Best SONY Autofocus settings for wedding photography. Sony A7IV guide for beginners 2022

[@matthewcheung5136]

Dude!!! This is the best breakdown of the Sony focus modes I’ve seen!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Dude! Thanks so much for the comment! Glad you like it!

[@matthewcheung5136]

@@MagicWeddingPhotographer Would you consider doing a breakdown on the colour science behind Sony ?

[@brianbracherphotography]

Totally agree, brilliant explanation,thank you 👍

[@sarahfuchs7006]

​@@MagicWeddingPhotographer3:51

[@samanthallorente8085]

As a beginner, I have been struggling a lot with my focus settings - your video changed everything for me! I practiced along and changing menu settings throughout the video, and finally feel like I can go out and get more accuracy with my shots. Thanks for putting this together, the real life examples made all the difference for truly understanding how each focus mode is unique.

[@EngineFD223]

Randomly came across this video and I have to say that was incredibly well done. Can't tell you how many videos I've watched that have talked about focusing with the Sony systems. Not a single one of them did anywhere near as good of a job as you did explaining it. You're examples also made a ton of sense and really helped to drive home the concepts you were explaining. I subscribed to your channel and I can't wait to see some of your other videos.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Thanks so much Brian! Welcome :) hope you will not be disappointed!

[@kerbyzhao]

Funny, I was about to write the same review basically as you. Definitely subscribed as well. Cheers!

[@robs3557]

This is one of the clearest explanations of the focus system on the Sony. Good Job! Thanks.

[@jameshobden3499]

This is the very best video on this subject. I have watched numerous other people try explain this and not many are able to convey how this works properly. Thanks to you, I now fully understand how AF works on my A7IV.

[@AwesomeBendanaFamily]

Best breakdown! Next would be a group tutorial. Maybe family portrait?

[@TheCorusante]

Best video I have seen on how the Sony a7iv autofocus system work. Thanks for that video.

[@firpofutbol]

Watched like 10 videos on this topic before this one and finally this video covered what i was looking for in the clearest way to understand. Hands down the best video on this topic !

[@MarcusSilvaBH]

Hi there, Magic! How are you today? I'm from Brazil and I am a wedding photographer. I am a happy owner of a A7 IV since yesterday and I came across this video! It is a real game changer! I owned a EOS R6 and I have to say, althoug it was really good, that A7 IV is awesome! Your video just saved my life! I thank you and wish you happiness, much work and success, from the bottom of my heart! God bless!

[@SLuelmo]

5 last minutes of this videos is golden!!! Thank you so much for such a great masterclass

[@r.toddcary478]

Do you have a video on how you set your buttons? And how you use them in a wedding situation.

[@darrenrigby8735]

Simply the best Sony AF tutorial on YT! Thanks.

[@jonathanptaylor]

An unbelievably helpful overview combined with your insight on what you are using personally. This is such a clear explanation of a very complex and powerful system. It has helped me massively and has caused me to rethink how I will set things up for my next shoot...which will not be a wedding but which will be helped a lot by this video. Many, many thanks.

[@Swintonpete]

After 30 years of Nikon (& others), I moved completely to Sony at the initial launch of the A7R and finally, thanks to you, I now fully understand ALL the AF settings and modes 😄

[@Rimvydass100]

Fastest 20 min tutorial, any other gets me bored, but You just caught my attention like no one, thank you!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

You are welcome!!

[@Lizerator]

Just bought the a7 iv. Binge watching your videos because your explanations are so clear and helpful.!

[@richj.2915]

thank you so much. I have been doing focus + recompose for years now and recently switched to an a7iv and the focusing system drove me nuts. Now I finally understood how to use it the way I like to shoot :)

This is the best video on autofocus in photo mode i have seen! very well planned movements

[@avalancherune2951]

I tought I know almost everything about focus, but you managed to surprise me with a lot of new stuff. All the best for you, thanks!

[@teabaggins3517]

Finally I understand how to use it after having A7Riii for a year.. I never understood what the last Tracking focus was and the Eye focus button is golden

[@workingman266]

The best explanation and tutorial on AF. Thank you.

