topic Focus & Exposure hold, Continuous AF, feature requests in Alpha & NEX interchangeable lens cameras

Focus & Exposure hold, Continuous AF, feature requests

skybump — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:28:39 GMT

Hi,

Really enjoying my excellent NEX-5.

I've a couple of questions and feature requests though -

1. Inbetween shots, with Continuous AF switched off and the shutter button not pressed, the camera continues to track focus, presumably to keep it in the ballpark for when a shot is needed. Is it possible to switch this off without switching to manual focus, as I'd rather prolong battery life and autofocus only when the shutter is half pressed?

2. I often use the flexible spot for auto focus, but would like to request that the metering could be made to follow the spot as well - it'd make sense as otherwise the camera exposes for one place and focusses on another, like this-

3. The autofocus is great but necessarily slower than an slr because of the different technology. To make the camera's reaction quicker, manual focus is necessary. For this reason I'd like to request that in manual focus mode, a shortcut button be made available that gives a 'one-shot' autofocus for a one-off setting that would often be enough to focus on middle-distance objects such as groups of people.

4. 14x magnification is a great help with manual focus, but as it's still a small LCD, I'd like to suggest some technology from broadcast TV cameras - focus assist gives a coloured highlight on edges that are in sharp focus - this would be a compelling addition to NEX cameras. Here's an example of focus assist on blonde hair -

Thank you!

Focus & Exposure hold, Continuous AF, feature requests

Thalamus. — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Hi skybump,

thanks for your post, not much we can do other than forward your comments onto our contact at Sony, which has been done, who will forward to the Sony Alpha team..

Focus & Exposure hold, Continuous AF, feature requests

skybump — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:11:22 GMT

hey thanks, that's just what i wanted unless there was a better way to do what I was trying to do.

it's good to be talking about NiceToHaves rather than bugs eh.

I've more wishes for the UI and hardware but will shut up for now and concentrate on getting better at photography.

A friend just pointed out worth1000.com, which does tutorials and competitions and looks like a great way to learn.

Focus & Exposure hold, Continuous AF, feature requests

skybump — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:29:44 GMT

This focus assist / peaking feature is now in Firmware version 4!!

Thank you Sony!!

http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&f=FW_NEX5_V02&m=NEX-5