Now that Photokina is over, I will do a brief recap of what Sony released or will release in the near future for us photographers, both on the Alpha side and the Cyber-shot side.
As a clarification, Sony announced all of this products weeks ahead of the start of Photokina. There wasn't any new release done in Photokina, Sony's stand had this in display:
Sony Alpha DSLR line:
Camera: Alpha 900 DSLR (24.6 megapixels, Full Frame)
Model number: DSLR-A900
Lens: Carl Zeiss 16-35mm 2.8 wide angle
Model number: SAL 16-35mm F2.8 ZA
Lens: 70-400 G Series
Model number: SAL 70400G
Sony Cybershot line:
Camera: T-500 (10.1 megapixels, 1/2.3" Type Super HAD CCD)
Model number: DSC-T500
Camera: T-77 (10.1 megapixels, 1/2.3" Type Super HAD CCD)
Model number: DSC-T77
Camera: T-700 (10.1 megapixels, 1/2.3" Type Super HAD CCD)
Model number: DSC-T700
You can find here pictures of Sony's stand and the above mentioned products taken by Digital Photography Review.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Protecting Your Photographic Gear
This happened recently to a friend of mine and I feel it's worth to write down some ways to avoid it so it doesnt happen to YOU.
She was coming out from a Starbucks with a bag that contained a Nikon D200, a lens and filters for InfraRed shooting and a Mac laptop, she wasnt paying much attention to her surroundings and when she was about to get into her car, a person in a motorcycle ran past her and snatched the bag from her.
Just like that you can lose your gear.
Now, it's a normal thing for photographers to show off equipment or make clear what brand of cameras you use, and therefore your bags/straps/cases/etc. display in big letters: SONY, NIKON, CANON, PENTAX, OLYMPUS, etc. Same applies for laptops, either the suitcase you carry it on or the laptop itself will scream the brand it is.
The problem is, by exposing this things in public places, you become a walking neon sign that says: STEAL HERE PLEASE, making the job for thieves all too easy.
Therefore, Im posting a few guidelines to avoid losing your equipment to the hands of burglars:
1.- Buy a ugly-old-worn out-bag to put your gear inside. This will act as natural camouflage for your cases. Instead of looking like bag that contains expensive equipment (and even if your camera isnt a fancy and expensive DSLR, do it) it will look like a backpack with books, clothing, tools, etc.
Gary Friedman suggests in his published works to buy a diaper bag and store your equipment there. This is also an excellent suggestion. If for whatever reason you need to leave your camera in your car, the bag wont attract attention to it. Who is going to want to steal a diaper bag?
Another complement for this is to always carry the bags with an annoyed face, this will give the impression youre carrying something you are fed up off or annoyed with, killing all interest in your bag.
2.- Be discreet. Do not boast loudly "Oh, I'm going to take out my new DSLR with 1000 Megapixels that costed me 100,000 dollars/pounds/pesos/rupees/etc." If you need to take your gear to a public place, do the job you're going to do without attracting people's attention to your gear. It's almost a fact that when people see someone really interested in the picture being taken, they will look at the photographer interested themselves, but try to be a low profile photographer when working in the street or public and crowded areas.
3.- Do not take out your gear in internet cafés/coffee shops/restaurants/malls/etc. Unless is STRICTLY necessary to do it, avoid taking it out of the bags in public places like those or similar. There is always a person sitting quietly in those places looking for a person with expensive gear to steal, and as soon as you take your eyes off it, its gone. It can happen also that one of the workers at those places is working with someone on the outside and gives the tip that youre carrying a lot of gear and as soon as you leave the place, snatch snatch, bye bye.
4.- Go with someone you trust when shooting out of home. It's possible that not always someone can go with you, but whenever it's possible, take someone you trust with you when shooting in the street/parks/public places in general. If the worst happens, its better to have some backup that none at all. This especially applies when going out during night time.
5.- Carry your bags infront of you. This one is simple but really effective, usually backpacks go on your back (duh) and bags on your side, but it's A LOT better to carry it infront of you. This will keep your gear in your direct line of sight and will prevent that youre surpised from behind or a flank.
6.- Insure your gear. If possible and affordable to you, look into insuring your gear. This way is the worst happens (heavens forbid), you still have a way to get it back or get the means to replace the stolen gear.
