How To Master Sony’s Video Autofocus - Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- After 9 months of exhaustive tests, I have finally finished my two-part masterclass on the video autofocus of the Sony Alpha and FX cameras.
These videos were commissioned by Sony Europe for the Alpha Academy website, which you can access and see part 2: www.sony.co.uk/alphauniverse/...
Part 2 is also available on my channel here: • How To Master Sony’s V...
The settings files are at gopb.co/sonyafsettings
Sony A7 IV: gopb.co/a7iv
Sony A7S III: gopb.co/a7siii
Sony Alpha 1: gopb.co/sonya1
Sony FX6: gopb.co/fx6
Sony 35mm F1.8: bhpho.to/2TLWUmg
Sony 35mm F1.4 GM: gopb.co/35mmgm
Sony 50mm F1.2 GM: gopb.co/sony50mm1point2
Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM V2: gopb.co/sony70200mark2 
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Some people are struggling to access part 2, so I've made a short video that will hopefully help you. ruclips.net/video/EgjYfcx0AqI/видео.html
Perfect, thanks! :)
Helpful as always. Thanks a lot!
Well I guess i cant watch it as i have no vpn nore can i justify setting up one to watch something intentionally blocked by Sony for their own equipment. A move so idiotic I cannot begin to contemplate why... For this and so many other slights I absolutely hate them as a company.
@@Energine1 can’t you just take up a free trial? I am doing my best to let people watch it?
@@philipbloom Philip you are one of the most amazing teachers Ive ever had the privilege of learning from. Please please dont take this as a reflection on you Im just stubborn and worn thin having lost my home a year ago... the mountains always look smaller from a distance. That said the experience of struggling has left me highly critical of the careless actions of others (Sony) that I really prefer to be worthy of trust. Bless you and your kittens Phillip you beautiful human ❤
Another Philip Bloom video with production quality and presentation of frankly cosmic proportions. And we get to watch it FOR FREE. Honestly don’t deserve this…..
Thank you Philip for this most amazingly in-depth masterclass on the a7siii AutoFocus. I studied both videos, took notes, updated my camera settings, and practiced the techniques you so clearly and thoroughly explained. I’ve had my a7siii for a year and have experienced all of those situations. Now I know what the camera is doing and how to address those issues. Thank you so much, Daniel
Part 2 worked from the Netherlands just fine. Thanks for this valuable tutorial Philip, you are helping the entire Alpha video community!
Absolutely Great Review, I love the way you use to tell the story. A multiple funny shots. Looking forward to seeing part II.
I just appreciate you so much! I've gleaned so much useful knowledge from you over the years.
Phillip, you've gone and done it again! Thank you for yet another thoughtful, artful, and informative video. I shall study it closely.
Thank you. I have been struggling understanding the auto focus system on my A7SIII. This has been a tremendous help. I appreciate all your excellent videos.
Philip, thank you for a supremely helpful video. Typical excellence on your channel. Cheers mate, from the States! 🇺🇸💛🇬🇧
Thanks Phillip! Will be heading over to part two immediately!!
This is incredible. Thanks for the time and effort! Autofocus seems simple…but yeah…using it to its fullest potential is a different story.
Drinking game, a shot every time PB says focus. You'll have a very quick ending to your night out. Great work here, so much info!
Watching your videos is like sipping at a glass of the very finest malt whisky, or whisky liqueur, depending on your taste. Wrapping yourself in a warm velvet blanket, and being gently massaged with knowledge, whilst also being entertained in the gentlest of ways. A masterclass in video making poured upon a masterclass of Sony education. Inspirational and aspirational all rolled into one. Thank you for being so good at this.
My favourite youtuber, you are great man, really great, hope you continue doing videos for life😊
You are a Master -Thank you for this Phillip!
Hadn't seen much on ya for a while Philip, so glad to see you pop up in my YT feed. Had my Film Fellas hat on just the other day.
Amazing video, as always.
I have used your setting ever since you did that seminar with B&H for the A7S ... its was a great one..
I am so glad to see again a Masterclass with settings and the Autofocus ! THANKS
I will prep my A7S3 for this MasterClass
I don't think I've ever seen a custom button layout so dedicated to focus. That's very comprehensive and convenient.
quality video as usual PB, helps us really unlock the full potential of our Sony's!
A free masterclass with this quality is unheard of! Gorgeous work as always 🤟
Philip is gorgeous.
