wrong ?

[@PaulJoy]

I’ve not seen that on any Sony cameras in video mode, it might be in photo mode? I know it’s in the a7iv photo mode. Sorry I don’t spend much time playing with the photo mode.

[@edi18912]

How do I set up continuous autofocus while recording video so its always autofocusing on the Centrepoint?

[@PaulJoy]

Choose a small focus area, put it in the middle and set AF on. There's a few settings to consider and it's all explained in this video.

[@GrimoireTattoo]

Did auto focus transition speed get changed from the update? I don’t have the same menus :/

[@PaulJoy]

Not as far as I know!

[@eliassraf]

Maybe you can help. Since the update to 2.0 the autofocus is going crazy. Not locked on an object. Runs from point to point, and prefers to stick to the corners than the middle. Which would not have happened in version 1.01. camera fx3. I put it in the box, because it can't be used at all. I am desperately looking for another alternative camera to continue shooting projects. The camera was completely messed up after the update

[@PaulJoy]

I’ve had no problems at all with AF since updating. What lens are you using? Maybe reach out to Sony as AF sticking to the corners sounds like something that will be easy to show them.

[@viclimited9081]

.....do variable nd filters affect the fx3 autofocus?

[@PaulJoy]

No they shouldn't as long as the shot is exposed correctly

[@Filmmakers_N]

Hello, friend, tell me why the continuous AF function is always turned off for me, even though I use both autofocus and manual focus, but I can't select it? "My setup is Sony FX30, Sigma MC11, and Sigma 18-35. I just can't select this function; it appears in black and white, and when I press on it, it says, 'This function is currently disabled.

[@PaulJoy]

I think that's a limitation when shooting video with the MC11, have you tried with direct attach lenses?

[@Filmmakers_N]

@@PaulJoy Yes, that's right, this is a limitation of MS-11, thank you very much

[@jollytugas4741]

How do I use touch tracking when connected to a Atomos?

[@PaulJoy]

Using an Atomos monitor shouldn’t effect touch tracking, you have use it the same way using the small camera monitor.

[@SherProductions11]

what mode is it that ur on?

[@PaulJoy]

The video shows multiple AF settings, which mode are you referring to?

[@SherProductions11]

my focus mode is switched off how do i enable?

[@PaulJoy]

Check that the lens is set to AF and not Switched to MF as that will disable the options in the camera.

[@MindfulBehavior]

When I heard vegetable police music I got confused until he waved across the screen in slow motion

[@kanohane]

My stupid fx30 keeps turning off AF-C randomly and going to spot focus...😢

[@PaulJoy]

Do you accidentally touch the screen? Doing that could be starting the touch focus. If you don’t use it you can turn it off in the menu.

[@rohitnarayanan6868]

does these cameras have animal and bird eye af?

[@PaulJoy]

They do for still photography although I don’t think it works for video. To be honest it’s not something I use so will need to check if that’s changed with any of the updates.

[@seanhdr4k629]

I have liked your video but I think you forgot to wait for processing.. the only available quality is 360p

[@PaulJoy]

Ha, yes sorry, I had to upload and run for this one :)

[@seanhdr4k629]

@@PaulJoy no problem :)

[@JeffBourke]

It’s strange that you have to switch to stills mode to register faces.

[@PaulJoy]

Yes that’s a little frustrating.

[@ShellShockedFarms]

Tell Jared to be careful talking about his people box on KZbin. It might get demonitized 🤣😅

[@PaulJoy]

Ha, hopefully a purple box is okay with YT lol.

[@tjtalbot4112]

My fx30 auto focus is really loud

[@PaulJoy]

It’s generally the lens that makes the noise, which lens are you using?

[@tjtalbot4112]

@@PaulJoy yeah that’s what I found out I wasn’t having any problems with my sigma 24 to 70 but my G master 70-200 was having problems

[@VisualAFMedia]

😆 Camera Conspiracies

[@skuppet]

On my A7sii I have 2 registered faces set (and prioritized) but no purple box shows up.....any idea why?

[@PaulJoy]

I’m guessing that the newer cameras have more features, likely just a difference between the models.