Sony Autofocus - Settings To NEVER MISS The Shot

[@LeeZavitz]

I'm really excited to release my NEW high-quality Lightroom Presets! They are the same ones I use on my edits! Find them here: ClassicPorts.com

[@Anewevisual]

blesssssss

[@JoãoRangelSilvaPsychology]

How can I do a self-timer and camera focus on me before it takes the shot so it can focus on me and not on background?

[@AfricanTheory]

which mic did you use here? the quality is super

[@colinoneil5050]

IVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS FOR A WEEK AND NO FORUM OR FACEBOOK GROUP HAD THE ANSWER! IVE JUST TAKEN SHOTS OF MY DOG USING THESE SETTINGS AND FOCUS STAYS RIGHT UP UNTIL THE 50mm FOCAL LENGTH LOSES IT! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! BEST VID ON THE A7iii HANDSDOWN!

[@genghis2510]

I can’t understand why other reviewers have to bash, compare, negatively recommend, downgrade, focus on what they see as design flaw, etc. when it’s not difficult to be constructive as you. Thumbs up!

[@thomastuorto9929]

It is knowing how to use your system as it best suits the situation. That flex mode is great. This is coming from a Nikon user thinking of swithching to Sony 7R4 or Canon R5. Great vid.

[@ven1536]

I have the Sony a7riii the way to focus with this camera does feels like slows me down more than when I used to have a DSLR.... if using the flex option focusing the the button in the back of the camera takes time to place in the right place and worst is that little square box you are moving is colour grey I wish it was any other colour because is difficult to visualize when in an outdoor day shoot.

[@gausselim1474]

I just realized after watching your video that I know very little about how to get the most out of my A6400. I really need to practice all of this. Thanks for posting because there is not a lot out there on this.

[@StoicRageTV]

Dude you just saved my life!!!! As an event photography I started to become more aware of my focus & couldn’t figure it out every time they moved there head. 5:12 I did the same thing to recreate and was having trouble showing others. You DESCRIBED it perfectly!

[@MartinB0]

Thank you bro. I got secondhand A7R IV few days ago and I was really confused when I tried do comprehend AF modes. Previous owner tried to show me, how to set it up, but you are much better teacher :)

[@malenky4057]

I think one important thing you missed off is 'Face/Eye Prty in AF'. With this, you basically use a flexible spot like you normally would, but if it detects a face and your flexible spot is over the face box, it will focus on the eye/face. If your point is not over a face it will just function as regular flexible spot. This means you can be selective about which face/eye you want in focus when there are multiple faces in frame. It also works with any other focus modes (except lock on AF on the A7iii), so you can use it with zone, for example. I see this a lot, where people seem to think that the only option for Eye-AF is to use it effectively as wide, or to not use it at all and use focus points instead, when there is a perfect hybrid setup as I described.

[@robertaldrich2635]

I've had an a6600 for months now and yet every day I dig into it I learn more, including the tracking mode you showed at the end. There seems to be a version of this mode in video as well. I use my a6600 with a Sigma 150-600 for shooting surfing and found that in 4K video, touch focus works amazingly well and though the surfer may be 500 feet away, you can later blow it up and see his facial expressions beautifully, like a secret smile at catching that wave.

[@jessicagrace5625]

hahaha "if you didn't like it, give it a thumb down twice" . fantastic. very useful video, thank you!

[@josepht3154]

This video is posted 4 years ago. I finally saved enough to get the a7III and two lenses. 28-70 and the Samyang 135mm. I'm so excited to get back into photography I'm mostly excited about the continuous shooting this camera has. My old one shot so slow and i missed 90% of shots.

[@DJ_S-3-R-G]

I love my a6600. Even tho I know how to use manual focus and yes it can be better at time. That autofocus from Sony is just amazing!

[@ecitizenmichael]

Hey Lee, so happy to find this video today. I need to learn the focus system for a7iv. I'm new to Sony. Also delighted to see you are a Fuji guy so you know where I'm coming from. I think an updated version of this video would be a big hit on yt. Have a great day

[@AfricanSunProductions]

Thanks Lee, this helped a lot. I just got the A7 iv, still have lots to learn. Easy sub.

