Sony A7IV Autofocus Settings - NEVER MISS The Shot!

[@stkuj]

Recently, I watched Chris Turner's a7iv settings as a wedding/portrait photographer. I used to have different AF settings for my a7iii. Now, I set a7iv AF to Tracking Med Flexible Spot all the time and Eye-AF off (but programed to the AEL button). I don't use the joystick, but tap/touch instead. It's fast and accurate.

[@wl5609]

Wouldn't tap/touch have you taking your eye out of the viewfinder and off the shot while you look at the screen? Isn't the joystick the better option? Thanks...

[@callumbrighouse5217]

​@@wl5609 I don't even use the viewfinder on the a7iv as its all on the back of the screen in live view so that doesn't matter at all

[@wl5609]

@@callumbrighouse5217 Great, thanks!

[@DaveAerialPhotography]

To avoid uncle Bob to be the main subject instead of the bride and groom just register their faces during prep and the camera will prioritize them over anyone else.

[@LeeZavitz]

You can register the faces and it works 80% if the time. I’ve had mixed experiences with it. Maybe I just had bad experiences and don’t overly trust it in crowed areas

[@gemwebb]

Wow, this super computer camera is almost AI. 😂😂

[@davidford3505]

Just got my A7IV and I find the menu options overwhelming! (but also full of exciting possibilities) many thanks for this, I'll keep an eye on your content. Cheers

[@AfricanSunProductions]

Great explanation. Quick and to the point. I just got my A7 iv, have lots to learn.

[@stevemayne8067]

I am the same just got a new a7iv , like you lots to learn 👍

[@JaredDoyle76]

Register the face(s) and prioritize the face then set the tracking sensitivity to low. That should help with the AF jumping around to anyone who steps into frame.

[@Chris-ey7zy]

That’s what I was saying

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

Glad somebody read the manual.

[@AT1754]

Will it focus on multiple people at once? Say taking photos of my kids and they are each doing their own thing. Or just one at a time and the one the that’s closest

[@andrearmanrisa]

you can keep focus locking using Center Lock -on AF activated while half pressing. And/Or you can change AF Track Sens to Locked On instead Responsive (set to 0/5)

[@Wistbacka]

2:40 One point that can be made about focus jumping on uncle bob instead of the couple going down the isle, is to also utilize the face memory feature and face priority. I did this with my A7Rii for a wedding. Worked wonderfully; 8 faces could be stored, Priority for me was Bride Groom Mother 1 Mother 2 Father 1 Father 2

[@johndao5870]

Thanks. Tracking is super useful for filming fast moving k-pop dancing. I wish Fuji will make it available a future camera.

[@davidhunternyc1]

I just got a Sony A7IV. First time in the Sony ecosystem after my Fuji X100S broke after a decade. Sony is amazing but, wow, this auto-focus is complicated. It's going to take me a lot of time to learn how to shoot with this camera.

[@hbhavsi]

Thanks for this amazing video: A few quick questions: 1. Are you using the shutter button (half-click) for focusing or back button focus? 2. When I was focusing and recomposing the shot with the shutter half pressed, it moved the focus after I recomposed. My setting was on AF-C. You think I should change that to AF-S to avoid that? 3. What autofocus setting (area and eye AF) would you recommend for street photography? Thank you so much again!

[@ourhouseuk]

As someone on day 1 of the A7iv, but 15 years of photo experience, I found this confusing and muddy, though I appreciate the effort.

[@davidhunternyc1]

I'm on Day 1 now. How are you doing a year later?

[@ourhouseuk]

@@davidhunternyc1 honestly I spent a lot of time in single flexible spot. But I am now starting to use face detect with the zones for quick change and an override button for override. It’s a process to get used to relying on the computer!

[@TitanAerialPhotography]

Just got this camera a month ago and although I'm loving it, there are so many features that need a bit of explanation... and there you are, just the right level of information, real world examples, why do this etc. I was watching another of your videos and thinking "I need a video on the AF settings" - and of course you have one! :-) Many thanks - great channel, have now subscribed.