Finally getting round to watching. Great deep dive mate. Also happy that Jimmy features 😜!
This has been extremely helpful as I have been struggling quite a lot with wildlife. Especially all the examples in Part 2 made it very easy to understand. Thanks a lot.
You’re welcome.
Amazing and concise overview of AF features, thank you very much!
Cheers! Don’t forget to watch part 2 as it goes much deeper!
Thanks so much for both Part 1 and 2. I recently filmed some cyclists coming towards camera and thought I had it down, but missed the focus a few times. I revisited your videos and now I think I have it for my next shoot.
Amazing video ,great job.
Great, straightforward, and very helpful video!
Thank you!
Yes yes yes thanks Philip , Glad you chose the A7siii, Its my main camera for video and happy to follow your guidelines etc
Excellent work and I love your style. very professional and I am adopting my A1 settings to mirror many of your suggestions.
I thought you forgot about this! This is awesome!
It's always a pleasure watching your videos. Your British accent and cats are awesome!
Thank you!
Great work sir. Top notch tutorial. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward. Subscribed and liked!
Well done you've worked it all out.Great video for me as I can't make a decision these days about anything.Enjoyed Cheers.
Quality explainer content, thank you!
This is the video I needed
This video has helped me so much! I have struggled to understand the focus settings ever since I got the camera, and now I get it! Thank you
You are welcome! Did you manage to get watch part 2 ok?
@@philipbloom I Haven't tried yet, but I'll be sure to sign up and watch it
@@purplevideosltd let me know if you have any issues, you are UK so should be fine. It's a bit of a pain for other countries unfortunaetly.
This is perfect! Haven’t dove that deep into my Sony. It’s been long overdue, now have a running start. Thanks!
Greetings from Greece!
Some days before i sold my a7iii and
now ive got a7iv..
Huge benefits at video with a7iv, i still
workin on it..
Cheers!!
So glad we can get this video on here instead of the weird unlinkable Sony site. Thanks Philip Bloom. You rock!
am afraid you still have to for part 2.
Thank you Mr. Bloom.
Super useful tutorial and very well done. Thank you. I just changed 1 thing to your set-up. In the fn function menu I replaced the AF/MF by the Exposure Meter Mode since AF/MF is already achievable via 1 of the buttons on camera in your setup.
Great Topic, Lots of Tips, I have been using Canon , Panasonic and Sony Full Frame cameras for a few years now, The Sony Auto focus is another Level
This was great; very informative! Thanks!
Good God.. never disappoint. THANK YOU!!! Saw your presentation at NAB Vegas couple years ago and right when I ran to get a pic with you security stopped me! lol But anyway my whole point was to personally say thank you for all the knowledge you've shared with your viewers. I Love the A7IV cause of the weight of the camera, I got back issues (herniated disc)... I noticed you had a similar back problem. Hope you're back to 100%.
Amazing thanks 👍
I can’t wait to watch part 2. Amazing that we get this stuff for free. Huge thanks and mad respect for all your hard work on this!
Thanks for taking the time to make this video Philip ! Will you also do a review of the Sony A7IV ?
This is incredible
merci beaucoup pour les réglages ! c'est vraiment très bien pensé ! je m'abonne
15:30 - Excellent, thank you sir.
I had one question about “focus hold.” I may have missed it in your video, but I soft-press the shutter button to hold the focus on a subject, then let it go when I want the autofocus to resume. I wasn’t sure if you mentioned it in your videos, or if you prefer not to use this function. Thank you.
Great videos Phil, I have a Sony a7s3 paired with Sony 200-600 lens. I shoot alot of wildlife and I find I have trouble with AFC locking on subjects in the upper end of zoom especially when there's a background like a hill, the focus wonders and mostly locks on to the background. I've tried Spot, Center Fix, Expanded Spot. What do you suggest?
Thank you kindly🙏
Magnificent explanation Philip, will use this on kitty devil hops as the focus benchmark test.
PS: It’s not a Philip Bloom film unless there’s a cat or cat hair on the camera (8min50sec) 🐈
Thanks again!
Both episodes amazing.. That manual AF concept completely changed the way I will use AF. I just bought the A7IV as B-cam and I'm a bit sad now as I realise how my beloved and more expensive FX3 is actually not as flexible .. Yes, of course you can reassign the buttons, but I have a bit of OCD when it comes to have a button labelled "ISO" actually controlling focus for example..
