Customization guide - ILCE-7SM3

Autofocus

1. How to separate autofocusing from the shutter release (AF On)

You can control autofocusing and the shutter release independently, instead of activating the autofocus function by pressing the shutter button halfway down. Operate the shutter button with your index finger, and the AF-ON button with your thumb.Generally, this method is called "back-button AF," since the autofocus function is activated using a button on the back side of the camera. This method is helpful in the following situations.

When you want to focus at a specific shooting distance predicting the position of the subject
When you don’t want to hold the shutter button halfway down for a long period of time
When you want to prioritize the shutter release timing, such as when shooting a bird taking off
When you want to control the AF function and the AE function separately

If the subject is moving, set [Focus Mode] to [AF-C]. While the AF-ON button is pressed and held, the camera keeps focusing on the subject continuously. You can release the shutter exactly at your desired timing.

When you want to capture the best shot of a static subject

If the subject is static, set [Focus Mode] to [AF-S]. Once you press the AF-ON button, the focus is locked unless you press it again. You can capture the best shot of the subject with the focus locked.

Advance preparation	MENU → (Focus) → [AF/MF] → [AF w/ Shutter] → [Off].
	MENU → (Focus) → [AF/MF] → [Pre-AF] → [Off].
	[Focus Mode]: For moving subjects, set to [AF-C]. For static subjects, set to [AF-S].
	If you want to assign the function to a button other than the AF-ON button, select MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → the desired button → [AF On].
Shooting	For a moving subject, press and hold the AF-ON button. For a static subject, press the AF-ON button once.

2. Instantly switching tracking on or off while using [Spot] ([Reg. Custom Shoot Set])

When you want to switch between different subjects during autofocus, it is recommended that you set the focus area to [Spot]. However, combining it with tracking is useful if you want to shoot freely composed shots of scenes with rapid movement. Assigning the tracking function to an easily accessible button such as the AF-ON button allows for smoother switching between functions.
Pressing the shutter button halfway down enables you to focus with [Spot]. Pressing the AF-ON button starts tracking of the subject.

Right after the start of a marathon, when runners are constantly switching places, shoot each runner with [Spot].

At the last stage of the race, use the tracking function with the AF-ON button to shoot a single runner with the desired composition, taking into account the balance between the subject and the background.

Advance preparation	MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → [AF-ON Button] → [Recall Custom hold 1] → Set [Focus Mode] to [Continuous AF], [Focus Area] to [Tracking: Spot S], [Tracking: Spot M], or [Tracking: Spot L], and [AF On] to [On] → [Register].
	[Focus Mode]: [AF-C]
	[Focus Area]: [Spot] or [Expand Spot]
Shooting	If there are multiple subjects, shoot using [Spot]. If there is only one subject or if the subject is moving rapidly, press the AF-ON button to start tracking.

3. Instantly switching between multiple focus-area settings ([Reg. Custom Shoot Set])

The [Reg Cust Shoot Set] (Register Custom Shooting Setting) function is recommended for switching instantly between focus-area settings according to the state of the subject. It is useful under continuously changing shooting conditions, such as sports photography. There are three buttons — the AF-ON button, the AEL button, and the focus hold button on the lens — that can be operated without changing your holding position. You can improve the overall operability of the camera by assigning functions appropriately to these buttons according to the shooting situation.

At the last stage of the race

Example of primarily using [Expand Spot], combined with a wide focus area for more versatile use

[Focus Area]: [Expand Spot]
AF-ON button: Assign [Tracking: Expand Spot].
AEL button: Assign [Wide].

A: Focusing on a subject while avoiding obstacles in the foreground

B: Tracking subjects that move at random speeds

C: Shooting a subject that comes into the frame suddenly

This is an example of combining [Expand Spot] with [Wide]. When you aim at a certain bird in the flock, use [Expand Spot] (A). When the target bird is moving, use [Tracking: Expand Spot] with the AF-ON button (B). You can switch the focus area to [Wide] instantly by pressing the AEL button even if flying birds come into the frame suddenly (C).