7.- Learn to use both eyes when shooting. This is a photographic technique, but also a safety measure. If you learn to use the eye that's not on the viewfinder to look at the scene youre taking photos of and around it, you will be able to spot if someone is around or coming at you with mean intentions. It will be hard and even make you dizzy at the start, but its possible. The brain can focus on two different points at the same time and process it, its just a matter of training. Learning to do this will also help you when taking pictures, if something changes in the scene, you will be able to see it in real time.
8.- Always mind your surroundings. If you go to a known or unknown public place, always always always pay attention to noises or silence, to people around you, look for spots that someone can use to hide and surprise you. If you go to an unkown place, look for exit points to leave quickly if you have to. If its a known place, dont let your guard down, you dont know if something has changed in it youre unaware of that may work against you. Also, take someone with you.
9.- Don't use headphones when shooting outdoors. A lot of us love to listen to music all the time, even more when taking pictures, it helps you get in the mood or get creative or whatever effect it has on you. The big BUT in this is that your ears no longer hear the sounds around you, which may be the only warning you may have before something bad happens. Whenever you shoot outdoors, dont take your mp3 player and headphones to the shoot. It's better to sacrifice the music for a while than having to yield your gear (and your mp3 player too).
10.- If you leave your gear in your car, store it in the trunk, behind the seats and keep your car in your sight whenever possible. This last point depends a lot on the place you go to, but if you can, leave your car near the place you'll be going to and in your sight. This way if you see someone trying to open it, you will be able to act immediatly. If you cant leave it within sight, store your gear in places out of sight for other people, the trunk/behind or below the seats/under other stuff that wont attract attention will work. Remember point #1 too.
You have worked hard to buy your gear, getting it stolen it's one of the most annoying and frustating things that can happen to you, BUT YOU CAN PREVENT IT!
Don't let someone else get hold of your gear, thieves usually get paid a lot less than the real the worth of the equipment, a lot lot lot less.
If you have suggestions of how to prevent this from happening not included here, let me know with a reply and I'll include it in this guide.
Until next time, and be safe when shooting!
She was coming out from a Starbucks with a bag that contained a Nikon D200, a lens and filters for InfraRed shooting and a Mac laptop, she wasnt paying much attention to her surroundings and when she was about to get into her car, a person in a motorcycle ran past her and snatched the bag from her.
Just like that you can lose your gear.
Now, it's a normal thing for photographers to show off equipment or make clear what brand of cameras you use, and therefore your bags/straps/cases/etc. display in big letters: SONY, NIKON, CANON, PENTAX, OLYMPUS, etc. Same applies for laptops, either the suitcase you carry it on or the laptop itself will scream the brand it is.
The problem is, by exposing this things in public places, you become a walking neon sign that says: STEAL HERE PLEASE, making the job for thieves all too easy.
Therefore, Im posting a few guidelines to avoid losing your equipment to the hands of burglars:
1.- Buy a ugly-old-worn out-bag to put your gear inside. This will act as natural camouflage for your cases. Instead of looking like bag that contains expensive equipment (and even if your camera isnt a fancy and expensive DSLR, do it) it will look like a backpack with books, clothing, tools, etc.
Gary Friedman suggests in his published works to buy a diaper bag and store your equipment there. This is also an excellent suggestion. If for whatever reason you need to leave your camera in your car, the bag wont attract attention to it. Who is going to want to steal a diaper bag?
Another complement for this is to always carry the bags with an annoyed face, this will give the impression youre carrying something you are fed up off or annoyed with, killing all interest in your bag.
2.- Be discreet. Do not boast loudly "Oh, I'm going to take out my new DSLR with 1000 Megapixels that costed me 100,000 dollars/pounds/pesos/rupees/etc." If you need to take your gear to a public place, do the job you're going to do without attracting people's attention to your gear. It's almost a fact that when people see someone really interested in the picture being taken, they will look at the photographer interested themselves, but try to be a low profile photographer when working in the street or public and crowded areas.
3.- Do not take out your gear in internet cafés/coffee shops/restaurants/malls/etc. Unless is STRICTLY necessary to do it, avoid taking it out of the bags in public places like those or similar. There is always a person sitting quietly in those places looking for a person with expensive gear to steal, and as soon as you take your eyes off it, its gone. It can happen also that one of the workers at those places is working with someone on the outside and gives the tip that youre carrying a lot of gear and as soon as you leave the place, snatch snatch, bye bye.
4.- Go with someone you trust when shooting out of home. It's possible that not always someone can go with you, but whenever it's possible, take someone you trust with you when shooting in the street/parks/public places in general. If the worst happens, its better to have some backup that none at all. This especially applies when going out during night time.
