a7RVI AF Settings
p.1 #1a7RVI AF Settings
I'm trying to get two back-button-focus (BBF) buttons set up for AF-ON and AEL. I remove AF from the shutter button entirely, so please no comments about that.
I want one button to activate continuous AF on a single point (no expansive tracking, just that small spot point) and the other button to activate continuous AF, finding and following the subject matter eyeballs/head. Is this possible and if so, does the latter AF start searching from near where the AF point was set to in the spot AF mode?
Thanks,
EBH
I want one button to activate continuous AF on a single point (no expansive tracking, just that small spot point) and the other button to activate continuous AF, finding and following the subject matter eyeballs/head. Is this possible and if so, does the latter AF start searching from near where the AF point was set to in the spot AF mode?
Thanks,
EBH
Jul 15, 2026 at 04:48 PM
p.1 #2a7RVI AF Settings
Sure, it’s possible
You want to go into the menu -> Red Tab -> 4 shooting mode -> Reg. Custom Shoot Set
You want to create two separate Recall Custom Hold 1 and 2
First one: make sure you check Focus Mode (continuous AF) and Focus Area (Spot:S) and check AF On (On) any other parameter you want to control (Manual Mode, SS, ISO, etc…) when you’re finished, make sure you go down to the bottom and hit register to complete the process
Second one: I’m a little fuzzy on what you exactly want. I think you want Small spot with tracking? But I’m not sure. If that’s the case, check Focus Mode like before (continuous AF) and for Focus Area check (Tracking Small Spot) and AF On (On)
Afterwards go to Yellow Tab -> 3. Operation Customize -> Custom Key Set (with camera icon) -> Rear1 -> set 1 and 2 to Recall Custom set 1 and Recall Custom set 2 respectively
Like I said, not exactly sure what you want on the second AF mode, but you can select whatever one you want when you’re configuring the Recall Custom set 2 preset
You want to go into the menu -> Red Tab -> 4 shooting mode -> Reg. Custom Shoot Set
You want to create two separate Recall Custom Hold 1 and 2
First one: make sure you check Focus Mode (continuous AF) and Focus Area (Spot:S) and check AF On (On) any other parameter you want to control (Manual Mode, SS, ISO, etc…) when you’re finished, make sure you go down to the bottom and hit register to complete the process
Second one: I’m a little fuzzy on what you exactly want. I think you want Small spot with tracking? But I’m not sure. If that’s the case, check Focus Mode like before (continuous AF) and for Focus Area check (Tracking Small Spot) and AF On (On)
Afterwards go to Yellow Tab -> 3. Operation Customize -> Custom Key Set (with camera icon) -> Rear1 -> set 1 and 2 to Recall Custom set 1 and Recall Custom set 2 respectively
Like I said, not exactly sure what you want on the second AF mode, but you can select whatever one you want when you’re configuring the Recall Custom set 2 preset
Jul 15, 2026 at 05:49 PM
p.1 #3a7RVI AF Settings
A few different ways to do this. One is with the Reg Custom Shoot Set described above. You only need to do that for one of your buttons. The other can just be AF-ON and use your main AF mode.
Another way is to just have AF-On set to "AF-On" that will use whatever your main AF mode is set to. Then program AEL to "Registered AF Area + AF-On". This will use whatever AF are you register by long pressing the Fn key to register it. So switch your main AF mode to the one you want registered, long-press the Fn until it says "Registered AF mode" and then switch your main AF mode back to the Small Flex Spot which will work on your AF-ON button.
Note: In order to use the Registered AF method there is a setting in the AF menu to allow registering an AF mode and I think it is OFF by default on a new camera.
I think you are wanting full sensor AF on the AEL (which Sony calls Wide). You can have Wide or Wide with Tracking. I prefer just Wide no tracking because it still is going to track over the entire sensor anyways once it finds a subject (body/head/eye).
Another way is to just have AF-On set to "AF-On" that will use whatever your main AF mode is set to. Then program AEL to "Registered AF Area + AF-On". This will use whatever AF are you register by long pressing the Fn key to register it. So switch your main AF mode to the one you want registered, long-press the Fn until it says "Registered AF mode" and then switch your main AF mode back to the Small Flex Spot which will work on your AF-ON button.
Note: In order to use the Registered AF method there is a setting in the AF menu to allow registering an AF mode and I think it is OFF by default on a new camera.
I think you are wanting full sensor AF on the AEL (which Sony calls Wide). You can have Wide or Wide with Tracking. I prefer just Wide no tracking because it still is going to track over the entire sensor anyways once it finds a subject (body/head/eye).
Jul 15, 2026 at 05:59 PM
p.1 #4a7RVI AF Settings
arbitrage wrote:
A few different ways to do this. One is with the Reg Custom Shoot Set described above. You only need to do that for one of your buttons. The other can just be AF-ON and use your main AF mode.
