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Archive 2013Sony A7/A7R Setup
p.7 #1Sony A7/A7R Setup
The right side layout is very close to the RX1 but in most respects it is quite a bit better, I feel. Very nice detent resistance, the EC is stiff but will loosen up with use. The top plate could have been extended rearwards by 3-4mm to facilitate the EC dial, and the top rear dial could be recessed into that plate a little more to compensate. I have the top rear dial to do EC also, in fact.
The vertical shutter button insists on a vertical orientation to the index finger (a la Leica), which gives more room for the thumb to operate the af/mf / ael button and both rear dials. The shutter release, when half pressed, is nicely recessed into the surrounding on/off switch. You can lean the finger pad across it easily, and anchor the finger on the edge of the top plate, just in front of/above the EC dial.
The af/mf / ael button surround stands proud a little and is easy for the thumb to recognise when holding the camera to the eye. Finding it means the thumb 'finds' the rear dial located just above. All this works better than the RX1 which has easily confused flat small buttons.
Wisely the left hand is entirely free to hold the lens, set focus and aperture on (manual) lens.
But I am an A mode manual lens shooter who uses EC (post metering SS really) and ISO to fine-tune, so I just need a good focus assist button - that is the af/mf / ael one. For AF lenses, I would swap the switch on the af/mf / ael button to do Focus, have set one of the C buttons to focus assist and the top front dial to aperture setting - flip the switch, ready to go. I don't like using too many buttons or wheels.
August, use '1' or '2' for different global settings, they never ever change when reactivated. So set up your preferences in one go then 'memorise' them to setting 1 or 2. Sonys are 'learning by doing' cameras, no matter how many hundreds/thousands of pages Gary Friedman writes...
The vertical shutter button insists on a vertical orientation to the index finger (a la Leica), which gives more room for the thumb to operate the af/mf / ael button and both rear dials. The shutter release, when half pressed, is nicely recessed into the surrounding on/off switch. You can lean the finger pad across it easily, and anchor the finger on the edge of the top plate, just in front of/above the EC dial.
The af/mf / ael button surround stands proud a little and is easy for the thumb to recognise when holding the camera to the eye. Finding it means the thumb 'finds' the rear dial located just above. All this works better than the RX1 which has easily confused flat small buttons.
Wisely the left hand is entirely free to hold the lens, set focus and aperture on (manual) lens.
But I am an A mode manual lens shooter who uses EC (post metering SS really) and ISO to fine-tune, so I just need a good focus assist button - that is the af/mf / ael one. For AF lenses, I would swap the switch on the af/mf / ael button to do Focus, have set one of the C buttons to focus assist and the top front dial to aperture setting - flip the switch, ready to go. I don't like using too many buttons or wheels.
August, use '1' or '2' for different global settings, they never ever change when reactivated. So set up your preferences in one go then 'memorise' them to setting 1 or 2. Sonys are 'learning by doing' cameras, no matter how many hundreds/thousands of pages Gary Friedman writes...
Dec 07, 2013 at 07:24 PM
p.7 #2Sony A7/A7R Setup
Jeff, what works best for AF with Sony is using the centre spot (if that suits you for the shot) and waiting until it gets it right. Take care getting the spot exactly were you want it to focus on. The RX1 gets it right virtually every time in ISO 12800 f2 1/60s light doing it this way.
Dec 07, 2013 at 07:27 PM
p.7 #3Sony A7/A7R Setup
[posted in the wrong thread . . . sorry. Moved to a7(R) image thread]
Edited on Dec 07, 2013 at 07:45 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Dec 07, 2013 at 07:45 PM · View previous versions
Dec 07, 2013 at 07:28 PM
p.7 #4Sony A7/A7R Setup
Hi Guys,
I am having difficulties sending files using the "Send to Computer" feature on the A7 to my iMac. My NEX 6 doesn't have this issue. I already set my access point (wifi) on my A7, but when I tried using this feature it gives me a message that I need to connect my A7 to my Mac. Same thing is happening with my Macbook Pro.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Cheers!