[@Avelin205]

Hi, what do you think of the camera 5 months later? Im thinking about upgrading from a Nikon DSLR

[@TitanAerialPhotography]

@@Avelin205 Great camera, very pleased I got it. I now have a FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS and FE 55mm f1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* Lens - both good, but find I use the 24-105 by far the most even though it's much heavier. I was intending to use the camera for stills and video but have not done much video yet. Takes a bit of getting used to after having a Canon DSLR for years, but there are so many good KZbin videos nowadays you can learn over time. I like all the customisable buttons on the A7 IV. Also find the 33 megapixels resolution very handy as you can crop a lot meaning less need for longer zoom lenses. I'd say go for it!

[@Avelin205]

@@TitanAerialPhotography Thank you! I will!

[@raiden_131]

@@Avelin205 for me this sony a7 iv is the best you can buy right now in price/performance

[@DanConerd]

Awesome stuff man! I've been learning so much from your channel. i'm stoked to finally have this camera in my hands.

[@PetiteJessicaMarie]

Wow this video was super helpful! Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤

[@TheOutdoorsStation]

You could have brought the extra person in again towards the end to show that it doesn’t jump between people which would clarify which mode is better.

[@joseluisruiz3789]

yes!!!!! Another A7IV Video. thank you!!!!!!! 😁 🙇‍♂️🙏

[@DeannaAllison]

Lots of useful advice. Thank you.

[@erbterb]

There is a difference between a camera drawing a square on a screen and the camera actually being in focus. I was a bit dissapointed when I tried different settings on the 7iv compared to my S1R which I thought would perform much worse, according other channels. My now bored dog subject was front focused and back focused more often than I had imagined by the hype from reviewers. Perhaps the contrast system was no so bad after all

[@LeeZavitz]

Really? I trust the Sony af system with my life. I’m not just a “reviewer” I’m a working professional and if I didn’t trust the system I would move on. That’s what I did with Fuji a few years ago.

[@erbterb]

@@LeeZavitz It was an user error. The backbutton was set to eyeAF, not seek, so it went in and out of doing what was supposed to do. The devil is in the details.

[@mrait]

Thank you very much for the video i would love seeing more videos for the sony a7iv

[@wl5609]

Same here!..😉

[@robmarks6678]

Lee, question for you. The first mode you showed us. Wide. You said it will focus everything in the shot. Then you turned on face detection and it focused on your subject. You then added a second subject and he was closer so focus went to him. My question if you never turned on eye face detection and added the second subject. Would BOTH subjects be in focus ? Or still the person closer ? I’ve watched a few focus videos for this camera and the big question is can it focus in two people or is one always more in focus than the other. Thank you for your video.

[@LeeZavitz]

It will only focus on one person because of physics. It can see more than one person but only one will be in focus unless the two people are in the same focal plane. It will always default to focusing on the closes person but you can override that

[@strippedlist]

I love the way she dances :)) i could watch her for hours while eating popcorn :)) she is cute

[@raiden_131]

Very nice vid bro, i love this camera so much, it is insane!

[@brianrudolph3594]

Great video! Thank you for excellent instructions and information! Keep up the great work!

[@antoniosbarakos4949]

friend i have a74 what focus to use for wedding video in the church

[@djbigphill]

Need this more than I thought I did

[@nicolaussuryadharma]

is that tracking mode working on Video mode? like on 5:53 but that's work on photo mode, and I want to know how in video mode?

[@LeeZavitz]

That af tracking mode only works for photo mode. You can do something similar in video mode with touch tracking. You have to have touch tracking enabled but the focus box will just be white not green

[@nicolaussuryadharma]

@@LeeZavitz already try it before, but sometimes the focus tracking randomly missing the main focus and start jumping to other focus .. thanks for sharing, i hope Sony can improve about overheating issued on sony a7iv

[@Battlem0nk]

You can now do that tracking mode in video, map [tracking on] to a button, but only on the A7RV... Just pray Sony gives you that feature in a future firmware update but prob won't happen.

[@joshuachubbphotography]

The custom button for eye at is so clutch

[@marclabro]

nice tuto. yes, eye AF switches from spot anywhere on display to wide mode with eye detected. It is awesome. Unfortunately Sony removed it from a7rv, thinking perhaps AI is so good theyr don't need it anymore.