Very true! Your way is probably easier actually! 😄
I guess that’s one of the great things about Sony cameras. It’s customization options are nearly infinite!
A few different ways to do this. One is with the Reg Custom Shoot Set described above. You only need to do that for one of your buttons. The other can just be AF-ON and use your main AF mode.
Very true! Your way is probably easier actually! 😄
I guess that’s one of the great things about Sony cameras. It’s customization options are nearly infinite!
Jul 15, 2026 at 06:15 PM
p.1 #5a7RVI AF Settings
On newer Nikons, you can set most buttons to AF-On & area mode so different buttons can perform different AF modes. Is there an equivalent for Sony? Sounds like there is not.
Jul 15, 2026 at 08:25 PM
p.1 #6a7RVI AF Settings
No matter how many options cameras have people want to go directly to a setting and sometimes have to go to a menu first. The a7rVI has more options than the a7rV did.
Mostly I want the Canon and Sony to be similar as I use them together. Now with above advice I have the dual BBF with different settings on all. At this point I don't prefer one AF-ON and the other change modes.
Ideally there would be a way to edit CAMSET files with a utility to see and change all the settings in one place. Having to set everything on the camera using various buttons and dials and those tiny screen fonts is ridiculous.
EBH
Mostly I want the Canon and Sony to be similar as I use them together. Now with above advice I have the dual BBF with different settings on all. At this point I don't prefer one AF-ON and the other change modes.
Ideally there would be a way to edit CAMSET files with a utility to see and change all the settings in one place. Having to set everything on the camera using various buttons and dials and those tiny screen fonts is ridiculous.
EBH
Jul 15, 2026 at 10:49 PM
p.1 #7a7RVI AF Settings
If you would like a visual guide to this Jan Wageners setup video shows this (actually a triple back button focus setup)
I found it easier to follow that rather than a written guide
I found it easier to follow that rather than a written guide
Jul 15, 2026 at 11:07 PM
p.1 #8a7RVI AF Settings
EB-1 wrote:
I'm trying to get two back-button-focus (BBF) buttons set up for AF-ON and AEL. I remove AF from the shutter button entirely, so please no comments about that.
I want one button to activate continuous AF on a single point (no expansive tracking, just that small spot point) and the other button to activate continuous AF, finding and following the subject matter eyeballs/head. Is this possible and if so, does the latter AF start searching from near where the AF point was set to in the spot AF mode?
Thanks,
EBH
Here is a link to my settings - you can install them - it has two back focus buttons (AF-ON and AEL) set up and a few custom settings for different shooting scenarios.
https://duncangroenewald.com/files/Sony/A7RM6/A7RM6SET2.DAT
Check out my A1ii or A9iii settings guide they are all set up in a similar way, with two back focus buttons - those menus are much the same.
https://duncangroenewald.com/pages/guides/guides-index.html
I'm trying to get two back-button-focus (BBF) buttons set up for AF-ON and AEL. I remove AF from the shutter button entirely, so please no comments about that.
I want one button to activate continuous AF on a single point (no expansive tracking, just that small spot point) and the other button to activate continuous AF, finding and following the subject matter eyeballs/head. Is this possible and if so, does the latter AF start searching from near where the AF point was set to in the spot AF mode?
Thanks,
EBH
Here is a link to my settings - you can install them - it has two back focus buttons (AF-ON and AEL) set up and a few custom settings for different shooting scenarios.
https://duncangroenewald.com/files/Sony/A7RM6/A7RM6SET2.DAT
Check out my A1ii or A9iii settings guide they are all set up in a similar way, with two back focus buttons - those menus are much the same.
https://duncangroenewald.com/pages/guides/guides-index.html
Jul 16, 2026 at 02:15 AM
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p.1 #9a7RVI AF Settings
bcaslis wrote:
On newer Nikons, you can set most buttons to AF-On & area mode so different buttons can perform different AF modes. Is there an equivalent for Sony? Sounds like there is not.
The way you do that is to set up on back focus button as AF-ON and you set the default focus area as Wide Area.
Then you set up a second back focus button as AF-ON + Registered Focus Area and you then separately set the Registered Focus area as for example Spot: XS (extra small).
Now if you find yourself in a situation where you would rather be using say Spot: XL (extra large) then all you do is quickly change the registered Focus Area to Spot: XL.
Similarly if you find you would rather use Zone that Wide Area as the default you simply select Zone as the focus area.
This way you can change the two focus areas on the fly depending on the situation without needing to reprogram your back focus buttons.