Josh
I am having difficulties sending files using the "Send to Computer" feature on the A7 to my iMac. My NEX 6 doesn't have this issue. I already set my access point (wifi) on my A7, but when I tried using this feature it gives me a message that I need to connect my A7 to my Mac. Same thing is happening with my Macbook Pro.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Cheers!
Josh
Dec 07, 2013 at 07:43 PM
p.7 #5Sony A7/A7R Setup
I did a quick non-scientific comparison between ACR vs Sony image converter raw conversion. Its no contest. As crappy as the sony sw is, the output is much much better than ACR..
Dec 07, 2013 at 07:56 PM
p.7 #6Sony A7/A7R Setup
Picture This! wrote:
I did a quick non-scientific comparison between ACR vs Sony image converter raw conversion. Its no contest. As crappy as the sony sw is, the output is much much better than ACR..
How so?
I did a quick non-scientific comparison between ACR vs Sony image converter raw conversion. Its no contest. As crappy as the sony sw is, the output is much much better than ACR..
How so?
Dec 07, 2013 at 08:00 PM
p.7 #7Sony A7/A7R Setup
The raw conversion with the sony sw is much better- better fine details, sharper and I like the colors better also. I output to tiff and then completed my pp in. Photoshop.
Dec 07, 2013 at 08:51 PM
p.7 #8Sony A7/A7R Setup
As for any outlier reports, it would be great to see your comparisons, Picture This!! Just a detailed shot and 100% crops will do. I mean, never say never, my usage was a couple of years ago, and no doubt a version or two back as well.
We would all love to use it - free, supported for new camera releases, no cloud future, etc.
David Kilpatrick:
'Testing Alpha 77 raw files on the new software, the Bayer conversion seemed to be incredibly noisy and the noise reduction left fine detail heavily smeared much the same as for in-camera JPEGs, but the colour styles, DRO settings and some other aspects read from camera EXIF data are retained. It can not be recommended as a main choice for raw conversion, and certainly not for high ISO images, but it’s available and is a fairly small application to install on laptops or less powerful machines.'
Michael Reichmann:
'Anyone used to a contemporary raw program such as Lightroom or Aperture will roll their eyes in frustration when they try and use Sony's software, but until Adobe, Apple and others release support it will have to do.'
This has been the general reaction to any new camera over the past five years.
We would all love to use it - free, supported for new camera releases, no cloud future, etc.
David Kilpatrick:
'Testing Alpha 77 raw files on the new software, the Bayer conversion seemed to be incredibly noisy and the noise reduction left fine detail heavily smeared much the same as for in-camera JPEGs, but the colour styles, DRO settings and some other aspects read from camera EXIF data are retained. It can not be recommended as a main choice for raw conversion, and certainly not for high ISO images, but it’s available and is a fairly small application to install on laptops or less powerful machines.'
Michael Reichmann:
'Anyone used to a contemporary raw program such as Lightroom or Aperture will roll their eyes in frustration when they try and use Sony's software, but until Adobe, Apple and others release support it will have to do.'
This has been the general reaction to any new camera over the past five years.
Dec 07, 2013 at 09:30 PM
p.7 #9Sony A7/A7R Setup
Will do. I dont intend to use the Sony software for any pp. Just the basic WB, exposure and raw conversion. Based on what I'm seeing, the raw conversion of the sony sw is superior to adobe camera raw.
Dec 07, 2013 at 09:49 PM
p.7 #10Sony A7/A7R Setup
>>Could you be more specific about which settings you are using?<<
I am trying to use the application about using smartphone as a remote. I tried to follow the direction in the manual and my iPhone seemed to have found the camera. Except the camera is on the screen that said connecting but never does.
I am trying to use the application about using smartphone as a remote. I tried to follow the direction in the manual and my iPhone seemed to have found the camera. Except the camera is on the screen that said connecting but never does.
Dec 07, 2013 at 09:58 PM
p.7 #11Sony A7/A7R Setup
Bill Hollinger wrote:
How do the access the ability to move the AF point around the screen? I’ve looked through the PDF manual twice, and I don’t even see this function mentioned. The only way I’ve found to move it so far is to go under the camera menu, to page 3, Focus Settings - press enter, and finally the little arrows appear, enabling the focus spot to be moved around the screen.
