Wiley sony alpha DSLR a700 digital field guide jun 2008 ISBN 0470270314 pdf

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Sony α
DSLR–A700
Digital Field Guide
®

Alan Hess


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Sony α
DSLR-A700
Digital Field Guide
®

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Page ii


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Sony α
DSLR–A700
Digital Field Guide
®

Alan Hess


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Sony ® α DSLR-A700 Digital Field Guide
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
10475 Crosspoint Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46256
www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN: 978-0-470-27031-8
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise,
except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without
either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the
appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA
01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 750-4744. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be
addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN
46256, (317) 572-3447, fax (317) 572-4355, or online at />LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE NO
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS
OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTY
MAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. THE ADVICE AND
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For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please
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Wiley and Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Sony is a registered trademark of Sony, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc. is not associated
with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.


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About the Author
Alan Hess is a freelance photographer based in San Diego, California. He has done commercial photography on a wide variety of subjects, from guitar manufacturing to a clothing
catalog for women’s workout wear. His concert and backstage images have appeared in
numerous online and print publications and have been used for promotional purposes and

music packaging.
Alan is a key contributor to the Lexar Pro Photographer Web site and has written articles on
concert photography and technology.
Alan can be contacted through his Web site www.alanhessphotography.com.


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Credits
Acquisitions Editor
Courtney Allen

Project Coordinator
Erin Smith

Senior Project Editor
Cricket Krengel

Graphics and Production Specialists
Alissa D. Ellet
Jennifer Mayberry

Technical Editor
Ben Holland

Copy Editor
Scott Tullis
Editorial Manager
Robyn B. Siesky
Vice President & Group Executive
Publisher
Richard Swadley
Vice President & Publisher
Barry Pruett
Business Manager
Amy Knies
Senior Marketing Manager
Sandy Smith

Quality Control Technician
Jessica Kramer
Proofreading
Linda Quigley
Indexing
Broccoli Information Mgt.
Special Help
Jama Carter
Sarah Cisco


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For Nadra


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Acknowledgments

S

pecial thanks to my family and friends for putting up with me always having a camera pointed at them. I really do appreciate all your patience.

Thanks to Courtney for getting this whole thing started and to Cricket for keeping it on track.

Thanks to Mark and Maile for all the encouragement and the constant “Is the book done
yet?” e-mails.


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Contents at a Glance
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
Quick Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Part I: Using the Sony Alpha A700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 1: Exploring the Sony Alpha A700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter 2: Setting Up the Alpha A700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Part II: Creating Great Photos with the Sony Alpha A700 . . . . . . 81
Chapter 3: Photography Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Chapter 4: All About Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Chapter 5: All About Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Chapter 6: Photo Subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Chapter 7: Viewing, Downloading, and Printing Your Photos . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Part III: Appendixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Appendix A: Camera Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Appendix B: Editing Software Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269


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Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction

ix
xxi

Quick Tour

1

Basic Setup of the A700
Setting the Image Size and Quality
Setting the Metering Mode
Setting the ISO
Setting the White Balance
Setting the Drive Mode
Setting the Focus Mode
Setting the Focus Area
Reviewing Your Images

1
2
3
4
4
5
5
6

7

Part I: Using the Sony
Alpha A700 9
Chapter 1: Exploring the Sony
Alpha A700 11

Camera Controls
On the front
On top
On the back
On the bottom
On the left side
On the right side
Remote Commander
Viewfinder Display
The main display
The data display
LCD Display
Recording Information display

11
12
13
15
17
18
19
20
22

22
23
24
24


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Playback screen
Image alone view
Image with shooting
data view
Image with thumbnail
strip view
Histogram view
Index view
Image Files
Aspect ratio
File quality setting
File size setting
ISO Sensitivity
Viewing Images on the Camera
White Balance Setting
Metering Modes
Scene Exposure Modes
Semiautomatic and Manual

Exposure Modes
Drive Modes
Creative Styles
D-Range Optimization

Chapter 2: Setting Up the
Alpha A700 45

Page xiv

27
27
27
28
29
30
30
30
31
32
33
33
36
38
39
40
40
42
43

Choosing the Exposure Mode
Basic Exposure modes
Auto mode
Program Auto mode
Aperture Priority mode
Shutter Speed Priority
mode
Manual mode
Memory Recall mode
Choosing a Scene selection
Portrait
Landscape
Macro
Sports Action
Sunset
Night View / Night Portrait
Using the Function Button
File Quality, Size, and Aspect Ratio
Choosing the file quality
JPEG
RAW
Setting the image size
Setting the aspect ratio
White Balance
Setting the white balance
Setting the ISO
Setting the Dynamic-Range
Optimizer
Setting the Drive Mode
Bracketing modes

