Sony A7 III Autofocus Tracking: Master the Settings!

Achieving consistent and accurate focus is critical for both photography and videography. The Sony A7 III, along with other models like the A7R III and A9, boasts impressive autofocus capabilities. However, maximizing this potential requires understanding and configuring the right settings. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of how to set up autofocus tracking on these Sony cameras, covering different scenarios and camera models to ensure you nail every shot. Let's dive in!

What is Autofocus Tracking?

Autofocus tracking is a sophisticated camera feature that enables continuous focus on a moving subject. Unlike single autofocus (AF-S), which locks focus on a stationary point, autofocus tracking dynamically adjusts the focus to maintain sharpness as the subject moves within the frame.

This is particularly useful for capturing action shots, wildlife, Sports events, and dynamic video footage. Sony's autofocus systems are renowned for their speed, accuracy, and customizability, making them a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike. The ability to precisely track moving subjects is critical for ensuring your shots remain sharp and in focus, enhancing the overall quality and impact of your work. This feature minimizes the need for manual focus adjustments, allowing you to concentrate on composition and timing.

Key benefits of autofocus tracking include:

• Sharp Images and Video: Keeps moving subjects consistently in focus.
• Reduced Manual Effort: Minimizes the need for constant manual focus adjustments.
• Improved Success Rate: Increases the likelihood of capturing in-focus shots of dynamic scenes.
• Creative Flexibility: Allows you to concentrate on composition and capturing the right moment.

Understanding and mastering autofocus tracking unlocks a new level of creative control, allowing you to push the boundaries of your Photography and videography.

Compatible Sony Camera Models

The autofocus tracking settings described here are applicable to a range of Sony cameras, including:

• Sony A7 III
• Sony A7R III
• Sony A9
• Sony A7R IV
• Sony A9 II
• Sony A6400
• Sony A6600
• Sony A6100

While the fundamental principles remain the same, slight variations in the menu layout and terminology may exist between different models. Newer camera models generally offer more advanced autofocus algorithms and features, such as real-time tracking, which further enhances the accuracy and responsiveness of the autofocus system.

Step 1: Enable Touch Operation

Enabling touch operation is the first critical step.

It allows you to select your subject on the LCD screen easily and initiate the tracking. Here's how to do it:

1. Navigate to the Suitcase Menu: Press the menu button on your camera and navigate to the Toolbox icon, often referred to as the Suitcase menu.
2. Go to Setup2: Scroll through the pages of the Toolbox menu until you find the 'Setup2' page.
3. Turn On Touch Operation: Locate the 'Touch Operation' setting and ensure it is set to 'On'.
4. Select Touch Panel + Pad: In 'Setup3' set 'Touch Panel/Pad' to 'Touch Panel + Pad'.
5. Touch Pad Settings: In 'Touch Pad Settings', set 'Operation in V. Orien' to 'On', set 'Touch Pos. Mode' to 'Absolute Position', and set 'Operation Area' to 'Whole Screen'.

With touch operation enabled, you can now simply tap on your subject on the LCD screen to activate autofocus and initiate tracking.

Step 2: Assign a Custom Key for Center Lock-on AF

Assigning a custom key for 'Center Lock-on AF' provides Instant access to initiate subject tracking without navigating through menus.

This is a Game-changer for capturing fleeting moments. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Camera Menu 2: Press the menu button and go to the Camera Menu 2.
2. Find Custom Operation 1: Scroll through the pages until you find 'Custom Operation 1' (page 8/9).
3. Customize a Key: Select 'Custom Key'. From the list, assign 'Center Lock-on AF' to any custom button you prefer.

Now, whenever you want to initiate autofocus tracking, simply press the assigned custom button and the camera will automatically lock onto the subject at the center of the frame.

Step 3: Configure Autofocus Settings

Configuring the correct autofocus settings is crucial for effective tracking. Follow these steps:

1. Set Focus Mode to AF-C (Continuous AF): Press the FN button to access the quick function menu. Select 'AF-C' to enable continuous autofocus.

   

2. Set Focus Area to Lock-on AF: In the quick function menu (accessed via the FN button), select the 'Focus Area' setting. Choose 'Lock-on AF'. This ensures the camera prioritizes tracking the selected subject.

With these settings, the camera continuously adjusts focus to track the selected subject as it moves within the frame.