Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Hi All, this has been an ongoing problem in various forms, so I have to believe it’s me, and not the camera. I shoot primarily portraits, and Sony has recently replaced my A7RIII during the warranty because after several attempts, the auto focus issue could not be resolved. I use back button focus, and the initial issue was that during a shoot, after about 100 shots or so, the camera would not respond when I pressed the button. Now, with the new camera, and most noticeably when I have a Godox remote flash trigger on the hot shoe, about 30% of the time, the camera will just hunt and hunt and not lock on. This most recently happened while using a Sony 50mm f1.4 close to wide open, with flexible spot focus mode set to medium. There was plenty of light in the room, and the model was looking right at me, and still the camera could not find her eye when the button designated for eye auto focus was pressed.

I currently have the most recent firmware updates for the camera and lens, and a cannot say for sure if this issue is happening with other lenses, but I’ll be trying that on my next shoot.

I called Sony tech-support, but they referred me to some articles that were not helpful. I Purchased the camera at B and H, and they’re currently closed for a holiday but will be opening on Wednesday, so I thought I would see if there are any Sony shooters there that have had a similar experience.

So, as I mentioned at the start, I have to believe I’m doing something wrong, because I can’t imagine two cameras in a row could be defective. This issue can be maddening when trying to get just the right shot and can’t because my expensive camera refuses focus, and the moment is missed. If anyone has a similar experience with this camera, or has any suggestions, I will be eternally grateful for any help you can provide. Thanks!

amadjuster Loc: Amarillo, TX

Wow! You paid a ton of $ for what is now a brick!

uhaas2009

I’m a Nikon shooter and I give my 2cent, sorry. Sometimes when focus don’t respond than I focus on something close and then I go back to my subject to refocus again. In the past I had a lens what wouldn’t focus on black or white subject or wasn’t enough contrast for lens-camera combinations

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thanks, I believe that’s called focus and recompose, which will work great at a higher f-stop, but I’m shooting almost wide open for effect, so I have a razor thin depth of field and finding something at exactly the same distance could be a challenge. That said, I’ll still give it a try though, thanks.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

The menu on Sony cameras is quite complex. Its possible the setting are not ideal.

Watch this tutorial...it may help. There are others just google A7R3 tutorials.

From my experience it is a mistake to try and use it in the same way as the camera you previously used. One example BBF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xor_eEFJ5A4

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thanks, I agree, maybe it’s time to disable BBF until I have this figured out. That’s a great video, thank you. Tony Northrup also has a tutorial on the camera and provides suggested camera settings which is what I followed pretty closely. I’ll Google for more tutorials as well.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I have the same camera. I do find sometimes the flexible spot focus mode moves on it's own. I will use center focus or just check to see where the focus actually is. I do use BBF. I use the eye piece, it is easier for me to see exactly where the focus is.

SonyBug

I am not having any problems with an a7m3, but don't use Godox. I had one and sold it as it was so complicated to me. Why not switch to a Sony speedlight, I know it costs more, and see what happens.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Just a thought, prior to any more trips to Sony: Do a "reset", drop BBF, drop the Godox, check your updates, and then give it a good workout. Nail down whether or not the camera itself has an issue, or is it some combination of what you have mentioned. Add things back in one at a time after you have first determined if there is a problem with camera, or if it appears to be self-induced, or one of the add-on or changes is causing the glitch.
My $.02

Wasabi

[quote=Pat F 4119]Hi All, this has been an ongoing problem in various forms, so I have to believe it’s me, and not the camera...."

Have had similar problems when nose inadvertently touched touch screen. Disabling touchscreen solved the problem. (kept nose active)

Haydon

I believe Robert Hall on YT once said that some have issues with misfires with rechargeable batteries in the Godox triggers. What batteries are you using?

gwilliams6

If you are shooting at f1.4 in very low ambient light (using flash to light your subject) and you have the focus area set to flexible small spot, and have the focus speed set to responsive, the camera may hunt as the shallow depth of field of your subject can change the locked-in focus very easily. You may need a trigger that adds a focus assist function. Often autofocus issues with Sonys are because the user doesnt have a complete understanding of how to set the focus spot size, focus area and focus sensitivity settings properly for each different subject, lighting situation, and lens focal length.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJXsUFltSXo

Mark Galer's Sony Alpha Focus Masterclass

How is the focus working with your Eye-AF function ?

Ob1 Loc: Utah

I shoot with an A7rll and an a9. When I shoot portraits I use wide and as my AF area. Then when I press my BBF button the eye box locks on. You can also press the dedicated button for eye auto focus on your camera. This works 90+ percent of the time. By restricting your focus area you are limiting the cameras ability to focus to that area. It might eventually find the eye but it is a gamble. You might as well give this a try. It works for me.
Brad

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I used to use flexible spot but now I use wide for the focus area because the camera will find faces and eyes automatically. I switched because often I would hit a button that moved my spot, causing focus problems. Have you tried touching the screen to focus?

BTW, I use BBF on my a7III.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I use 3 Godox flashes and none function incorrectly or interfere with the camera.