Thanks,
Bill
You can assign focus settings to a custom button. By default my A7 has this assigned to C1. But you could assign it to any of them or you could assign it to the quick menu if you didn't want to use a button.
How do the access the ability to move the AF point around the screen? I’ve looked through the PDF manual twice, and I don’t even see this function mentioned. The only way I’ve found to move it so far is to go under the camera menu, to page 3, Focus Settings - press enter, and finally the little arrows appear, enabling the focus spot to be moved around the screen.
Thanks,
Bill
You can assign focus settings to a custom button. By default my A7 has this assigned to C1. But you could assign it to any of them or you could assign it to the quick menu if you didn't want to use a button.
Dec 07, 2013 at 10:20 PM
p.7 #12Sony A7/A7R Setup
Said that, is there a way to custom name output files (and if so, where)?
I use Downloader Pro from BreezeSys which automatically identifies the camera (and in a lot of cases serial numbers in case you have multiple) and allows mapping of file numbers (replace DSC with A7R ...), which is handy as my RX100 also uses DSC
Dec 08, 2013 at 12:52 AM
p.7 #13Sony A7/A7R Setup
carstenw wrote:
Known to work with Smart Remote Control and PlayMemories Mobile:
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5S
- iPad Air
- Samsung Galaxy 3
- Samsung Galaxy 4 (incl. NFC)
iPad 3 (first retina, not sure is it 3) works with PlayMemories Mobile, but could not find "Smart Remote Control" from Apple app store. I played few minutes with PlayMemories and can't thing any use for it on my use And camera battery had already dropped to 86% So using wireless and remote app is hardly option for field shooting.
I could not find any other remote control apps for iPad. Why I was searching was the stupid bracketing settings they have put to camera (very useless for my HDR photography and I have never used bracketing for anything else). There is no way to make the camera take 3 (or more) photos automatically and also bracketing amounts are stupidly chosen:
0.3EV 3 shots
0.3EV 5 shots
0.5EV 3 shots
0.5EV 5 shots
0.7EV 3 shots
0.5EV 5 shots
1.0EV 3 shots
2.0EV 3 shots
3.0EV 3 shots
Over the years I have learned I get best results with 1.3EV or 1.66EV bracketing. Naturally as this is Sony it has million stupid values but not the one what would work the best.
Best wayaround I have figured this far:
1. use wired remote control (most of my HDRs are shot on shutter speeds I don't want to touch camera without timer AND naturally timer is not option in Sony since Sony has put bracketing to shooting mode menu), you can get one from Sony $65&65EUR
2. set camera to 0.7EV 5 shots Continous
3. shoot by pressing remote control until it has taken all 5 shots
4. delete 2nd and 3rd shot from 5 image set (or delete them on computer)
Samuli
Known to work with Smart Remote Control and PlayMemories Mobile:
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5S
- iPad Air
- Samsung Galaxy 3
- Samsung Galaxy 4 (incl. NFC)
iPad 3 (first retina, not sure is it 3) works with PlayMemories Mobile, but could not find "Smart Remote Control" from Apple app store. I played few minutes with PlayMemories and can't thing any use for it on my use And camera battery had already dropped to 86% So using wireless and remote app is hardly option for field shooting.
I could not find any other remote control apps for iPad. Why I was searching was the stupid bracketing settings they have put to camera (very useless for my HDR photography and I have never used bracketing for anything else). There is no way to make the camera take 3 (or more) photos automatically and also bracketing amounts are stupidly chosen:
0.3EV 3 shots
0.3EV 5 shots
0.5EV 3 shots
0.5EV 5 shots
0.7EV 3 shots
0.5EV 5 shots
1.0EV 3 shots
2.0EV 3 shots
3.0EV 3 shots
Over the years I have learned I get best results with 1.3EV or 1.66EV bracketing. Naturally as this is Sony it has million stupid values but not the one what would work the best.