5.- Carry your bags infront of you. This one is simple but really effective, usually backpacks go on your back (duh) and bags on your side, but it's A LOT better to carry it infront of you. This will keep your gear in your direct line of sight and will prevent that youre surpised from behind or a flank.
6.- Insure your gear. If possible and affordable to you, look into insuring your gear. This way is the worst happens (heavens forbid), you still have a way to get it back or get the means to replace the stolen gear.
7.- Learn to use both eyes when shooting. This is a photographic technique, but also a safety measure. If you learn to use the eye that's not on the viewfinder to look at the scene youre taking photos of and around it, you will be able to spot if someone is around or coming at you with mean intentions. It will be hard and even make you dizzy at the start, but its possible. The brain can focus on two different points at the same time and process it, its just a matter of training. Learning to do this will also help you when taking pictures, if something changes in the scene, you will be able to see it in real time.
8.- Always mind your surroundings. If you go to a known or unknown public place, always always always pay attention to noises or silence, to people around you, look for spots that someone can use to hide and surprise you. If you go to an unkown place, look for exit points to leave quickly if you have to. If its a known place, dont let your guard down, you dont know if something has changed in it youre unaware of that may work against you. Also, take someone with you.
9.- Don't use headphones when shooting outdoors. A lot of us love to listen to music all the time, even more when taking pictures, it helps you get in the mood or get creative or whatever effect it has on you. The big BUT in this is that your ears no longer hear the sounds around you, which may be the only warning you may have before something bad happens. Whenever you shoot outdoors, dont take your mp3 player and headphones to the shoot. It's better to sacrifice the music for a while than having to yield your gear (and your mp3 player too).
10.- If you leave your gear in your car, store it in the trunk, behind the seats and keep your car in your sight whenever possible. This last point depends a lot on the place you go to, but if you can, leave your car near the place you'll be going to and in your sight. This way if you see someone trying to open it, you will be able to act immediatly. If you cant leave it within sight, store your gear in places out of sight for other people, the trunk/behind or below the seats/under other stuff that wont attract attention will work. Remember point #1 too.
You have worked hard to buy your gear, getting it stolen it's one of the most annoying and frustating things that can happen to you, BUT YOU CAN PREVENT IT!
Don't let someone else get hold of your gear, thieves usually get paid a lot less than the real the worth of the equipment, a lot lot lot less.
If you have suggestions of how to prevent this from happening not included here, let me know with a reply and I'll include it in this guide.
Until next time, and be safe when shooting!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tethered Shooting With Your Alpha DSLR
A very useful function of the Alpha DSLR line is tethered shooting.
"And what is that?" Some of you may ask.
First let's clear the word Tether.
Tether: A rope, chain, or similar restraint for holding one, especially an animal, in place, allowing a short radius in which one can move about.
[Middle English tedir, tethir, from Old Norse tjōdhr.]
Definition taken from www.dictionary.com
So, tether is to restrain something and have a short radius to move.
Now, in photography, tethered shooting is the ability to shoot with a camera fixed on a position and plugged to a TV/screen or a computer.
"And what use is that?"
Imagine that you are in a photo shoot in a studio, youre taking portaits of a couple's child. You want to show the pictures to the parents so they can see what you come up with or for them to make their minds regarding what they want to see in the pictures.
As big as LCD screens have gotten in recent years for DSLRs, a 3 inch screen isnt exactly the best way to display a picture to someone else NOT used to see pictures in a camera's LCD screen, in this cases a big screen (and by big I dont mean a 40" LCD screen, a 12" screen will do, of course, the bigger the better) a bigger screen will help A LOT.
The Alpha line has 2 ways of tethered shooting, one applies to ALL Alphas and the other one will work only with the A700 and A900.
First method:
So, you got a 25" screen in the studio and you want to show the parents the pictures you took without having to remove the memory card from the camera or through the LCD screen, because doing so will take time and the parents arent that patient.
What to do?
You take out that cable bundled with your Alpha, the one with the yellow digital plug and the USB-like end. You plug the ends in the proper places (USB-like to camera, yellow plug to yellow circular contact in the screen) and youre ready.
What will happen is that the information display you'd usually see in the LCD screen is now transferred to the screen, the LCD will go black (this is NOT a malfunction) as long as the cable is plugged to the camera, even if its not plugged to the screen.
Now you can take a picture of the sweet kid in the sailor clothing and immediatly display it on the screen.
I have tested this in my A700 and works. I don't know if it will as well on the A300/A350's Live View Mode, but I have no reason to think it wouldnt. The cable just takes the signal from the LCD screen and sends it to the big screen, this should work as well with the LV function. It did on my H1. If any owner of the A300/350 can confirm this, please let me know.
One important thing to keep in mind: When you use a screen for this kind of shooting is of UTMOST importance that you properly calibrate it to display the image properly. You will need to set the color, brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc. so the image looks like it would on the camera, otherwise the image will be seen completely different on the screen than on the LCD screen of your camera.
Second method (Only for A700 and A900):
If you read the manual that came in the box or browsed through the CD's that came with your Alpha, you will have noticed a program called Remote Camera Control.
This program allows you to shoot pictures with the camera while it's plugged via USB to a computer. It allows you to set practically all the settings you would use when taking a picture: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, White Balance, AEL, DRO, Aspect Ratio, image quality, etc.
Another useful feature of this program is that it allows you to save the pictures directly into the computer's hard drive.
This way of tethered shooting is useful if you are shooting and you dont want the pictures stored in the memory card but on the HD. Imagine youre at a situation where you cant move around to take pictures and you got to remain on a fixed spot. You can take out your laptop or a desktop, put the camera on a tripod, plug it to the computer and shoot the pictures from there. It comes handy as well if you dont have a screen to plug the camera to, or if you prefer to display the pictures in your computer's screen because its calibrated for proper color display.
And it saves you all that button pressing in the camera, just some clicks will do.
A few things to remember when using this mode:
A.-You need to set the camera for this, otherwise the computer will just see it as a mass storage device or a PTP device (for printing with PictBridge). The following will set the camera for tethered shooting:
Menu-> Setup (wrench icon) page 2-> USB connection -> Remote PC
Then turn the camera OFF. Then plug the USB cable to the camera and the computer and then turn the camera ON. This will allow you to use the camera with the computer.
B.- There is a new version of this program, V2.0 contained in Sony's Image Data Suite 3.0, but can only be used if your camera has firmware V4. Check the previous entry in this blog to find the links to download firmware V4 and IDS 3.0.
C.- There is a program called Interval Shooting Set Up Tool. What it does is that takes a picture every certain amount of time. You can set the camera to take a picture every second, or every 30 seconds, etc. This is useful if you are shooting something that happens on a fixed amount of time.
You have to download the program, get it here
Keep in mind you need to have IDC 3.0 installed already for this to work with the Remote Camera Control function. Unfortunately this is just for Windows, no Mac version :(
So there you have it, now you know what tethered shooting is and how it can be achieved with your Alpha DSLR, be it on the TV/screen or your computer.
I hope this infomation is useful to you!
Until next post.
"And what is that?" Some of you may ask.
First let's clear the word Tether.
Tether: A rope, chain, or similar restraint for holding one, especially an animal, in place, allowing a short radius in which one can move about.
[Middle English tedir, tethir, from Old Norse tjōdhr.]
Definition taken from www.dictionary.com
So, tether is to restrain something and have a short radius to move.
Now, in photography, tethered shooting is the ability to shoot with a camera fixed on a position and plugged to a TV/screen or a computer.
"And what use is that?"
Imagine that you are in a photo shoot in a studio, youre taking portaits of a couple's child. You want to show the pictures to the parents so they can see what you come up with or for them to make their minds regarding what they want to see in the pictures.
As big as LCD screens have gotten in recent years for DSLRs, a 3 inch screen isnt exactly the best way to display a picture to someone else NOT used to see pictures in a camera's LCD screen, in this cases a big screen (and by big I dont mean a 40" LCD screen, a 12" screen will do, of course, the bigger the better) a bigger screen will help A LOT.
The Alpha line has 2 ways of tethered shooting, one applies to ALL Alphas and the other one will work only with the A700 and A900.
First method:
So, you got a 25" screen in the studio and you want to show the parents the pictures you took without having to remove the memory card from the camera or through the LCD screen, because doing so will take time and the parents arent that patient.
What to do?
You take out that cable bundled with your Alpha, the one with the yellow digital plug and the USB-like end. You plug the ends in the proper places (USB-like to camera, yellow plug to yellow circular contact in the screen) and youre ready.
What will happen is that the information display you'd usually see in the LCD screen is now transferred to the screen, the LCD will go black (this is NOT a malfunction) as long as the cable is plugged to the camera, even if its not plugged to the screen.
Now you can take a picture of the sweet kid in the sailor clothing and immediatly display it on the screen.