[@DavidWinstead]

WOW, thanks for sharing this, I'm doing my very first wedding shoot in a few months using the A7IV and learned soooo much from this demonstration, you are AWESOME and 100% earned a new sub!!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Thanks David! Good luck with your first wedding!

[@adreaminfocus]

Hi I’m doing my very first wedding tomorrow. Good luck for yours ❤

[@DavidWinstead]

@@adreaminfocus Thanks, Good Luck to you as well.

[@xkr2]

Awesome video! Loved how you broke every single mode and option logically. There’s a lot of redundancies in the camera which can confuse a new user. Breaking it down logically really helps to understand how things really work.

[@TheLoekp]

Bedankt

[@vancekoenig5503]

Thanks for the most excellent presentation on how to get the most out of the Sony autofocus system!!!!

[@sleepyricky4826]

This is, by far, the BEST AF video I've watched and learned for my Sony. Thanks a bunch, Magic! Explanations, and definitely the AF Demos, are highly noteworthy!

[@joelg0114]

Man!!! This is the best video, the breakdown of each thing was great. Now I have a better understanding, you answered all my questions. I have a better understanding. Thank you!!!!!

[@duchu1987]

I am still using center point focus with tracking on A7C (a6600 before), because without joystick is faster to get lock on target and recompose than to use others buttons to point out focus point.

[@olivierbornand7282]

Thanks Magic! Such a great video, the best on KZbin on this matter !

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Glad you liked it!

[@olivierbornand7282]

@@MagicWeddingPhotographer thanks and just one more question : instead of choosing the subject with the small spot and keeping the button halfpressed( in the tracking mode) why don't you just tap on the screen to track the subject(keeping half pressing the button, of course) ? Is it not easier for videos, for instance?By doing so and in video mode, you don't have to press the joystick many times to select the subject?

[@darrellkc48]

Magic, you are excellent at teaching and explaining without becoming overly technical. I have been an amateur photographer for almost 50 years. I have decided to try to be a better photographer, just for my own satisfaction and enjoyment. I upgraded from a Sony a68 to an a7iii and now have purchased an a6500 as a backup camera. I have been lucky and able to stay in budget by finding great deals on used equipment. While I am not a wedding photographer, by church asked if I could take some photos of a special event at our church. I have not shot groups of people inside before, so I thought a wedding photographer would help me pick the best settings and lens set up. Thank you for a great video, I feel more confident that I will be okay with this.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Thanks so much for such a kind comment! Glad you feel more comfortable and confident with your camera! Feel free to reach out with questions!

[@JasonLawrenceNoel]

As someone who is use to using single point, single shot and recompose with Fuji. This was super helpful!!! To me it is like having single shot and continuous with tracking all in one! I set the eye af on the back like you and man!!! In a pinch to grab the closest eye mmmuuuwwaaaa perfection 👌. But again tho it still works like single shot when I am going for artistic grab the background blur the client thing ;) duuuudddeee!!! Again thanks a ton 🙌.

[@KLRthephotoguru]

Great video.. clear information..Being a photographer and KZbin content creator, I honestly appreciate your time and effort.👍

[@Renerator]

Best video I've seen on AutoFocus! Thank you!

[@aCuria.]

Great video, I would usually tap to track a subject, but using a the centre spot is more intuitive, being similar to the old focus and recompose method, so I’m going to be using that more

[@markkrell7845]

I’m going to pick an FF mirrorless system to continue this hobby. Much appreicate your effort spent on this video. I‘m quite clear now the Sony AF options and best settings. The last way of picking up subject and keep tracking reminds me of in Nikon 3D tracking.

[@kash.h]

Wow, this is so good. I've just rented a Sony because I'm considering moving from DSLR. What a great tutorial. I've watched so many videos over the years on wide range of topics and this one is one of the very best. You're an excellent teacher!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidcuzick6565]

This was a very helpful and useful video. I finally understand the focus modes. Thank you!

[@WilIJpelaar]

Very great video explaining Sony Autofocus modes

[@martinyip65]

A brilliant tuitional video on this subject with superb demonstrations. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.

[@foxtowercommunications]

Thank you for helping me to realize the magic of flare in my shots!

[@djkimstravelvlog8872]

the tutorials are very helpful. especially because you use models as examples to illustrate the menus. thank you and much appreciated

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

You're very welcome!

[@elvissampson2754]

Detailed explanation! Question: what’s the best AF area setting to use when you have multiple subjects and you want them all in focus? Like a group photo? Sorry if you mentioned it and I missed it

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

I’d say focus in the middle of the group and choose higher aperture to have them all in depth of field

[@MistaRiceMan]

Thanks for this. I just jumped ship to Sony and have been a little overwhelmed with the new AF system. This will help alot

[@elmono3939]

NIce ! Very informative ! I just wish these cameras would have a setting that keeps everything in focus - like iPhone. It is very useful in run 'n' gun situations in news. You just point lens at a scene, and all is in focus. Not sure the Wide setting is "it", as it also selects focus - moving subject or closest to the camera . Thank you for sharing !

[@polmestra]

Thank you for helping understand how to use this feature correctly!!

[@kerstinandersson3548]

What a great video! This explains the autofocus system in a superb way! Thanks!

[@officialcisko]

Great examples of AF area to really take control of the eye af.

[@tonyburkhart888]

Fantastic video! Most thorough and complete explanation of the Sony focus system I’ve seen to date.

[@adreaminfocus]

Magic I have watched this now 4 times … you are so helpful. Thank you so much ❤😊

[@rameshkumarthakur8565]

Wow i was using spot focus small area but now I will switch to tracking .

[@KeAiFu]

After 40 years with Nikon I switched to Sony. RTT with Eye-AF is a big improvement. Currently using it with A6600 and A7C. My A7IV will arrive this week. Here it seems RTT is again improved.

[@EngineFD223]

Two years later and I'm coming back to this video with a question. On the Sony A7III when you are using the Focus Area 'Lock-on AF' you get a double green box around the subject as they are moving. But, what part of that subject is actually being focused on? If I'm shooting at f/1.8 is the eye going to be in focus, or the nose, or the shirt, etc...? The A7IV looks like a nice upgrade how it goes right to the eye with the green focus box.

[@DaveAerialPhotography]

Literally just received my a7IV and setting it up! Thank you!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Ah exciting! Enjoy the camera!!

[@hornetharry3001]

Great video Magic - thank you helped me with IV and 1 and son who has III

[@ispenttoomuchongear]

Center fix (samll) in my opinion helps with panning shots. E.g. I used it when going to the Hockenheimring taking pictures with a slower shutter of cars speeding past me. Might be able to do it with other focus types, but it also is an easy motion to just hit the middel of the cam to the target and then reframe the shot.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Magic, very nice video for sure. Thank you. A great video for new uses and. a great update for experienced Sony owners.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

My pleasure my friend! Thank you for the comment!

[@chrisdickersonfilms]

Jason, thank you for this amazing tutorial! So helpful.

[@bramVE239]

Awesome video! just bought the A7IV and couldn't figure out what all these different focus options mean

[@itsjustme77]

What a great video explaining the differences in Sony Autofocus modes! The last thing you discussed that was your favorite - the tracking AF has been around in Nikon DSLRs for more than a decade. It’s called 3D tracking mode. Recently they reintroduced it in the Nikon z9.

[@Mayhemman33]

I really needed this. Thank you!!!

[@Revan89]

I got mines 2 days ago. I set them up following your tutorial and then I did some modifications to suit my style. This weekend I will have the chance to test them at a wedding. Im excited. Thanks Maciej for your content. You helped me decide on switching from Nikon DSLR to Sony.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Oooh 2 days ago! That’s exciting! Enjoy your new toy then :-) Glad I could be helpful!!

[@dylanschafer3247]

Where did you order from? How long did it take?

[@Revan89]

@@dylanschafer3247 I'm from Chile. The first shipment of A7iv arrived last week

[@vincentfalardeau141]

Great video with tons of super useful advice, even for non wedding photographers!

[@harrycampbell2668]

Great tutorial just one thing in weddings how do I get two and more people in focus together do I raise my aperture from 2.8 to higher

[@PrettyWeddingStudios]

What another fantastic video bro, really awesome thanks so much. I'm going to implement some of these in my next wedding:).

[@WilliamAbbate]

Fantastic video! Very helpful and thorough!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Thanks so much! Glad I could be helpful!!