[@raalaa121]

Top man, just what I needed to persuade me to buy this beast.

[@MPJmike]

are you using that extend monitor for shooting pictures or just for recording video??

[@akkarparkiamopas3401]

your model is so funny haha. Thanks for video

[@rachelsalgadocedeno3583]

What can we use for self timer to lock on a full family portrait? So that all the family can come out clear and focused?

[@jimst3r1]

this video was comprehensive AF (mind the pun) haha, was really helpful for me to learn how to set focus areas, im off to the Yorkshire dales in the UK to do a lot of landscape work, i wanted to do focus bracketing but had no idea why i couldn't change the focus mode to select an area. Additionally you told me about tracking mode which would be awesome for some of the other stuff i do :)

[@nirkarubi7373]

Hi, I have a Sony a7iv, do you know how to open a new folder so that I see the photos starting from 0 and not from the photos taken before??

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

Does half press shutter trigger tracking as well?

[@ConceptNewEra]

Oooo didn’t know I needed this video, thanks for all the helpful tips! Definitely want to get better with dialing in focus! Will be using in my future videos! 💯✔️🔥

[@gustavotabordaFilms]

Do you recommend shooting in pp off for photography? And for video if looking for a color profile?

[@OceanBoyJj]

Appreciate the video brotha, keep up the good work, love the content!

[@TheMoogleee]

lets say there is a group shot. want mode would you use to have everybody in focus. would we still use flexible spot and just adjust the aperture?

[@HansDtv]

Thanks man!! Great movie!! Keep up the great work!! Whoooo Hooo!!

[@latifqureshi9821]

Hi, I am using Sony A7iv and I am having a problem. It's autofocus works fine but for the past few days I can't see the tracking box on the face or even eye... it has disappeared. Any idea how to bring it back?

[@svenconor]

Well done. It was very helpfully 👌

[@MattCookOregon]

Very helpful thanks

[@marcobutz3950]

Thnx for the Video @leezavitz. But how can you lock the AF Tracking until you unlock? I can not find the customization. THnx

[@SirAlmightyAllseeinjah718]

After a few years of using Sony I’ve come to the same conclusion, 🙌🏿

[@gemwebb]

Great video for photography tracking modes. Now video focus pulls! Lol😂

[@miketipton678]

Nice video! A7IV does not use AI AF though. AI AF is done via hardware chips on the cameras. Those chips are only on newer cameras like A7RV, A9III and will likely be on the newer A7V when released.

[@LeeZavitz]

Yeah the a7iv (although amazing autofocus) it’s nowhere near as good as the new cameras with dedicated AI processors

[@t-bobricemusic5795]

How are you doing buddy I have the Sony a7 III whit a mc11 Adapter and 18 -35mm sigma lense but none of the feature's your talking about it's not working could it be a firmware update?

[@stowgood]

3:09 nice tip it's a bit like old school back button focus

[@benthystangda5770]

Sony A7iv good Bong ❤❤❤

[@TeslasFamily]

In your video where two people need to be in focus but not on the same focal plane, what would you do for settings?

[@LeeZavitz]

You would need to stop the aperture down so that more is in focus. And probably bump the iso to boost exposure

[@bala1000mina]

Thanks a lot Lee! Very informative video. God bless you!

[@itsgonnaworkharry4834]

What mode do u think it will be good to use with a gimbal? I get a lot of focus hunting in my shots when I film parties and ceremonies with a lot of people in the frame.

[@mrfryfilmguy]

Did you work it out? Cheers

[@mewym527]

Very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@MichaelCovelli-m3j]

How did you set the tracking during the last portion of the video? Can’t seem to find it on my camera

[@stvphzcam]

same.. can't find the "tracking" option on the focus area

[@oxxxeee]

great vid. i use a monitor as well. get a cage and connect to that. it will come loose using hot shoe.

[@LeeZavitz]

I don’t like using monitors on my camera unless I’m shooting video. I only use that monitor for these videos because it screen records so I can show you the settings and autofocus.

