Sony a7iii focus modes explained

[@Sam-kw9wd]

awesome job kiara 👍

[@Goldarach]

Very informative! For me, I find it much easier to use Continuous AF + Wide Area (with Face & Eye enabled) to track a moving person regardless of where in the frame they are. That’s my “set it and forget it” setup on my A7R3 for 99 percent of everyday shooting.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks for sharing

[@HenryPiffpaff]

How well does it work with several people in the frame? How do you select the face you want to track?

[@Kick180]

Like previous comments this explanation has really helped understand what you can do with the focus. Brilliant.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@gauravbhatt3239]

Hi David, I am so glad I finally found this video . First of all, Thank you so much for explaining so well about the different AF modes. David I have a request , can you please make a similar tutorial for sony A7iii AF guide for video AF modes and how to get most out of them specially while using it on a gimbal. Thank you in advance.

[@Always_help_when_you_can]

Thanks David, I love your video, very clear explained, just perfect for me.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@timscott3858]

Thanks David. I rented the camera for a dance recital shoot and your video brought me up to speed very fast. Thanks for doing this!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks for watching

[@2229east7thstreet]

Great video. Have viewed many videos on this subject but this was definitely the best one. Well presented and short and sweet Thanks, this was extremely helpful

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@youssefhamidi8152]

This is very useful for me. Thanks for making this vid.

[@chosenideahandle]

Your videos are always very helpful.

[@Gimwp]

best focus mode explanation so far , thanks

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@DaleEverett]

Well done. You got to the point and explained the different modes clearly.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@nashidtravels]

This is a very informative and well explained video. I really appreciate the time and effort to make this. Thank you very much.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@kikisaucier6463]

this video was so amazing and so helpful

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@gregorymazurek194]

Really great detail here - thank you for making this video!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@TomKaszuba]

Wow. Superb explanation. Extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@zackh2020]

Which setting would be the best setting for running gun foot chasing seen to keep the person in focus while running

[@mariuxxxx1]

She is cute 😻 also thanks for lessons appreciate it

[@DPG1963]

Very helpful! Thank you, David!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks for watching

[@paulwebb2097]

Great Video David, love straight forward explanations.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@CambodiaWonder]

thank you for sharing it's really helpful for me!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks for watching

[@PopMemories1]

thanks mate great video... this sony camera is a new world

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@devilmaycry383]

Thanks for explaining as I have been using wide and continuous AF. I can't wait to replace my kit lense with the 24-105mm G lense since images come out quite soft.

[@DavidOastler]

That is a nice lens.

[@ZeeTaib]

David thank you for the explanation! Question do you notice a little camera/lens jitter or shake right when you lock focus before taking the picture ? Expediting this issue not sure if it’s normal

[@60shots]

Cheers David.Getting my A7iii tomorrow!!

[@DavidOastler]

Michael Groarke exciting

[@Morawka1]

Thanks for the video, now show us how to do the spot exposure. Sometimes my sky gets blown out and my sensor swaps between low gain and high gain mode and I'm trying to figure out how to fix this.

[@DavidOastler]

I will try one day

[@TheCoolComfort]

👏👏 Easy to understand and to the point.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@elizahussain]

Hello.. thanks for this video. It was very helpful. I wanted to know if the lock-on AF mode will work for a group photo as well

[@DavidOastler]

It will lock on what ever you choose just select someone in the group

[@danaidelevitch5902]

Thank you for the video!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@sumitshanker2829]

Do we need to keep the shutter half pressed to keep Af-C both photo n video ?

[@doctorduckmusic]

Super helpful!! Thank you kindly.

[@MrMARS-yk1yv]

Great video. Thanks

[@DavidOastler]

Glad you liked it!

[@doityourselfpakistan6535]

really amazing explanation leant allot, i dont know but my joy stick or dial buttons are note moving the big square of zone AF to other side , it just stays what i pre select . nor i can chose lock on: felixable spot focu mode its not avialble. just icon is greyd

[@jonathancorcio3668]

Make sure you are not in auto mode these selection don't work there I think.

