Received the NEX 7 yesterday. I am having trouble figuring out the manual focus vs AF with native NEX lenses. When I use auto focus on a subject, I thought I could use the focus ring to manually tweak the focus. It seems like nothing happens when I do this. I must AF on the subject, then push and hold (not very convenient, I am left eyed).the AF/MF button, then turn the focus ring, which enlarges the subject and I can manually focus. Then when I release the AF/MF button, and attempt to take the picture, the lens auto focuses again when I press the shutter button. Also in the setup menue the focus peaking color is "disabled". When I put a legacy lens on via adapter, the red focus peaking DOES work. Does focus peaking only work with non E mount lenses?Any help, advice?
Thanks in advance
Dave in NJ
I have only used DMF a little bit, but I don't think you can release the AF/MF button after you adjust focus - you have to go from half pressed to fully depress it and take the picture with the focus that you just dialed in. Hope that makes sense.
Dave, Haven't figured out if in fact it does have the quick shift type focus like Pentax like you mention. However, you can only change the color and peaking level if you have the camera in MF mode as selected in the menu. Once you change it there, you can change those features. Then, just change it back to AF and the settings you changed in Peaking should stay the same. I changed mine to Yellow and this is how I did it. Not sure if the DMF function is the quick shift type focus or focus by wire as it doesn't say much in the manual. I too am left eye dominant. As far as the enlarging feature you mention, that is MF assist in the menu. Just disable it and when you AF then press the MF button to switch to MF, the peaking function will come up and allow you to fine tune the focus manually (I know, somewhat inconvenient but maybe fixed later in a FW update or telling us what DMF really does). By pressing the shutter now, no AF box should come up and allow you to take the picture as you focused and exposed. Hope this helps.
In the setup menu, if you switch the AF/MF control to toggle, when you go from AF to MF like you mentioned, you should only press the button once to switch to MF, then fine tune and press the shutter release to take the picture. After that you must press the button again in order to switch back to AF.
So what does DMF really do? All I see is peaking with AF but you can't fine tune it manually. To me just looks like as you move the AF selector around, the peaking color changes with it so maybe just a visual aid to confirm that it's in focus with where the AF point is? *** So apparently DMF is like quick shift type focus on the pentax system but for some reason even if selected in the menu, when I use a native E mount lens like Dave, it will not adjust focus after I have used AF. I am also trying to figure out how to disable the AF system from automatically focusing on the center AF spot. Normally I have my cameras set where AF is initiated at half shutter press but after going through the menus, can't figure out how to disable this feature.***
This is what I finally did:
Set AF/MF to "toggle"
Set MF Assist (enlarged image) to "off"
Now when I use AF, Then push the AF/MF toggle to MF, the red peaking DOES work, and the manual focus ring works!
My Sony 900 AF lenses work differently. When body and lens are both set to AF and you turn the lens focusing ring, it switches to MF, very convenient.
Thanks again
Dave
This was posted over on getdpi....worth a try.
Dave
21 Minutes Ago #2
Rich M
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Hawaii
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Re: NEX 7 AF-MF questions
Dave......you want to enable DMF (Direct Manual Focus). (pg 76 of handbook).
MENU ---> [Camera] ---> [AF/MF Select] to the desired mode.

(Autofocus) Focuses automatically.
(DMF) After focusing automatically, make fine focus adjustment manually.

(Manual Focus) Adjusts the focus manually. Turn the focusing ring right or left to make the subject look clearer.