Advance preparation	MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → [AF-ON Button] → [Recall Custom hold 1] → Set [Focus Mode] to [AF-C], and [Focus Area] to [Tracking: Expand Spot] → [Register].
	MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → [AEL Button] → [Recall Custom hold 2] → Set [Focus Area] to [Wide] → [Register].
	MENU → (Focus) → [AF/MF] → [AF w/ Shutter] → [On]. function is not used in this shooting method.
	[Focus Mode]: [AF-C]
	[Focus Area]: [Expand Spot]
Shooting	If no button is pressed, [Expand Spot] will be applied. Press the AF-ON button to start tracking with [Tracking: Expand Spot]. Shoot with the AEL button pressed down to use [Wide] focus area. You can also set the focus area to [Wide] and assign [Center Fix] or [Tracking: Center Fix] to the AF-ON button or AEL button.

4. Frequently focusing on the same specific position ([AF Area Registration])

In sports photography or portrait photography, when you shoot images with the same composition frequently, you can move the focusing frame to a specified position instantly by pressing a single button ([AF Area Registration]). If you often focus on the center of the image, [Focus Standard] is recommended.

Focus toward the upper part of the image

In portrait shooting, set the focusing position to the upper part of the monitor so that you can start shooting quickly.

To focus on a specific position on the monitor frequently ([AF Area Registration])
Advance preparation	MENU → (Focus) → [Focus Area] → [AF Area Registration] → [On]. Set [Focus Area] to the desired position, and then hold down the Fn button. MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → Select the desired key → [Regist. AF Area hold], [Regist AF Area tggle], or [Reg. AF Area+AF On].
Shooting	Shoot the image while pressing down the assigned key (or after you press the key). The registered focusing area will flash.

To focus on the center of the monitor quickly ([Focus Standard])
Advance preparation	MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → [Multi-Slc Center Btn] → [Focus Standard].
Shooting	Press the center of the multi-selector. When [Wide] is selected, the camera focuses on the center of the monitor and the focus is locked. When [Spot] is selected, the focusing frame returns to the center.

5. Moving the focus area more quickly by using a dial ([My Dial Settings])

Front dial, Rear dial, Control Wheel

Generally, the multi-selector is used when focusing by moving [Spot]. However, using the multi-selector may sometimes cause vertical movement when only lateral movement was intended. In cases like these, you can move [Spot] precisely in only the intended direction by assigning it to a dial. If you frequently adjust the exposure settings and move the focus area using the dials, it is convenient to assign this function to an easily accessible button such as the AEL button.

Shooting with the focusing position on the left side

Shooting with the focusing position moved toward the right side

You can quickly move the spot in the intended direction according to the movement of the player.

To assign the My Dial switching function to the AEL button
Advance preparation	MENU → (Setup) → [Dial Customize] → [My Dial Settings] → Assign [Move AF Frame: L] / [Move AF Frame : Std] to [Front dial], [Shutter Speed] to [Rear dial], and [Move AF Frame: L] / [Move AF Frame: Std] to [Control Wheel].
	MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → [AEL Button] → Select from among [Toggle My Dial 1] through [Toggle My Dial 3].
	[Focus Area]: [Spot] or [Expand Spot]
	Shooting mode: S mode (Shutter Priority)
Shooting	Press the AEL button. Set the shutter speed with the rear dial, move the focusing frame for [Spot] to the left/right with the front dial, and move it up/down with the control wheel.

6. Frequently switching the orientation of the camera between vertical and horizontal ([Switch V/H AF Area])

You can choose whether to switch the position of the focusing frame (focus position) and the focus area settings according to the orientation of the camera (vertical/horizontal). If you frequently switch the camera's orientation, [AF Point Only] is recommended. It allows you to quickly switch the settings according to the situation, such as when you switch the camera to the vertical orientation due to the subject approaching.

Advance preparation	MENU → (Focus) → [Focus Area] → [Switch V/H AF Area] → [AF Point Only]. Determine the position of the focusing frame while the camera is horizontal. When the orientation of the camera is vertical, the focusing frame deviates from the subject. Adjust the position of the focusing frame.
Shooting	You can move the focusing frame to a preset position according to the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical).