Manual focus on Sony 20-70

[RaysJ]

When using manual focus, is there a way to see the focus distance, without moving the focus ring?

l've had several incidents where AF, has not focussed correctly, even if it has confirmed focus. I just want to check it is correct. One the lens there is distance scale.

lf you move the focus ring, just slightly, the focus can change considerably.

Of course by moving it, you don't know what it was on.

 

[Aldo A9]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

 

[sludge21017]

Focus peeking in camera might not be good for one spot. Good to see the plane/area that lights up.

I have also turned on magnifying when manual focusing.

 

[RaysJ]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

 

[sludge21017]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

 

[RaysJ]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

 

[sludge21017]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

I'm not sure about your camera, but I can use the phone app to adjust focus on my cameras.

That also has its difficulties.

Sounds like you are on a tripod.

Any more hints about what subject you are shooting and what distances??

 

[RaysJ]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

I'm not sure about your camera, but I can use the phone app to adjust focus on my cameras.

That also has its difficulties.

Sounds like you are on a tripod.

Any more hints about what subject you are shooting and what distances??

I don't use phone Apps. Yes l use a tripod most of the time. Mainly long exposure seascapes. Distances vary, can be from 2m to almost infinity. Or can just be one subject which can be about 20m to 100m away.

 

[Lan]

I always use the focus magnifier to check critical focus.

 

[RaysJ]

I always use the focus magnifier to check critical focus.

I have used it, it is ok in good light.

 

[sludge21017]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

I'm not sure about your camera, but I can use the phone app to adjust focus on my cameras.

That also has its difficulties.

Sounds like you are on a tripod.

Any more hints about what subject you are shooting and what distances??

I don't use phone Apps. Yes l use a tripod most of the time. Mainly long exposure seascapes. Distances vary, can be from 2m to almost infinity. Or can just be one subject which can be about 20m to 100m away.

Check if you are in phase or contrast based when in AF, that might help the 20m-100m subjects.

Maybe try to set the manual focus before putting on the ND?

 

[RaysJ]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

I'm not sure about your camera, but I can use the phone app to adjust focus on my cameras.

That also has its difficulties.

Sounds like you are on a tripod.

Any more hints about what subject you are shooting and what distances??

I don't use phone Apps. Yes l use a tripod most of the time. Mainly long exposure seascapes. Distances vary, can be from 2m to almost infinity. Or can just be one subject which can be about 20m to 100m away.

Check if you are in phase or contrast based when in AF, that might help the 20m-100m subjects.

Maybe try to set the manual focus before putting on the ND?

I don't think there is an option for phase or contrast on the A7Rlll, it uses both.

l have used manual before putting filters but it is not always clear.

l will try it again tomorrow.

 

[sludge21017]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

I'm not sure about your camera, but I can use the phone app to adjust focus on my cameras.

That also has its difficulties.

Sounds like you are on a tripod.

Any more hints about what subject you are shooting and what distances??

I don't use phone Apps. Yes l use a tripod most of the time. Mainly long exposure seascapes. Distances vary, can be from 2m to almost infinity. Or can just be one subject which can be about 20m to 100m away.

Check if you are in phase or contrast based when in AF, that might help the 20m-100m subjects.

Maybe try to set the manual focus before putting on the ND?

I don't think there is an option for phase or contrast on the A7Rlll, it uses both.

l have used manual before putting filters but it is not always clear.

l will try it again tomorrow.

check here:

ILCE-7RM3 | Help Guide | AF System (still image)

 

[RaysJ]

There is no scale on the 20-70. Do you not use focus peaking?

I found focus peaking does not at all well, very unreliable and if using ND filters or in low light does work at all.

Had many failures due to focus peaking in my early usage of this camera.

The scale on my 20-70 lens is way out, which does not help.

What does "way out" mean?

I just put A7R5 w/ 24-70 F/4 G into DMF... I'm not sure if you camera has DMF. It allows you to focus with AF, then you are allowed to adjust the MF without AF taking over.

There's isn't much to work with on the right side of the scale - if that's what you mean. The #'s from 0 to ∞ go by quickly. The first ∞ looks pretty spot on to with a little leeway. Going further isn't too good. You shouldn't need more fine adjustment in infinity focus.

My camera also kicked in with magnification mode.

It means 10m is actually on infinity according to the scale. It means if l put it on 4m on the scale it is actually about 2m. Could not get DMF to work.

l can't use shutter button AF, as with ND filters that can shoot off, when l use the remote, it tends to go to the minimum focus on the lens. I now use back button AF, which does not change when releasing the shutter.

Manual focus enlargement is usually not clear enough on my EVF.

So the only way to see the focus distance, is to move the focus ring, when in manual focus?

Why do l get a green square, in AF, if it is not in focus?

I'm not sure about your camera, but I can use the phone app to adjust focus on my cameras.

That also has its difficulties.

Sounds like you are on a tripod.

Any more hints about what subject you are shooting and what distances??

I don't use phone Apps. Yes l use a tripod most of the time. Mainly long exposure seascapes. Distances vary, can be from 2m to almost infinity. Or can just be one subject which can be about 20m to 100m away.

Check if you are in phase or contrast based when in AF, that might help the 20m-100m subjects.

Maybe try to set the manual focus before putting on the ND?

I don't think there is an option for phase or contrast on the A7Rlll, it uses both.

l have used manual before putting filters but it is not always clear.

l will try it again tomorrow.

check here:

ILCE-7RM3 | Help Guide | AF System (still image)

Can't see it in the menu. AF system is blanked off, when selected, it says "invalid with this lens".

Seems it is not available on the Sony 20-70.

 

[Ralf B]

RaysJ wrote:

Can't see it in the menu. AF system is blanked off, when selected, it says "invalid with this lens". Seems it is not available on the Sony 20-70.

Any chance you still have the lens set to MF?

 

[RaysJ]

Can't see it in the menu. AF system is blanked off, when selected, it says "invalid with this lens". Seems it is not available on the Sony 20-70.

Any chance you still have the lens set to MF?

No, it is on AF.

 

[Ralf B]

Can't see it in the menu. AF system is blanked off, when selected, it says "invalid with this lens". Seems it is not available on the Sony 20-70.

Any chance you still have the lens set to MF?

No, it is on AF.

Any chance to try with another lens to see whether lens or cam are the culprit?

 

[RaysJ]

Can't see it in the menu. AF system is blanked off, when selected, it says "invalid with this lens". Seems it is not available on the Sony 20-70.

Any chance you still have the lens set to MF?

No, it is on AF.

Any chance to try with another lens to see whether lens or cam are the culprit?

lt is just the same with my Tamron 50-300.

 

[Ralf B]

Any chance to try with another lens to see whether lens or cam are the culprit?

lt is just the same with my Tamron 50-300.

IIRC, you had (still have?) trouble getting DMF to work, your cam's EVF flickers like crazy sometimes (?), which in any case isn't normal, now this issue.

I guess there is something fundamentaly wrong with your cam. No further idea, sorry.

 

[RaysJ]

Any chance to try with another lens to see whether lens or cam are the culprit?

lt is just the same with my Tamron 50-300.

IIRC, you had (still have?) trouble getting DMF to work, your cam's EVF flickers like crazy sometimes (?), which in any case isn't normal, now this issue.

I guess there is something fundamentaly wrong with your cam. No further idea, sorry.

I read on another thread that it is greyed out because it uses hybrid AF. This applies to Sony lenses.
DMF only works on shutter button AFS, which is useless for me.