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Archive 2013Sony A7/A7R Setup
p.5 #1Sony A7/A7R Setup
Here's a feature (documented) for Manual Aperture / Shutter settings fans - if after you've selected a pair of settings for an exposure you find yourself wanting to adjust one or the other but retain the same exposure (assuming Auto ISO), the camera will pull both along in tandem if you depress the AF/MF button while scrolling with the front dial.
(Works with the rear dial as well but you have to have odd hands to one-hand that combo!)
(Works with the rear dial as well but you have to have odd hands to one-hand that combo!)
Dec 04, 2013 at 04:07 PM
p.5 #2Sony A7/A7R Setup
wfrank wrote:
Thanks Jeff, yes that was the prospect for ISO but is possibly a good switch. I called it the "AEL-button" but it is the same as AF/MF of course.
Erm, actually not. The button has two program options, depending on whether the switch is set to AF/MF or to AEL.
Thanks Jeff, yes that was the prospect for ISO but is possibly a good switch. I called it the "AEL-button" but it is the same as AF/MF of course.
Erm, actually not. The button has two program options, depending on whether the switch is set to AF/MF or to AEL.
Dec 04, 2013 at 04:20 PM
p.5 #3Sony A7/A7R Setup
michaelwatkins wrote:
Here's a feature (documented) for Manual Aperture / Shutter settings fans - if after you've selected a pair of settings for an exposure you find yourself wanting to adjust one or the other but retain the same exposure (assuming Auto ISO), the camera will pull both along in tandem if you depress the AF/MF button while scrolling with the front dial.
(Works with the rear dial as well but you have to have odd hands to one-hand that combo!)
Hah, like old Hasselblad lenses
I have to say though, that I will never remember all these Klingon death grips. I am struggling to remember what I programmed on C1-C3, most of the time. This is perhaps why I am a Nikon man, I just like labelled buttons with one function.
Here's a feature (documented) for Manual Aperture / Shutter settings fans - if after you've selected a pair of settings for an exposure you find yourself wanting to adjust one or the other but retain the same exposure (assuming Auto ISO), the camera will pull both along in tandem if you depress the AF/MF button while scrolling with the front dial.
(Works with the rear dial as well but you have to have odd hands to one-hand that combo!)
Hah, like old Hasselblad lenses
I have to say though, that I will never remember all these Klingon death grips. I am struggling to remember what I programmed on C1-C3, most of the time. This is perhaps why I am a Nikon man, I just like labelled buttons with one function.
Dec 04, 2013 at 04:22 PM
p.5 #4Sony A7/A7R Setup
Yes, but I don't think it's practical to flip the switch when lining up a shot. I have the switch on AF/MF and have mapped it to focus magnification, but you could of course have the switch on AEL and map the focus magnification to that and it will then be the same in use.
Dec 04, 2013 at 04:24 PM
p.5 #5Sony A7/A7R Setup
carstenw wrote:
Erm, actually not. The button has two program options, depending on whether the switch is set to AF/MF or to AEL.
You're right. Did not notice as the AF/MF setting seem irrelevant to alt users. Could come in handy perhaps despite the flip action needed.
wfrank wrote
Thanks Jeff, yes that was the prospect for ISO but is possibly a good switch. I called it the "AEL-button" but it is the same as AF/MF of course.You're right. Did not notice as the AF/MF setting seem irrelevant to alt users. Could come in handy perhaps despite the flip action needed.
Dec 04, 2013 at 04:30 PM
p.5 #6Sony A7/A7R Setup
Is there a way to reconfigure what the buttons do during Playback mode? That's 300x less intuitive / more in need of customization than Shooting mode.
Jeff Kott wrote:
...have the half shutter set to AEL lock...
How do you configure this? I haven't been able to find it.
Jeff Kott wrote:
...have the half shutter set to AEL lock...
How do you configure this? I haven't been able to find it.
Dec 04, 2013 at 09:10 PM
p.5 #7Sony A7/A7R Setup
Lee,
Sorry, a little confusion here. I was saying that if wfrank has his shutter button configured that way, which he said in the post immediately prior to mine, he could configure the other two buttons the way I have mine (AF/MF for focus magnification and C1 for ISO), since he wouldn't need the AEL button. I'm sitting here with my A7r trying to figure out how to set the half shutter press his way and I can't figure it out either.
Edit: got it. Page 189 of help guide. Menu - Custom Settings - AEL with shutter. Default is to lock exposure with half shutter press when focus' mode is set to single shot AF.