[@LeeZavitz]

Nice. I actually have a completely different video like this but for a7iv because the menu and af system is different

[@rogert9878]

Finally I understood the difference between FACE/EYE Priority function and the EYE AF function on my A7 III with Rev 3 firmware. Thank you very much.

[@thedavidbrother2]

Yeah. very counterintuitive that eye-af works best with Face AF OFF. I mean, #SONY, when in the world would you want to focus on a face and NOT the eyes... More real-world testing, please.

[@ashleyonaroll]

Best explanation in the whole KZbin universe. Thank you!!

[@jianzhimeng1698]

One of the best video that explained how to use the sony autofocus for photography.

[@RhettegettBorshow]

It's been a while since I've learned this much in 7 minutes. Really helpful video!

[@JeannotBadjie]

Very useful topic. Good explanation & demonstration. Well done & thank you.

[@fit4fifty]

Hey Lee, thanks for explaining the Sony AF options so well. Great video.

[@krishnakrrish4170]

Thanks gud info... Last week I bought Sony a6400 . will try it this... I'm beginner

[@Itdoesntmakesense2me]

Good video as always. What monitor are you using. Can you please post the link for the monitor?

[@LeeZavitz]

Its what I use to record the screen. Atomos Ninja V geni.us/XooM4J

[@krutzaan2102]

I will use this trick while shooting my next wedding. Thanks so much for sharing. I struggled with this for a really long time

[@quyencv3830]

For A7ii, wide area + AFC + Face detect on are working for me in most of case

[@Fernyg323]

Nice video man. Very informative and useful. These Sony cameras have so many features!

[@daysofourlife420]

Anyone else noticing that 24fps does better than 30fps? Great video by the way ☺️

[@peterlawson8563]

Nice. I’ll watch it a few times. New owner of A7iv with Tamron 28-75 f2.8, and desperately looking for control of the AF. It was a lot simpler on the Canon 350D!!

[@LeeZavitz]

I made a new video on autofocus for a7iv. It’s my latest video

[@peterlawson8563]

@@LeeZavitz on my way there! Cheers from Melbourne, Australia

[@careycarter2477]

With AF face detection you could register her face I think as the primary and then it’s more focused on her than his even if he crossed into frame? I think that could work but don’t quote me on it.

[@philindeblanc]

This video is actually...its actually helpful...I actually mean it.

[@RyanMatta]

BRO, YOU SHOULD REMAKE THIS 5x AND USE 5 DIFFERENT SETS OF KEYWORDS AND TITLES. IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOREVER. Just got my SUB instantly. PS I was searching best focus setting sony a7iii as a webcam. How to get face to stay in focus with a mic in front of your face... THANKS FOR GETTING RIGHT INTO IN AND NOT OVER EXPLAING. GOSH DAMN WHAT A GREAT VIDEO

[@LeeZavitz]

Lol I appreciate it! I actually felt like this video has been doing well for views. I’ve made way better videos than this with detailed info but they never get views. KZbin is weird that way.

[@angelamiller3776]

Is there a video for someone who is new to the a6000 so new that you don't even know how to scroll through the varies screens which is needed to set the modes? I need my camera set in AF-A mode and my eyes are crossing trying to set that up.

[@footsy420]

cool, i have the same to cameras. The expanded flexible spot tracking can be changed is size by moving the selector left or right while you are on it. I'm not sure if it matters much.

[@miladhonarmandian5044]

سلام در یک تصویر امکان داره چند نقطه متفاوت رو فوکوس بکنیم ؟ مثلا سه نفر با فاصله متفاوت از دوربین و با فاصله از هم وایسادن . میشه رو همشون فوکوس کرد ؟

[@assmaamedhat7380]

Brilliant, thanks for the easy-to-understand-even-when-you-aren't-a-photographer content ✌️

[@lionroots11]

You do great, what lens are you using?