Remote Commander
Focusing the A700
Eye-Start focusing system
Selecting the auto focus area
Auto Focus modes
Creative Styles
Using the Built-In Flash
Selecting the Flash mode
Flash compensation
A700 Menus
Recording menu 1
Image size
Aspect ratio
Quality

45
45
45
46
46
47
47
47
48
49
49
49
50
50
50

51
51
51
53
53
53
54
55
55
57
58
58
59
60
60
61
61
62
62
65
65
66
66
67
67
67
67


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D-RangeOptimizer
Creative Style
Custom button
Exposure step
Recording menu 2
Flash mode
Flash control
Power ratio
Flash compens.
ISO Auto max.
ISO Auto min.
Recording menu 3
AF A setup
AF area
Priority setup
AF illuminator
AF w/ shutter
Long exp.NR
High ISO NR
Recording menu 4
Memory
Rec mode reset
Custom menu 1
Eye-Start AF
EyeStart trigr.

AF/MF button
AF/MF control
AF drive speed
AF area disp.
FocusHoldButton
Custom menu 2
AEL button
Ctrl dial setup
Dial exp.comp
Ctrl dial lock
Button ops.
Release w/oCard
Release w/oLens
Custom menu 3
Red eye reduc.
Exp.comp.set

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67
67
67
68
68
68
68
69
69
69
69

69
69
69
69
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
71
71
71
71
71
71
71
72
72
72
72
72
72
73
73
73
74
74

Bracket order
Auto review
Auto off w/ VF
Rec.info.disp.
Img.orientation
Custom menu 4
Playback menu 1
Delete
Format
Protect
DPOF setup
Date imprint
Index print
PlaybackDisplay
Playback menu 2
Slide show
Interval
Setup menu 1
LCD brightness
Info.disp.time
Power save
Video output
HDMI output
Language
Date/Time setup
Setup menu 2
Memory card
File number
Folder name

Select folder / New folder
USB connection
MassStrg.card
Setup menu 3
Menu start
Delete confirm.
Audio signals
Cleaning mode
Reset default

74
74
74
74
74
74
75
75
75
76
76
76
76
76
77
77
77
77
77
77

77
78
78
78
78
78
78
78
78
79
79
79
79
79
79
79
79
79


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Part II: Creating Great
Photos with the Sony

Alpha A700 81

Chapter 4: All About Light 103

Chapter 3: Photography
Essentials 83

Understanding Exposure
Controlling Exposure
Light
Aperture
Shutter speed
ISO
Equivalent exposures
Fine-Tuning Exposure
Exposure compensation
Manual mode
Exposure Metering modes
Bracketing
Using the histogram
Composition Basics
The Rule of Thirds
Other compositional tips
Break the rules

83
84
84
85
87

89
90
91
91
91
92
92
94
95
97
99
101

The Intensity of Light
The Direction of Light
The Color of Light
The Diffusion of Light
Available Light
Daylight
Sunrise and sunset
Midday
Electrical light
Fluorescent lights
Incandescent lights
Vapor discharge lights
Mixed light
Supplemental Light
The built-in flash
Red eye and Red-eye
reduction

Dedicated flash units
Flash sync modes
Flash compensation
Studio lights
Strobe lights
Continuous lights
Accessories to Control Light
Reflectors
Diffusers

103
105
107
107
108
108
108
109
110
110
110
110
110
111
111
111
112
117
118
119

119
120
120
120
122


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Chapter 5: All About
Lenses 125

Sony Lens Basics
Compatibility
Maximum aperture and
focal length
Expanding your lens options
Understanding the Lens
Crop Factor
Sony Lenses
Choosing Between Prime
and Zoom Lenses
Prime lenses
Zoom lenses

Wide-Angle Lenses
Normal Lenses
Telephoto Lenses
Macro Lenses
Tele-Converters
Reducing Vibration

