Using MF Assist and Focus Magnifier

[Muizen]

I think I now have the settings correct for using the MF Assist.

 

I have the following settings:

MF

MF Assist ON

Peaking Level HIGH

Peaking Color YELLOW

Focus Area Flexible Spot M

MF manual focus works perfectly, whereby turning the focus ring on my Batis 25MM results in magnification and shows the peaking color.

 

Questions:

1) What is the function/purpose of the Focus Magnifier?

I assigned this to a C button and indeed this enabled enlarging by using this C Button, but I have no need for this because when I turn the focus ring I get the enlargement I need automatically.

 

2) When I start using Manual Focus there is peaking yellow all over the image I plan to shoot.
I prefer just getting peaking of the key object that  I want to sharp focus.
I tried Flexible Spot Small but that doesn't change this yellow peaking all over the image.

[yali]

1) Some people (like me) prefer to not have the automatic enlargement and do that manually when needed.

2) Nope, either you have peaking everywhere with high contrast or nowhere. the camera wouldn't know what you're trying to focus on.

You can try to make peaking less sensitive in the settings if that helps

[CountZero]

Focus magnifier is also useful for using an adapted manual focus lens that has no electronic control. I've lately been using my old Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (which at our studio we found to be just as sharp for the most part as the zeiss 55mm) for all of my personal  work, as well as for freelance work reproducing artwork photographically. I've actually turned peaking down a bit as I find it distracting, and honestly not very helpful. The focus magnifier gives me the zoom I need to see whats in focus as the MF assist will not automatically turn on with no EC

[wolfpacker]

Legacy lenses don't interact with the camera when you turn the focus ring, so if you use any old lenses, that is the only way to get the magnifier. 

[ViRuS X]

1) What is the function/purpose of the Focus Magnifier?

When you use native Sony FE lenses the focus magnifier will work automatically unless you turn it OFF, usually assigning a custom button for magnifier will be for people using other lenses like legacy lenses or maybe Nikon/Canon lenses because the Magnifier won't work automatically for them.

Simply if you don't want to use magnifier on Sony FE lenses just turn it off.

 

2) When I start using Manual Focus there is peaking yellow all over the image I plan to shoot.

Maybe because you are taking photos using a very narrow lens opening, I mean a high f stop number like f/8 - f/122.. try to reduce the f number and you will notice the peaking line getting less or just change the Peaking level to Medium or Low.

 

Also you should know that Focus Area and Focus points are for Auto-Focus setting not for use with Manual focus setting

[Marc Contaxtonikon]

In my case, I use mostly th C/Y Zeiss 85/1.4 for portraits. Using the Focus magnifier, I get razor sharp pictures with very narrow depth of field where focus peaking (in the EVF) doesn't really help me.

[Muizen]

1) What is the function/purpose of the Focus Magnifier?

When you use native Sony FE lenses the focus magnifier will work automatically unless you turn it OFF, usually assigning a custom button for magnifier will be for people using other lenses like legacy lenses or maybe Nikon/Canon lenses because the Magnifier won't work automatically for them.

Simply if you don't want to use magnifier on Sony FE lenses just turn it off.

 

2) When I start using Manual Focus there is peaking yellow all over the image I plan to shoot.

Maybe because you are taking photos using a very narrow lens opening, I mean a high f stop number like f/8 - f/122.. try to reduce the f number and you will notice the peaking line getting less or just change the Peaking level to Medium or Low.

 

Also you should know that Focus Area and Focus points are for Auto-Focus setting not for use with Manual focus setting

[Muizen]

VIRus X: 

Since I don't use legacy glass I understand from what you are writing, that I don't need Focus Magnifier and that I should "turn it off"

Can you please let me know in what way I can turn off Focus Magnifier? 

 

Thanks!

[ViRuS X]

VIRus X: 

Since I don't use legacy glass I understand from what you are writing, that I don't need Focus Magnifier and that I should "turn it off"

Can you please let me know in what way I can turn off Focus Magnifier? 

 

Thanks!

 

Search for MF Assist in the menu and turn it off