Sony Manual Focus Question: My Sony A7ii is used exclusively for vintage lenses. I thought I read that Focus Assist (magnification) and Focus Peaking can be used at the same time, but...

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

My Sony A7ii is used exclusively for vintage lenses. I thought I read that Focus Assist (magnification) and Focus Peaking can be used at the same time, but my experience is that when I enable magnification, I lose peaking until I zoom back out again. Is this normal behavior?

Thanks,

Ben

User ID

Yes ... sort of.

Its not really a behavior, in the sense that magnified MF does not cancel peaking but peaking is often barely effective with the magnifier enabled. Take aim at some very contrasty hard edged details and you will rather likely detect a bit of peaking.

----------------------------------------------

Im quite pleased with that situation. I have some cameras that show plenty of peaking when magnifying for MF, and I hafta cancel peaking if I am relying mainly on magnified MF. Heavy magnified peaking obscures fine details as it comes ALMOST into focus, such that you cannot see to finalize EXACT focus.

IOW, peaking is best for a quick focus thaz sufficient with smaller apertures, but its a liability during the really critical magnified focus thaz needed with wider apertures.

FalconChase Loc: Canton,Ohio, USA

User ID wrote:

Yes ... sort of. br br Its not really a I behavi... (show quote)

User ID is correct. Peaking is still on, but barely detectable in magnification.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

User ID wrote:

Yes ... sort of. br br Its not really a I behavi... (show quote)

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Rab-Eye wrote:

My Sony A7ii is used exclusively for vintage lenses. I thought I read that Focus Assist (magnification) and Focus Peaking can be used at the same time, but my experience is that when I enable magnification, I lose peaking until I zoom back out again. Is this normal behavior?

Thanks,

Ben

I can do both of course with Sony lenses. Maybe you can't do both with vintage lenses.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

User ID wrote:

Yes ... sort of. br br Its not really a I behavi... (show quote)

Makes sense. Thanks.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

FalconChase wrote:

User ID is correct. Peaking is still on, but barely detectable in magnification.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Don, the 2nd son wrote:

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

billnikon wrote:

I can do both of course with Sony lenses. Maybe you can't do both with vintage lenses.

That’s interesting. Thanks.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

User ID wrote:

Take aim at some very contrasty hard edged details and you will rather likely detect a bit of peaking.

Yep. I tried it and you’re correct.

FalconChase Loc: Canton,Ohio, USA

Rab-Eye wrote:

My Sony A7ii is used exclusively for vintage lenses. I thought I read that Focus Assist (magnification) and Focus Peaking can be used at the same time, but my experience is that when I enable magnification, I lose peaking until I zoom back out again. Is this normal behavior?

Thanks,

Ben

Which adapter and which lenses are you using?

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

FalconChase wrote:

Which adapter and which lenses are you using?

I use a Fotodiox dumb adapter for M42 lenses. I have Carl Zeiss Jena lenses in 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm, plus a Helios 44.

nfbgcycler Loc: Hinesburg, VT

Rab-Eye wrote:

My Sony A7ii is used exclusively for vintage lenses. I thought I read that Focus Assist (magnification) and Focus Peaking can be used at the same time, but my experience is that when I enable magnification, I lose peaking until I zoom back out again. Is this normal behavior?

Thanks,

Ben

It may not be available on the A7ii, but on my A77 and A99 focus peaking has intensity levels as well as color choice, From the A77 manual:

Peaking Level (124) Enhances the outline of in-focus ranges with a specific color.
(High/Mid/Low/Off)

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

User ID wrote:

Yes ... sort of. br br Its not really a I behavi... (show quote)

I mostly use peaking and magnification together on my Nikon Z fc and find the combination very useful. The peaking sensitivity I use does not obscure fine detail. I can set peaking to one of four colors, white, red, yellow, and blue. There are also three levels of sensitivity settings. While I will occasionally change the color and strength of the peaking, depending on circumstances, I find using blue at the standard sensitivity setting works best for me in most situations.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Ben, I have trouble remember the two terms and which is which. I have the same Sony A7II that I use exclusively with MF lenses. I have the 'shimmer' color set to red at the maximum effect, see your manual / menu for how to enable. I've found this shimmer isn't that useful for achieving sharply focused images alone. Rather, I use the EVF magnification to 'see' the fine details to get the best MF focus. But now, when I return to the full-screen view of the EVF, I can use that shimmering effect to judge slight changes of forward (or back) as I slightly adjust the position of the plane of focus for the same composition.