[@martinpickard5818]

I’ve set my eye af to the custom button on the lens.Thank you for these great videos.👍🏻👍🏻

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Clever! 😎

[@vr_photography_official_]

Which focus area is best for wedding group photos please reply me ❣️

[@erg1450]

Magic, I really enjoy your videos and your style, this one in particular is perhaps the best and more useful video I've seen, I don't like reading manuals and this video answered many questions on the difference on Focus Area settings, by trial and error I ended up using the same settings you recommended for Continuos AF using tracking and recomposing. Thanks for helping me to be a better photographer !!! keep up the good work

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Happy you liked it!

[@stevemayne8067]

Great video , understand the autofocus more now .

[@amyalexahub]

Excellent video but please correct me if I’m wrong but I didn’t see where you showed how to get two faces both in focus? I only saw you switch from one face to the other

[@gentlegnt]

Well I'll be da*ned!! I have a A7III and A7IV and had not idea this "tracking" option was available. LOVE IT! Thank you so much for this information. I do portraits and this should REALLY help me get more shots in focus!!!

[@MurrayMcMillan73]

Thanks for this video- I’m awaiting my Sony A7IV after deciding to switch from Fujifilm to Sony. Very excited to use it for weddings, alongside another Sony (TBC) and my Leica Q2.

[@nargeszr]

Just gained a new follower. Thank you for this video

[@sarahhardy2762]

Thank you for this extremely helpful breakdown! I followed all your recommendations, but for some reason my camera won't lock focus when I half press the shutter and then move it... I cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong

[@antoniocalabrese2806]

very clear and well made with live practical examples. Thank you

[@bossmimo1]

I love your videos! and I love how you say 'camera will stick' 😁

[@DimitriyLanis]

Great video!! Appreciate you educating us in such a nice way with all the real life examples! Have a great day!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Thank you! You too!

[@focuzzonedigitalmedia7038]

Such a helpful video man, thank you!, Great examples of AF area to really take control of the eye af.

[@discus3679]

Super Video. Really good Job.!!!! Now I understand the focus of my sony a7vi perfect. Thank you very much.

[@jimavery3211]

Can you mention any circumstances where you would Not use Tracking ON?

[@MattSteez]

Thanks! That was really helpful. I have the a7s3 and a74 and I had no idea about the last one

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Oh my dude! You’re in for fun times now then :)

[@marcelfossen590]

great video. I use tracking AF all the time, it's crazy good. I am a fan of backbutton focus but that is personal. We shoot many weddings, and i only use eye AF, if there is no eye, it just tracks the subject. I don't use the small joystick that much, only in some situations. With tracking you can quickly reframe anyway. I have an A7riii and i am no longer using it. A74 is a gamechanger, we have 3 of these babies.

[@pascaleboutin-guertin499]

Hi! Is back button and tracking mode the same thing? Thank you😊

[@esppics21]

great explanation on the focus modes. THANKS!!!!!

[@RolandWDunn]

Great video. Just the information that I have been looking for! 😊

[@fujixtravel]

Thanks, very detail and easy to understand

[@mrkmja]

Such a helpful video man, thank you!

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tomowens7499]

Wow, great job bud! Subbed! Fantastic video...

[@dee9692]

Hi Magic. Have been subscribed here for only a few days and focused on a bunch of videos in trying to decide on the Sony 50/1.2 to pair with my A7R V, but wondering already why you do not favour back button focusing. Any particular technical rationale or simply your shooting preference? Separating the half-press to a different button seemed like a game-changer to me from when I shot Nikon DSLRs and there seems no reason not to carry it over to Sony that I have discovered.

[@bobsykes]

Such a useful video! Yup, that last mode is the only one for me. I am used to far more ancient technology cameras (Leica M rangefinder and X2D) where "focus and recompose" is basically the only option that you have, and the spot with full-frame tracking is aboslutely perfect for a consistent experience from those camera to the Sony R4, of course with the Sony able to keep your subject in focus whatever they do after locking on them. You explanation of what all the other modes mean is really helpful as well. Thanks!

