03-03-2025
07:57 PM
- last edited on
03-04-2025
09:00 AM
by
Danny
Hello, I am doing astrophotography and I am currently using a manual focus lens but I just got a Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM EF lens for my R6 MKII with the EF to RF adapter and I need to be able to focus manually but I want to use the focusing motor in the lens so I can get a precise focus. I would preferably want to also use my phone to focus so I wouldn't have to touch my rig and disrupt my alignment. Is there a way this can be accomplished? I know that there is a way to the focus ring on the adapter but that would require touching the mount which is what I would like to avoid. I am ok using an external piece of software but i would also like to avoid doing that also.
Thank you!
03-03-2025 08:22 PM - edited 03-03-2025 08:24 PM
Select 1-pt AF, not Spot AF. Use One Shot AF. Frame the Moon in the field of view. Move the AF point to the highest still frame contrast area between the outside edge of the Moon and the black of space. Good Luck!
03-03-2025 09:19 PM - edited 03-03-2025 09:20 PM
Hadronikle,
Here is one idea:
Find out if your lens has electronic manual focusing.
If it does, you can manually adjust your focusing ring, even if you are in autofocus.
(I saw a reference online about manual focus override even during AF, so I think it might).
Go into your Menu and enable it. On my camera it's called Lens electronic MF. You might have to look it up in your manual to see where the Menu setting is.
Put your camera in One Shot Mode, rather than Servo. Set your focus and adjust it by lightly adjusting your focus ring. It should hold that focus unless you bump your camera.
Set your camera for a 2 second delay, or a 10 second delay and step back from your camera.
I think that will help.
Steve Thomas
03-03-2025 09:27 PM
Electronic MF applies to ALL RF lenses and EF STM, Nano USM and some early Ring Type USM lenses ie EF 85mm F/1.2L II USM lens. Most 3rd Party lenses use a mechanical clutch system for focus override in AF Mode. As do most EF Mount Ring Type USM lenses do and the EF 50mm F/1.4 USM lens (this lens uses Micro Motor USM and its the only Micro Motor USM lens to support this). Note the Electronic focus ring does NOT work with the camera set to Servo AF or AI Focus its ignored. This is because you will be fighting against the AF motor.
03-03-2025 09:49 PM
Thank you for the recommendation on the one shot setting, I have an external intervalometer that I can use to take the photos I just wanted to avoid having to touch the tracking mount at all. I'll definitely try this next time I can get out with everything set up. I'll probably also be using an external screen so I can pixel peep a little bit better.
02/20/2025: New firmware updates are available.
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