linda lagace

I have had my camera and lens since November and surprisingly the focus IS getting better. But just today (based on past suggestion from UHH) I updated my lens software . I also made a small change from focus priority to standard in "aperture drive in AF) I am eager to see if these two improve the consistency of my auto focus.
Any one else having continuing problems with this system? What have you done to make it better.
I usually shoot manual but last time I went out, I shot in auto. I kept tried zone, flexible spot and expanded flexible spot with mostly multi meter exposure. I shot with the optical steady shot on although some of my shutter speeds warranted turning it off according to comments I've seen on the internet. I also tried to keep near the sweet spot of my lens at 600. I shot birds but they were mostly not in flight.
Any suggestions will be appreciated and tried as I am still getting the feel of my camera.
Thanks

bnsf

I used on my Sony spot focusing with AF. Seems to work great for me with my a99ii and Sony lenses.

User ID

Does that relate closely to an a7R4 used with a 200-600 ?

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

For tracking I went into the custom button section of the Network menu.
I assigned the AEL button on the back of the camera to "TRACKING/ON + AF/ON". When you find a bird in flight, you press the AEL button and tracking will put a box on the bird and will not let go as long as the bird is kept within the viewfinder. You can press the shutter button when ever you want to take a shot while keeping the AEL button depressed.
Steve Perry has a section on this.
You should also watch Steve Smith videos on Sony.
I only use five focusing systems which I can switch between using the C2 button next to the shutter button, I only have wide, zone, and three center modes, small medium and large. I just push my C2 button to switch between. My keep rate is almost 98% using zone, and when using my AEL button on moving birds my keep rate jumps to 100%, and this can be in front of complicated backgrounds on moving birds.
Yes, I use the 200-600 and 600 f4. Both focus great with NO issues at all.
I offer tutoring at Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Any time your in the area let me know, I can really help your keep rate.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

At this point, it would also make sense to show some actual examples, JPEGs stored with EXIF data intact.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

This is more of a question than a suggestion. Another variable in the AF setup with these cameras is the sensitivity of the af tracking. I don’t have my camera with me, so I am working from memory. The sensitivity has 5 different settings. The typical recommendation I have received in the past is to set it to “responsive”. But, I had a situation when I had a complex, close, background (I was trying to shoot honey bees in the bushes) and the AF point had difficulty “sticking” to the subject. I ended up changing the sensitivity of the tracking mode to less responsive of the 5 options, and in this case, the af point seemed to get a bit more “sticky” on the subject. Any thoughts on this variable?

gwilliams6

Good reply Bill. I also have no real issues using my A7RIV and the 200-600mm lens (for the OP, the A7RIV and A7RIVa have the same 61mp sensor) .

In addition to all the good advice on settings from Bill here, I also use animal Eye-AF when not in tracking mode with my A7RIV. Later models like my A1 do allow bird and animal Eye-AF and tracking together. I prefer "responsive" setting for my AF sensitivity with fast moving wildlife or fast action.

Here is a shot (first full frame then a tight crop from the same shot), using Animal Eye-AF with my A7RIV and Sony 200-600mm lens. A Muscovy Duck starts its takeoff from a pond on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin . 600mm, ISO 100, f6.3, 1/1000 sec., handheld. A faster shutter speed of 1/2000 sec would have stopped the faster movement in the wings, but the 1/1000 sec shutter speed was enough to stop the movement in the slower moving head. The A7RIV Animal Eye-AF nailed the bird's eye and kept it there .

(Download)


(Download)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I use the older RX10m4 ......call me silly, but here are some of my general thoughts - and they pertain to giving the AF circuits of the camera more time and therefore the best chance to obtain ACCURATE focus. Turning OFF lens stabilization when using higher shutter speeds is a good idea IMO, using something less than the maximum FPS, shooting JPEG only instead of raw. Some of the "soft" focus could be shutter speed/motion/stabilization issues........and, finally if you really suspect a gear problem, you could do a focus cal just to SEE if indeed it has no focus gear problem - yes, I know it is a mirrorless and no focus cal "necessary" - but ? ......
.

User ID

Okay !
;-)

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

bwa

linda lagace

My understanding is that auto focus problems may be specific to the particular camera and lens combo

linda lagace

Thks for comments. I did use mark smith''s suggestions to get me started on the camera. Very useful.

linda lagace

Tks. I do find that sometimes depending on the situation it helps to reduce responsiveness from 5 to 3 or 4.

User ID

Same here. So then its irrelevant what goes on with someones old a99.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Beauty!