sony a6000- camera and tele: what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in...

docsteve

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

docsteve wrote:

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

Post and store some unedited JPEG examples. That's the single best way to sort out your issues. No one can guess what you're doing.

MDI Mainer

The a6000's autofocus was world-class when it was introduced in 2014. Although it's speed has been eclipsed by more recent models, which also have more focus points and new features like eye autofocus, I find that when the a6000 does lock on a subject the image is tack sharp.

Your lens has generally gotten good reviews; it's full-frame and on an APS-C sensor you are using the center -- typically the sharpest -- area of the lens.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/sony/lenses/70-300mm.htm

https://sonyalpha.blog/2017/07/01/sony-fe-70-300mm-f4-5-5-6-g-oss-sel70300g-test-review/

Paul's suggestion is a good one, if you want more help from UHH members.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

docsteve wrote:

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

The Sony A6000 is a good camera and it has really good AF. Either there is something wrong with the camera or you need to learn how to use it.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

docsteve wrote:

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

Place the camera on a tripod in daylight outside. Set the camera to 1/400s, f/8, ISO 100, AF single centre focus point, IS/VR Off. Aim it at a good target, contrasty with edges, with centre focus point over this. Take a shot using the self timer.

If the image is in focus and sharp where the focus point was your camera is good. If not, you need to post the image for further diagnosis, or any others you consider "not in good focus" as examples.

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

docsteve wrote:

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

I like zone, it works well for moving subjects and stills.
You may also want to look at this
https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/ilc/autofocus/ilce7sm3/en/01.php

Red6

docsteve wrote:

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

I have several questions. Do you have the autofocus turned on? Any chance the camera has been set up with back button focus? Does the camera give you the proper indication that proper focus has been achieved? The viewfinder should give you an indication of proper focus when you press the shutter button halfway UNLESS back button focus is being used.

The menus can be challenging but no more so than other modern cameras or even a smart TV. If you have not already, download the Sony user guide and manual and recheck your focus settings. Then using the simplest autofocus lens you have, try some simple images under good conditions. A large telephoto can be challenging even under perfect conditions and familiarity with the camera so start simple and make sure the camera's menus are properly set before trying different lenses. If all this fails, it may be necessary to reset the camera and start over with all the proper settings.

As CHG_CANON mentioned, there is not enough info in your inquiry to offer any suggestions. Post some photos and check your focus settings. I have owned several Sony A6xxx cameras and they are excellent cameras and capable of very good images.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

docsteve wrote:

what is the best single setting for the camera to give me a general clearly focused picture? ive tried most of the settings and have been disappointed in the results; they are not in good focus. i question the automatic action of autofocus, or do i need a new camera? ive also paired it with a sony tele fe4.5-5.6/70 300g oss.

I have a 6500 and the 70-300 and they take extremely sharp photos so I'm not sure what is wrong. Try some manual focused shots and see how they look

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

What settings are you using, exposure, ISO, continuous or single frame focus. High ISO, low shutter speed can contribute to un-sharp photos.

Iron Sight Loc: Utah

Order this book from Amazon
David Busch’s Sony Alpha a6000/ILCE-6000 Guide to Digital Photography

MDI Mainer

Iron Sight wrote:

Order this book from Amazon
David Busch’s Sony Alpha a6000/ILCE-6000 Guide to Digital Photography

Or this one from Gary Friedman, which many here on UHH also think very highly of:

https://www.friedmanarchives.com/sony-a6000/

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

The a6000 is a wonderful camera. I picked it up because it was small. I had mine for a few months before I discovered it was part of a family of cameras... I've since switched to the a6400, which is perfect for my needs. I still use the a6000 for taking out to building sites (I play engineer). Only downside, both need lots of batteries... I have 4 spares. It is very responsive and takes good photos.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Grahame wrote:

Place the camera on a tripod in daylight outside. Set the camera to 1/400s, f/8, ISO 100, AF single centre focus point, IS/VR Off. Aim it at a good target, contrasty with edges, with centre focus point over this. Take a shot using the self timer.

If the image is in focus and sharp where the focus point was your camera is good. If not, you need to post the image for further diagnosis, or any others you consider "not in good focus" as examples.

👍👍👍 The FE 70-300 G (I own) on that camera which I use to own (now own the a6500) is the equivalent to a 140-450mm You need to be generally using a shutter speed of at least 1/500 sec to prevent motion blur. With the lens I usually use spot or center with autofocus set to AF-C (continuous) vs single. If all else fails, go to green auto mode.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

I also have the a6000 which I use regularly and it works just fine. Follow CHG_CANON's advice and post a sample image for other's to evaluate. Without a sample, everyone is just speculating so any advice you get will be unlikely to help with your particular issue.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Show us what you got!