The Secret Video Setting on the SONY a7RV: "Tracking On" Allows Tracking AF Without Touchscreen

[@LemarGriffinfilms]

This is a game changer for sports shooters! Thanks for the insight PAT!

[@PMRTV]

I know man!!! I can't believe it!!!!

[@richardterrell5309]

That is astounding!

[@PMRTV]

It works even better, really flawless, on the A9III :)

[@RandumbTech]

Wow - that video footage looks incredible from a supposedly "photo-first" camera!! I've got the A7iv and have had the A7Rv in the cart for a few days. That new 4-way screen alone makes it worth it for me. I'm stunned that Sony hasn't updated the A1's with all these new features that have been released in the past few months. It's not a good look - and people are understandably miffed that their "flagship" camera can't do some easy software things that less expensive cameras in the line up can do. Hopefully, the firmware update is coming soon...

[@howardesse1686]

Totally, totally agree. I’m not going to go into the a7 series, but would love it for my two a1’s in a firmware upgrade. Even though I don’t shoot video with them, just the thought of having the opportunity to have the capability to have this would be awesome!

[@niconic6660]

Hey .. is this function also on the A9 III ?

[@PMRTV]

not only is it on the A9III but it works better than any other camera with the feature (A7RV, A6700, A7CII, A7CR)

[@philscanlan7321]

Oh this is great - Thanks for the tip. I’ve got the FX6, FX3, A7s3, A7iv and just got my A7rv yesterday - this is such a welcome addition functionally and totally agree all of the current generation cameras would benefit greatly from this feature. Screen tapping is fine but it’s so handy to have tracking mapped to a button push as it is in stills mode. Usually have my hand on the lens and the camera grip when shooting handheld and screen tapping mid shot can bump and skew the camera angle occasionally while rejigging your hands mid-shot. This solves that nicely.

[@PMRTV]

when shooting with focal lengths over 200mm I find it's almost impossible to tap screen AF. This is a killer feature for sure!!!

[@brianpatterson6934]

Does this 'discovery' apply to the a7cr?

[@PMRTV]

YES! As well as the A7CII as well. I think every new camera they make from here on out will have it. Even the A6700 has Tracking On.

[@dBFRESH]

hey i like your energy buddy. you got me excited and i'm just a viewer. good job

[@alfuchs2967]

Wow. Exactly what we were talking about and you figured out away to make it work. Thank you

[@kevinkillsit]

Please SONY, bring us the A1 firmware update! Don't leave us hanging. Great video Pat. I have struggled with this topic as well, not really wanting to let go of my A1 for the A7RV though, even though it looks like a stunning body.

[@krishnastock]

Thanks. I cancelled my A7Rv pre-order to get the FX30 first but I'll bite the bullet and get both. Have a great basketball season!

[@justonbrazda3846]

The A1 Needs this ASAP

[@networm64]

Not only A1 indeed! Definitely every other camera which has real time tracking MUST get the firmware update if only Sony decides to give!

[@PhotoTrekr]

Great feature for anyone shooting video. Sometimes Sony introduces a feature in a lower end model and that feature doesn't show up in higher end models until the higher end models are replaced.

[@PMRTV]

it's all a matter of when their tech hits their cameras. they cannot put every new tech into the older bodies but when they can, they do.

[@rayiaea4837]

This is fantastic! Looking forward to a new era of sports videographers!

[@hazardstorms226]

Great video! What do you think about using tracking on toggle compared to tracking on, so you don't have to hold the button. And then toggling off and reverting maybe to spot? What are the problems with doing this way? Thanks for all the great info!

[@PMRTV]

That's a great idea! it works better that way too!

[@lestertsaiphotography]

I set my custom buttons (AF-ON and the lens custom button) to “tracking on toggle” so I can press it once and it will track the subject. Then when I don’t need it to track anymore I press the custom button again. Heading out tomorrow to test it out on some bald eagles and northern harriers.

[@SeanHuangRealEstate]

Thank you so much for the tip. I did see a lot of jelly effect though. How to fix that?

