slow autofocus? at DVinfo.net

Andy Wason · March 27th, 2015, 07:20 AM

I find the autofocus on the x70 to be very slow compared to my canon XHA1 . I'm new to Sony and wondering if this is normal? Is there anything I can do to speed it up?

Jeff Harper · March 27th, 2015, 03:30 PM

Andy, below is a previous thread already devoted to your issue.

So far I have not read of any fix.

The AX100 has already received a software update that was supposed to improve the autofocus, but based on my experience at a wedding last week it is the same as before the update.

Check out the thread below if you are interested.

Andy, I have owned and really liked a number of Sony cameras and focus has not been an issue before now. Do not judge Sony's entire lineup based on this issue. Autofocus with the AX100 and X70 is very poor and has disappointed a number of users who are Sony fans.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw...us-issues.html

Andy Wason · March 28th, 2015, 08:39 AM

Thanks Jeff, I read that forum and asked the same question. Nobody spoke about how slow the auto focus is. Do you notice that too?

David Dixon · March 28th, 2015, 11:05 AM

I'm mixed on the X70 autofocus. First, do you mean the actual moving of the lens elements is slow, or it's slow to decide there's a new subject that it needs to change to?

I find that once focused, it seems to "stick" to that focus. So far, for every time I wish it would change and pick up a new subject quicker, there are 2-3 times where I'm glad it doesn't. I'm often grateful that it doesn't get fooled by something I don't want to focus on. I also find the autofocus spot to be pretty small (I wish it had focus area indicator brackets). As a result, if the focus subject is small and distant from the background I have to take extra care to center it.

I posted this earlier to show some test settings, but for what it's worth, from 0:17 to 0:25 is Auto Focus. I wouldn't want it any faster.
1:38 to 1:41 is using Touch Screen Spot Focus for a rack focus effect. I find this second example too fast, and if I had it to do again I'd apply a slight slow motion on that rack focus.

I came to the X70 from a Canon XF100, which has a single 1/3 inch chip. I had pretty good results with the autofocus on that, but on the other hand its small chip tended to mask focusing errors anyway.

So for me, the AF on the X70 falls into the same category as the Image Stabilization - good but not great, no deal breaker, but not one of the very best aspects of the camera.

Jeff Harper · March 28th, 2015, 01:48 PM

Yes, I find it hunts a lot, very unreliable.

March 27th, 2015, 07:20 AM	#1
Andy Wason Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ridgeway, Ontario Posts: 79	slow autofocus? I find the autofocus on the x70 to be very slow compared to my canon XHA1 . I'm new to Sony and wondering if this is normal? Is there anything I can do to speed it up? Last edited by Andy Wason; March 27th, 2015 at 12:05 PM. Reason: lacked focus

March 27th, 2015, 03:30 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: slow autofocus? Andy, below is a previous thread already devoted to your issue. So far I have not read of any fix. The AX100 has already received a software update that was supposed to improve the autofocus, but based on my experience at a wedding last week it is the same as before the update. Check out the thread below if you are interested. Andy, I have owned and really liked a number of Sony cameras and focus has not been an issue before now. Do not judge Sony's entire lineup based on this issue. Autofocus with the AX100 and X70 is very poor and has disappointed a number of users who are Sony fans. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw...us-issues.html __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 28th, 2015, 08:39 AM	#3
Andy Wason Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ridgeway, Ontario Posts: 79	Re: slow autofocus? Thanks Jeff, I read that forum and asked the same question. Nobody spoke about how slow the auto focus is. Do you notice that too?

March 28th, 2015, 11:05 AM	#4
David Dixon Major Player Join Date: May 2011 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 495	Re: slow autofocus? I'm mixed on the X70 autofocus. First, do you mean the actual moving of the lens elements is slow, or it's slow to decide there's a new subject that it needs to change to? I find that once focused, it seems to "stick" to that focus. So far, for every time I wish it would change and pick up a new subject quicker, there are 2-3 times where I'm glad it doesn't. I'm often grateful that it doesn't get fooled by something I don't want to focus on. I also find the autofocus spot to be pretty small (I wish it had focus area indicator brackets). As a result, if the focus subject is small and distant from the background I have to take extra care to center it. I posted this earlier to show some test settings, but for what it's worth, from 0:17 to 0:25 is Auto Focus. I wouldn't want it any faster. 1:38 to 1:41 is using Touch Screen Spot Focus for a rack focus effect. I find this second example too fast, and if I had it to do again I'd apply a slight slow motion on that rack focus. I came to the X70 from a Canon XF100, which has a single 1/3 inch chip. I had pretty good results with the autofocus on that, but on the other hand its small chip tended to mask focusing errors anyway. So for me, the AF on the X70 falls into the same category as the Image Stabilization - good but not great, no deal breaker, but not one of the very best aspects of the camera. Art Center excerpts on Vimeo

March 28th, 2015, 01:48 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: slow autofocus? Yes, I find it hunts a lot, very unreliable. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."