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158 The “Recording” (Camera icon) Menu Settings

5.13 AF-A SETUP

Menu Position MENU  3  AF-A setup

What it Does This variable allows you to change the camera’s focusing
behavior when the focus-mode switch is set to “A”

Recommended Setting DMF

Recall that the A77 II has an autofocus switch near the base of the lens (“S
– A – C – MF”) which lets you choose one of the following settings (listed
in a different order than what’s on the camera so the explanations make
more sense):

Setting What it Does
M Manual Focusing. If you want the subject to be in focus, you have
to turn the focusing ring yourself until you think it’s sharp.
C Continuous autofocusing. Press and hold the shutter release
button halfway, and the camera will find a subject to focus on, and
then it will assume your subject is moving and continue to adjust
focus. Ideal for shooting sports or in other situations where the
camera-to-subject distance is always changing. (You can enhance
the A77 II’s subject tracking functions using some new features, as
described in Section 3.4.2.
S Once the camera achieves focus, it stops. It won’t try to focus
again until you release and then halfway-depress the shutter
release button. This is ideal for most snapshot situations where
the camera-to-subject distance won’t be changing.
A Automatic mode lets the camera decide whether “C” or “S” mode
is warranted. After the camera achieves focus, it continues to
analyze the camera-subject distance and, if the camera thinks it’s
changing, automatically shifts into “C”ontinuous autofocusing
mode. (I personally find its decisions questionable; but many
others thinks it does a great job and use AF-A as their normal
setting.)

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