Sorry, a little confusion here. I was saying that if wfrank has his shutter button configured that way, which he said in the post immediately prior to mine, he could configure the other two buttons the way I have mine (AF/MF for focus magnification and C1 for ISO), since he wouldn't need the AEL button. I'm sitting here with my A7r trying to figure out how to set the half shutter press his way and I can't figure it out either.
Edit: got it. Page 189 of help guide. Menu - Custom Settings - AEL with shutter. Default is to lock exposure with half shutter press when focus' mode is set to single shot AF.
Dec 04, 2013 at 09:18 PM
p.5 #8Sony A7/A7R Setup
Lee Saxon wrote:
How do you configure this? I haven't been able to find it.
Page 189 of help guide. Menu - Custom Settings - AEL with shutter. Default is to lock exposure with half shutter press when focus' mode is set to single shot AF.
Jeff Kott wrote
...have the half shutter set to AEL lock...Page 189 of help guide. Menu - Custom Settings - AEL with shutter. Default is to lock exposure with half shutter press when focus' mode is set to single shot AF.
Dec 05, 2013 at 10:22 AM
p.5 #9Sony A7/A7R Setup
Does anyone know a way to use the auto bracket, and shoot all shots in the bracket, using the timer?
Edit - nevermind, found answer in a thread slightly down below. The answer appears to be no, unless you are using a remote.
Edit - nevermind, found answer in a thread slightly down below. The answer appears to be no, unless you are using a remote.
Dec 05, 2013 at 10:26 AM
p.5 #10Sony A7/A7R Setup
Thanks for this thread-- custom settings for the Sony A7 is an important thread considering how bad the Sony manual is! Holy cow, the last digital camera I bought was a Leica, which requires virtually no manual, and before that, was the Nikon D100 from more than a decade ago. This manual reads like a hieroglyphic dictionary of some alien species.
I have a bunch of misc questions:
1. I'd like to Create one setting that will make the camera fully automated, just get out of its own way. I'm old school (not used to auto ISO) - can someone explain how to best implement auto ISO up to something like 3600?
2. Another setting that makes the camera fully manual -- custom presets are key for this.
I like the suggestion people have given about using one of the buttons near the thumb for focus magnification, but is there any way to skip the first part (where it shows the focus area) and go right to the second part (magnification)? My thought was to use the function menu or another button when I want to set the focus location before magnifying, and the more convenient button for a quick "zoom" to check critical focus.
Another question I have -- if I like to lock exposure, that renders the toggle switch on that button effectively useless. Any suggestions on this? Maybe set one of the buttons near the thumb for AE lock and then use the AE/AF/MF toggle switch and button for some other combination that makes more sense (something that you would not necessarily use simultaneously)
Another random question: I'm currently using manual Leica lenses with novoflex adapter - the camera does not seem to register the aperture setting. It's this normal? Wondering whether there is any way to get the camera to understand the aperture even though it is a non native lense.
I know this is a scattered post, and I apologize. One hour with that sony manual has made me a little nutty.
I have a bunch of misc questions:
1. I'd like to Create one setting that will make the camera fully automated, just get out of its own way. I'm old school (not used to auto ISO) - can someone explain how to best implement auto ISO up to something like 3600?
2. Another setting that makes the camera fully manual -- custom presets are key for this.
I like the suggestion people have given about using one of the buttons near the thumb for focus magnification, but is there any way to skip the first part (where it shows the focus area) and go right to the second part (magnification)? My thought was to use the function menu or another button when I want to set the focus location before magnifying, and the more convenient button for a quick "zoom" to check critical focus.
Another question I have -- if I like to lock exposure, that renders the toggle switch on that button effectively useless. Any suggestions on this? Maybe set one of the buttons near the thumb for AE lock and then use the AE/AF/MF toggle switch and button for some other combination that makes more sense (something that you would not necessarily use simultaneously)
Another random question: I'm currently using manual Leica lenses with novoflex adapter - the camera does not seem to register the aperture setting. It's this normal? Wondering whether there is any way to get the camera to understand the aperture even though it is a non native lense.
I know this is a scattered post, and I apologize. One hour with that sony manual has made me a little nutty.
Dec 05, 2013 at 11:12 AM
p.5 #11Sony A7/A7R Setup
Hi August and welcome to FM!
Quick answers:
1. The main dial have AUTO. There's no way unfortunately to limit ISO to a certain value. Personally I use fixed ISO and have the cam set to easily change it according to light.