Also feels like like there are less of them. .. (I now understand why you barely mentioned the FX3 in the video.. ) Thanks again for sharing all this.
About the LCD screen turning off when you attach an external monitor. Supposedly you get around that by Setup > External Output > HDMI Info Display OFF. But I haven't tested it.
Would it kill sony to put animal eye auto focus into the A1? It's meant to be the flagship!! Anyway thanks for the video.
Thank you for the very helpful and amaizing video. I downoladed the A7 IV file but on camera the file cannot be loaded???
Thank you for making this so clear, I’m a photographer scared of trying video for a whole raft of technical reasons that put me off….this really helped!
Could I just ask in relation to the A1 and being able to switch focus like you suggest “manual auto focus”. Having watched part 2 does this mean I have to use the physical switch on the A1? Could you just run through how I can quickly switch on the A1? Many thanks for this content 👍🏻
The only channel I don't want to fasten the playback speed.
The example you gave about the sony 35 1.4 gm lens was very important to me, thank you very much for that, it's great #16:20 dk
Perhaps have a look at the new 16 - 35mm f4 PowerZoom as well which is soon coming out. If you don't necessarily need the f1.8, this may be a more versatile video lens and gets positive reviews by some of the good camera review channels here on RUclips. This lens too seems to have limited focus breathing. I share the view that the 35mm f1.8 is great for video.
@@Edwin-- 35 1.4 gm is more suitable for photography. not video for me, that's why I'm selling it
@ I think we can expect wider introduction of focus breathing compensation via firmware - which currently only the A7iv has - and then the 35mm f1.4 is amazing for video. Sharp and fast focusing, and gives a beautiful image. So it depends on the camera body you pair the lens with, hopefully for the A1 and A7Siii it will come via firmware. For the older models, probably not.
@@Edwin-- i am using sony a7s3
I have tried everything to load PB settings for 7SM3 into my 7SM3 but I cannot get it to load. The camera recognizes the file but when I press OK to load it I am told "file cannot load". I tried everything... obviously I read the PDF over and over... I downloaded the file several time with different browsers. Tried different SD cards. I just cannot figure it out. Can anyone help??? Philip? Is there any chance you label;ed the files incorrectly and PB 7SM3 is not actually for that camera?
If I'm filming two persons speaking at the camera, standing still. How would I autofocus on both of them? What settings should I use? Wide? Face Detect off?
Thank you very much, you haven't by any chance received a non preproduction version of the a7IV for the settings file?
Take about a cliff hanger ending............it's right up there with the original Dallas 'Who shot JR' episodes!!! Look it up kids. Btw, thanks for the video Phil as everything is so well explained 👍🏻👍🏻
GLAD I found your channel..it is AWESOME!! New sub....THANK YOU!
Thanks Helen 🙂
@@philipbloom Thank you again! Sorry for the bother; I have downloaded the file for the a7slll to a card. Not sure what I can be doing wrong.. it is straight forward, it seems. BUT when I place the card back in my camera then go to LOAD, I get the message NO FILE..ANy help is appreciated.
@@helencogan2187 hi Helen, you must make sure it’s in the proper directly structure. Where are you putting the file?
@@philipbloom PRIVATE.. thank you!
@@helencogan2187 so you are following the instructions and putting it in the directory structure that's already there?
Omg I could listen to this before bed
The good new is that Sonys have very powerful autofocus.
Bad news is, you need a degree in computer science to get it to work.
Now, with Mr. Bloom's help, and all of the buttons reprogrammed on your camera you can get it to be your new focus puller.
Always enjoy your videos, Mr. Bloom.
Cats to cameras.
All, very, very good.
And you're kind enough do all that work and to share it.
thank you
Hi Philip. These reviews are invaluable, many thanks. One question for you - I've been testing using face only AF on the FX6 and found that the depth of field seems to be entirelyin front of the subject, between the subject's eye and the camera. So if, for instance, you want another person or thing to also be in focus but they are a little bit behind the focal plane of the subject you are focusing on then you should set focus on the the furthest back subject. Do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks! Patrick
I had one of those Bolex 8mm cameras.
