How to make your Sony A7IV autofocus even better - Aperture Drive (A1, A7RIV, A9II)

Summary

In this video, Magic, a wedding photographer and Sony Europe ambassador, explains how to enhance autofocus performance on Sony cameras in low-light conditions by adjusting the 'Aperture Drive' setting. He highlights that this feature is especially useful for photographers working with higher apertures like f8 in dark environments. Magic demonstrates how to set this to 'Focus Priority' for better results, and offers tips for wedding photographers on customizing buttons for quick access. He recommends always using this feature for improved autofocus and depth of field management during challenging lighting scenarios.

Takeaways

• 📷 The video is an introduction to improving Sony camera autofocus performance in challenging lighting conditions.
• 👨‍💼 The speaker is Magic, a wedding photographer and Sony Europe ambassador, and he regularly shares tips about photography and gear.
• ⚙️ The focus of the video is on using a setting called 'Aperture Drive' to improve autofocus performance on Sony cameras in low-light scenarios.
• 📸 The setting is relevant for newer Sony cameras like A7 IV, A9 Mark II, A7R IV, A7S III, and A1 but not for older models such as A7 III or A7R III.
• 🔍 When shooting at high aperture values (e.g., f/8 or f/11) in low-light, autofocus can struggle, which this setting helps to resolve.
• ⚠️ By default, the 'Aperture Drive' setting is on 'Standard,' which maintains depth-of-field preview, but in low light, 'Focus Priority' should be used.
• 👀 'Focus Priority' opens the aperture momentarily to let more light in for better focus, but it compromises full-time depth-of-field preview.
• 🔊 Using 'Focus Priority' may produce audible aperture drive sounds and not show accurate depth-of-field on the viewfinder or monitor.
• 🔧 Magic suggests assigning a custom button to toggle 'Focus Priority' or use 'Aperture Preview' to check depth-of-field manually when needed.
• 💡 He recommends using 'Focus Priority' for wedding photographers to enhance focus performance in dimly lit venues.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to show how to improve autofocus performance in difficult lighting scenarios using a Sony camera, particularly by adjusting the 'aperture drive' setting.

Who is the presenter of the video?

The presenter is Magic, a wedding photographer, Sony Europe ambassador, and father of four children.

What Sony camera models does this video apply to?

This video applies to Sony A74, A9 Mark II, A7R4, A7S3, and A1. However, it does not apply to the older A73 or A7R3 models.

What is the default setting for the 'aperture drive' feature, and how does it function?

The default setting for the 'aperture drive' feature is 'standard,' which means that the camera operates at the aperture you set, affecting how much depth of field you see in the viewfinder or on the screen.

Why might autofocus performance be affected in darker environments with high aperture values?

Autofocus performance can be affected in darker environments with high aperture values (such as f/8 or f/11) because the camera receives less light, making it harder for the autofocus system to function properly.

What is the 'focus priority' setting, and how does it improve autofocus in dark conditions?

The 'focus priority' setting allows the camera to temporarily open the aperture to let in more light, improving autofocus performance in dark conditions, even when shooting at higher aperture values.

What is the downside of using the 'focus priority' setting?

The downside is that you won't get a 100% accurate depth of field preview in the viewfinder or on the screen since the camera is not at the shooting aperture. Additionally, sound from the aperture drive may be audible, and the aperture effect may not be visible on the monitor.

How can users preview the actual depth of field when using 'focus priority' mode?

Users can assign a custom button on their camera to the 'aperture preview' function, allowing them to preview the actual depth of field by temporarily closing the aperture when holding down the button.

What is Magic's personal recommendation for wedding photographers regarding the 'focus priority' setting?

Magic recommends setting the 'focus priority' mode as the default for wedding photographers, especially in low-light or difficult lighting situations. However, he also suggests assigning it to a custom button for easy access in certain scenarios.

What additional content does Magic plan to release in the future?

Magic is working on a full guide on how to set up the Sony A74 for weddings and encourages viewers to subscribe to his channel to avoid missing it.