Two examples:
1. Small birds in shrubs - I use Spot:XS as my second back focus button option
2. Seabirds 'fishing' - I use Spot:XL as my second back focus button option
With the larger Spot:XL I don't have to be as precise when focussing on a gannet or tern as it emerges from the water after a dive - Wide Area might lock on to another bird in the frame so I wouldn't use that and Spot:XS can be hard to keep on the subject and if you don't the focus will not stay on the subject.
If the focus area was programmed in to the back focus button you wouldn't be able to quickly change it on the fly, you would probably have to go into a custom setting option somewhere in the menus to change the setup.
With the A7RM6 and the custom settings you can more easily have multiple completely customised setups with different focus modes set up on each and then simply toggle between them. You can register different focus modes in each custom setup so the default and registered focus mode will change when you switch between your custom settings.
On newer Nikons, you can set most buttons to AF-On & area mode so different buttons can perform different AF modes. Is there an equivalent for Sony? Sounds like there is not.
The way you do that is to set up on back focus button as AF-ON and you set the default focus area as Wide Area.
Then you set up a second back focus button as AF-ON + Registered Focus Area and you then separately set the Registered Focus area as for example Spot: XS (extra small).
Now if you find yourself in a situation where you would rather be using say Spot: XL (extra large) then all you do is quickly change the registered Focus Area to Spot: XL.
Similarly if you find you would rather use Zone that Wide Area as the default you simply select Zone as the focus area.
This way you can change the two focus areas on the fly depending on the situation without needing to reprogram your back focus buttons.
Two examples:
1. Small birds in shrubs - I use Spot:XS as my second back focus button option
2. Seabirds 'fishing' - I use Spot:XL as my second back focus button option
With the larger Spot:XL I don't have to be as precise when focussing on a gannet or tern as it emerges from the water after a dive - Wide Area might lock on to another bird in the frame so I wouldn't use that and Spot:XS can be hard to keep on the subject and if you don't the focus will not stay on the subject.
If the focus area was programmed in to the back focus button you wouldn't be able to quickly change it on the fly, you would probably have to go into a custom setting option somewhere in the menus to change the setup.
With the A7RM6 and the custom settings you can more easily have multiple completely customised setups with different focus modes set up on each and then simply toggle between them. You can register different focus modes in each custom setup so the default and registered focus mode will change when you switch between your custom settings.
Jul 16, 2026 at 02:35 AM
p.1 #10a7RVI AF Settings
bcaslis wrote:
On newer Nikons, you can set most buttons to AF-On & area mode so different buttons can perform different AF modes. Is there an equivalent for Sony? Sounds like there is not.
As already described by myself and others before you made your post there are multiple ways to do this. Sony allows three unique custom sets which can be as simple as just having a different af mode and afon or you can change all sorts of other parameters in those custom sets. Registered AF mode +af-on as I mentioned and detailed by Duncan below adds a fourth available way. Those four plus your regular AFON allows five different buttons that could be different AF modes and three of those can be much more intricate if one wants.
Jul 16, 2026 at 06:25 AM
p.1 #11a7RVI AF Settings
I forgot to f/u. The a7rVI is rather good and I'm satisfied with it for now. It's far better than the a7rV was in AF despite the slow-ish read speeds and the viewfinder is very nice. I will have to be careful in not overusing it for any action and then maybe consider additional glass next year. I should program a button to switch between the MS and ES modes.
The main problem is processing the lossly compressible images, but that can wait for future software support.
EBH
The main problem is processing the lossly compressible images, but that can wait for future software support.
EBH
Aug 01, 2026 at 04:48 PM
p.1 #12a7RVI AF Settings
Some interesting suggestions here. As already noted there are multiple ways to achieve the same result. And to an extent, the trouble is there are TOO MANY WAYS, which adds to the complexity.
I enjoy reading Gary Friedman's book to explore what is possible. His explanations are very clear. I don't always adopt his recommendations. Instead, I appreciate the reasoning behind his choices.
I have been using ChatGPT to help me set up my new A7R6 and that helps. It can be amazingly dumb about information I know is publicly available to it, but the 'conversational' approach helps me focus on what I want the camera to do, rather than everything it can do. It's a bit like having a personal tutor -- "can I do this?" "Yes, here's the steps to take". Sometimes it does not work, and I do need Friedman's advice to ensure ChatGPT is not hallucinating, but the approach is centred on what I want to achieve for my purposes.
I enjoy reading Gary Friedman's book to explore what is possible. His explanations are very clear. I don't always adopt his recommendations. Instead, I appreciate the reasoning behind his choices.
I have been using ChatGPT to help me set up my new A7R6 and that helps. It can be amazingly dumb about information I know is publicly available to it, but the 'conversational' approach helps me focus on what I want the camera to do, rather than everything it can do. It's a bit like having a personal tutor -- "can I do this?" "Yes, here's the steps to take". Sometimes it does not work, and I do need Friedman's advice to ensure ChatGPT is not hallucinating, but the approach is centred on what I want to achieve for my purposes.
