How to use Preset Focus Sony A1

[vawendy]

I hadn't updated my cameras software, because some people were not happy with it. But I had to send the camera in for service, and they updated it.

There's a new feature (new to me) in the AF/MF menu -- Preset focus/zoom that looks interesting. But I can't seem to find information on how to successfully utilize it.

Is anyone playing with this one? Can you explain?

Thanks!

 

[arbitrage]

Here is the section in the FW 2.0 and greater updated A1 Help Guide.

ILCE-1 | Help Guide | Preset Focus/Zoom

I've made use of it by assigning the function to the button on my lens. I hold the button for a couple seconds, it registers the distance I'm focused at and then I just tap the button to recall that focus position. Typically I've used it to recall a close focus position which MILCs sometimes have a hard time driving focus to when you are focused much further away.
You have to re-register the distance any time you mount a different lens or add/subtract a TC.
I don't believe it supports lenses like 100-400 or 200-600. Prime lenses and power zooms only.
You can register multiple different distances for a given lens but I don't think that is very practical for wildlife photography.

 

[vawendy]

Here is the section in the FW 2.0 and greater updated A1 Help Guide.

ILCE-1 | Help Guide | Preset Focus/Zoom

I've made use of it by assigning the function to the button on my lens. I hold the button for a couple seconds, it registers the distance I'm focused at and then I just tap the button to recall that focus position. Typically I've used it to recall a close focus position which MILCs sometimes have a hard time driving focus to when you are focused much further away.
You have to re-register the distance any time you mount a different lens or add/subtract a TC.
I don't believe it supports lenses like 100-400 or 200-600. Prime lenses and power zooms only.
You can register multiple different distances for a given lens but I don't think that is very practical for wildlife photography.

thank you -- that's what I was thinking.

I didn't really see it being helpful for wildlife photography. But it could be great for astrophotography, since infinity isn't really in focus for stars.

 

[Wrogu]

It is one of the best functions for wildlife, hands down. Especially if you shoot from a hide and have two or more perches. If they are tiny and you are focsed far away ... Refocussing might be tricky, even with a bird on that stick. Preset distsnces to your perches and you are ready to jump between them super fast. Even on a beach - for instance I had a perch/log in water and a strand of a beach with birds walking along it. Using recall is faster to refocus from birds on beach to bird on a perch/wooden log in the water. Super convinient.