[@abdhadiosman9065]

hi,i confuse why my camera not show M.M -0.3

[@lfmspsd]

Good afternoon ! I took an a7iv this week, I found something strange when I deactivate the e-Front Cutain Shutter on the camera and take a picture, it seems that it makes two shooting sounds. With the e-Front Cutain Shut I only hear a trigger sound Do you know if this is normal? Greetings from Brazil =)

[@mattc3510]

Great video man. Nice tips

[@one901]

Nice. What are your ST creative look settings?

[@ionutpopa2315]

Hey! Nice video! Can someone here tell me why Sony a7iii makes something like "black flash" or a short flicker right when is focusing? I mean in the moment when focus spot turns green? Is not doing every single time, but is happening. Thanks alot!

[@MarianMoisii]

I have posterization image when I shooting photos,any ideas about it?

[@ANAISbcn]

I'm thinking about get this camera. Please, can somebody tell me?: When you have activated the eye AF, if you touch the screen for select another thing (for example the bride dress when the bride is walking), the camera will keep the focus on the bride dress while you do some photos and later, when you touch an eye on the screen, will the camera get back its Eye AF function? Thanks a lot!

[@viewfindermedia3188]

Do you have any videos on the ninja

[@mkoepf92]

Which Input should I use in CST when I shoot with PP off, I can't find anything for that and would be happy for some help :)

[@shade599]

any update in this a7iv camera freezing problem?

[@pblogic007]

When I hit function it doesn't show the AF face toggle, it shows media selection. Do you know how to change that so it's like yours?

[@LeeZavitz]

You can customize whatever you want in the fn menu. To change the settings go to the yellow tool box in the menu and to the section called operation customize and you’ll see fn menu settings. From there you can add or remove whatever you want

[@MinrasDotCom]

I'm not sure if it's an addition of the August firmware or was it there before, but C4 button now turns on/off the ability to select the focus point by clicking on the touch screen. (Came here to recall where is the touch screen focus hidden in the menus)

[@TVPALOTINA]

what is the camera's crop factor when shooting at 4k60fps?

[@LeeZavitz]

1.5x

[@quimboy2]

Very useful video! Even tho I’m using a7c, but I guess shouldn’t be much difference

[@viewfindermedia3188]

How do you keep the flexible spot light up in white

[@om6210]

Best settings for cartive look

[@APASSIONFORDETAILING]

Just brought this camera and everytime I shoot video I can't view the files on my brand new pc any ideas ?

[@LeeZavitz]

If you’re shooting 10bit h265 and trying to view in windows you probably need to view them in VLC or video editor

[@daviddevine2415]

What do you have connected to the camera, above it? Is that your smartphone?

[@LeeZavitz]

A monitor that records the camera so you can see all my settings and autofocus stuff

[@Jim_Mundy]

Super helpful!

[@igetvc4061]

How do you focus two faces at once? Sb pls answer me

[@LeeZavitz]

Depends on which focal plane those people are on. You can really only focus on the closest face due to physics. Stopping your aperture down will help with getting 2 or more people in focus as long as they aren’t super far apart.

[@bwilliamspc]

why cant i move my focus point anywhere when im on spot or extended everything is default i cant move the ocus point with the wheel by pressing let right up or down, i i hit down first that doesn't work either do i need to do something else?

[@skatetoexplorevideos2477]

I'm having the same problem. Just got a new Sony A7IV. It has version 1.02. I can't move the focus point either. It just pops up other stuff like ISO settings, etc., when moving up/down/left/right. Did you figure it out?

[@MrTakem2church]

Why can’t I adjust my shutter it stays the same

[@leonardooyarzun4554]

Excelente, A7c 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@LeslieDelshaun]

What is that device attached to your camera that looks like a cellphone?

[@LeeZavitz]

Wireless hdmi Transmitter so I can record the screen to show you my settings and how I’m shooting

[@TaylorMadeMoment]

Hey man, if you had a choice to get the A7RIV or the A7IV (ignoring the price difference because I’m buying used) which would you pick? I should a lot of portraits and cars, not so much video but I would like the ability to shoot video if needed.

