Tips and tools for keeping focus with an A7S2?

K

kat.hayes

Active member
I’m new to Video and having a bit of difficulty with maintaining focus with the A7S2 when shooting a subject with limited motion. I am not shooting wide open, I press the shutter half way to refocus, and I get mixed results.

1. Is the only way to achieve focus on a subject by manual focus?
2. Are there any tips for doing this with auto Focus?
3. I’ve seen devices that connect to the back of the lcd to magnify them for checking focus. Are these or anything similar useful?

Thanks.
 
Auto-focus can't be trusted at all times with the a7SII as it confuses easily. It also depends on how much light you're working with and the lens you're using. AF will work better outdoors and some lenses will focus faster and more accurately (some hunt and stop).

The magnified EVFs do help (but I would just use the a7SII's EVF) and so do high-quality external monitors with focus peaking. Seeing everything on a 5" and especially 7" screen makes a big difference.

It's impossible to see if anything is in focus on that little LCD in the back and it will burn you many times if you trust it and the camera's AF.
 
$700 or less. What about options of connecting a phone? I'm guessing a phone is a good enough solution for just checking focus? If so, I know the Sony Play Memories app (or whatever it is called) works with photos, though does it work well wirelessly with video?

Thanks.
 
I'm not sure about any solutions with a phone...but maybe there are some out there that work well.

If you're willing to spend $700, I would look into a monitor/recorder combo new or used. I personally like the 7" Atomos products. Nice screen with lots of features.

The Ninja's on sale for a few days: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1329150-REG/atomos_atomnjafl2_ninja_flame_unit_soft.html

On the really inexpensive side, this is a pretty good one that I personally have used as well: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1261736-REG/feelworld_fw760_7_ips_ultra_thin_full.html
 
Phones have delay and don't work for focus or operating.

You want 720 res minimum ideally 1080

Smallhd 502 is good but not that well built

Cinemartin released something recently

Black Magic worth checking

Amd atomos
 
Try the Ikan3.5" monitor / viewfinder combo. GREAT with the A7sii, and I use it constantly for both set up stuff and run/gun work. Great little monitor for the price (it's a LITTLE small but it works great).
 
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