Chapter 6: Photo Subjects 141

125
126
126
128
128
129
130
130
131
132
133
134
137
138
139

Abstract Photography
141
Inspiration
141
Abstract photography

practice
144
Abstract photography tips
144
Architectural Photography
145
Inspiration
145
Architectural photography
practice
146
Architectural photography
tips
148
Candid Photography
148
Inspiration
149
Candid photography practice 150
Candid photography tips
152
Child Photography
152
Inspiration
153
Child photography practice 154
Child photography tips
156
Concert Photography
156

Inspiration
158
Concert photography practice 159
Concert photography tips
160
Event Photography
161
Inspiration
162
Event photography practice 162
Event photography tips
164
Flower and Plant Photography
164
Inspiration
165
Flower and plant
photography practice
166
Flower and plant
photography tips
168


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Group Portrait Photography
Considering lighting
and location
Working with people
Inspiration
Group portrait photography
practice
Group portrait photography
tips
Indoor Portraits
Inspiration
Indoor portrait practice
Indoor portrait tips
Landscape and Nature
Photography
Inspiration
Landscape and nature
photography practice
Landscape and nature
photography tips
Light Trail Photography
Inspiration
Light trail photography
practice
Light trail photography tips
Macro Photography
Inspiration
Macro photography practice
Macro photography tips
Night and Low Light Photography

Inspiration
Night and low light
photography practice
Night and low light
photography tips
Online Auction Photography
Inspiration
Online auction photography
practice
Online auction photography
tips

Page xviii

168
169
169
170
171
172
173
175
176
177
178
178
179
181
181
182

183
184
186
186
188
188
189
190
190
191
192
192
193
195

Outdoor portrait photography
Inspiration
Outdoor portrait
photography
Outdoor portrait
photography tips
Sports Photography
Inspiration
Sports photography practice
Sports photography tips
Still Life Photography
Inspiration
Still life photography
practice
Still life photography tips

Street Life Photography
Inspiration
Street life photography
practice
Street life photography tips
Sunrise and Sunset Photography
Inspiration
Sunset and sunrise
photography practice
Sunset and sunrise
photography tips
Travel Photography
Inspiration
Travel photography practice
Travel photography tips
Wedding Photography
Inspiration
Wedding photography
practice
Wedding photography tips
Wildlife Photography
Inspiration
Wildlife photography
practice
Wildlife photography tips

195
196
197
198

200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
208
209
211
211
211
212
214
214
215
216
218
219
219
220
222
223
224
225
227

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Part III: Appendixes 239

Chapter 7: Viewing,
Downloading, and
Printing Your Photos 229

Viewing Your Images on
a Television
Connecting to a regular
television
Connecting to an HDTV
Viewing the images on a
television
Using the camera to
display images
Using the Remote
Commander to
display images
Connecting to a Computer
Using the USB cable
Using a card reader
Connecting to a Printer

Print menu 1
Print menu 2

Appendix A: Camera Care 241

229
230
231
231
231

Preventing Dust from Entering
the Camera Body
Cleaning Your Gear after Shooting
Cleaning the Lenses
Cleaning the Mirror
Cleaning the Sensor

242
243
243
244
245

Appendix B: Editing
Software Options 247

233
234
234

235
236
236
237
Sony Software
Image Data Lightbox SR
Image Data Converter SR
Adjustment 1
Adjustment 2
Adjustment 3
Other features
Remote Camera Control

247
247
248
248
250
250
250
251


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Other Software Options

Adobe Photoshop
Bridge
Adobe Camera Raw
Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Apple Aperture
iPhoto
Photo Mechanic

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252
252
252
253
254
254
255
257
259
260