2. Use M (or A with manual lenses). And of course avoid AUTO ISO.
3. Not that I know of, but it is fairly neat to double-click e.g. C1 achieving it. Also, make sure you explore Focus Peeking if youre new to that functionality
4. If you're using manual lenses, enable AEL with shutter as explained above: Menu - Custom Settings - AEL with shutter - ON/ENABLE
5. For some brands there are adapters available delivering EXIF data to the cam. Probably for Leica too (newer lenses)
EDIT: for 1. there is a way to set min/max, see post below
Edited on Dec 05, 2013 at 12:42 PM · View previous versions
Quick answers:
1. The main dial have AUTO. There's no way unfortunately to limit ISO to a certain value. Personally I use fixed ISO and have the cam set to easily change it according to light.
2. Use M (or A with manual lenses). And of course avoid AUTO ISO.
3. Not that I know of, but it is fairly neat to double-click e.g. C1 achieving it. Also, make sure you explore Focus Peeking if youre new to that functionality
4. If you're using manual lenses, enable AEL with shutter as explained above: Menu - Custom Settings - AEL with shutter - ON/ENABLE
5. For some brands there are adapters available delivering EXIF data to the cam. Probably for Leica too (newer lenses)
EDIT: for 1. there is a way to set min/max, see post below
Edited on Dec 05, 2013 at 12:42 PM · View previous versions
Dec 05, 2013 at 11:34 AM
p.5 #12Sony A7/A7R Setup
Welcome to FM!
First of all, grab the larger, better manual from here:
http://docs.sony.com/release/ILCE-7_7R_guide_EN.pdf
The Auto ISO section is on page 209.
In general, you have to set up the camera as you like for each mode, and then go to Menu>Camera>Page 7>Memory, and press the center button. You need then to choose which bank. Then do the other mode. After that, turn the mode dial to the mode you want and press the center button to select it.
About the focus settings, I like the AE Lock and AF/MF functionality on that switch already, so I chose to put the Focus Settings on C1 (actually, I think it might be there already by default). There is no way to skip the box part, which allows you to move the focus box to the subject of interest, but you shouldn't skip that anyway, because so many interesting lenses do not have a consistent focus distance across the image.
Adapted lenses cannot communicate with the camera, except Sony's own adapters for their DSLR lenses, and the Metabones Canon EF AF/IS adapter, as I understand it. That means no EXIF, and you are on your own for stopping down the lens. I am not aware of anything like the CPU Lens functionality of Nikon cameras.
First of all, grab the larger, better manual from here:
http://docs.sony.com/release/ILCE-7_7R_guide_EN.pdf
The Auto ISO section is on page 209.
In general, you have to set up the camera as you like for each mode, and then go to Menu>Camera>Page 7>Memory, and press the center button. You need then to choose which bank. Then do the other mode. After that, turn the mode dial to the mode you want and press the center button to select it.
About the focus settings, I like the AE Lock and AF/MF functionality on that switch already, so I chose to put the Focus Settings on C1 (actually, I think it might be there already by default). There is no way to skip the box part, which allows you to move the focus box to the subject of interest, but you shouldn't skip that anyway, because so many interesting lenses do not have a consistent focus distance across the image.
Adapted lenses cannot communicate with the camera, except Sony's own adapters for their DSLR lenses, and the Metabones Canon EF AF/IS adapter, as I understand it. That means no EXIF, and you are on your own for stopping down the lens. I am not aware of anything like the CPU Lens functionality of Nikon cameras.
Dec 05, 2013 at 11:40 AM
p.5 #13Sony A7/A7R Setup
carstenw wrote:
About the focus settings, I like the AE Lock and AF/MF functionality on that switch already, so I chose to put the Focus Settings on C1 (actually, I think it might be there already by default).
The only thing I would add to what carstenw and wfrank said is that your preference for how you set up the AE Lock and AF/MF button will probably depend on whether you use any AF lenses. If I was using AF lenses, I would set the camera up as carstenw does. Since I am only using MF lenses at this time, I find that using the AF/MF button for focus magnification and using the 1/2 shutter press for AEL lock (as does wfrank), seems to be a little more comfortable than using one of the custom buttons for focus magnification.
About the focus settings, I like the AE Lock and AF/MF functionality on that switch already, so I chose to put the Focus Settings on C1 (actually, I think it might be there already by default).