[@PMRTV]

by using the A9III, which didn't exist when I made this video ;)

[@BarryDycus]

Thanks Pat! Bring it to my A1 Sony! Another game changer would be TC in/out!

[@PMRTV]

that would be cool

[@2010SLP]

Very cool. I was surprised that the A7RV seemed to do so well with rolling shutter in your examples. Did you have any rolling shutter issues? And was everything shot at 60fps and with 120th shutter? Thank you!

[@PMRTV]

60P, 1/250th shutter speed

[@iainbimages]

Hi Patrick, Great video... Do you know if the A9M3 has this "Tracking On" function in its video settings too? And if the new Sony A1 firmware update (when it's sorted..) will also bring this feature to that camera? As that would be awesome!

[@PMRTV]

it does indeed and works better than any of the other options

[@JoseVazquezLopez]

Good tip! many thanks. Quite surprised that Sony A7IV doesnt have that feature in video (only works in photo). For video needs to be activated by touching the screen, but not possible with button.

[@PMRTV]

Tracking ON is only available in these cameras so far: a7CII, a7CR, a6700, and a7RV.

[@JoseVazquezLopez]

@@PMRTV I reafirm. This is not possible in A7IV using video. Only touchscreen 😃

[@PMRTV]

sorry man, I was thinking a7RV, not IV you are right! @@JoseVazquezLopez

[@chinselina789]

Just ordered one, so happy to know tracking on. Great video👍

[@PMRTV]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@theusbadenhorst]

Great video what does focus hold on lens then actually do. Just interrupt af temporarily to re acquire follow focus?

[@PMRTV]

yes, but there are new options in the FW of the a7CR and a7CII that allow toggle so this is no longer a great need :)

[@UdoKellner]

Excellent and very helpful video!!! An other question: Do you have a tip on how to see the green boxes of the focus point in the monitor on the A1 in video mode even when tracking is not active, as in photo mode. I only see the focus point with the white box in the "active track". Grüße von Udo aus Deutschland

[@PMRTV]

Not that I know of, boxes stay white and grayed out when you are off AF

[@RS-vu5um]

Can you please show us which menu you activated to get this functionality?

[@PMRTV]

cool!

[@Simsel81]

Excellent description of the issue. Excellent basketball footage. Subscribed! Please share if the feature is available on more affordable bodies like the A7IV or A6600. Thanks in advance!

[@PMRTV]

not yet available on any other body

[@jobo991]

good stuff here - the sony a7c ii has the feature too

[@niconic6660]

Hi and thanks ---will it work with fast motocycles ? Any chance the A1 will get this per fw ?

[@brianzwit7482]

i might be missing something but the solution to your problem appears to be: (1) set camera to back button focus and (2) customzie the AEL Lock button to Tracking On + AF On.

[@PMRTV]

the issue is when you let go of any button tasked with "tracking on," the camera automatically starts AF on its own.

[@cammackey]

Just found out if you set it to Tracking on Toggle you can basically push the button and release and itll continue to track. And then if you tap it again, it releases the tracking.

[@DavidStella]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@Bo_Hazem]

Very insightful! Thanks a lot for all the effort put into this great video.

[@PMRTV]

my pleasure, it's just so cool to be able to discover things like this!

[@Bo_Hazem]

@@PMRTV It's great to be subbed to such a pro guy like you, mate! Keep these little secrets coming!

[@rickymcc9072]

Hi Patrick, thanks for sharing this. I don't have an a7Rv yet, but I'm considering buying one as an upgrade to my hybrid a7iv (mainly for better stills capability) and ability to 'punch-in' to APS-C (26Mp) for smaller files or extra reach with tele lenses. I do a little video too but I'm circa 90% stills 10% video, as an amateur. I always heard that the a7Rv (like the a7iv) suffered badly from rolling shutter, but your video didn't particularly seem to have an obvious RS problem. If/when I get an a7Rv i will experiment with AF tracking-on and cancel via lens button. Does it work .ikethis tooforthe never a9iii?