[@underwaterHD]

Great video. What mic are you using

[@adrianespinoza3035]

Where’s the video or do you have info on how to get canon color profile onto Sony a7riii? Thx

[@GilbertTV]

great video Lee... I have both the a7riii & a6400... good advice for wedding photographers or events ..

[@GearFocus]

A great video that every Sony shooter should watch.

[@veneziovenditti2451]

Af track sens 4. The camera change fast the focus. Put at 1 and it will be sticky with your subject even something enter in the frame

[@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 all the time, and i saw this thing in this video too. Thanks alot!

[@shreesha_edits144]

Thanks for this video ... Very informative and much needed!!!

[@davidschulder5241]

Wow - GREAT overview. Thanks!

[@giuseppesica1]

Thank you Lee for this video. It is very help for me.

[@DeathlySecurity]

The face one can be handy if you register the face you want it to focus on so it still takes that face on priority

[@miguelesteban8775]

Can I also set that setting liek yours but i want back button AF to trigger my AF? and leave my shutter button only for taking the shot.

[@La-verdad-aunque-duela]

Lee, thanks so much for this video, may I ask which mic did you use here? . I would appreciate a lot your response :)

[@LeeZavitz]

I think I used the rode go (mki) with rode link lav taped under my shirt.

[@lynneharty9966]

Thanks for this - I feel like the settings don't work the same on the A7RIV - I can no longer focus with the center bottom button as I used to. Do you have a video about focusing for that camera specificallY?

[@LeeZavitz]

Might have to set it up for that by customizing it. I can make an a7iv autofocus video but most of it would be the same. The only big difference on the a7iv is how much better the tracking and eye autofocus is

[@RDPphoto74]

What is that monitor you have on the hot shoe? Got a link for that?

[@maile4966]

thanks for the video! i'm an amateur photographer and own a sony a6400 :)

[@sidharthan1784]

Hai lee, can you answer this? Does a7iii has object tracking like a6400? Is there Real-time face detection & real time eye auto focus in video in a7iii?

[@prabhatupadhyay2512]

Can you please make a detail video on AF track sens in sony A7III standard vs responsive which to use to get sharp eye autofocus

[@Mertz98]

Great video, but with my sony a6500 when I want to film in my saved modes like dail 1 and 2 I can't do face detection. Also when I am pressing the record button while in manuel mode like in this video the face detection box disappears Is this a good way to focus If you want to shoot a cinematic fitness movie with fast movements etc?

[@slatana_studio]

Thank you very much especially for Tracking function!

[@SinCityDetail]

I'm going to try some of your suggestions. The problem I'm having with my A7C is when I shoot my interior shots of my detailing, if my arm goes in front of the floor board while I'm vacuuming the focus goes to the back of my arm instead of the floor boards. I was told by someone else to use manual focus, but that is a pain when I have to set up so many different shots.

[@michgreeno1]

You explained it very well thank you 👍

[@Pharesm]

its good, but of course, I have no idea how to follow what you did, without seeing the menu choices activated... I remember Hugh from 3 blind mice and an Elefant, thinking the A7C didn't have continuous tracking in video, because the menu settings were completely inscrutable...

[@dieulensthompson9707]

Depending of the version camera or the lens?

[@LeeZavitz]

It’s is a super old video now. So it would really only pertain to any Sony camera under 2019. Anything after 2020 and newer is so much better

[@j.jesushernandezp.4491]

Thanks for the video, what monitor do you use on the camera?

[@kseniamiami406]

Great video but if you have to shoot two models in the same time what kind of focus area you use?

[@LeeZavitz]

Depends on where they are. If they aren’t on the same focal plane I will stop the lens down so more is in focus and I will manually focus somewhere i between. But if they are on the same focal plane then it doesn’t matter who’s eye you focus on because both of their faces should be in

[@kseniamiami406]

@@LeeZavitz manually focus area that’s is none,they have wide,zone,flexible spot and etc ,so which one you will be use if you have two models?WIDE? And also if you shoot in a studio do you need to use AF-S или Af-C?

