Infinity Focus: Though I've been a member for a few years, I need to ask a question. Back in the day, I told my employees the only dumb question was the one not asked

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Though I've been a member for a few years, I need to ask a question. Back in the day, I told my employees the only dumb question was the one not asked - saved a ton of money over time as this helped to avoid assumptions. Since no money is involved, some may consider this a dumb question,but who cares?
Anyway, I seen several comments overtime about " focusing on infinity". How does one do that with a Sony camera? I cannot shoot a picture of just a blue sky when checking spots have been removed from the sensor.
Your help will be appreciated.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

(1) a blue sky is not necessary when taking dust shots. Any featureless surface will do.

(2) just rack your lens all the way out towards infinity. Look at an empty word processing page. You want it out of focus. In fact you will want to turn autofocus off.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-page?upnum=2857

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Usually, you do not focus on 'infinity'.
What you do instead is optimizing your aperture so the plan of acceptable focus is the furthest element in your capture. This way more acceptable than a 'generic infinity'.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Thank you for the reply. However, the shutter of my Sony a77ii will not fire if the little green focus square hasn't been high lighted.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Thank you for your reply. So, actually I'm still focusing on something specific - the furtherest(sp) part from me. I still confused, not unusual, if I focus on the bird's tail (further away from it's head) instead of it's eye. I then get a fuzzy head do I not?

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Floyd wrote:

Thank you for the reply. However, the shutter of my Sony a77ii will not fire if the little green focus square hasn't been high lighted.

You can change that in the menu release settings. I don't shot Sony but am almost positive they have release settings similar to Nikon.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Drbobcameraguy wrote:

You can change that in the menu release settings. I don't shot Sony but am almost positive they have release settings similar to Nikon.

This is correct. I don’t have my Sony with me but you can just scroll through the menu till you find “release without focus” or something like that.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Floyd wrote:

Thank you for the reply. However, the shutter of my Sony a77ii will not fire if the little green focus square hasn't been high lighted.

Will the shutter fire if you use manual focus?

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Mac wrote:

Will the shutter fire if you use manual focus?

That’s another good suggestion.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Rongnongno wrote:

Usually, you do not focus on 'infinity'.
What you do instead is optimizing your aperture so the plan of acceptable focus is the furthest element in your capture. This way more acceptable than a 'generic infinity'.

Silence

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Floyd wrote:

Thank you for the reply. However, the shutter of my Sony a77ii will not fire if the little green focus square hasn't been high lighted.

The shutter will release when you select "Manual focus" on the lens or menu.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A much better way to check for spots, especially when you are in the cleaning process, is to use a sensor loupe. Instead of taking a picture and looking at it on your computer, just put the loupe on the camera and examine the sensor. Just be aware that if the loupe shows a spot at the top, it's actually at the bottom. Turning the loupe around won't help.

https://smile.amazon.com/Carson-Camera-Sensor-Magnifier-SM-44/dp/B0091SS310/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=sensor+loupe&qid=1628161106&sr=8-2

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

On your A77ii, you can set the camera to release the shutter without having attained auto focus.
Go to the menu and scroll to the gear icon. Select tab #4
Scroll down to "priority set up"
Select the "release" option

That will allow you to activate the shutter any time you press the shutter button

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Basil_O wrote:

On your A77ii, you can set the camera to release the shutter without having attained auto focus.
Go to the menu and scroll to the gear icon. Select tab #4
Scroll down to "priority set up"
Select the "release" option

That will allow you to activate the shutter any time you press the shutter button

Thank you for the information. Learned something new today! Appreciate your help! Also, when all else fails, "Read the Instructions".

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Drbobcameraguy wrote:

You can change that in the menu release settings. I don't shot Sony but am almost positive they have release settings similar to Nikon.

You are correct. Thank you.