[@PMRTV]

the A9III would be the perfect camera to shoot sports with as it has no rolling shutter or flicker issues. And yes, it has tracking ON + toggle too.

[@rickymcc8624]

Thanks. I bought an a9iii 3-4 wks ago and like it a lot. Still trying to get the best balance on settings.

[@nightdonutstudio]

Damn hope they release a7s mark 4 soon. So we can have all the great features from a7RV and zev1.

[@PMRTV]

it would be great if it could get "tracking on" af at least.

[@DanOhPhotography]

want this on A1!!!!

[@PMRTV]

you and me both!!!

[@DanOhPhotography]

One person said A1 can't and requires new chip set allows this with A7R-V, but I heard A9ii has some similar feature??? IDK. I have A9 and not A9ii

[@marclabro]

nice tutoand content. I am new in video and a7r5. i see 60fps 1/250th. don't we need to use 2x rule so 1/125sec ? which focus area do you use here ? spot, wide ? you set "tracking" to afon (which menu ?) and which function/menu to lens focus hold ? with focus hold do you come back to MF or AF-C ?

[@BoboMedia007]

Sounds hard to look through the view finder while moving the camera up to your face with smooth movements. Are u using any cage or grips?

[@PMRTV]

monopod and it's much easier than you think to stay steady :)

[@BoboMedia007]

@@PMRTV I tried it with a monopod last week and it did work fine. 🤓

[@noopynnus]

I don’t see much rolling shutter in the sample footage, not sure why a lot of KZbinrs were complaining about rolling shutter with the A7RV

[@PMRTV]

Rewatch the clips but watch the background as I pan. This is where u will see the jello

[@Keenonhang]

Just discovered this. It’s super 👌

[@PMRTV]

GREAT!

[@Spartanshaq777]

The dude with the gray under tights is the new John Stockton right there

[@erg1450]

Great video, I was doing my due diligence to decide whether or not to buy this camera for sports events (little baseball league and soccer) and this looks like will take care of the video side of the equation, my question for you is if the A7RV would be the best for sports photography (stills) or would you reach for the A1 instead (given the faster FPS)?,

[@PMRTV]

if you are shooting sports, you gotta go a1. Shooting sports at 10fps sucks and since the a1 does such a great job with video too, it's a lock. Help a guy out and use my affiliate link: tinyurl.com/ybcfydur

[@erg1450]

@@PMRTV Unfortunately, A1 is out of my budget, I saw your video using your 7RV on Tracking On mode, didn't it work as expected ?.....for what I've seen, the AF on the RV is better than the A1, and that is a big plus for me, for baseball and soccer, I probably don't need more than 10fps based on my previous experience

[@theusbadenhorst1848]

Sounds great. I just dont understand entirely. So the af hold bitton on tje lens switches to normal af after the tracking button is released. I am impressed by hot it switches focus to the hoop so quickly from the player. Love your content.

[@PMRTV]

and you can control how fast the AF transitions as well... All in the menu system.

[@theusbadenhorst1848]

@@PMRTV thank you. Love your content.

[@ludovicavice3496]

Still did not fully understood how you track focus on so much people at that speed. Care to have a screen recording of the camera too? 😊 I barely shoot sport events but when i did last time my fx30 was ten times better than my fx3 😅 n was using touch non stop along with focus hold but it was a motorcycle event so everything was big in the frame

[@PMRTV]

it's a good idea--the screen recording. I'll see if if can manage that but hoops is too difficult...

[@markshirley01]

In photo I can put the box over what I want to focus on and half press the button and its track even when I release my finger. I just wish I could get video to behave the same way

[@PMRTV]

yes, I stop this by using the focus hold button on the lens. it's not perfect, but close.

[@hidaven]

What video mode did you use? Cropped? Full frame with binning? Sony blew it by not adding downsampling to 4K 60.

[@CraigEggleton]

Always appreciate your expertise.

[@PMRTV]

I appreciate that!

