No autofocus or just temperamental?

[Haydn Morris]

I have just taken delivery of a new a7Rii - I have been looking for a mirrorless to complement my Nikon D800 and provide a more portable camera.  I am pleased with most of the features I have tried so far but I am having real difficulty with the autofocus which seems to only work on AF-A (albeit very slowly) in auto shooting mode, but not on other focus or priority settings.  Additionally I have watched some tutorials and realise I have neither an autofocus confirmation beep or indication light.  Bearing in mind my autofocus on the Nikon is quick and precise I am finding this camera very frustrating.

 

Thinking that I may have inadvertently activated various menu settings, I have reset the camera to factory settings but this makes no difference - I should welcome any help before I have to return the camera.

 

 

 

 

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

Which lens (adapter?) are you using?

[tinplater]

Exploring autofocus can be a steep learning curve.  The "beep" is disabled if you are in continuous focus for example.  You need to explore the complicated menu system; I recall an excellent youtube tutorial on the menu lists and what each choice accomplishes.  Auto focus is very much dependent upon the lens you are using, particularly if you are using a non native lens and adapter.  I love my a7rII but it takes time to become familiar.

[Haydn Morris]

Thanks for the comments - and I guess I must take more time to become familiar - I assumed I would be reasonably quick picking things up - but I have a fortnight's holiday in good light coming up offering plenty of practice time and time for reading.  I am getting some autofocus now, albeit better at 24 than 70mm and manual is fine,

 

As for the lens - I purchased the 24-70 f4 to start - it was a balance between this and the f2.8 which I would normally go for - all my Nikons are fast f1.4 - 2.8 as I do like low light shooting - but this camera is for travel and lightness, therefore compactness is key for me and hence the f4 choice.  As this is not third party or via an adaptor I assume it should not offer any roblems associated with those. 

 

For the focus beep I have reset to ensure I have not got it disabled but it is still not working (I have the volume turned up to max) Also I am not getting focus with a half press of the shutter - an action with which I am very familiar as well as back button focussing (which I prefer to use) but not yet set up on the a7.  

 

I am resetting and starting to set the camera up again I am sure it will be fine once I master it, but I would like the reassurance of a beep in the meantime!

[LiveShots]

If you are not getting focus with a half-press then check that you have not set the camera to Manual Focus… I think its button/lever 10 in this image:

 

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[Haydn Morris]

Thanks will check

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

Some Sony cameras retain the ergonomics settings even if you do a reset. So the best thing may be to dive into the menu and check that all the relevant settings have the right values. There shouldn't be an issue with your lens. But it always takes time to get used to a new system.

[Haydn Morris]

Thank you all for your help - I find it is operator error at last - having tried all settings and resetting many times - the answer to reinitialise - why did I not think of that!  Now to take some shots and come back with more helpful posts!

[DanArt]

You have settings like

 

Fast AF

Continious AF

 

That you need to turn on in order to get that speed from the lens. Otherwise AF will take slightly longer. Also it is lens dependent ( I am guessing as well ).

 

About the Beep sound/focus assist light/etc. Personally I do not really care for that acknoledgement.

 

I have found focusing manually with the over-lay way more faster then the AF. Especially in dark situations without any positive or negative space. However I have been using wide settings for AF preventing me from adjusting while the target is moving.

 

If the lens/camera is hunting then try adjusting via holding the MF button ( on the camera ) down or even pausing the AF via the lens buttons ( if any are presented ).  I know that by adjusting manually and then releasing the MF button will/might even speed up AF in dark situations temporarly  but will not increase following of the subject.

 

In my case even if the camera jumps the ISO breifly in order to achieve better focus and I still want to capture in the current ISO setting it will not make a difference. But in a well lite situation like a sunny day, Arena, or even an musical performance the focus

works well enough. Again lighting situations affects over all focusing ( so far for me ).