[@kseniamiami406]

@@LeeZavitz I was asking not about focus it’s self,about Focus area

[@3DAnimationen]

stupid question: do I always have to press the AF-on-button? Because in all tutorials about sony-cameras that is never mentioned. I was a nikon and canon-user and all of these cameras focus when you touch the shutter-button. So when I switched to sony a 7 iii, I was confused at first (and still am). Is there a way to not having to press the AF-on-button all the time, so that my thump can do other things while fotografing? Thanks!!

[@LeeZavitz]

There should be no reason you have to hit the af-on button unless you have that setting turned on to have back button focus. Normally it’ll focus from half press on the shutter like every camera

[@3DAnimationen]

@@LeeZavitz thank you, man! You saved my life ;-)!! Did't know that I can switch it on and off.

[@msagliocco]

Was fooling around with settings on A9ii and now the flex spot goes back to center after each shot. Ugh, I like using your short cut but now sure what I did. Thanks!

[@bighenrywun]

You can register the face and set face priority.

[@cruzo1022]

Great video! This helped a ton

[@LongTruong.mp4]

When I hold the AF-ON to track the Eye AF, it tracks the eye perfectly! However, the focus area box is still visible. Is there a way to use the AF-ON for tracking the eye and making the focus area box disappear?

[@LeeZavitz]

It’s Because you are still in the other focus area technically. Af-on when set to eye is just temporarily disabling it and moving to the eye. You will always see that little box unless you are shooting in wide area.

[@LongTruong.mp4]

@@LeeZavitz I see, thank you!

[@iTakeDopePics]

New A7iii owner here. How/what are you using to record the view finder?

[@LeeZavitz]

Atomos Ninja V

[@ilanlachish8600]

Thank you very much, you show the real work, the real problems and how to solve / deal with them in photography, thank you

[@LeeZavitz]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching

[@sportsnacklove]

Hi, my camera (6400) makes noises (like trying to focus all the time) when on AT - Continuous in video mode. The lens is E 50 mm F1.8 OSS APS-C Standard. I am a beginner and just bought the camera. Can I fix it somehow? Is it a problem with setting? Or is the camera and lens I bought broken? Thanks so much for your tutorials - learning so much!

[@うるる3517]

it's ur lens, the lens you are using is known for being noisy, if u have the money(its pretty cheap, its like 350~400-ish dollars), I suggest you buy a sigma 56mm f/1.4 or a viltrox 50mm f/1.8 (btw these lenses are equivalent to 84 and 75) I suggest getting the sigma 56, because its compact, tack sharp, has an f/1.4, AND it has weathersealing. I bought it for my a6700 recently and it's great. If you don't like the 80~85mm equiv u can get the sigma 30mm(50mm equiv)(its not weathersealed but its just as sharp)(270~300-ish dollars). these prime lenses are great for portrait, but of course its not only for portraits, it can be used in various different ways, the only limit is your imagination. Good luck, have fun and happy shootings!

[@sportsnacklove]

@@うるる3517 thank you so much for your answer! I was trying so many things, but the sounds dont go away. I need a lese mainly for cooking videos and sometimes pictures. Do u think sigma 56mm f/1.4 is a good choice for cooking videos?

[@うるる3517]

@@sportsnacklove the focal length is quite similar to the sony 50mm, but a little bit more tighter, if you were fine with the 50mm, I think the 56mm would suit your needs. (it may take some time getting used to it) if you're unsure maybe try a zoom lense such as the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8. it is 2.8 and not 1.4 but you can zoom in and out.

[@sportsnacklove]

@@うるる3517 I think this one is even better, because I tested the lens I bought and very surprised that I could not zoom in (only digital zoom). Even with iPhone I was able to zoom in... But I guess its the way it works, if you are starting, you cannot know what u need. Thanks for answering my questions and helping me to solve the problem. I am going to oder the lens Sigma 18-50 f/2.8!

