Manual Focusing my Sony A350 !!!

[johnb]

Hi

Im using a Sony A350 on a fixed tripod (no telescope)and after lots of experimenting have found the optimum exposure and iso setting which seems to be 30 secs and an iso of 1600. Im struggling with manual focus however, does anyone have any expierence with this ?

Thanks in advance

Regards

John B

[johnb]

Hi

I sorted it out i think (so thought would post for the benefit of others)

In daylight I left the camera in auto focus mode and then took a distance shot, without moving the camera I then switched the camera to manual and took other close shots, focus was fixed on the distance shot and the close ups were blurred, so all i need to do tonight is auto focus on a bright star and then swith to manual

Think im right

Regards

John B

[tinvek]

if you're using the kit lens and manual focussing then you'll find the focus isn't at the very end of the travel (on my A350 anyway).

also try switching to the live view and the jpeg quality, you can then do a 2 X zoom on the live image which helps a lot, lock the focus and the switch back to RAW

[Catanonia]

remember to shot in RAW though.

Infinite focus is not going to be right at the end of the kit lense, just a nudge back.

Take some shots and get the sweet point mate.

Also go for about 30 seconds max at F6 on 25mm or somewhere around there with the kit lense.

[johnb]

Thanks for this, im using the standard lens 18mm to 70mm lems, its supposed to focus on infinity if you switch it to manual and turn the power on and off(that does not seem to be the case), I had it on 18mm

Trying to focus in the dark is a nightmare so I thought I would try a number of exposures (20 Secs, ISO 800) on between 18 to 28mm to find the right spot

Regards

John B

[johnb]

Ignore my last post, this really is a learing curve, ive only just noticed that in manual mode I adust the lens say to 18mm and then manually turn the ring at the end of the lens to focus, so will try this tonight and see how i get on, shame the bit at the end is not marked in any way sure would make it eaiser

think om on the right track ?

John B

[tinvek]

forgot to say in my PM, the beauty of digital is it doesn't cost you anything but time to experiment and find out what works for you and your equipment. think what it would have been like using film !

[johnb]

Thanks to all I can now get a singel image in focus

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...efor-frame.gif

Regards

John B