[@TheJaygoodall]

Thanks for that! Very well explained.

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@mohammadreza9007]

Thanks David and Ciara

[@UriMagnus]

really helpfull! exactly what i was looking for. thanks you!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@theserulesoflife]

omg, jealous of that location. I'm stuck in Arizona :(

[@DavidOastler]

It is amazing there

[@Lordprettyflackojodi]

I would love to be in Arizona. Getting sick of Minnesota

[@showmedesign]

Looks like any forest I've ever been to though... :)

[@aadi9292]

I am using sony a7iii and I want,at 6.50 focus (green vertical box ),in this video,what settings I should use

[@Roz-Inspire-Video]

Really appreciate your great work on these videos David. Can you tell me how I would focus to infinity? Thanks you

[@DavidOastler]

Hi Roz I always use auto focus but you would just have to use manual focus and turn the focus till what you need is all in focus some manual lenses have markings on them.

[@Roz-Inspire-Video]

@@DavidOastler Thank you for taking the time to reply ...what you say makes sense ...take care

[@mrjamesmay3548]

Great video! So I’m correct in thinking that wide focus area will be perfect for most situations like family days out weddings?

[@DavidOastler]

Yes it is.

[@mrjamesmay3548]

Thanks for the reply! I’m just getting into photography so just trying get my head all the settings and scenarios they should be used in 👍

[@ribe3434]

Great video thanks! How do I set the lock-on AF:wide when shooting on manual video mode?

[@DavidOastler]

docs.esupport.sony.com/dvimag/ILCE6000_guide/en/contents/TP0000390695.html

[@kathysimindinger8753]

GREAT information. Thanks so much.

[@DavidOastler]

Kathy Simindinger thanks

[@Ronbc000]

David, Thanks. Appreciated. How about your selections for Video?

[@DavidOastler]

Ron Coker they are the same.

[@trueeclective813]

Great explanations. I’m trying to track dogs in action and face detect doesn’t work, nor does eye AF. I’ve only ever got one dog in the frame and I’m wondering if you’d recommend zone AF or lock on? Dogs that are black and white, it tends to lock into the white rather than the black, so with wide aperture, their face ends up blurred.

[@DavidOastler]

Wide area face detection and eye at won’t work

[@BigBaoSmallBao]

If you custom the center button on the wheel then you'll have center focus while in wide mode. It overrides wide as long as you press the center button. I use back button af so it's two buttons, af on for wide and center button for center af

[@DavidOastler]

Great idea

[@riccardofalcetta75]

Hi David thanks very much! Just a question: in which situations eye detection focus is better than the face detection one?

[@DavidOastler]

Eye afc is always better that is why I mostly use wide area

[@anzilbhattarai8232]

Can you explain the video features of this camera

[@DavidOastler]

I’ve reviewed it many times in the past.

[@kostasrestas]

well,i have a7iii with Tamron 28 75 2.8 and i think its very good combination! i research for gimbal those days! check if you like my last video in very dark place,hammam exactly!

[@TomMattera]

Great video! Thanks for making this. I'm currently using the 5d mark iv for wedding videos and the touch screen face tracking is great for situations like brides walking up aisles when there are crowds of faces in the background and people's shoulders' in the foreground as well. How does the A7III handle tracking a moving person when there are many other people in the scene. Does it jump around to other people a lot. And if so, can you quickly tell it to go back to your main subject? With Canon, if the focus box jumps to someone else, I can quickly tap on my subjects face while they are moving and it goes right back.

[@ribe3434]

Great vid. Thanks.

[@alymary5661]

Thanks for the video! What would you say it is the best setting for wildlife af-c with with other setting? I guess the eye af works only for people as a subject

[@DavidOastler]

Wide area focus continuous

[@DennisMoncla]

Thanks for the video! What is the advantage of lock on vs continuous focus in the spot or wide mode? Don't those stay "locked on" as well?