[@うるる3517]

@@sportsnacklove Great choice!. and oh,the 50mm can't zoom because it's a prime lens, which only offers one focal length. it's good if you only need that specific focal length, but zoom lenses are more versatile.

[@whothennow24]

How does flexible spot work in the A7? I can only move the spot around for a second or two after selecting that focus mode. I can’t move the spot around after that, though, so it’s useless. Am I doing something wrong?

[@thewirah1]

Sony's autofocus system really takes the joy out of shooting. Who wants to have to quickly move around a focus point with a crappy wheel to take a portrait? Or do a deep dive into the menus every time you want to go from shooting a portrait to a landscape or a still? The menus are over the place, and you can't find a single tutorial that doesn't require reassigning some of the buttons to take a basic portrait or still. I had the RX100 mark I, and I don't remember it being plagued by the same issues as the A6 series and the A7.

[@HDSTUDIOSp2]

Do u keep click button continuously???

[@krisztiannagyszeder1095]

Hi ,My Sony Alpha A 99 II does not lock on and tracking subject my settings are continuous shooting continuous AF - Lock on expand flexible spot .Any idea in your mind why not lock on subject .I mean in your video a girl behind the fence. my Sony does not do that

[@LeeZavitz]

Yea the tracking is only found on newer Sony cameras released in the last 2 years. I don’t have it on my a7iii. That’s why I was showing how awesome it is on the a6400

[@krisztiannagyszeder1095]

@@LeeZavitz Ok. Thanks I did not know that. I'm just wondering how my A99 II tracking subject?! Coz my pictures are not sharp so are out of focus.

[@karadytube]

I appreciate your effort, can you please make a video about exporting setting for KZbin in premiere pro. Thamks.

[@sviatoslavpidkhomnyi8685]

Hello, sony a7iii don't have tracing: expand flexible spot?

[@saemranian]

Thanks for sharing, so useful.

[@samuraisammy1422]

Hello mr.sir.... is the a6400 capable of disabling the blurry background when vlogging or close to the camera? Because i notice that when i am close to the camera everything behind blurs...

[@carlmazziotti221]

It's your apeture setting. Close it down to like F5... To F8 and the blur will be gone. The smaller the number the more the blur.

[@EmmanuelOnitheoneandoni]

Very good explanation

[@john_free_thinker]

Is there a way to make it that the camera focus is not all over the place? A way to make the focus calm and settle? I want it to be that when I am recording the camera is able to focus, but not get blurry in video when constantly adjusting the focus. Is there a nature way for it to look more smooth? Thank you.

[@truthseeker6804]

check focus drive speed, and change to normal or slow.

[@john_free_thinker]

@@truthseeker6804 Ok. thank you.

[@truthseeker6804]

@@john_free_thinker theres also tracking sensivity and you can make that slower, you would have to play with both and see which solves your issue.

[@john_free_thinker]

@@truthseeker6804 Yeah, sometimes it tries to focus on to many different things and makes it blurry. I do review videos where you really only see my hands and body movement along with items in my hands.

[@dvampofo]

This video was very helpful. I kept my focus wide when making videos for my channel and couldnt figure out how to fix it. Thanks Lee!

[@waynelast1685]

3:41 It's confusing... if you are using flexible spot , does the camera still focus on that spot if someone walks in front of the camera?

[@LeeZavitz]

It will only focus on that spot if you half press. So it’s kind of up to you. The af spot is only active when you are half pressing the shutter. What I’m trying to say is that it’s not like when you are recording video and the camera is constantly always focusing

[@Lizerator]

Thanks, lots of good tips in this video.

[@kahdeemjefferson5045]

The expandable flexible spot on my camera is grey out I tried using a 85 and 35mm Sony lenses, but it say invalid with lens, if the lens ahas a MF/AF switch, preform the operation on lens...what does that mean

[@williamlanglais8895]

I’ve been looking for exactly this thanks 🙏

[@defyiant]

Thanks this kinda helped me as I'm new to photography

[@BrooklynAL2010]

Outstanding amount of helpful tips! Thank you.