[@ClaudeSchneider1]

This video is really helpful, and is the kind of thing people need to know/see when choosing whether to buy into Sony cameras, or when learning how their new purchase works. I've watched a dozen videos like this one, and just rented an A7IV for the weekend, as I'm considering switching from Canon after a terrible experience with the R6 being completely unable to focus in AF-C mode. I was still confused by all the focus options, so I've been reverse-engineering how their systems work. I believe there's a mistake in the video at the end, when demonstrating the Tracking mode. What you're describing in the voice-over is correct (use Spot Tracking to select an initial object, and half-pressing the shutter button will track that object). However the video shows Eye-AF is still being used to track the eye, and not Tracking mode. Before you half-press the shutter button, you can see a grey box around the face (indicating that Face/Eye priority is on), and when you half-press the shutter, it shows a small green square on an eye (indicating Eye-AF is in action). At 18:46 you can very briefly see the larger green square (with vertical lines either side) - this is what should appear when Tracking mode is actually being used. Because Face/Eye Priority is turned on, even though you've set the AF mode to Spot-Tracking, it's detecting an eye and using Eye AF to follow that, and not Tracking mode on the object where your spot was when you half-pressed the shutter. The other thing to note is that you still need to have used Spot-Tracking for it to keep tracking the eye as you recompose. If you use normal Spot mode with Face/Eye Priority turned on, it will select the eye when you half-press the shutter with your spot near the eye, but as soon as you recompose, it will revert to focusing wherever your spot moves. What would also be really helpful in a video about focus modes is how to turn Face/Eye Priority on/off (with a custom button), so that you can make sure your Tracking Spot is used to track the object you point at, rather than prioritizing an eye and ignore your spot-tracking. So far I've figured out this setup gives me maximum control and speed to choose whether to track an object, or an eye: - have a custom button (C1) set to "Face/Eye Priority Off Toggle" - when Face/Eye Priority is on, it will show detected faces with a grey box. Half-pressing the shutter button with the spot 'near' a face, will cause Eye-AF to track that face. So you use this to choose which face to track if there are multiple faces (put your Spot near a face, half-press the shutter, then recompose). If your spot is NOT near a face, it will fall back to use Tracking Mode (larger green square with vertical lines on either side) on whichever object the Spot was on. When Face/Eye Priority is turned off, it will always use Tracking mode for whatever object your Spot was on, and not get distracted by eyes. - have a custom button (AF-on) set to "Eye AF" - holding that button will focus on the most prominent eye in the scene, ANYWHERE within the frame, REGARDLESS of whether Face/Eye Priority is on/off. This means you don't have to care about where your spot is - you can compose however you want, and always have the eye in focus. Hope that's helpful to anyone looking to understand AF modes better.

[@zweiche]

i cannot find eye af setting while assigning button to it , i looked every setting in af/mf menu. is it somewhere else ?

Thanks for such a precise tutorial

[@laredosportspics7490]

Magic, love your work! I recently bought the A7rv with a new grip and found that the grip did not fit and later found out that that is an issue with the current grip sold and said to fit as per the Sony Corporate, but I can tell you that after taking it back to Precision Camera in Austin Texas I was told that I was among numerous a7rv owners advising that the battery grip fitment was off. I had a gap that I was able to see through. Was wondering if you had the same issue if and when you tried a battery grip with your camera. There is a big thread on DP Review regarding this issue. Hope it gets fixed soon and maybe you could contact some of your Sony rep's and see what's up with this issue. Keep up the good work. Thank You

[@PhotogenicProperties]

Excellent info sir! Well done, very straightforward content!

[@pascaleboutin-guertin499]

Hi! Is back button and tracking mode the same thing? Thank you😊

[@chrome-j]

Appreciated the video. Do i have to keep on pressing Eye AF custom button untill i press shutter button ? And what if i have AF-on while pressing half-shutter button when applying eye af ? Thank you.

[@charlescalleja97]

good morning Magic Many thanks for the various u tube videos explaining in detail on the sony A7iv. lately am having a problem. am not seeing the little green focus box. what could have I done wrong please thank you charlie

[@Big_Sierra]

Your videos rock, man! Subbed 👊🏻

[@propengangguranperjuangan]

please Review Setting saturasion In camera

[@byCarmenUribe]

Thank you for making this video.

[@philsheath]

Brilliant explanation, great models too.

[@MagicWeddingPhotographer]

Glad you liked it!