[@DavidOastler]

Dennis Moncla lock on sticks to the subject so even if other people or things come closer to the frame it stays on the locked subject

[@DennisMoncla]

Thanks David. It's basically "Stickier" than the other two methods I guess.

[@DavidOastler]

Dennis Moncla exactly

[@DanOhPhotography]

one more question. i shoot birds. the most diff parts are 1) small bird behind the leaves. i use back button spot meter focus to focus close and then manual fine adjustment. how would A7 work differently? 2) birds in flight where i’m focusing far away with lots of back ground trees and foreground tall grasses. what focusing mode would you use for this one?

[@DavidOastler]

I can’t say as I never shot birds.

[@justinsison3547]

Hi, what do yoy thinj is the best focusing mode to use for multiple subjects on photo and best for video tracking of a subject in motion?

[@DavidOastler]

Multiple subjects flexible spot tracking I use wide area.

[@CKD21]

Thanks for the video! I’m going to Japan in the fall what lens do you recommend to make it easy to shot family pictures?

[@DavidOastler]

ThexTamron 28-75 is amazing

[@Avat6]

Fantastic! What's focusing like in low light situation? Appreciate the real world scenario!

[@DavidOastler]

Femy low light is great with this camera

[@jorismaasvisuals]

Yes, the Continue Auto Focus on a gimbal (I use the DJI Ronin myself) in low light is what I would like to see. I use also led lights on the verticle grip, when walking with the gimbal, but it's not always nice (often nicer with existing light imo).

[@saravanapriyan9634]

Joris Maas Visuals same here... Ronin and a73 super combination! It works like what I want even with moderate light condition

[@jorismaasvisuals]

Now this is the reply I wanted to hear! I shot some concerts last weekends with the GH4 and it's not doable with the bad DR that camera has with highlights. I wanted to use a fairly big aperture (f4-5.6) in order to get the whole band sharp in focus so that's where the A7III will do fine, filming in f5.6 without losing detail and focus.

[@saravanapriyan9634]

Joris Maas Visuals I use often 24-105 f4 with wide open. I don't see unusable hunt. I normally use standard for focus speed so even if hunts that look cinematic at times or we can overcome in post

[@Burlappcar]

Great help! Somehow I can't get the focus area to show while i am shooting video....

[@DavidOastler]

It only shows face detection I use the touchscreen using flexible spot.

[@richardpcrowe]

My animal Eye AF seems to work better on my A6600 than on my A7iii when using the same lens. It could be because the dog's face fills a larger portion of the frame when shooting with the APSC format camera than when I am shooting full frame.

[@DavidOastler]

Yes the focus will be better

[@didimiorios3781]

Great info, thanks!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@pematamang9268]

Recent Sony Focus tracing in focus area with sony a9 and a6400 is same lock on focus in focus area? does same job. is it right?

[@DavidOastler]

Similar but it’s much better

[@vinhau8843]

Question: For taking couple photoshoot, what focus modes would you recommend to take sharp photos of two people? I am always struggling on this. Thank you!!!

[@DavidOastler]

I use flexible spot f 5.6

[@vinhau8843]

@@DavidOastler Can you please make a video of how shooting couple with sony A7iii? I keep getting trouble with the focus on the couple photoshoot.

[@gbee8888]

Nice video but why do you have that massive electronic level display showing? Just confuses what focus boxes are being displayed.

[@DavidOastler]

Not sure why lol

[@iComplainer]

Really! Good vid anyway. Would be helpful if you could point things out weatherman style somehow or laser point style some if this and suggest button mappings

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks for the comment

[@Marlonorellana]

Did you make a video for your setting for the sony a7III? like what you set as your custom keys? please and thank you!