Best wayaround I have figured this far:
1. use wired remote control (most of my HDRs are shot on shutter speeds I don't want to touch camera without timer AND naturally timer is not option in Sony since Sony has put bracketing to shooting mode menu), you can get one from Sony $65&65EUR
2. set camera to 0.7EV 5 shots Continous
3. shoot by pressing remote control until it has taken all 5 shots
4. delete 2nd and 3rd shot from 5 image set (or delete them on computer)
Samuli
Dec 08, 2013 at 06:18 AM
p.7 #14Sony A7/A7R Setup
I set up the A7 exactly like the N7 for AF, that is using the AF/MF button for Focus Settings. This way when you engage it, you have ALL you focus settings at the same place : turn the thumbwheel and chose your focus areas, click the cardinal points and you're moving the AF box around, press the Trash button and it goes back to center of frame. Brilliant.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:18 AM
p.7 #15Sony A7/A7R Setup
nianys wrote:
I set up the A7 exactly like the N7 for AF, that is using the AF/MF button for Focus Settings. This way when you engage it, you have ALL you focus settings at the same place : turn the thumbwheel and chose your focus areas, click the cardinal points and you're moving the AF box around, press the Trash button and it goes back to center of frame. Brilliant.
I do the same but use C1 for Focus Settings. I like it near the shutter button.
I set up the A7 exactly like the N7 for AF, that is using the AF/MF button for Focus Settings. This way when you engage it, you have ALL you focus settings at the same place : turn the thumbwheel and chose your focus areas, click the cardinal points and you're moving the AF box around, press the Trash button and it goes back to center of frame. Brilliant.
I do the same but use C1 for Focus Settings. I like it near the shutter button.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:30 AM
p.7 #16Sony A7/A7R Setup
Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that while focusing (MF) in magnified view the camera sometimes exits the magnified view by itself? Very annoying.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:35 AM
p.7 #17Sony A7/A7R Setup
wfrank wrote:
Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that while focusing (MF) in magnified view the camera sometimes exits the magnified view by itself? Very annoying.
I think it exits magnified view even if you as much as come near the shutter button. Users have complained about that very often.
Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that while focusing (MF) in magnified view the camera sometimes exits the magnified view by itself? Very annoying.
I think it exits magnified view even if you as much as come near the shutter button. Users have complained about that very often.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:40 AM
p.7 #18Sony A7/A7R Setup
rji2goleez wrote:
I do the same but use C1 for Focus Settings. I like it near the shutter button.
Makes a lot of senses, but I wanted to keep my settings as close as possible to those of my NEX7, since I still use both cameras. It's also why I configured WB to the down clic of the thumbwheel, since it's on the bottom soft key of my N7.
nianys wrote
I set up the A7 exactly like the N7 for AF, that is using the AF/MF button for Focus Settings. This way when you engage it, you have ALL you focus settings at the same place : turn the thumbwheel and chose your focus areas, click the cardinal points and you're moving the AF box around, press the Trash button and it goes back to center of frame. Brilliant.Makes a lot of senses, but I wanted to keep my settings as close as possible to those of my NEX7, since I still use both cameras. It's also why I configured WB to the down clic of the thumbwheel, since it's on the bottom soft key of my N7.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:42 AM
p.7 #19Sony A7/A7R Setup
nianys wrote:
I think it exits magnified view even if you as much as come near the shutter button. Users have complained about that very often.
I've noticed it too. It seems to be sensitive to a light touch of the finger on the shutter button.
wfrank wrote
Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that while focusing (MF) in magnified view the camera sometimes exits the magnified view by itself? Very annoying.I've noticed it too. It seems to be sensitive to a light touch of the finger on the shutter button.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:47 AM
p.7 #20Sony A7/A7R Setup
nianys wrote:
I think it exits magnified view even if you as much as come near the shutter button. Users have complained about that very often.
That could very well be the case! Thank you.
wfrank wrote
Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that while focusing (MF) in magnified view the camera sometimes exits the magnified view by itself? Very annoying.That could very well be the case! Thank you.
Dec 08, 2013 at 07:47 AM