Focusing issue with Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 (Page 2): You’re having the same problem? You can’t turn off the manual focus override as well? I’m using CPL filters as I shoot a lot of...

charlie_met

Pat F 4119 wrote:

It’s definitely a maddening problem for sure. Precision Camera actually found something wrong with my 70–200, and it’s being repaired. However, on a shoot last week I still had the same problem with my 85MM 1.4. They’ve asked me to record a video of the problem what it happens, because I still think there’s something wrong with the camera. Are you having this problem with any other lenses?

You’re having the same problem? You can’t turn off the manual focus override as well? I’m using CPL filters as I shoot a lot of automotive stuff and I keep nudging the focus ring when adjusting the CPL filter even though everything is set to AF, I’m quickly losing my sanity.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

charlie_met wrote:

You’re having the same problem? You can’t turn off the manual focus override as well? I’m using CPL filters as I shoot a lot of automotive stuff and I keep nudging the focus ring when adjusting the CPL filter even though everything is set to AF, I’m quickly losing my sanity.

That sounds crazy frustrating. My problem is a bit different. Even though I am set to auto focus the camera just hunts and won’t lock into anything for a while, and sometimes not at all. I shoot a lot of portraits, and it’s incredibly frustrating to tell your model that you’re just waiting to get the camera to focus. Is your lens still under warranty?

gwilliams6

Folks there is NO widespread reports or history of focusing issues with either the 85mm f1.4 GM or 70-200mm f2.8 GM lenses, none. I own both of these lenses and they have always worked just fine. In many cases folks have not really understood the camera settings for size of flexible focus spot, plus focus speed and sensitivity settings. First off, setting too small a focus spot can cause focus hunting if shooting at wide apertures where the focus depth of field is very shallow anyway. Always use medium flexible focus spot for most subjects.

Sony Alpha Focus Masterclass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJXsUFltSXo&t=181s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-X-9w0iKJ4&t=134s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfLjnE4-NT4&t=41s

gwilliams6

charlie_met wrote:

You’re having the same problem? You can’t turn off the manual focus override as well? I’m using CPL filters as I shoot a lot of automotive stuff and I keep nudging the focus ring when adjusting the CPL filter even though everything is set to AF, I’m quickly losing my sanity.

As far as car shooting goes, if the car is all one color, you need some contrast for the AF to work best. Try focusing on some seam or other area of the car where there is some contrast. I have no problems shooting cars when I do that. Your chosen CPL filter might be the culprit here, not the lens or camera. I almost always keep a CPL on my lenses when doing outdoor shooting and have NO issues.

Ob1 Loc: Utah

Listen to the Mark Galer link. Since I started shooting portraits in tracking wide area all of the focus quirks resolved. Tap the joystick to center the focus point if the camera misses eye focus and that will usually pull it to the eye. I hav e been using this technique on all of my people portraits including sports. The only time I use a spot with tracking is when I am shooting through chain link fence. That works very well. I also have turned my tracking sensitivity down to 2. This has made a big difference. Just something to try.
Brad

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

gwilliams6 wrote:

Folks there is NO widespread reports or history of... (show quote)

Thanks, this is really helpful. I’ll take a look at the links, but I am using medium flexible spot and it just hunts and hunts. Also, eye AF works 30% of the time at best, even when I have a clear view of the subject’s eyes.

gwilliams6

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Thanks, this is really helpful. I’ll take a look at the links, but I am using medium flexible spot and it just hunts and hunts. Also, eye AF works 30% of the time at best, even when I have a clear view of the subject’s eyes.

Is your firmware up to date, both lens firmware and camera firmware ? That could be the difference too. PLEASE, look at the Mark Galer focusing tutorial completely right away. I get over 95 % hit rate with eye-af with older firmware versions, with new firmware versions, I am getting 99-100% hit rate.

gwilliams6

Ob1 wrote:

Listen to the Mark Galer link. Since I started sho... (show quote)

charlie_met

What I want to know is if there is any way of deactivating the focus ring on the 70-200 when on AF. I just want the focus ring to sit there and look pretty until I call upon it when flicking over to MF. Is this possible?