A6700 with 200-600 mm Lens Not Focusing Well with Back Button Focus Enabled
Hello Experts,
I have been using an A6700 with a 200-600 mm lens for my wildlife photography for approximately the last two years. Recently, I began utilizing back-button focus and disabled the shutter button focus.
Over the past month, I have observed a significant degradation in focusing performance. I did not encounter any issues when using the default focus button (shutter button), as it generally focused well, and overall, I was quite satisfied.
However, since switching to back-button focus, the camera's performance has been somewhat lackluster, particularly when photographing birds in challenging positions.
While I recognize that the A6700 is a powerful camera, as I have experienced over the past two years.
I am not satisfied with its performance when using back-button focus.
Per my observation the focusing system stated performing average specially on challenging situation.
During my recent trip, I noticed a lag and jitter when attempting to focus on rapidly moving subjects.
I would like to inquire if anyone else is experiencing this issue or if I may be doing something incorrectly.
I am open to reverting to the default focusing system at any time, but I am curious about this matter.
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Sony Alpha India 783
Hi Rathindra,
Thanks for sharing your experience—in short, everything you've noticed adds up to reports we've seen from other A6700 users. It’s likely not a defect, but rather a settings/technique tuning issue with back button focus.
Why Back Button Focus (BBF) Feels Different
• BBF separates focus from exposure and shutter—ideal for tracking, but requires correct AF mode and customization (alphauniverse.com).
• When misconfigured, BBF can feel less responsive than half press focus, particularly with fast-moving wildlife.
What to Check & Adjust
1. AF Area + Tracking Mode
• For birds, use Tracking: Spot S or Expand Spot instead of wide/zone modes (helpguide.sony.net).
• Increase AF Tracking Sensitivity (“stickiness”) to avoid focus hunting when birds pass behind branches.
2. Assign Buttons and Focus Modes Properly
• Ensure your AF ON button is mapped to permanent AF ON, not temporarily activating only while pressed (helpguide.sony.net).
• Button-to-mode mapping: Use one button for AF ON with tracking, and configure another (like C2) for spot-focus or spot tracking .
3. EVF Refresh Rate
• Increase EVF refresh to 120 fps, minimizing viewfinder lag and improving response to fast-moving subjects (garyluhm.net).
✅ Configuration Checklist
Task Suggested Setting
Custom Key AF ON button → permanent AF ON
C2 button Set to Tracking On (e.g. Spot S tracking)
Focus Area Spot S or Expand Spot
AF Tracking Sensitivity 5 (locked-on)
EVF Refresh 120 fps
DMF Enable for quick manual adjustments
Why This Helps
These settings ensure that:
• Focus stays locked on birds through branches or on-the-move.
• No lag or jitter due to switching settings mid shot.
• You retain ability to fine tune focus manually as needed.
Summary
1. Re-map AF ON correctly for continuous focus.
2. Set Spot S + tracking with high responsiveness.
3. Turn EVF refresh to 120 fps and enable DMF.
4. Practice tracking birds in-flight with this setup.
If behavior remains inconsistent, double-check lens firmware and camera AF behavior in controlled tracking drills. Let us know how it goes—we would be happy to help further!
- June 12, 2025, 5:42 p.m.Rathin Dutta
Hello Team,
Thanks for your reply.
Sorry for late reply as I was out of town.
I checked the settings you mentioned and most of them are already enabled.
Few quires I have.
What to Check & Adjust
1. AF Area + Tracking Mode
• For birds, use Tracking: Spot S or Expand Spot instead of wide/zone modes (helpguide.sony.net).
• Increase AF Tracking Sensitivity (“stickiness”) to avoid focus hunting when birds pass behind branches.
---- I used to use Zone or Wide focus, as you mentioned I will try on Spot and expandable Spot
---- In my case AF tracking sensitivity 1(locked on) and 5(responsive)
2. Assign Buttons and Focus Modes Properly
• Ensure your AF ON button is mapped to permanent AF ON, not temporarily activating only while pressed (helpguide.sony.net).
• Button-to-mode mapping: Use one button for AF ON with tracking, and configure another (like C2) for spot-focus or spot tracking .
---- already AF-ON button assigned to Auto-focus and half press shutter focus is disabled.
3. EVF Refresh Rate
• Increase EVF refresh to 120 fps, minimizing viewfinder lag and improving response to fast-moving subjects (garyluhm.net).
----- not able to find
I will be testing on practically from 1st August to 4th August, with new settings as you suggested and based on the observation I will share my feedback.
- July 30, 2025, 11:25 p.m.Please advance your support accordingly if required.