The only thing I would add to what carstenw and wfrank said is that your preference for how you set up the AE Lock and AF/MF button will probably depend on whether you use any AF lenses. If I was using AF lenses, I would set the camera up as carstenw does. Since I am only using MF lenses at this time, I find that using the AF/MF button for focus magnification and using the 1/2 shutter press for AEL lock (as does wfrank), seems to be a little more comfortable than using one of the custom buttons for focus magnification.
Dec 05, 2013 at 11:51 AM
p.5 #14Sony A7/A7R Setup
carstenw wrote:
There is no way to skip the box part, which allows you to move the focus box to the subject of interest, but you shouldn't skip that anyway, because so many interesting lenses do not have a consistent focus distance across the image.
i have to disagree about not wanting to skip the area selection box. i really wish that was an option as there are lots of times when i want a quick zoom for rapid precision focus and/or tracking. you can still move the zoomed area around after zooming anyway. if they added a menu option for choosing the method you wanted that'd be awesome.
There is no way to skip the box part, which allows you to move the focus box to the subject of interest, but you shouldn't skip that anyway, because so many interesting lenses do not have a consistent focus distance across the image.
i have to disagree about not wanting to skip the area selection box. i really wish that was an option as there are lots of times when i want a quick zoom for rapid precision focus and/or tracking. you can still move the zoomed area around after zooming anyway. if they added a menu option for choosing the method you wanted that'd be awesome.
Dec 05, 2013 at 12:10 PM
p.5 #15Sony A7/A7R Setup
wfrank wrote:
...
1. The main dial have AUTO. There's no way unfortunately to limit ISO to a certain value. Personally I use fixed ISO and have the cam set to easily change it according to light.
...
Rechecking this I realize there is a way to set min and max ISO for Auto ISO. As found on pg 209 in the manual linked by carsten. Default sets it to max 6400.
In the ISO setting, right click to select MIN or MAX and change value according to taste.
...
1. The main dial have AUTO. There's no way unfortunately to limit ISO to a certain value. Personally I use fixed ISO and have the cam set to easily change it according to light.
...
Rechecking this I realize there is a way to set min and max ISO for Auto ISO. As found on pg 209 in the manual linked by carsten. Default sets it to max 6400.
In the ISO setting, right click to select MIN or MAX and change value according to taste.
Dec 05, 2013 at 12:42 PM
p.5 #16Sony A7/A7R Setup
Sorry for the basic question, but I can't find it in my manual. How do I adjust the focus magnify time to something other than the (useless) 2 seconds?
I use C1 to bring up magnify.
thanks!
I use C1 to bring up magnify.
thanks!
Dec 05, 2013 at 12:53 PM
p.5 #17Sony A7/A7R Setup
Menu - Cogwheel - Focus Magnification Time - No Limit.
Dec 05, 2013 at 12:57 PM
p.5 #18Sony A7/A7R Setup
Jeff Kott wrote:
The only thing I would add to what carstenw and wfrank said is that your preference for how you set up the AE Lock and AF/MF button will probably depend on whether you use any AF lenses. If I was using AF lenses, I would set the camera up as carstenw does. Since I am only using MF lenses at this time, I find that using the AF/MF button for focus magnification and using the 1/2 shutter press for AEL lock (as does wfrank), seems to be a little more comfortable than using one of the custom buttons for...Show more →
You have to balance this against the possibility that you might pick up an AF lens in the future and have to change your habits around completely...
carstenw wrote
About the focus settings, I like the AE Lock and AF/MF functionality on that switch already, so I chose to put the Focus Settings on C1 (actually, I think it might be there already by default).You have to balance this against the possibility that you might pick up an AF lens in the future and have to change your habits around completely...
Dec 05, 2013 at 01:16 PM
p.5 #19Sony A7/A7R Setup
carstenw wrote:
You have to balance this against the possibility that you might pick up an AF lens in the future and have to change your habits around completely...
Of course you're right. But right now focus magnification is my most used function on the camera and the AF/MF button is by far the easiest button to feel on the camera other than possibly the slightly misplaced shutter button.
You have to balance this against the possibility that you might pick up an AF lens in the future and have to change your habits around completely...
Of course you're right. But right now focus magnification is my most used function on the camera and the AF/MF button is by far the easiest button to feel on the camera other than possibly the slightly misplaced shutter button.
Dec 05, 2013 at 01:22 PM
p.5 #20Sony A7/A7R Setup
Thanks. That changes everything
wfrank wrote:
Menu - Cogwheel - Focus Magnification Time - No Limit.
wfrank wrote:
Menu - Cogwheel - Focus Magnification Time - No Limit.
Dec 05, 2013 at 01:29 PM