If I had a brain, I'd be dangerous.

After buying four manual focus prime lenses, and being frustrated with not being able to zoom, I decided to give the 28-70 kit lens, I got with the a7 II, another try.

I was quickly reminded why I went to manual focus lenses.  That is, till I went in the menu and switched the kit lens to manual use.

Functions were unlocked that aren't available with the full manual lenses I bought.

I have the metering set to aperture priority.

I have the focus area set to flexible spot.

I think I must have focus assist set to auto.

So, I can move the flexible spot around with the wheel on the back, and when I turn the focus ring, the area under the flexible spot automatically enlarges for accurate focusing.

There is a distance scale on the bottom of the viewfinder, telling what distance it's focused at, making it easy to use the hyperfocal distance.

Now, all I need to do assign ISO to one of the function buttons, since the wheel is being used for moving the flexible spot around.

If I can figure out how to easily switch back and forth, I won't even need to do that.

Great camera for shooting on manual focus.  The auto focus on the a7 IV is much improved, so I'll keep it on auto.

 

You might also consider a different AF lens, the 28-70 kit is kind of on the bottom rung. Not saying you need to jump into a GM or spend silly money, take a look at some of Tamron's offerings. The 28-200/2.8-5.6 is an excellent lens and can be had used for a reasonable price.  

Remember that AF needs light to see enough contrast to work properly. The A7 IV definitely improves on the A7 II, but the II is still perfectly functional. 

There are only four custom function buttons and you want more than four functions accessible on demand.  Use the Fn button to set up to twelve different functions accessible without going into the Menu system.  Although it's not quite as fast as the four custom buttons, it's infinitely better than trying to navigate through the Menu system.

On 12/30/2024 at 12:17 PM, Mr. Lips said:

If I had a brain, I'd be dangerous.

After buying four manual focus prime lenses, and being frustrated with not being able to zoom, I decided to give the 28-70 kit lens, I got with the a7 II, another try.

I was quickly reminded why I went to manual focus lenses.  That is, till I went in the menu and switched the kit lens to manual use.

Functions were unlocked that aren't available with the full manual lenses I bought.

I have the metering set to aperture priority.

I have the focus area set to flexible spot.

I think I must have focus assist set to auto.

So, I can move the flexible spot around with the wheel on the back, and when I turn the focus ring, the area under the flexible spot automatically enlarges for accurate focusing.

There is a distance scale on the bottom of the viewfinder, telling what distance it's focused at, making it easy to use the hyperfocal distance.

Now, all I need to do assign ISO to one of the function buttons, since the wheel is being used for moving the flexible spot around.

If I can figure out how to easily switch back and forth, I won't even need to do that.

Great camera for shooting on manual focus.  The auto focus on the a7 IV is much improved, so I'll keep it on auto.

 

You don't need an AF lens to achieve what you describe. Some manual focus lenses (the ones I know are Voigtlander) have contacts and can pass focus distance and chosen aperture to the camera. Turn the focus ring and focus magnifier works, etc.