Glossary 261

Index 269


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Introduction

W

elcome to the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Field Guide. The A700 is a great
camera — with its super-fast focusing, it practically focuses itself before you have
it all the way up to your eyes, and with the Super Steady Shot vibration reduction built right
into the camera body so that it works with all lenses, Sony has produced a camera that will
keep professionals and novices happy for years.
With all the buttons, levers, and dials, it can be a daunting task to get the A700 to produce
the images that you want. Just remember, the camera is only a tool, one that is used to capture your vision. My job here is to help you do that in a wide variety of scenarios.
There is nothing more exciting to me than going out and photographing, and there is nothing more frustrating than not getting the shot I thought I did. The purpose of this book is to
help you get the results you want when shooting a variety of subjects. The idea behind it
being in helping you get the best results in specific photographic situations, and also providing specifics on getting to know the A700.
If you are the type of person who just wants to jump in and start taking photos, then go
ahead and check out the Quick Tour. The Quick Tour gives you a quick run-down on using
the A700 so you can get shooting fast. Chapter 1 goes into the location and function of the
many controls on the A700 in more detail, and it makes a great reference guide later on.
Chapter 2 gives an overview of all the settings and menu choices, including my recommended settings and what each mode and setting is best used for.
Chapter 3 is a review on the basics of photography and how they relate to digital photography and the A700. Need a little brush up on getting the correct exposure and a reminder
about the Rule of Thirds? It’s in this chapter.
Because light is so important to photography, it has its own chapter, Chapter 4. Natural light
and artificial light are both covered along with getting the best results when using a flash.
Reflectors, diffusers, and studio lighting are all covered along with tips and techniques for

using a dedicated flash to get professional-looking results.
While the camera is important, the right lens can make all the difference. Chapter 5 is all
about lenses, and Sony’s lenses in particular. Prime lenses compared to zoom lens, normal,
wide, and telephoto lenses are all discussed here.
Chapter 6 is the meat of the book, with information to help you get the best images possible in a wide variety of situations. From taking travel photos on your next vacation to
shooting a child’s baseball game, from capturing a candid moment to shooting a still life


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xxii Introduction
scene, Chapter 6 has the sample photos, shooting data, and tips for many different photographic opportunities.
Taking the photos is one thing, showing them to others is another thing entirely. Chapter 7
deals with getting the images from the camera to a computer or just using the camera to
display the images on a television, including HDTV. It is also possible to print images directly
with the PictBridge software, and that is also covered in Chapter 7.
Appendix A covers cleaning and keeping you camera and lens in good working order. Even
with the new anti-dust coating and self-cleaning, knowing the correct way to remove dust
and dirt is important. Less time trying to get the camera clean means more time to photograph, and photographing is what it is all about.
Appendix B covers the software that is bundled with the A700 along with some of the other
choices for today’s photographers. There are a great many different programs for photographers in today’s digital age, and there is no way to cover them all, so I picked some of my
favorites and those that are the most commonly used in digital photography today.
Read through the book now, and take it with you when you go out to photograph. While
this book would look great on your bookshelf, it works even better if you keep it with your

camera. Tuck it into your camera bag and you will have a handy reference guide to all the
controls and menus of your camera and advice on how to capture the best shot in different situations.


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Page 1

Quick Tour

C

ongratulations on owning a Sony A700, a featureladen digital SLR that novices and professional photographers alike can use with equally stunning results. With
manual controls and enough settings to make any professional photographer happy, the Sony A700 dSLR can also be
used in a fully automatic mode, letting novices use the camera without being overwhelmed. This Quick Tour will help you
get out and start taking photos right away.
Taking photos with your A700 is as simple as putting in the
battery, attaching a lens, inserting a memory card, and opening the flash if necessary. Turn the Mode dial on the top of the
camera to Auto and you are ready to go out and start photographing. Sure, the camera has many buttons and dials and
menu settings, but you can start without using most of them.

QT
✦

✦

✦

✦

In This Quick Tour
Basic setup of the
A700
Setting the image size
and quality
Setting the Metering
mode
Setting the ISO
Setting the white
balance

Basic Setup of the A700
After the A700 has a charged battery, a freshly formatted memory card, and a lens attached, it is time to pick a Recording
mode. The A700 has 12 Recording modes, 6 of which are specific scene selection modes. You select a mode by turning the
Mode dial on the top left of the camera to the desired setting.

✦ Auto. Setting the camera to Auto turns the camera
into a very big and powerful point-and-shoot
camera.

✦ Program Auto. Turning the Mode dial to P sets
the camera to Program Auto mode. Although the
Program Auto mode also lets the camera pick
the shutter speed and the aperture, this mode is
adjustable by using the Front and Rear control dials.
The Front control dial adjusts the shutter speed

and the camera then picks the aperture; the Rear
control dial changes the aperture and the camera
then picks the shutter speed.

Setting the Drive mode
Setting the Focus mode
Setting the focus area
Reviewing your images

✦

✦

✦

✦