[@vincevenom3377]

Wow, I'm really hoping they put this in the A1. Always very informative, clear, and concise. Great content.

[@PMRTV]

Much appreciated!

[@bryan_metcalf_perez]

@@PMRTV Hi any update on this for the A1? I'm shooting with a water housing so the touch screen is useless. Fingers crossed. Thanks.

[@joseluislopez7760]

This feature exists since the a7r ll, you couldn't put the function on a button but I use it put in on the fn menu, in two clicks you're there instead of just one.

[@PMRTV]

sorry, but no, it's unique to a7rV because it allows for AF-C, not AF-S as in all other Sony bodies and even FX6/9. You can make any of the cameras AF with AF-On button but not in AF-C in video.

[@joseluislopez7760]

@@PMRTV there it is a quick shoot showing you that what I said is true kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3uYg4OFiLmXo9U

[@MarcoGarcia-mt9zw]

How do I set my camera to display the captured image for a second or two after taking the shot?

[@PMRTV]

it's called preview

[@mrphoto]

Could this feature be attributed to the new dedicated AI focus tracking found only in the A7RV and the just released A6700? If so, sadly, a firmware update would not resolve this on any other of the Sony camera line. I just picked up my pair of A7RV cameras replacing my A7RIVs and LOVE them. I mainly shoot portrait work but am exploring video at the moment. Glad to know this feature is setup as I'll be using it on my next assignment. Thanks for the video outlining this kewl feature.

[@PMRTV]

you bet! thanks for watching!

[@sticky1212]

Can you try setting the toggle to the button on the side of the lens if yours has one? I'm told if you use that button you don't have to hold it. One click will toggle on and second click will toggle off. I'd like to know if it was on and you just toggled the focus hold button if that would turn it off in a single action?

[@rickvestuto]

Thank you so much for this trick You're the best regards, rick

[@PMRTV]

Glad it helped!

[@rickvestuto]

@@PMRTV I read in the comments that you can make it "Toggle" instead of just "ON" Can you do a setting video on these options and whats best please

[@B-Moye]

Really great idea here! Such a niche detail, but it's great content. I was using an FX3 as my A Cam for all my sports stuff. Bricked it during a camera update and was in the middle of selling my a7IV, but JUST got the 7R5 so now I have to (get to) focus on playing with this I'm excited to try this camera. Who knows and maybe even move it into my B Cam over my 7SIII, (dare I even say A cam for sports?). Regardless, got a sub!

[@PMRTV]

I think you will really like it for video, although the jello is pretty bad when panning. For action though, the V is tough to beat!!!

[@MckayGeoff]

Awesome video!

[@PMRTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@n2l2l]

but Sony still doesn't have eye tracking AF area selection, as Canon R3 has... that would be gamechanger for anybody using their cameras

[@PMRTV]

that might be because the Sony Tracking AF system works on the entire viewfinder area--it finds faces and eyes while shooting video or stills effortlessly. We no longer have to be stuck in different areas of the viewfinder or use the joystick to find or track subjects. Have you ever tried the Sony tracking AF system???

[@blindguymcsqueezy1]

Can it help for stills photography?

[@jeremyfoster8726]

can you show how this is done in menu?

[@c.edwardbrice3470]

Can you show how to set up the menu

[@Chorge1972]

Need this for my A7iv!!!!!!!!!!

[@PeakPerformer]

Thank you!! I have a 9II but really… it sucks that these expensive cameras don't have this option. Hope they will do a firmware update otherwise I maybe go for a downgrade...

[@lumenspaul]

does it work in all ai modes?

[@PMRTV]

yes

[@davemarston5035]

Thanks for the video! I do have a little feedback. I feel like this is a missed opportunity. You demonstrated the feature with a 24-70 or 70-200 at 70. I think you would have nailed the point by using the 400 while shooting the other end of the court. I think the feature would be more noticeable. I hope you do more videos using this tracking on feature. I appreciate all you do so please take it constructively.🙏

[@PMRTV]

trying to shoot with a 400 downcourt with hoops is challenging enough when shooting stills. Later this month, I'm hoping to shoot a bowl game or two so I can really try this system out with the 400/600GM's

[@davemarston5035]

@@PMRTV Awesome! Have fun and I hope it works flawlessly for you!