[@o.c.2470]

6:07 any reason why not to keep iso at 100 and reduce shutter speed?

[@claraallansson3431]

Does the flexible spot only focus when you half press the shutter or how do you activate it?

[@-Hustle]

I rented fx3 and fx6 It doesn't eye/face track in 100fps Is this the case with all fx3 and fx6

[@platinum3181]

@6:20 you say A7III doesn't have it? then why do I have it on my A7III?

[@landontproductions8186]

Hey man! Great vid! The a7iii actually does have lock on again expand flexible spot! I use it

[@gilaxia]

Hey, does this work only with dedicated E mount lenses?

[@fghjohn]

The AF mode you suggested doesn't work for my A7R4. Not sure why. I would rather just tap the screen and keep my subject tracked

[@kyrafols]

Hello, how were you able to record the screen of the camera while shooting? ☺️

[@LeeZavitz]

Using the atomos ninja V. I don’t know if you noticed but it was on top of the camera the whole time.

[@TheDIYFilmmaker]

Hi Lee, 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?

[@LeeZavitz]

I haven’t really noticed anything. All you are doing with an ND is making it proper exposure while keeping shutter speed down

[@RedHell2884]

What is the best lens for this camera for general photography and video? Thabks

[@mattduncan5500]

@lee zavitz hey man, what if we use a manual lens for film . Will AF S not work in that case ? Thanks man

[@LeeZavitz]

Old Manual focus film lenses have no way of using autofocus like AF-S from a Sony camera or any camera. There’s some new LiDAR technology DJI created but it requires a lot of extra hardware

[@mattduncan5500]

@@LeeZavitz appreciate you getting back to me man. So Yeah I was looking at samyang 12mm 2.0 for my a6300 to be used as my kinda vlogging/ On the fly filming lens. But i just realised yesterday it's now AF , so I guess it wont be very useful to me in that case ?

[@LeeZavitz]

If you want to vlog it’s way easier with autofocus. Especially on a camera like the a6300 where you can’t see the screen. You need something like the sigma 16mm f1.4 DC amzn.to/3ngkLcF or if you really want that 12mm rokinon makes the similar lens with autofocus I just don’t know how good it is amzn.to/3oqESo0

[@mattduncan5500]

@@LeeZavitz legend . Thanks for adding clarification to.my busy mind. Both lenses look great and would do the trick focally. I think anything up to 20 would be fine. Do love the size of that rokinson. Looks quite portable for travel

[@CaribouLou99]

how are you moving the flexible spot? i can only move it with the touch screen when holding then center dial button. and i can't recenter it

[@LeeZavitz]

On all Sony fullframe (except a7c) there is a joystick to move it around. On the a6xxx cameras you have to go to flexible spot and then you can use the circular ring as a dpad up, down, left, right

[@Lucamitm]

Can you explain tracking sensitivity vs drive speed ? Thanks

[@prashantnz]

Thanks heaps from NZ.

[@warmspacevision767]

Thank you Guy I look for this a long time

[@adambetts2530]

Do you have to hold the eye autofocus button for it to keep focus on the eye? Or do you press and let go? On the a6400 . I have assigned back button focus

[@LeeZavitz]

Adam Betts I have it set to back button as well. But firmware update (by default) is on half press shutter button.

[@fayfilmsuk3976]

Just come across your channel, ive just moved over to the sony ARiii from a canon.. what monitor are you using with the ariii as i thought u lost the face detection when using the HDMI?

[@LeeZavitz]

Fay Films UK using the monitor strictly for showing what the camera does in photo mode. I don’t normally take photos with a monitor on the cameras the monitor is atomos Ninja V. You only lose face detection in 4k video using monitor out. But there is a trick to get it to work but you have to use something like the atomos ninja V to record the footage

[@fayfilmsuk3976]

@@LeeZavitz yeah that's what I thought, recording it off camera. Cheers for the reply bud. Great videos