Hi Phillip, thanks for your amazing in-depth video. I have been using a very similar way of working, but have adjusted it to this improved version and have been loving it. I had a question about the FX6, as I can not seem to find a way to do the same with that camera. Since the ad/mf toggle is a hard switch on the front of the body, I can not find a way to effortlessly and smoothly switch between full manual and full auto with tracking etc. with a simple button toggle. Have you figured out a way to do this?
Yep I have. Watch my FX6 firmware V2 review from the beginning of this year, I have a long autofocus section in it.
Hey Philip, Thank you for this amazing film.
do you have an update version of the settings files? Supporting the new Sony Firmware?
thank you! There's a folder called Sony Settings 2024 in that link which should work!
Any chance of a settings link for the ZV-E1?
thank you!!! :) Are the setting suites also A7iii?
It’s impossible to watch the part 2, because there is a bug on Sony’s website when trying to create a new account it says “Not all the fields have been entered correctly.” However all fields ARE entered correctly.
top: I've been following your tutorials since the time with Letus extreme -bokey with Sony EX1R ...
my questionw: what does the white vertical line mean in photo mode (2:18). it is also shown on the left of the display of my A7S3
solved: the vertical line shows how many pictures can still be taken in continuous series picture mode.
[Display Option] → [Remaining Rec Disp.] → desired setting.
I shoot motocross Sony A9 Ver I Pictures are not an issue ever, But I have a hard time with the autofocus in VIDEO mode trying to capture the bikes.. again this is a A9 version 1 from of course 2017. Sometimes i can not even change out of Zone focus when i hit the record button I try also to set a different focus mode in picture mode then hit the record button and it defaults back to the Zone focus on the screen when hi hit the shutter button.. Maybe the a9 ver 1 is not capable of good fast action video?
@@DAVE_WHITE unfortunately the A9 has the old focusing system for video. Not sure why it’s acting like that though. You should be able to change focus area during recording. Problem is I’ve not touched one since 2017 so I don’t know for sure.
This is incredible work; hard grueling work! Thank you for putting in the time! I'm off to hunt down Part 2. See you on the other side!
Hello Philip, how do you screen record on Sony A74? I would love to use that as you do - displaying the menus on screen with full quality.
Hi, I used an Atomos ninja
Hello Philip, thank you for this amazing masterclass. I own the FX30 and curious to know if clear image zoom on the FX30 affects the autofocus tracking even with the updated firmware? Cheers
You are welcome. Clear image zoom kills all the tracking ability with the FX30. Only the FX6 and Zv-e1 retain it.
@@philipbloom Thank you
One trick that might be useful for FX3 users crying because of having less customisable buttons: instead of assigning AF ON to a custom button, you can just half press the shutter button. it works and saves you a button :)
Your video is very helpful! Thank you so much, the link for the camera settings is not working, is there any other way to access those files? (Edit)I found your google docs link in a reply to another asking for it! Thank you and God Bless!
try now
High quality and informative Philip Bloom video as usual. Only thing, I don't see the link to Part 2 in the description. (I clicked on the Alpha Academy link but couldn't find it there, either.)
Thanks. You need to not just click the link, you MUST follow the instructions due to the strange geographical way the Sony websites work. If you follow the instructions it will work! But you MUST properly read the instructions.
I cannot load the A7Siii settings. Recognizes file but keeps saying it cannot load.
Just discovered that on a a7rv, there is now a tracking mode which allows to track in EVF. Do you intend to use such mode ? I have seen people tracking basket ball players,... what i don't understand is the focus area they use (ie: spot M) and how they put it fluently on a subject for tracking while with LCD it is straightforward to clic on a location and not moving the pot M along the screen...
It’s not using the LCD screen as a touch pad to select your subject with a cursor?
At about 12:57 you mention an external monitor. I put an external monitor on my FX3 for the first time last week and in fact the screen on the actual camera went dark. Is there a trick to using an external monitor and still preserving the touch screen functions? I was hoping you would explain that it was possible if.....
Pretty sure I explain this in either this video or part 2….
You need to make sure the HDMI output is clean then it works. You can’t have the on screen display set up on for the output.
Hi Philip, thanks for the amazing video. I've been trying the touch focus you mentioned, but when I press the screen, instead of changing focus like in your video, I need to half press the shutter to focus in that area, rather than it doing it from the touch. Any idea why that may be?
Thanks
In video?
@@philipbloom hmm, looks like it was photo mode. Didn't realize they behave differently, though in video it doesn't have the little target, so i didn't realize it was working, the targets were relatively close in distance. Ah news cameras...