I have tested this in my A700 and works. I don't know if it will as well on the A300/A350's Live View Mode, but I have no reason to think it wouldnt. The cable just takes the signal from the LCD screen and sends it to the big screen, this should work as well with the LV function. It did on my H1. If any owner of the A300/350 can confirm this, please let me know.
One important thing to keep in mind: When you use a screen for this kind of shooting is of UTMOST importance that you properly calibrate it to display the image properly. You will need to set the color, brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc. so the image looks like it would on the camera, otherwise the image will be seen completely different on the screen than on the LCD screen of your camera.
Second method (Only for A700 and A900):
If you read the manual that came in the box or browsed through the CD's that came with your Alpha, you will have noticed a program called Remote Camera Control.
This program allows you to shoot pictures with the camera while it's plugged via USB to a computer. It allows you to set practically all the settings you would use when taking a picture: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, White Balance, AEL, DRO, Aspect Ratio, image quality, etc.
Another useful feature of this program is that it allows you to save the pictures directly into the computer's hard drive.
This way of tethered shooting is useful if you are shooting and you dont want the pictures stored in the memory card but on the HD. Imagine youre at a situation where you cant move around to take pictures and you got to remain on a fixed spot. You can take out your laptop or a desktop, put the camera on a tripod, plug it to the computer and shoot the pictures from there. It comes handy as well if you dont have a screen to plug the camera to, or if you prefer to display the pictures in your computer's screen because its calibrated for proper color display.
And it saves you all that button pressing in the camera, just some clicks will do.
A few things to remember when using this mode:
A.-You need to set the camera for this, otherwise the computer will just see it as a mass storage device or a PTP device (for printing with PictBridge). The following will set the camera for tethered shooting:
Menu-> Setup (wrench icon) page 2-> USB connection -> Remote PC
Then turn the camera OFF. Then plug the USB cable to the camera and the computer and then turn the camera ON. This will allow you to use the camera with the computer.
B.- There is a new version of this program, V2.0 contained in Sony's Image Data Suite 3.0, but can only be used if your camera has firmware V4. Check the previous entry in this blog to find the links to download firmware V4 and IDS 3.0.
C.- There is a program called Interval Shooting Set Up Tool. What it does is that takes a picture every certain amount of time. You can set the camera to take a picture every second, or every 30 seconds, etc. This is useful if you are shooting something that happens on a fixed amount of time.
You have to download the program, get it here
Keep in mind you need to have IDC 3.0 installed already for this to work with the Remote Camera Control function. Unfortunately this is just for Windows, no Mac version :(
So there you have it, now you know what tethered shooting is and how it can be achieved with your Alpha DSLR, be it on the TV/screen or your computer.
I hope this infomation is useful to you!
Until next post.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
System Reset And Another Tip
I found this on a thread in DPR's Sony SLR Forum.
A forum member had a problem with her A300, that just displayed half a picture. It looked like the shutter was broken.
She received help from Sony and they gave her some instructions that seem to have solved her problem.
Im posting the instructions here in case someone who reads this blog ever has a problem with a Sony Alpha DSLR and this may help.
System Reset:
1.- Turn camera OFF
2.- Take out memory card
3.- Take out battery
4.- Turn camera ON for 30 seconds and then turn OFF
5.- Put battery back in
6.- Turn camera ON and go through the menu until you find the option RESET DEFAULT
Hopefully this will work when you dont know what to do.
Another solution I know from personal experience that applies to most electronical devices when they start acting weird is:
1.- Turn device OFF
2.- Remove battery or unplug power cord or disconnect battery (in case you cant remove it)
3.- Wait from 20 to 30 seconds
4.- Put battery back in, plug power cord or reconnect battery
5.- Turn device ON and check if that solved the problem
This usually solves most problems related to weird operation AS LONG AS THE EQUIPMENT ISNT PHYSICALLY DAMAGED OR HASNT BEEN TAMPERED OR INTERVENED.
If the problem you're having persists, you need to contact customer support. On the link list to the right youll find the eSupport site from Sony that will redirect you to the proper site depending on your location.
Source For System Reset
A forum member had a problem with her A300, that just displayed half a picture. It looked like the shutter was broken.
She received help from Sony and they gave her some instructions that seem to have solved her problem.
Im posting the instructions here in case someone who reads this blog ever has a problem with a Sony Alpha DSLR and this may help.
System Reset:
1.- Turn camera OFF
2.- Take out memory card
3.- Take out battery
4.- Turn camera ON for 30 seconds and then turn OFF
5.- Put battery back in
6.- Turn camera ON and go through the menu until you find the option RESET DEFAULT
Hopefully this will work when you dont know what to do.