[@ElinaMellov]

I was also between them. Choose a7iv, because of more points, new sensor, better video etc. i don't need so huge files of 100mb

[@johnolin]

My viewfinder loses sharpness while it’s focusing, is that normal?

[@Battlem0nk]

Would these same setting/technique work with the new A7RV? Converting from Fuji to Sony and there are so many types of focus area types to get to accustomed.

[@LeeZavitz]

A lot of things are similar but you’ll notice the menu options for autofocus on the a7RV are different, there’s a lot more subject tracking options etc. The autofocus system is way more advanced than the a7iv. You could technically still set eye af to the Af-on button but when I was working on my review for the a7rv I didn’t need to because it was so dang good.

[@jessb1435]

May I ask what the external monitor you're using is? Also, what tripod you recommend for the A74? Btw, you're the reason I bought the A74. I watched your review featuring it and the Galaxy S22 Ultra. I was sold on it after that.

[@LeeZavitz]

I was using the atomos ninja V so I could record the screen to show the autofocus movement and settings

[@jessb1435]

@@LeeZavitz Thank you do much!!

[@viewfindermedia3188]

How do you keep it highlighted

[@electronicfellows2113]

so how do you focus if you're filming yourself..? AFC + eye AF focuses more on the plant next to me than me. dafaq

[@LeeZavitz]

I make sure to have the focus area set to Zone. So that if I’m in that zone it always finds my eye

[@BastiMark]

its not possible to record directly on the ninja v at the moment with the a7IV right? So you are just using it as a monitor or display recorder right? no external output recording with prores or something like that

[@LeeZavitz]

I was recording the a7iv on the ninja in prores Lt. Near the end I ran out of ssd because I had a lot on it so I could record the last half of tracking

[@BastiMark]

@@LeeZavitz ah okay. BUTTT how can u record in prores with your a7iv? Mine doesn't do that (working with the ninja). Can u make a short tutorial on it?

[@marioplumber3564]

@@BastiMark You don't record with the camera, you record with the Ninja V. The Atomos is a recorder and it records what the camera sees. So you can record in other codecs. Crazy enough, you can't record in Sony codecs on the Ninja V...

[@BastiMark]

@@marioplumber3564 ah okay, thank you! But Idk why but I Cant record with my atomos + a7IV

[@marioplumber3564]

@@BastiMark I don't know if you can or cannot, but if you can't. I would assume it has to do with overheating, the battery dying super fast, and the fact that the A7IV only records in 1080 when streaming. There is probably some built in limitations on Sonys part.

[@hardikpshah25]

Thank you brother

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@jelliffcrystal]

Can you still use the lcd screen when using the atomos?

[@LeeZavitz]

Not if you have camera info out through hdmi. Which is one of the most annoying things about Sony

[@jelliffcrystal]

So you can’t use the touch screen on the lcd?

[@LeeZavitz]

Correct

[@TrevorMcGrathPhotography]

deadly description!!!

[@Surtepfilms]

Perfect

[@ifzarik]

nice bro!

[@sponpulica]

Well explained! Especially for a beginner! 👍👍

[@ronlemelinphotography]

great video

[@wl5609]

Great vid, thank you, subscribed. I'm a new A74 owner...♥️

[@LeeZavitz]

Nice!

[@Rickyswoop]

Am I the only one who has found the eye AF on the A7iv to be way less reliable than the A7iii? I was expecting a crazy jump in performance when I upgraded but so far it seems worse than the A7iii... Any ideas why this might be happening?

[@LeeZavitz]

A7iv is way better. I dunno why it would be worse for you?. That said the newer a7cii using the same sensor as a7iv but with a new AI processor and it has even better eye af than the a7iv

[@Rickyswoop]

@@LeeZavitz Yeah I'm not sure why it's happening but my A7iii grabs eye af so much quicker and more consistently...

[@Seeking-Wisdom33]

Thank you

[@WobbleMatic]

Super video.

[@pixliuks5826]

These settings, in video mode, do not work. I can not get an AF that works as well as in the photos. Thanks

[@LeeZavitz]

In video mode depending on what you are shooting. I usually put the focus mode into Zone. I feel it covers most situations and keep face af off. But if I’m filming a person I keep face af on.