Am vs Af/Mf focus settings on Sony camera

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Ed Bremer

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I am using a z9 with a 500mm PF lens via the FTZ adapter. Previously I used this lens on a D850 and D500 and really liked the way I could use the manual focus ring to get into tight spots(bird in bush type areas) then use the autofocus to get everything perfect. I'm not having a problem with this same function on the z9, but on a Sony mirrorless setup I have the option to either focus manually or letting the camera do its thing. I'd really like to be able to use the manual focus method then have autofocus home in the same as I can on the Nikon. Does anyone know if this is possible and also, would using a Z-mount lens on the z9 act just like the Sony does?

Hopefully I'm missing some way to set this up in the mirrorless world as this is kinda keeping me from purchasing a Nikon z-mount 100-400 lens for the z9.

Thanks!
 
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This is not an issue, unless you are using the old f-mount lenses on a DSLR where the AF motor is in the camera body. Otherwise, Sony and Nikon can do exactly the same thing, if I understand your question.

For the D500 on up to the Z9, your 500pf will easily let you manually focus and then go back to auto-Af when you engage the AF-ON or shutter button (depending on how you set up your camera). I own both a 500pf and a Z9, and I leave the AF switch on my 500pf to “M/A”. Then you can focus manually and let AF take over at any time, or focus with AF and override manually at any time. Same thing on Z-mount lenses. Just leave their switch to “A” and don’t ever remap what is normally the z-mount lens focusing ring to do something other than focus…
 
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Ed Bremer said:
I am using a z9 with a 500mm PF lens via the FTZ adapter. Previously I used this lens on a D850 and D500 and really liked the way I could use the manual focus ring to get into tight spots(bird in bush type areas) then use the autofocus to get everything perfect. I'm not having a problem with this same function on the z9, but on a Sony mirrorless setup I have the option to either focus manually or letting the camera do its thing. I'd really like to be able to use the manual focus method then have autofocus home in the same as I can on the Nikon. Does anyone know if this is possible and also, would using a Z-mount lens on the z9 act just like the Sony does?

Hopefully I'm missing some way to set this up in the mirrorless world as this is kinda keeping me from purchasing a Nikon z-mount 100-400 lens for the z9.

Thanks!
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Just to clarify you are asking how to do this on a Sony body.
 
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Yes, I'd like to be able to do the same focus technique, that I'm using on the z9 and 500mm PF, on a Sony A1 on either a 100-400mm or 200-600mm zoom. Currently the only way I can manually focus using either of these lenses is to switch the lens to manual. I don't believe that I've changed anything in the camera body setup to not allow this.

I'm glad to hear the Nikon z-mount lens will work the same as the old 500mm PF.
 
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Ed Bremer said:
It has a focus switch that is either manual or auto. Going to manual does not allow autofocus to work. Going to Auto does not take any input from the lens focus ring.
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On those lenses no it won’t. On the higher end lenses such as the 400 and 600GM you can manual or autofocus at anytime.
 
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Doug Herr said:
If the lens has a DMF (Direct Manual Focus) switch set it to On.
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Doug, I tried DMF on the camera and what it does is autofocus then allow you to fine tune via the lens ring. What I want to do is focus with the lens ring first then fine tune via autofocus. It appears DavidT has the answer I was looking for....
 
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Ed Bremer said:
DavidT, thanks for that answer. Since the 400 or 600GM lenses are not in my plans I might have to look into the Nikon solution for this.
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What I would do and used to do before getting the primes is set a button as a toggle which allows you to switch from manual to AF with the press of a button. Another option on the a1 is the left control wheel you can switch from AF to MF and back but I found a button set to toggle to work best. You can also set the button to press and hold if you just want a quick override to MF.
 
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DavidT said:
What I would do and used to do before getting the primes is set a button as a toggle which allows you to switch from manual to AF with the press of a button. Another option on the a1 is the left control wheel you can switch from AF to MF and back but I found a button set to toggle to work best. You can also set the button to press and hold if you just want a quick override to MF.
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You could even map the lens button to do this if need be. It’s a work around for lenses that don’t allow the instant override without using the lens switch.
 
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Ed Bremer said:
I'll give this a try and see how I like it. Much cheaper to just assign a button....
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I set mine to the joystick press on my a1 - works great. I think it's called AF/MF toggle (or close - it's under the Focus section of the button selection menu), Just press and it switches to MF, release and it's back to AF.
 
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I'm sure all higher end Sony bodies will have the A7RV's DMF via camera menu going forward. I wish they could add that to the A1 via FW....and I'm sure they could....but I doubt they will.

400GM, 600GM, 70-200GMII, 70-200GII and maybe a couple of the high end shorter primes have the DMF switch on lens.
I really miss DMF on my 100-400. I have the lens button set to do MF toggle when held in.
 
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arbitrage said:
I'm sure all higher end Sony bodies will have the A7RV's DMF via camera menu going forward. I wish they could add that to the A1 via FW....and I'm sure they could....but I doubt they will.

400GM, 600GM, 70-200GMII, 70-200GII and maybe a couple of the high end shorter primes have the DMF switch on lens.
I really miss DMF on my 100-400. I have the lens button set to do MF toggle when held in.
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Seems like a no brainer but their piss poor update practices aren't the greatest ever. They want us to buy a version 2 lol
 
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