This may help someone so im going to post what I did here. Now let me start by saying I made a change to ALL Sony lenses with AF/MF switch and Focus hold button. That adds 2 options I did not have with Sigma or Tampon. So I sold my Sigma 18-50 and nothing wrong with it but wanted the Sony 16-55 on its way. This gives me a much welcome option with more custom buttons. I drop my lenses into manual focus quite often. Im still an old dog that likes to focus . I know boring as hell but manual focus I use 2 functions . One getting it in MF and second using focus magnifier .
So let me start with the lens setup in the camera with customizing the camera differently.
First the easy one the AF/MF switch on lens all my glass has this switch . Obviously it goes into both AF/MF
But next that custom focus hold button I changed over to Focus magnifier. Reason I did this is my lens button control all manual focus operation on the lens custom buttons. The use of Sony glass gave me 2 operational advantages as most of you know the smaller the Sony camera they cut custom functions. My A7RV as maybe 2 more than this. So we need to think better on how we set these 6700 units up to make our life easier.
Let's go to side of Camera that C1 button on the side I wanted to put something that I don't use too much in changing although I do and I put White Balance there. I rarely ever use AWB but always set to tungsten or daylight but if I screw up im in RAW anyway and can WB in post.
Lets go to back side
AF-On is AF on with tracking
FN I will tell you later what's in that
Okay round dial on back
Left push is Drive mode. I use that for a 2 second delay when testing lenses but typically keep it in single shot
Upper center push is Finder display options like level/ histo and such as you set it up in camera
Right Push on every Sony I have owned is ISO adjustment
Down push I put Exposure Compensation
Garbage can is Touch screen off and on. Like that and not even sure it's on my A7Rv but it's another way to get to more settings and even some of the same.
My theory on that I want 3 ways to get to stuff I may need . Honestly Im a working Pro and the battle out there can be grueling so have options or ways to get around your camera is critical. I never want to get into my menu when im shooting. All quick moves to get around
Okay lets get to Top deck
That Video button I did change to Switch to focus area. Cool thing is you just keep hitting the button to the focus area you want small/medium/large /expand spot and zone as well. Very cool way to get around. What I was told today actually if I put the dial for Still/Viedo and S&Q to the video setting my release button works the video , so I lose nothing but gain a useful switch for focus area.
Okay this may change but C2 or that button up there has always been focus magnify so now that I moved that to the lens focus hold button I freed that up. I may change this but I put focus peaking level there. I go from low to medium on that but if I figure if I need something more important I will switch that out. Any thoughts
Fn switch
I have the following in there notice im overlapping on functions but I like that I know it's there. Remember I have the A7RV so im trying to keep them very similar
Fn
Focus Area
Focus Mode
Steadyshot. Sometimes I turn that off on tripod
Recognition Target. Some may put that in a faster area on a custom button. I shoot people.
Subject recognition in AF
ISO
Peaking Display
Silent mode
Touch function in shooting
White balance
I have one more to put in there.
Anyway thought I would share . I shoot everything so im more a generalist not a bird /car or whatever . So I think more about diversity on what Im out there doing.
So making that move to Sony glass helped me a great deal in setting this up with more option abilities. Hope that helps you figure out your needs setting up. This maybe more tuned to manual focus shooter as you can see I used actually 2 buttons and a switch for manual operation. You can use as a guide and change to your preferences
Sorry for the long post but Hopefully it helps
BTW the lenses im using are the Sony 11mm / 15mm and coming the 16-55
Got real close to setting my A7RV exactly like this. I have more custom function buttons but put everything mostly in the same places. Should be operational quite good.
Lots of great info thanks. Having switched as you did from two A1's to a A7R5, and now just ordered the 6700. I like the idea of a second body set up similar. Also I will get small lens from Sony for the 6700 set up in a small sling bag ready to grab quick. Big sling bag for the A7R5.
PaulCStudios wrote:
Lots of great info thanks. Having switched as you did from two A1's to a A7R5, and now just ordered the 6700. I like the idea of a second body set up similar. Also I will get small lens from Sony for the 6700 set up in a small sling bag ready to grab quick. Big sling bag for the A7R5.
Right now my A6700 is in a Mindshift Photocross 13 sling with a Sigma 18-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, and Sigma 56/1.4. All bought used here on FM in mint condition. Also decided to try a Viltrox 75/1.2 and it is a great portrait lens especially for its price. Still need to figure out what to do for a wider than 18mm. I may also consider a 27/1.2 from Viltrox when/if they announce it for Sony. If need be I can throw on my Sony 14/1.8 GM which isn’t getting much us on my FF setup and should be an excellent 21mm equivalent which, for me, is typically as wide as I shoot even though I will go wider. It’s really not too big.
I am keeping my A1s and A7RV since the A1s are for wildlife and BIF and IMHO have no equal.
I will try to sell my A7C but admit I will consider an A7C II if it’s as full featured as the A6700. I am concerned if the Ergonomics will be as good though. Will just wait and see what gets announced next week. The A6700 view finder is an improvement on the A7C.
Interesting I use the Mindshift Photocross 13 Sling with my A7R5, G 200-600, GM 16-35, GM 24-70. I was looking for a 8 ltr Mindshift Sling. Since they don't make that size I will look at the 5 or 10. Always prefer smaller this makes me take less glass and be more efficient. For instance yesterday I took the 13 with 200-600 and 24-70 to shoot a classic sailing regatta. Used the 200-600 only since you can't get too close especially in light winds. Works great, I love these packs. Well, Think Tank in general I have a lot of their packs, need to sell a few.
