topic Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's in Alpha & NEX interchangeable lens cameras

Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

Taki_T — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 10:43:55 GMT

PLEASE could somebody from Sony or who can get in touch with anyone there find out if they plan to include this feature at any point. They will soon be the ONLY company that doesn't offer the feature and I simply don't understand it? (It must surely be the most requested feature I've seen...)

If it's a yes, a timeline would be appreciated so people don't go blowing money on 3rd party equipment to do focus stacking.

If no, an explanation as to why not would be much appreciated (is there a technical reason that it can't be done?)

Betreff: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

Peter_S. — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 11:43:33 GMT

Hi Taki_T,

I will pass your request to the engineers.

This feature had been requested in the past already but I cannot say if they're working on it.

Cheers

Peter

Betreff: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

Mihai_T — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 06:51:08 GMT

This is a feature that as many others even I am want in my camera.
My first mirrorless camera was the sony A7ii then I uppgradet to a7III for many reasons and i think it's a shame that Focus stacking feature is missing. Me too I want to know if this is commig soon and i hope that this is not going to be an A7IV only feature.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

e.okorie.2020 — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:26:22 GMT

It certainly does need addressing. The biggest problem I have noticed is that Sony while they make great cameras, they are so slow at updating firmware to provide features that most cameras pretty much offer out of the box.

If Fuji can offer Focus Bracketing on their XT lines (XT-2, XT-3, XT-4), I am seriously wondering why Sony is not even doing this. We can't keep upgrading to new cameras to get new features when Sony can easily do this with a firmware fix.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

e.okorie.2020 — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 10:22:32 GMT

I will suggest you have a look at Camoodoo on android or Camrote on iOS. Both apps seems to support focus bracketing features and seem to be also faster than Sony's own native app...

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

Mihai_T — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 10:46:36 GMT

I purchased the Camrote app for IOS but unfortunately focus stacking doesn't work for A7III. The feature works only on cameras that have remote touch focus enabled, like a7II. At least that's what i have been told. I haven't tried focus stacking in Camrote yet because it has to be purchased separately an d i am not willing to pay extra for something that doesn't work 🙂.

Another annoying thing beside the grey focus point that is so difficult to spot when trying to take a picture in not so perfect conditions is the focus confirm box that that doesn't show when using remote apps like Edge and Camrote.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

e.okorie.2020 — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:02:08 GMT

I hear you about the grey focus point. I did have issues with trying to find that on occasion when trying to move it to focus. Mind you I have been using the a6400 so cant really much about your experience. And being an Android user, I can only attest to Camoodoo. But we can agree in something, the Edge app is not the best.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

MortenA68 — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 12:17:51 GMT

This could be a helpful option to have.

Im going to invest in some gear for macro and i am considering another brand as my main camera because it lacks of focus bracketing, my a7iii will then be my second hand camera.

But i do hope Sony working on something 🙄

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

dvdbob — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:56:18 GMT

I have the A7 m2 so would be most interested in learning more aout fous stacking

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

hrossm — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 18:07:04 GMT

I have a A7R2, not a cheap camera, but when I have a problem with macro my friends say "Use focus stacking" I have to say my camera doesn't do it. It's something I want not just for macro and soon I might switch brand to get it as I only have two lenses so it wouldn't be too painful.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

cryptopodium — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:38:23 GMT

Regretfully, I'm going to have to sell all of my Sony stuff and move to another brand for this reason. Macro is a big part of my photography interest, and (basically) SONY DOES NOT SUPPORT MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

HannahEd01 — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:28:39 GMT

Hi cryptopodium, why don't you contact Sony and ask for a feedback to be delivered to the engineers, the more we ask for it the more they will listen.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

e.okorie.2020 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 08:30:15 GMT

@HannahEd01Unfortunately, I do not think Sony is remotely interested in supporting existing products with anything. There have been a myriad of suggestions proposed on here. Sadly Sony is more interested in pumping out new cameras with video centric features and ignoring the photography side of things. I mean when was the last time they released a firmware upgrade to their APS-C line of cameras (6400, 6100 or 6600) or some of the FF cameras to fix issues or add enhancements?

Just feels like, when suggestions are made, Sony just blows it's customers off.

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

HannahEd01 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 10:26:18 GMT

Hey e.okorie.2020, I ahve to disagree, have you tried contacting them and got that outcome?

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

e.okorie.2020 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 14:31:50 GMT

Actually, I have...

On my last message to Sony a few months back, where I suggested a firmware upgrade to at least allow those of us who purchased the Sony Memories apps so we can use them on the Sony a6400, a6600 or a6100, Sony's reply was to go and purchase one of the previous generation of cameras (a6000) to be able to do that.

I now own a Sony a6400 and gave my a6000 to a sibling. Should be going to ask that sibling for the camera back? Or drop another £400 for the Sony a6000 when they could just release a firmware upgrade?

Re: Focus Stacking/Bracketing for Sony's

keburto48 — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 08:35:34 GMT

I am Sooooo jealous of my friends who have Olympus ! The in built or easily accessible features and willingness to update firmware is astonishing. I would never leave Sony having migrated from Minolta over several decades BUT...
Using a legacy Minolta Twin Flash and WeMacro focus rail in the field is the only, though most inelegant solution I
have been able to come up with.