Panasonic G7 camera - AF + MF option

[Brisn5757]

I recently brought a Panasonic G7 and have been exploring its features.

There is a setting in the custom setup menu called 'AF + MF' which should allow you to adjust the focus manually after achieving Auto Focus.

I tried this option and can auto focus on a subject but can't manually adjust the focus.
I tried using the focus ring as well as the front and back dials on the camera but the focus does not change. I also tried setting the level to AFS and MF but with no results.

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Brian

 

[hindesite]

In the Custom Settings menu there are two settings, one above the other for AF+MF.

The top item sets the feature on or off.

The item below it sets how you want MF assist activated - use the ring, the dial pad, or both, or none.

All require the AF to be initiated, usually this is by a half press of the shutter when you activate MF by dial pad or focus ring.

 

[Mark Kaprielian]

Hi

I often find the instructions seemingly cryptic but I've realized that if I read it very slowly and am very sure I parse every word carefully, it does what it says. Can't tell you how many times I think "it's just wrong" or "where is this ?".

From Page 164 of the G7 Advanced manual

"When AF Lock is ON (press the shutter button halfway with the focus mode set to [AFS] or
set AF Lock using [AF/AE LOCK]), you can make fine adjustments to the focus manually."

Restating the above: When you half press and hold the shutter button when in AFS mode selected OR you press the back button that says AF/AE and it locks focus

THEN you can turn the manual focus ring and it will enlarge and show you with the color you selected what is in focus.

This works for me in all modes ...PASM

Mark

 

[Brisn5757]

Hi

I often find the instructions seemingly cryptic but I've realized that if I read it very slowly and am very sure I parse every word carefully, it does what it says. Can't tell you how many times I think "it's just wrong" or "where is this ?".

From Page 164 of the G7 Advanced manual

"When AF Lock is ON (press the shutter button halfway with the focus mode set to [AFS] or
set AF Lock using [AF/AE LOCK]), you can make fine adjustments to the focus manually."

Restating the above: When you half press and hold the shutter button when in AFS mode selected OR you press the back button that says AF/AE and it locks focus

THEN you can turn the manual focus ring and it will enlarge and show you with the color you selected what is in focus.

This works for me in all modes ...PASM

Mark

Hi Mark.

Thanks for the info. It looks like I need to have the AF Lock ON.

Brian

 

[Brisn5757]

In the Custom Settings menu there are two settings, one above the other for AF+MF.

The top item sets the feature on or off.

The item below it sets how you want MF assist activated - use the ring, the dial pad, or both, or none.

All require the AF to be initiated, usually this is by a half press of the shutter when you activate MF by dial pad or focus ring.

 

[alcelc]

IIRC, for all Pany using native M43 lenses (at least true for my Pany lenses), when shutter be held half pressed and turn the focus ring would activate MF... Release the shutter it would turn back to AF again.

It is equivalent to the MF clutch of Oly lens.

 

[Peterd21]

Also possibly worth trying is using back-button focussing although there are slightly different ways of achieving this.

I successfully used this after changing settings to:

Turning Shutter AF to 'Off'

Turn AE/AF Lock to 'AF-On'

Setting the camera to MF, use the AE/AF Lock button to auto focus but you can happily manually focus.

Yes, you lose the AE/AF Lock, which I found I rarely use, but the focus stays pretty much in the same place as you avoid auto focus every time you press the shutter.

There are other options but I felt I didn't need those.

Hope this helps in some way

Peter

 

[Brisn5757]

Also possibly worth trying is using back-button focussing although there are slightly different ways of achieving this.

I successfully used this after changing settings to:

Turning Shutter AF to 'Off'

Turn AE/AF Lock to 'AF-On'

Setting the camera to MF, use the AE/AF Lock button to auto focus but you can happily manually focus.

Yes, you lose the AE/AF Lock, which I found I rarely use, but the focus stays pretty much in the same place as you avoid auto focus every time you press the shutter.

There are other options but I felt I didn't need those.

Hope this helps in some way

Peter

Thanks Peter I'll try what you suggested.

I'm not certain where the back-button is on the camera, is this one of the function buttons or the left button that in a group of four buttons?

From what I understand after the camera has auto focused you are able to make flight adjustments manually using the lens focus ring.

Brian

 

[Brisn5757]

IIRC, for all Pany using native M43 lenses (at least true for my Pany lenses), when shutter be held half pressed and turn the focus ring would activate MF... Release the shutter it would turn back to AF again.

It is equivalent to the MF clutch of Oly lens.

 

[Peterd21]

Also possibly worth trying is using back-button focussing although there are slightly different ways of achieving this.

I successfully used this after changing settings to:

Turning Shutter AF to 'Off'

Turn AE/AF Lock to 'AF-On'

Setting the camera to MF, use the AE/AF Lock button to auto focus but you can happily manually focus.

Yes, you lose the AE/AF Lock, which I found I rarely use, but the focus stays pretty much in the same place as you avoid auto focus every time you press the shutter.

There are other options but I felt I didn't need those.

Hope this helps in some way

Peter

Thanks Peter I'll try what you suggested.

I'm not certain where the back-button is on the camera, is this one of the function buttons or the left button that in a group of four buttons?

From what I understand after the camera has auto focused you are able to make flight adjustments manually using the lens focus ring.

Brian

It puzzled me when I first heard about it - the back button in this case is the AE/AF Lock button - yes, the one with the focus lever round it. You re-assign this in the Fn menu to AF-On as it is the easiest to use for this purpose. It worked for me but might not for everyone.

As you will find, the G7 is highly customisable but I didn't change too much in case I couldn't remember where I had put them !. Is a really good camera though and worth taking the time to learn.

Peter