@@adsertheblade glad it’s sorted. It was the only thing that made sense. Fingers crossed it works now.
As a new a7s3 user this comes in clutch. Thanks!
Thanks Philip
Great Job
As always, your work is unique
Can I hope? That one day I will see the Canon version of this video from you?
I doubt Canon would hire me, I would be happy to if they did. It's way too much work to do for free.
very useful content, unfortunately accesing part 2 is really a struggle. I have a sony account on the Italian website and doesn't let me access your content
did you watch the video showing you how that i put in the description and pinned comment?
And another banger from you! I really enjoyed watching both parts!
I just have one question regarding the physical AF/MF switch on the lens:
Could it damage the internals (af motors) if one toggles AF/MF via custom buttons while leaving the switch on its position? Because the switch stays on AF but you select MF by overriding it with the toggle?
Thanks in advance!
Thank you.
Not at all! This is what it’s designed for. Why would there be a toggle if it wasn’t?
@@philipbloom Thanks for taking the time and responding! Really appreciate it!
Philip, was wondering if you had pans to update your settings file for the new 3.0 firmware update since it will not read the now older camera settings file. I made the big mistake of not noting my custom buttons before updating. :( I really liked your assignments so wanted to check.
It already is updated
@@philipbloom Looking at the A7S3_PB.DAT file, it says it was last modified on March 17, 2022. I went through the video again and did it by hand as a refresher, but I just wanted to let you know. I've been using this setup since you shared it and its great!
@@dreadnaughtdigital that’s the wrong link. I will look for the right one
For some reason, YT isn't recommending your uploads to me, even though I've subscribed and consistently liked your work for years. Hope all is well with you, Bloom.
BRILLIANT! 🤓 I assume the Long Blonde Lady is your wife.
(Or maybe I've heard you mention that.) It's wonderful that you two get along well enough that she can/will participate in these tests etc for us all to enjoy!
(I just can't see you playing Peek-A-Boo amongst the trees.) 😅
It's possible to active touch tracking in video mode on a A7Siii without touch the screen and instead active it through a custom button on the camera in center spot mode?
sadly not.
@@philipbloom And not on the FX6 either?
@@MotocrossTV nope. I’ve explained to them how important it is but I doubt that will make a difference.
How do I set up continuous autofocus while recording video so its always autofocusing on the Centrepoint?
Literally one of the most basic things you can do!
I'm not seeing a CAMSET for the A7IV. Are the screen grabs intended to replace that or is it possible to take the settings for the A7sIII and add them?
there's a pdf, please read it.
@@philipbloom I just read it! Sorry. Thank you !
Thanks for this absolutely helpful video. I’m just wondering if you can kindly feedback to Sony if it can make focus tracking available by using the multiselector, e.g. moving the focus frame to the point to focus and then activate focus tracking by pressing the center of the multiselector, instead of just using the touch screen. The reason why I’m suggesting this is because the small community of underwater videographers can’t use the focus tracking function since there’s no access to the touch screen with the A7SIII inside the underwater housing. We’re a small community which does not garner any attention from Sony and someone like yourself will have greater influence and sway, can perhaps help us to persuade Sony to add this functionality through a software update. Thanks in advance.
Trust me I’ve tried. Since the a7siii I’ve told them you need to be able to use the joystick for when the LCD touch screen isn’t available. They don’t actually listen to me and afraid.
@@philipbloom Thanks a lot for your reply, Philip. It’s good to know that an esteem film maker like yourself understand that there’s such a need!
@@johnlye3366 yep from day one. Same with the fx6. I made a video explaining what they needed to add too. The irony is the old focus system actually does have a way to do this via centre framing and a press on the joystick but it’s not anywhere near sticky enough.
Philip, really appreacte the work here and the instruction. I've been looking for something like this for quite some time now. Would love to see the second video but I can not even register. That site is slow and inoperable at this time for the most part. Frustrating. A year later and it is still very difficult. Can it not just be posted to RUclips?
Welcome. Here you go, it’s on my channel, been there for about 7 months! 😂
ruclips.net/video/tyg8VcVrqN8/видео.html
@@philipbloom I apologize for not researching that myself but I do appreciate you getting back with me as quickly as you did. Much appreciated
@@HoustonBrownPhotography no problem at all! I did add a card and end screen for people but you had already watched it by then :)