[@DavidOastler]

I have only done a walkthrough of all the menus

[@TheDIYFilmmaker]

Hi David, how do ND filters impact Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF)? In day light, outdoors, working 1.8 apertures to get great shallow depth-of-field, we need a ND8 or higher ND filter. How does this impact to Sony a7III Phase Detection AF?

[@DavidOastler]

I’ve found that it focuses fine but you may need to test yourself.

[@marcbibanga5601]

Great video

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@danielcrotty8697]

Hi David! Thanks for this video. I was wondering what mode you like to use for people moving (i.e. a bride walking down the aisle)? After watching this video, I think I would use continuous with the lock on mode in wide? Thanks in advance for your help!

[@DavidOastler]

I use center focus afc for a bride walking down the isle. For general moving subjects yes lock on wide afc.

[@x3syllablesx]

Which mode would you recommend for doing sports groups? I currently use continuous AF on wide mode. Wondering if there is a better setting or if that is the ideal? I used Nikon in the past and I loved being able to move the focus box around freely and would just center the box when doing groups. I understand by your video thats the same as flexible spot which is why I am asking if that setting might be better. Also asking for single shots for still sports portraits. Best mode? I have the A7R III.

[@DavidOastler]

What you are using is fine for movement with that camera. If you are shooting groups I would use flexible spot

[@x3syllablesx]

@@DavidOastler Thank you! Will use that mode today!

[@alantay9409]

Excellent video David! I just got my a7iii a week ago. Trying to learn as much on AF. Can you advise if eye AF will work on say a moving dog? If it can, how do I set up the camera for this.

[@DavidOastler]

Hi eye af only works with people

[@jeebs9439]

eye af for animals coming early 2019

[@philperry3842]

David, do you know how well these focus modes work with 3rd party lenses? I’m thinking of grabbing a 7iii but keeping my Canon lenses with the Sigma adapter

[@DavidOastler]

Some work great it just depends on the lens.

[@donki25dg]

Face detection vs eye Af: can you use/ rely on face detection if you shoot wide open --> 1.4 for instance? Where is the focusing point (nose, eye, cheek)? In which scenarios is face detection the better option than eye af?

[@DavidOastler]

Face detection seems to focus just on the face as it is only used when the eyes can’t be detected so it is quite far away so eye focus it not a problem at that distance. I always try to use eye af as it is amazing and with the new Sony cameras works amazing

[@fredred476]

Great video, thanks for taking the time! I am wondering what the AF-C focus and tracking is like with slower lenses, and when stopped down? For example would the tracking still be effective with the 24-240mm 3.5-6.3, or perhaps the small aperture when zoomed in will render the tracking unusable? Any advice or experience would be much appreciated.

[@DavidOastler]

The lenses I use still work great with small aperture and zooming I don’t have the 24-240mm

[@jeebs9439]

using this camera with the 100-400 gm and it focuses and tracks fine when stopped down(f5.6). As an indication of how well it tracks i use it to photograph racing drones moving at 100 mph+

[@trosencrantz]

Not sure if you know this as easily as you do with models/people but any clue what might be the better focus choice for say a product shoot where you are with-in 4 feet of subject and someone is moving around and you want everything to stay in focus and NOT focus breath and try to decide what it should focus on? Some kind of lock on focus perhaps or take off auto?? Thanks for all the videos!

[@DavidOastler]

I would use flexible spot and choose the place to lock focus on and use an appropriate aperture to make are everything stays in focus

[@trosencrantz]

I shoot so much more photo than video so this is helpful! Thanks much!

[@sandgush]

Thanks David

[@sh8736]

Hi David thanks for posting this very helpful. Of course Sony have now updated the firmware on many of their models so the focusing is a little different and mostly much better. But it’s still complex. I’m using the A9 and A6400 and the touch screen and tracking works really for example following dancers. But I don’t find that face tracking is over ridden with centre mode. In the week I was capturing a group of kids going to their prom. Both cameras picked up the faces and I’d been very happy with those as the focus points. However pressing the shutter and the centre lock on appears and it appears that this then takes over. Any ideas how to over come this? P.s. am in UK summer it was 13degC ! Thinking your 18DegC winter sun sounds preferable 😅😅

[@DavidOastler]

I just use backbutton focus and never get that problem. I have disengaged the shutter button from focus.

[@darrylbrown5321]

Hello thank you for your video. In regards to the eye tracking i want to ask can it focus on multiple people. Can you please explain it a bit more. Thank you.

[@DavidOastler]

Eye detection only works on one person

[@darrylbrown5321]

@@DavidOastler oh wow really. So how would that work if you were photographing a band for example. Im used to using my canon 1200d. Does the aperture work the same. For example to get more people in focus you might have f/8 upwards to say f/11

[@DavidOastler]

Yes the same

[@WillKoz]

What lens were you using for this demonstration? Thanks!

[@DavidOastler]

I think it was the 35mm f1.4 Sony.

[@WillKoz]

@@DavidOastler thanks for the quick reply!

[@opulent1]

Ok suppose I want everything in the frame to be in focus? The trees, lady in your video or photo 📸 everything. What settings do I set. Sony A73 & Sony 24-105mm

[@DavidOastler]

F8 and above.

[@dennishumbla5431]

I wish that Sony made an update to make the spot red och yellow so I can see and find it faster on the screen, without having to press the fucus button sometimes to see where its's Hideing. I hade a lot of trouble with a wedding, and sometimes the focus jumpt to some person behind the when the bride walked towards me.. even In lock on flexible spot. I thaught my new A7 III was not going to fail me like It did sometimes on my Sony A7 II.

[@DavidOastler]

I agree

[@raulcevallos4329]

What focus mode do you use for Video?

[@DavidOastler]

Raul Cevallos it just depends what I am after I use the same as the stills except the lock on is not available in video.

[@jeromepusung1101]

This is great, straight forward tutorial! How would you recommend using the A7iii with FE 1.8/85 lens with more than one person as subject? I notice with the eye detection it only captures and selects one person and so the rest is always out of focus?

[@DavidOastler]

You can turn face detection off

[@imAnsar]

my image through the EVF looks magnified compared to what I see on the LCD on my A7III. any idea why ?

[@womowahn]

Thank you for this Video! May I ask you how you get the footage of your electronic viewfinder? What have you done to do this?

[@DavidOastler]

I used the Shugun ninja recorder.

[@SuperbBleu]

How does A7iii work with the LAEA3 adapter?

[@kittymariavanekeren9867]

Hey David, great video, I was wondering how you keep the green focus square continuously on your screen? Mine only appears while pressing the focus button. Thanks you.

[@DavidOastler]

I was pressing the focus button using backbutton focus.

[@Ladyunique66]

What focus area would you use for group shots?

[@DavidOastler]

Flexible spot and focus on the middle of the group

[@elias38]

I was looking for a video like this, thanks! I used Cannon all of my life and it has a single square option that I used by de facto. Is it still practical nowadays with Sony?

[@DavidOastler]

Eli yes I use flexible spot all the time with the touchscreen

[@allenschneider1847]

So what is the relationship between a focus zone ( or area) and face detect? If you set the zone for the lower left but it picks up a face in the upper right, where will the point of focus be?

[@DavidOastler]

If you want to use lower left turn off face detection as that has priority

[@allenschneider1847]

@@DavidOastler thanks

[@santhoshdornala9608]

Superb 73

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@allenschneider1847]

In the "lock on AF" setting, what is the role of the other "area" settings (center, flexible spot, etc.) associated with this? Also, with AF set to "continuous" why would you need a lock on area setting? Wouldn't it just "continue" to adjust the focus anyway?