Aug 03, 2026 at 03:01 AM
p.1 #13a7RVI AF Settings
EB-1 wrote:
I forgot to f/u. The a7rVI is rather good and I'm satisfied with it for now. It's far better than the a7rV was in AF despite the slow-ish read speeds and the viewfinder is very nice. I will have to be careful in not overusing it for any action and then maybe consider additional glass next year. I should program a button to switch between the MS and ES modes.
The main problem is processing the lossly compressible images, but that can wait for future software support.
EBH
I don't think a single button to switch between MS and ES modes will work particularly well.
Typically I use H (7fps) in MS mode to maintain a live view EVF for action and H+ in ES. So to change multiple settings at once I use a custom mode and have a button assigned to toggle through the custom modes. When I use MS I also use lossless compressed RAW for maximum IQ but rather go with performance/larger buffer in ES mode. All those settings get saved separately for each custom mode.
It's hard to pick up the A1ii now - although there is no need to switch to MS on the A1ii so you don't need the custom modes quite as much.
Some more recent pics in the links below.
https://duncangroenewald.com/pages/collections/2026-08-01-a7r6.html
Note the orange-bellied parrots in the link below were taken with the A1ii
https://duncangroenewald.com/pages/collections/2026-08-01-a7r6-obp.html
I forgot to f/u. The a7rVI is rather good and I'm satisfied with it for now. It's far better than the a7rV was in AF despite the slow-ish read speeds and the viewfinder is very nice. I will have to be careful in not overusing it for any action and then maybe consider additional glass next year. I should program a button to switch between the MS and ES modes.
The main problem is processing the lossly compressible images, but that can wait for future software support.
EBH
I don't think a single button to switch between MS and ES modes will work particularly well.
Typically I use H (7fps) in MS mode to maintain a live view EVF for action and H+ in ES. So to change multiple settings at once I use a custom mode and have a button assigned to toggle through the custom modes. When I use MS I also use lossless compressed RAW for maximum IQ but rather go with performance/larger buffer in ES mode. All those settings get saved separately for each custom mode.
It's hard to pick up the A1ii now - although there is no need to switch to MS on the A1ii so you don't need the custom modes quite as much.
Some more recent pics in the links below.
https://duncangroenewald.com/pages/collections/2026-08-01-a7r6.html
Note the orange-bellied parrots in the link below were taken with the A1ii
https://duncangroenewald.com/pages/collections/2026-08-01-a7r6-obp.html
Aug 03, 2026 at 04:59 AM
p.1 #14a7RVI AF Settings
I just want to toggle between 30FPS ES and 10FPS MS with one button, for example if action is too fast for undistorted ES readout then MS is needed just during that brief time. Are you saying that MS requires 7FPS only? That's just so slow.
Of course I can use other MS settings like single shot lossless, slower FPS, etc. but there is time to rotate the mode dial and select them.
EBH
Of course I can use other MS settings like single shot lossless, slower FPS, etc. but there is time to rotate the mode dial and select them.
EBH
Aug 03, 2026 at 06:58 AM
p.1 #15a7RVI AF Settings
EB-1 wrote:
I just want to toggle between 30FPS ES and 10FPS MS with one button, for example if action is too fast for undistorted ES readout then MS is needed just during that brief time. Are you saying that MS requires 7FPS only? That's just so slow.
Of course I can use other MS settings like single shot lossless, slower FPS, etc. but there is time to rotate the mode dial and select them.
EBH
As described above, there is more than just one way of achieving what you want to do. My preference, for a while since the A1, is to use the Custom Hold feature that entered into C1 button. The Custom Hold 1, 2, and 3, lets you program a slew of separate settings. So, for the main focus function I use AF-On button. Now, if I push the C1 button, instead of the AF-On, it will instantly switch to my Custom Hold 1 that I programmed into the C1, like slower frame rate, slower shutter speed for better ISO, etc.
I just want to toggle between 30FPS ES and 10FPS MS with one button, for example if action is too fast for undistorted ES readout then MS is needed just during that brief time. Are you saying that MS requires 7FPS only? That's just so slow.
Of course I can use other MS settings like single shot lossless, slower FPS, etc. but there is time to rotate the mode dial and select them.
EBH
As described above, there is more than just one way of achieving what you want to do. My preference, for a while since the A1, is to use the Custom Hold feature that entered into C1 button. The Custom Hold 1, 2, and 3, lets you program a slew of separate settings. So, for the main focus function I use AF-On button. Now, if I push the C1 button, instead of the AF-On, it will instantly switch to my Custom Hold 1 that I programmed into the C1, like slower frame rate, slower shutter speed for better ISO, etc.
Aug 03, 2026 at 08:34 AM