First time user of any forums.  If this isn't the place to ask questions and get advice, I apologize in advance.  

 

I have a NEX 5 and more recently an a6000.  I bought the 6000 because of its higher resolution.  I have some basic questions as follow:

 

1.  I use DMF along with AF-A focus to bring a specific object into sharp focus (using the focus ring) with the shutter halfway down until focused then press the shutter the rest of the way.  If I let up on the shutter after focusing at the half way mode and then press it all the way down does the specific object remain in focus?  Even if I shift the camera to a different angle?  Do I need to use AF-C focus?  I guess what I'm asking is once you bring something into focus the first time, will it remain in focus for subsequent shots, i.e. bracketing using shutter priority and aperture changes?

 

2.  I bought a simple Remote Control ($10) and it works great.  But It isn't capable of doing a half-way down shutter to wait for auto focus to finish.  The test shots I've taken all look identical compared to manually using the shutter.  But I don't want to take a field trip and come back finding that the focus has been compromised. I see that Sony has a more sophisticated remote for $30 but the reviews aren't good (?).

 

Appreciate any feedback on these topics.

I'm not going to attempt explaining how hopeless

I find it to be when attempting to control camera

functions with the shutter button, except acoarst

the shutter.

 

Don't know anything about an a5000, but an a6000

is a very customizable camera and that allows me to

let the shutter button control only the shutter release.

 

Reassigning controls is personal, but the very most

most broadly popular reassignment is referred to as

BBF or Back Button Focus.

 

Learn to BBF. The other thing I recommend to learn

is the useful difference between "hold" and "toggle".

My cameras are set up for "toggle" rather than "hold"

and acoarst for BBF. While this does require a rather

deliberate/intentional working style, at least all my

gear follows orders rather than acting like the gear

itself is in charge of operations.

 

All this stuff is in the menus. Also, don't neglect to

set up the "Fn" button. It's basically a "Quik Menu"

access for the things you'd adjust most frequently.

The full menu system was not designed to be used

in a hurry.

 

 

`

A simple procedure to help you with focusing in DMF:

 

a) In the Custom Key Settings menu, assign Center Button to "Standard".

Disable Lock-on AF.

c) Now, while in DMF, place your focus target in the center of the screen and keep pressed the Center Button to get Center Focus. Don't get your finger off the Center Button!

d) Use the lens focus ring to focus as you like (you can have MF Assist set to On and Focus Magnif. Time set to Unlimeted).

e) If you use MF Assist you can cancel it at anytime by half-pressing the shutter button.

f) Recompose your scene, if required

g) Push the shutter button all the way to snap the photo.

h) You can release the Center Button now!

 

This is a method of BBF that you can use along the usual DMF autofocus.

Works for A7 models, A6000, A5000, and all the rest of new ILCE's. I don't have any NEX's to test it.

Not sure whats possible with the a6000, however for holding focus I think its easier to AF with a half-press and then switch to MF at which point focus will not move regardless of what you do with the shutter or any remote trigger. The A7 has a button which can be specifically set for that (and it is set as default IIRC).

I'm not going to attempt explaining how hopeless

I find it to be when attempting to control camera

functions with the shutter button, except acoarst

the shutter.

 

Don't know anything about an a5000, but an a6000

is a very customizable camera and that allows me to

let the shutter button control only the shutter release.

 

Reassigning controls is personal, but the very most

most broadly popular reassignment is referred to as

BBF or Back Button Focus.

 

Learn to BBF. The other thing I recommend to learn

is the useful difference between "hold" and "toggle".

My cameras are set up for "toggle" rather than "hold"

and acoarst for BBF. While this does require a rather

deliberate/intentional working style, at least all my

gear follows orders rather than acting like the gear

itself is in charge of operations.

 

All this stuff is in the menus. Also, don't neglect to

set up the "Fn" button. It's basically a "Quik Menu"

access for the things you'd adjust most frequently.

The full menu system was not designed to be used

in a hurry.

 

 

`

Thank you very much.  Your advice was exactly what I needed.