The second part of this guide covers video settings and the focus area for the Sony A6000. These settings can be useful for other Sony cameras too. Keep in mind that video settings is something different than settings for photo shooting. For example, i never set my ISO higher than 3200 when i am shooting stills. But for videos i set the maximum ISO up to 6400!.
Focus Area -When, How to use and Why
Focus area settings allows you to choose the part of the frame to focus on or simply the focusing area. Keep in mind that focus area applies to both stills and videos.
Wide: This is the default setting and it uses all of the sensor focusing points. Depending on the camera and the model, the number of focusing points and the coverage area will vary. Newer models have more auto focus points than the Sony A6000. I use this mode when i am recording a movie or when i am taking photos of moving subjects and i can not use Use Single - Shot AF. I also use this mode when a subject is really small and it is moving really fast and i can not use the Center Focus Area. For example, i used this setting to take a photo of a butterfly that was flying fast and unpredictably. I combined Wide, AF C - Auto-Focus Continuous and Continuous Shooting : Hi.
Zone: This mode allows you to select a specific zone on the frame. The camera will automatically select a subject inside the zone that you chose. Zone can be handy when there are many objects all over the frame and they may confuse the auto focus system on a wide area setting. I do not use this mode very often.
Center: This setting is old school (from the DSLR era) and it is one of my favorites because it's really fast and precise. The camera will automatically focus on a subject in the center of the frame. But you must keep your main subject inside the center otherwise the camera will not follow. Center is also handy when you like the focus and recompose technique. I like to use this setting when i am taking pictures of a big and fast moving subject while i am pressing the back - button focus and the objects movement is predictable. For example, a fast moving car, an airplane during an airshow etc. Keep in mind that the center is the sharpest point of your camera and your lens!
Tip: Combine Center and the AF Lock Function.
Flexible Spot S, M and L (Small, medium, large): Flexible Spot allows the user to focus precisely on a tiny focus point. You can move freely the focus point around the frame - screen via the scroll wheel. Newer models provide a joystick for this purpose. Flexible spot will not only allow you to choose a subject but to choose precisely a specific part of the subject. Flexible spot is handy when you shoot stationary subjects, portraits and landscapes. The most precise is Flexible Spot S but the faster is Flexible Spot L. Personally i use it very often.
Tip: Use Flexible Spot S when you want to focus on the eye of a person.
Sony A6000 Video Settings - Creative Style Settings - Slog
Sony A6000 does not have an S-Log or any pictures profiles by default. Many users to have the most flat profile choose Creative Style Neutral and set -3 contrast, -3 saturation and -3 sharpness.
What i like to use is Neutral but i set -3 Contrast, -1 Saturation and -1 Sharpness. Feel free though to choose the Creative style that you want. If you don't like color grading you can use Vivid.
A sample cinematic clip - Sony A6000 & Helios 44_2 Russian lens of the soviet era (Shorts video)
Other Video settings and adjustments
File Format: I use XAVC S because it has a higher data rate and it is more flexible.
ISO: Auto (Minimum 100 - 6400 Maximum). For photos i set the maximum iso to 3200.
Face Detection: ON (only when i record people)
Wind Reduction: OFF unless it's windy
Steady Shot: Disable it if you use a tripod
White Balance: In videos, i set manually the most likely setting because it may change while i am shooting. In stills i set the white balance to auto.
- Or, you can read the third and final part for the Sony a6000: General settings (Aspect Ratio, Codecs, ISO, Metering Mode etc) .
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