A7R3 with 200-600 Focusing?

[Martin AL]

Hi Everyone,

I hope I can get some help / constructive advise here. I am finding my set up to be very hit and miss when it comes to focus for aviation photography. Sometimes I can be blown away by the clarity i acheive with this set up but I would say 60-70% of my images are not pin sharp when inspecting them. 

I am not sure if I am expecting too much however I have come from a Canon 7d mk2 with L glass and I may need to adapt my method for Sony full frame?

I usually set shutter priority to 1/1000 or A prio on F9 however neither seem to have good results a lot of the time. 

I have included a couple of examples here for reference to outline what I am talking about. I understand its not the best lighting conditions however I would expect the massive text to be sharp on the edges. 

I use Center focus with E front curtain shutter off (advised from another group helps with contrast and focus??) 

AF track sens is responsive and drive speed is fast
Auto ISO
Focus mode - continuous AF
Drive mode - Cont. Shooting
RAW (obviously)
High Burst mode
And metering mode on Multi

I hope someone can get me back on track with this set up as honestly although i'm sure its user error, it is putting me off using it 

 

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Edited September 27, 2021 by Martin AL

[jfk70]

Hi Martin!

 

I usually use AFC and L Flexible tracking point with puntual measument.... Can you try it?

[thebeardedgroundsman]

Hi Martin

Have you set adjustments on the lens?

Like limiting the auto focus parameters or choosing the best steady shot mode?

I'm not familiar with the 200-600mm zoom, but my 100-400mm has switches to do both these things. Reducing the AF parameters speeds up AF and setting OSS to mode 2 is optimised for panning.

[dunnerdoitmon]

Hi Martin,

I have an A7Riii and although I don't have the 200-600, I do have the 100-400 and 70-200 f4.0 so here are a few more tips....

 

With [Focus Mode] set to 'AFC', try playing with [Focus Area] set to 'Lock-on AF: Flexible Spot L'. If that doesn't work reliably for locking onto aircraft then try other [Focus Area] settings. I use the 'AF-ON' button to focus and keep it pressed once it locks on.

 

With the above mode I always make sure the focusing square is in the middle of the screen. If not, press the joystick to re-centre it. I often find it accidentally de-centred due to clumsiness on my part.

 

In MENU item 7/14 I select 'Pre-AF' to 'on'.

 

If you are looking for on-line tutorials, try Mark Galer. For instance, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNloKXpUOWA

 

I too struggled with focus for some time because the A7Riii has so many functions and combinations of functions, but I eventually found my ideal settings for action, portraits and manual focusing. I'm happy with the results and although I haven't had a chance yet to shoot aircraft, I have had success with rapidly moving creatures. Examples here using settings above and with animal eye-AF respectively..........

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dimparcio/51127222953/in/album-72157715421584082/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dimparcio/50226728371/in/album-72157714652062341/

 

Good luck !

Regards

Bob

 

[craig50]

I have similar issues and a similar set up on my Sig 150-600 (native Sony, not adapted Canon). I can shoot at a distance in low light and nail focus on a color guard person twirling a flag or rifle and band member at a marching band comp but not get a clean shot on a sunny day playing hide and seek with a Great Blue Herron less than 100 feet away (and he's not moving very fast).