The Online Association of Photographers: Sony a7/R III Firmware v2 Unlocks All AF Modes for Adapted Lenses

Saturday 1 December 2018

Sony a7/R III Firmware v2 Unlocks All AF Modes for Adapted Lenses

Sony has just released a new major firmware version for its popular a7 III and a7R III mirrorless cameras. Version 2.0 brings new features and improvements, including the ability for adapted lenses to make use of all the camera’s autofocus modes.

The update “Adds support for Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF focus areas when using the LA-EA3 mount adaptor,” Sony writes.

Sony specifically mentions the LA-EA3 mount adapter, which is designed to let photographers use Sony A-mount lenses on E-mount cameras. But it seems the new feature goes well beyond that use case.

“[W]e’ve tested it with adapted Canon mount lenses as well and can confirm it works with EF lenses via a Sigma or Metabones adapter,” DPReview writes. “Since Eye AF also works with adapted lenses, we’re really starting to see less and less of a downside to using third-party lenses on Sony cameras, save for a drop in performance at longer telephoto focal lengths.”

Here’s the full list of benefits and improvements in the latest firmware update:

Adds support for the 400mm f/2.8 G Master and 24mm f/1.4 G Master lenses
- Optimizes the optical image stabilization performance.
- For the 400mm f/2.8 G Master lens only, adds support for new image stabilization mode (Mode 3) of the lens.
- Adds the Function Ring(Lens) feature to the to the Camera Settings2 menu.
- Addition of [Aperture Drive in AF] setting in the menu.
New features:
- Adds AF Track Sens as a selectable option for custom key settings.
- Adds support for Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF focus areas when using the LA-EA3 mount adaptor.
- Enables Bracket shooting to be available during silent shooting when the File Format is set to RAW or RAW & JPEG, and the RAW File Type is set to Uncompressed.
Other improvements:
- Improvement of the performance and the overall stability of the camera.
- Better reproduction of the gradation of RAW pictures.
- Improves dimming stability under flicker light conditions.
- Improves managing continuously shot images as a group.