All Models Sel. Focus Point On/Off

[davidzvi]

I know I've seen it before, but I can't find it. How do you turn off the "Sel. Focus Point On/Off" that's displayed on the screen?

I posted this in the FB group and got no replies, hoping for better here.

 

[Ralph]

It might help if you put down just what camera you have got and then people can point you to the right place a lot faster.
I think even with Sony camera's the position in the menu changes from model to model (I think that is).

 

[davidzvi]

It might help if you put down just what camera you have got and then people can point you to the right place a lot faster.
I think even with Sony camera's the position in the menu changes from model to model (I think that is).

A7cR.

Sorry I've seen references to this in posts about the A6700, A7C, and others, but I can't find the one I had previously that had the answer. I've tried going through the shooting and AF menus (where I thought it was) but can't find it.

 

[Ralph]

A7cR.

Sorry I've seen references to this in posts about the A6700, A7C, and others, but I can't find the one I had previously that had the answer. I've tried going through the shooting and AF menus (where I thought it was) but can't find it.

I honestly don't know the answer you need but have you tried to look it up on Goggle as this is one of the best ways to get information and also give youtube a try as it could even be in there.

 

[Ralph]

This is what I just googled but still not sure if it is what you want.

How do I turn off spot focus on my Sony?


When [ Focus Mode] is set to [Continuous AF], the focus mode temporarily switches to manual focus, and the focus can be adjusted using the focus ring (spot focus). To cancel spot focus, touch (Touch focus release) icon or press the center of the control wheel.

 

[davidzvi]

Been googling for over a week. I don't recall seeing in a video, but maybe.

 

[davidzvi]

In AF-S that message is displayed in all the point modes until a press the shutter 1/2 way.

 

[Ralph]

Sorry mate I have no idea you are going to need someone with the same camera to help ya.

 

[DaveC Oz]

Hi David, just press the press the circular button in the centre of the 4 way ring switch to the right of the screen. This toggles the focus point selection to On/Off, you can also aim the focal point to a new area via the 4 way switch. At horse shows, where I can predict the path of the action, I use this feature to pre-frame my set shots. I find that it makes the eye-auto focus even quicker.

 

[davidzvi]

Hi David, just press the press the circular button in the centre of the 4 way ring switch to the right of the screen. This toggles the focus point selection to On/Off, you can also aim the focal point to a new area via the 4 way switch. At horse shows, where I can predict the path of the action, I use this feature to pre-frame my set shots. I find that it makes the eye-auto focus even quicker.

Sorry for the confusion. I just want the message gone. The functionality of moving the point is not an issue. Interestingly I just noticed that when the histogram or level is displayed, the highlighted in green and the message disappears after a few seconds.

I could live with that on the main screen, but it stays.

 

[davidzvi]

Did you ever find an answer to this please David? I've just picked up an A7CII & have the same issue?

Shelton.

I've been meaning to update the thread, thanks for the prompt.

The "FEATURE" seems to have been added in one of the firmware updates. I found 2 references as I recall to that. Maybe Sony will fix the feature in a future firmware update.

The things in red should only be there when you press the center button. The new feature means the message is always there on the detailed display. It does go away after a few seconds on other display options. By default, that button is set to "focus standard".



Solution/workaround.

The feature only presents itself when the center button is set to focus standard. Most solutions that I have seen involve reprogramming the "focus standard" to another button and setting the center to something else. This does seem to work. But I found one that works better, at least for me.

There are a couple of options you can set the center button to that go from the setting on the first press and then into focus standard on the second press, turning on the arrows and message. On the third, the arrows and message turn off. I prefer this because it keeps my thumb on the arrow pad where it needs to be to adjust the focus point, and because even if you do reprogram getting into the mode to another button, you still need to use the center to turn it off.

I have my center button to focus area. I think there was one or two others that also worked. But I can't remember.

 

[davidzvi]

It took a good bit of digging and a good number of camera resets to figure out which things changed what I was seeing. But I'm glad now that I figured out the cause and a workable solution.

 

[Sap]

I had this and I found the solution. Click on the focus area on the right side of the menu (number 3) and than choose Wide. That's all

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

The feature only presents itself when the center button is set to focus standard.

It's not immediately obvious that the small grey circle means the big round centre button. But it does.

I think I've seen this message, but it doesn't seem to occur on my camera the way that I use it. Which is a fairly small subset of the array of sony AF possibility. But it strikes me: in pressing the button, you are not only getting rid of the message but also turning something on/off. Which you might or might not want to do.

 

[davidzvi]

I had this and I found the solution. Click on the focus area on the right side of the menu (number 3) and than choose Wide. That's all

Sorry, but Wide is probably my least-used focus area, and limiting the focus area is not a solution to this issue.

It's not immediately obvious that the small grey circle means the big round centre button. But it does.

I think I've seen this message, but it doesn't seem to occur on my camera the way that I use it. Which is a fairly small subset of the array of sony AF possibility. But it strikes me: in pressing the button, you are not only getting rid of the message but also turning something on/off. Which you might or might not want to do.

No, not clear that the little gray circle means the bigger circle. Maybe you have the original firmware? As I mentioned, I found some references suggesting this was added (broken) in a FW update. I have 1.02

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Maybe I'm talking about the wrong camera(s).

As messages go, it is not clear at all.

 

[Ian Cuthbert]

I've been meaning to update the thread, thanks for the prompt.

The "FEATURE" seems to have been added in one of the firmware updates. I found 2 references as I recall to that. Maybe Sony will fix the feature in a future firmware update.

The things in red should only be there when you press the center button. The new feature means the message is always there on the detailed display. It does go away after a few seconds on other display options. By default, that button is set to "focus standard".

View attachment 63707
View attachment 63708
Solution/workaround.

The feature only presents itself when the center button is set to focus standard. Most solutions that I have seen involve reprogramming the "focus standard" to another button and setting the center to something else. This does seem to work. But I found one that works better, at least for me.

There are a couple of options you can set the center button to that go from the setting on the first press and then into focus standard on the second press, turning on the arrows and message. On the third, the arrows and message turn off. I prefer this because it keeps my thumb on the arrow pad where it needs to be to adjust the focus point, and because even if you do reprogram getting into the mode to another button, you still need to use the center to turn it off.

I have my center button to focus area. I think there was one or two others that also worked. But I can't remember.

This was the most helpful thing in this thread, thanks! I've now also got the centre button set to Focus Area, which I change frequently. I actually never use the function to move the focus point - I stay in tracking AF full time and focus and recompose as I find that far quicker.

This is a bizarre display function Sony introduced, I don't seem to have it on other Sony cameras. It places this seemingly unimportant information very centrally in the frame where it's in the way and distracting. Thanks again for helping us remove it!