Sony Alpha Menus A to Z: AF-MF Settings (Focus Mode)

Sony Alpha Menus A to Z: AF-MF Settings
⬇️more info below⬇️
One in a series of video tutorials that helps the Alpha photographer master the new menus found on cameras such as the A7lV and A1 cameras (A1 and A7M4).
Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.
Join Mark Galer on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to member-only Q&A Forums + Over twenty 1-hour member-only seminars, 'over 15 downloadable' eBooks + cameras settings files (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). / markgaler
Mark's supporting website: www.markgaler.com
If you find Mark's work for the Alpha community helpful please consider making a donation to support the creation of new learning resources for Alpha users. Go the Donations link: www.paypal.com...
#SonyAustralia #SonyAlpha #SonyAmbassador #sonyalphaanz #sonydigitalimagingambassador

[@ToddAutry]

I love your videos because you get straight to the useful information. So helpful when you don’t have time to hear from all the sponsors. ❤

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for the positive feedback

[@DiegoTerzano]

Thank you for the helpful hints and thorough explanations on features that lack detailed documentation. I actually set these settings almost exactly as you described. I changed the "Aperture Drive in AF" thanks to your description. I do prefer Back button AF so I leave the AF w/ Shutter off. I use the shutter half press for AEL.

[@EH-pm1ke]

Your videos are ridiculously helpful for learning these cameras. Hoping for a focus bracketing guide soon!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thank’s for the positive feedback. The focus bracketing tutorial will be tricky as the Sony bracket options are variable settings, depending on the distance you are to the foreground subject matter, focal length and f/stop being used. My advice would be to do one test shoot and then adjust aperture or bracket settings. In a landscape context I can avoid this feature altogether by using the hyperfocal distance in 99% of instances when using a wide-angle lens

[@kikakapu1]

Excellent series thank you so much for doing these.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

My pleasure!

[@KuangTu]

Always appreciate your detailed guide videos. Thank you!

[@fototripper]

Thanks for this Mark but 'Focus Mode' is absent from my AF/MF menu. What would cause that? I'm not able to find or change the focus mode in any shooting configuration.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

If you own and A9, A9II or A1 the focus mode is controlled from the Focus Mode dial on the top of the camera. For ongoing support + the option to download a 500-page eBook for your camera consider joining my Patreon.com/markgaler Alpha support group. There are no ongoing contracts or commitments and a single US $10.00 payment will give you a month to access over 20-hours of member only photography seminars + a host of other additional learning resources.

[@watkinsphoto]

Mark, this is a great series, and maybe I'm missing something, but you totally lost me on the movie settings and when you started talking about touch focus, etc. I watched it several times, but cannot follow it.

[@wez498]

Hi Mark, I've watched all of your videos relating to the A1 and they're great. However, I have a problem that i just can't find the solution for and it's very frustrating. I'm new to shooting movies (always been a wildlife stills photographer) and when I try to shoot video with the A1, the autofocus ALWAYS wants to focus on the middle of the frame. I've tried touch focus on the LCD for a bird on the right hand side of the frame. But if the bird moves (when I've just performed Touch AF and not Touch Tracking) the AF will always pick back up on the centre of the frame and not stay in the position that I wanted! I have it mainly set to Wide AF. Is there a way to disable this automatic way of focusing back on what's under the middle of the frame? It's very frustrating. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks.

[@dieseldavey]

Another excellent video. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thank you!

[@MUTABAZISTUDIOS]

Nice video, how to activate AFS during MF ?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Switch to MF on the camera (not the lens) and then press a button assigned to AF-On. Alternatively use DMF which is a combination of AF-S and MF. Full support is available on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.

[@MUTABAZISTUDIOS]

Thank you so much

[@davidt6542]

Thank you!

[@serduvelo]

Mark. I have completed the most recent firmware updates to both of my A1 cameras. The other day I was shooting a Sumatran Tiger using eye af. The green box would jump around the tigers face and rarely woul focus on the eye. I was using the 100-400 GM. I tried DMF and still couldn’t get the iris/cornea to indicate a lock on. Thoughts?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Answered on the members Q&ZA forum

[@halschnee9862]

Thank you for the details about so many of these settings, Mark! Exactly what does the "Aperture Drive in AF" setting do to affect the focus speed and noise? I haven't found a description anywhere. Does it change when and how much the lens is stopped down? For example, does one setting keep the aperture wide open until the shutter is released and another always keep the aperture at the f/number that it's set to? What does "standard" do? I'm trying to understand what settings I want for different subjects and situations, and if/when I will be seeing an accurate depiction of the depth of field.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

I am trying to find out if you can purchase your Alpha 1 Setup Guide (over 500 page PDF) without becoming a Paitrion Member. I could not find away to do it. Is there a simple price for direct purchase? If its available what would be a link to it? Thank you.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

You can make a $15.00 donation via this link: paypal.me/alphacreativeskills - mark the payment for the specific eBook you want the link for. There are no contracts or commitments for the Patreon account - one US $10 payment will give you access for one month to download multiple eBooks, watch over 20 hours of member-only photography seminars, ask questions on the Q&A forums + download an A1 CAMSET for your camera.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you

[@KingsleyGeorgePouponeau]

Hi. Will formating the sd card to remove photos, also remove your camsets?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Yes it will

[@artworksmetal]

Super helpful. As a rookie with all these options, it's so much better than using the manual to understand them. Thanks!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

You're welcome! - I also have a 600-page eBook to support this camera over at Patreon.com/markgaler

[@RavindraSoni]

What would be the best focus setting for interview set up?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

There are too many variables in that question for a short answer, e.g. how many people in the interview, do you want all people sharp at the same time, do you have a camera operator to switch the focus between the interviewer and the interviewee. etc. etc. This is why I offer a support channel for users wanting to master the craft of image taking. Patreon.com/markgaler

[@RavindraSoni]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you so much for the reply. I do record two person interview (me and the subject) with a single DSLR. Usually it is recorded in doctor's cabin (indoor lighting condition). There is no operator. I put my camera on recording mode and do the interview.

[@denizahmet2299]

Something not mentioned Mark, 'the continuous shooting speed may become slower or the screen may flicker if you choose Focus Priority' (sony manual)

[@thomastuorto9929]

The guy knows his stuff but, either he hasn't experienced (benefit of the doubt) or he won't mention anything negative being a Sony Ambasadeor. Same holds true for Nikon/Canon/etc. ambasadors.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I am not selling cameras Ted. I am showing people how to use the camera they have already purchased. I don't see anyone else giving away this level of educational information.

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Sorry if you thought I was insulating that. Just saying most ambassadors don’t highlight short comings, no matter what the brand.. I can believe some options can cause slow down but, truth be told, I’m interested in this camera & have watched a lot of videos on it. No one has mentioned screen flicker. Enjoy your holiday. PS: I appreciate your videos. Probably the bestI have seen with Sony equipment.

[@saifalbarwani9800]

Thanks for the series.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

My pleasure!

[@jcbalcom9453]

Thanks!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Welcome!