[@paulgero]

@@PMRTV especially at a prep or small college gym!!

[@fotografkennethlund]

WHOOOOAAAAA your face is tack sharp in this video !!!

[@PMRTV]

thanks man! Yep, it's just an a7C with the 35GM wide open. Face tracking works great, doesn't it???? I only wish I had a better face as mine is suited for radio more than youtube...

[@LloydWilliams-p4y]

This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing P M-R.

[@PMRTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@vincentmunozrealestatemedi6949]

no need to set anything? just use AFC and Center focus?

[@lonceysbusiness333]

Lol Sony always has a trick ahum more like lots of tricks up there sleeve Meez thinks Canon shooters are just too impatient to learn a Sony camera haha Cheers so much for showing us your gem of a find 😅😂🤣❤

[@PMRTV]

Very true

[@NakeanWickliff]

Which codec resolution are you shooting in. I haven't used my camera for video yet as I use a7sIII for that but want to in the future. I noticed really bad rolling shutter when panning just looking at the back of the screen. What are your thoughts. Best resolution to minimize rolling shutter?

[@allend6137]

I think the rolling shutter is minor and is only noticeable when looking for it 🤔 I initially watched focusing on the players.. everything looked fine

[@NakeanWickliff]

@@allend6137 I'll just have to take it out for a test spin and see for myself. Thank you.

[@Bringisen]

I can not find «Tracking On» in the menu , only «AF-On»🤔 Some hints😅

[@PMRTV]

look back at the thumbnail for the video as it shows you the exact menu you need to make that change.

[@Bringisen]

Aaa, Thank you🙏

[@slosmoke1]

Sure would be nice instead of having to hold it on all the time, if they would make a toggle on and off. Great video

[@PMRTV]

thanks!!!!

[@MVPBozeman]

in the custom dial settings you can change the toggle

[@pertang630]

A great feature and your the first person to have even mentioned it. I didn't know the RV had it before your video. One question, how do you find the RV for video with the rolling shutter? I'll soon be choosing my old camera gear to either an RV or an A1. I do mainly photos, but starting to get more video work. One of the scenarios for video for me is dance competitions and concerts. Some of the dancers can move really quick across the stage, and change direction really quickly, so I'm worried about the rolling shutter on the RV. So I wrote the above before watching the end with the basketball footage. That looks pretty good.

[@PMRTV]

whenever you are talking about capturing action, a1 is always going to be the go-to camera. And the a1 does GREAT in video too. tinyurl.com/ybcfydur

[@sportsphototv]

Wow!

[@PMRTV]

I know, right?

[@starskymedia]

You should try the option "Tracking toggle" instead of "tracking on", this will keep it active

[@B-Moye]

has anyone tried this. I may give this a shot as I just picked up an 7R5

[@markstpierre]

@@B-Moye "Tracking on toggle" works brilliantly. A real game changer, and you don't have to constantly hold down the button as PMR described in the video

[@Blurry2222]

I’m not sure if my eyes are different to most people, but such fast action with a low frame rate is completely unwatchable for me. I’ve never been able to understand the industry’s obsession with “cinematic” 24fps… panning is just horrible. PC gamers (which I’m not) demand monitors with minimum of 144fps and are now starting to move to 360fps… why is video stuck in the dark ages?

[@PMRTV]

I'm at 60 fps because that's as fast as this camera can go.

[@PavolKasalaProductions]

Tracking On Toggle.

[@PMRTV]

this is a great option...

[@Shawns_snapshots]

WIsh they wouldnt leave the A1 to rot, i really regret going with sony with the way they treat their flagship owners....

[@WildExposures]

sad.......mid range has what A1 can easily have......I give up Sony

[@yohannsphotographyvideogra9542]

Verycool

[@PMRTV]

it really is!