[@DavidOastler]

The role is to be able to select with more accuracy

[@chloeglad4278]

@@DavidOastler Same question ! Can't see in which situation it is more helpful to use lock AF ? If AF-C is really good and keeps good track of your subject ? Thank you for your answer, and thank you for your very helpful vid ! :-)

[@DavidOastler]

That is why I don’t use it much as AF-S is great in tracking it is only if you want to lock on the subject as afc will lose the tracking if someone walks in front where lock on should hold it.

[@OllieHstock]

I've just had to have a quick chuckle thinking how many reviewers have got the model running left and right to show how far to the edge eye-af works only to see David panning the camera to show the same thing with a lot less fuss :-)

[@DavidOastler]

Lol

[@spl1949]

The problem I have with the zone focusing is that I can't see the corner outlines. They blend in and are very difficult to see. Also if I have this correct, only things within that box will be in focus, correct? I would need to use wide to have the whole screen in focus? Also, do you use multi metering usually?

[@DavidOastler]

Yes only in the box and multi

[@spl1949]

@@DavidOastler thanks.

[@MikeNemits]

great video, thank you :D

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@khaleel_as]

Mr David, I have a question! If I shoot a wedding ceremony and I am standing at the very front of the ceremony to take pictures of the aisle walk, which focusing mood would be better do you think? Note that there will be a lot of people sitting and I fear that the face detection or eye AF will pick random people rather than the ones in the aisle. I have never shot on this camera and thought to ask this question before I get it.

[@DavidOastler]

I use flexible spot and choose myself

[@fibranijevidra]

Thank you.

[@ChristopherDillman]

Great demonstration, thank you. What lens are you using for this focusing demo? I hope the answer is 55mm 1.8. 😊

[@DavidOastler]

Christopher Dillman yes correct.

[@ChristopherDillman]

Such a great lens. AF appears to be quick too based on your demo.

[@DavidOastler]

Christopher Dillman yes I love that lens

[@edwardstubbs5132]

Great video! This is leagues above Gary Fong video where he sounds like he's making stuff up as he goes along. You sound like you know your stuff here.. With that being said, there's a bunch of people complaining about the Lock on Flexible Spot focusing..(the last focus mode) and in your video it tracks well, but people are saying once you go to shoot, it will produce soft or out of focus images, especially in rapid fire... And mostly with serial numbers starting with 337xxx.. Have you experienced this?

[@DavidOastler]

Edward Stubbs no not at all it has been great for me.

[@saravanapriyan9634]

What is the best mode when lot of other people in frame but I wanted to track that particular person? During wedding I made a mistake that I kept face detect 'on' and camera locked on someone else face when they came inside frame. In this scenario should I stick to Center or zone with face detect off? Or do I have other option? How do I track then?

[@DavidOastler]

Saravana Priyan Velmurugasami the best thing with a bride is to register her and the grooms face and put the bride as the first priority. The other thing I do is turn off face detection and use flexible spot or center

[@saravanapriyan9634]

David Oastler Oh ! Face registration works on video too ! I should've known this earlier 😂. Thank you so much.

[@Avat6]

David Oastler is this for video mode or still photography?

[@DavidOastler]

Femy both except the lock on mode is not available in video.

[@mister088]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipvEh6x3r9yFr8k midway through he explains

[@jpm3066]

You gotta a new! Follower amazing video coming from canon! Very helpful video thanks!

[@DavidOastler]

Thanks

[@shady7012]

2:54 how can i move the focus point like you did here but on the a7r ii is it even possible please answer thanks

[@DavidOastler]

From memory i was using flexible spot

[@shady7012]

@@DavidOastler yea but if i use flexible spot on the a7r ii how can i move it without having to go in settings change it and then shoot

[@tishababineaux564]

Struggling with my subject being soft but say...her headband is tack sharp. Any advice?

[@DavidOastler]

Is that with eye af

[@TJ-qk3yg]

How do you get the flexible box instead of the green dots?

[@DavidOastler]

It is lockon af