Another solution I know from personal experience that applies to most electronical devices when they start acting weird is:
1.- Turn device OFF
2.- Remove battery or unplug power cord or disconnect battery (in case you cant remove it)
3.- Wait from 20 to 30 seconds
4.- Put battery back in, plug power cord or reconnect battery
5.- Turn device ON and check if that solved the problem
This usually solves most problems related to weird operation AS LONG AS THE EQUIPMENT ISNT PHYSICALLY DAMAGED OR HASNT BEEN TAMPERED OR INTERVENED.
If the problem you're having persists, you need to contact customer support. On the link list to the right youll find the eSupport site from Sony that will redirect you to the proper site depending on your location.
Source For System Reset
Friday, September 19, 2008
Car themed A700's
Browising through the Dyxum Camera Talk forum, I came across a thread worth the look.
It links you to a site where a A700 user applied real car maker's designs on the A700 body. Photoshop was used obviously.
If I could buy the Aston Martin DBR9 version, I would. That's the sexiest thing Ive seen in a long while...
Pictures and Source
It links you to a site where a A700 user applied real car maker's designs on the A700 body. Photoshop was used obviously.
If I could buy the Aston Martin DBR9 version, I would. That's the sexiest thing Ive seen in a long while...
Pictures and Source
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
A700 Official Firmware Version 4 Upgrade
As previously reported, Sony has made official the version 4 of the firmware upgrade for A700.
Initial reports seem to indicate that the version most people installed when leaked a week ago is the same version released now.
At the moment of writing this, V4 was official through the japanese and european Sony sites.
The european site states the following improvements and error fixes V4 includes:
Improvements and solved issues
The choice to select auto exposure bracketing (single & continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps has been added.
The choice to turn [Off] the High ISO NR feature has been added.
Improvement of the image quality in high ISO setting.
Improvement of the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance.
Improvement of reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip.
This confirms the first 3 things fixed by the leaked version, and now the WB improvements reported in the DPR Sony SLR Forum are confirmed, along with an upgraded DRO performance.
The last item is of particular interest to me, Ive read some threads in the forum mentioned above of people having problems with the Vertical Grip, that it suddenly stop working and forced people to remove and reintroduce the batteries in the grip. Even the VG's manual mentions this problem in the Troubleshooting guide.
I certainly hope that error is now fixed with this upgrade.
Also, the Sony Image Data Suite has been updated, the new upgrades are:
Image Data Converter SR Ver.3.0
Software to view, adjust and save the RAW format still images shot with your camera.
Image Data Lightbox SR Ver.2.0
Software to view, compare, and rate the RAW/JPEG format still images shot with your camera.
Remote Camera Control Ver.2.0*
Software to control your camera connected to the computer via USB to shoot images or change the settings.
* This software can be used with DSLR-A700 only.
V4 for Windows
V4 For Mac
Sony Image Data Suite for Windows
Sony Image Data Suite for Mac
Sony Europe Customer Portal for A700
Installation instructions for V4 and SIDS in those links.
Dont forget to click on the + button next to Overview/Features and Download and Installation Procedure for full information display.
Initial reports seem to indicate that the version most people installed when leaked a week ago is the same version released now.
At the moment of writing this, V4 was official through the japanese and european Sony sites.
The european site states the following improvements and error fixes V4 includes:
Improvements and solved issues
The choice to select auto exposure bracketing (single & continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps has been added.
The choice to turn [Off] the High ISO NR feature has been added.
Improvement of the image quality in high ISO setting.
Improvement of the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance.
Improvement of reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip.
This confirms the first 3 things fixed by the leaked version, and now the WB improvements reported in the DPR Sony SLR Forum are confirmed, along with an upgraded DRO performance.
The last item is of particular interest to me, Ive read some threads in the forum mentioned above of people having problems with the Vertical Grip, that it suddenly stop working and forced people to remove and reintroduce the batteries in the grip. Even the VG's manual mentions this problem in the Troubleshooting guide.
I certainly hope that error is now fixed with this upgrade.
Also, the Sony Image Data Suite has been updated, the new upgrades are:
Image Data Converter SR Ver.3.0
Software to view, adjust and save the RAW format still images shot with your camera.
Image Data Lightbox SR Ver.2.0
Software to view, compare, and rate the RAW/JPEG format still images shot with your camera.
Remote Camera Control Ver.2.0*
Software to control your camera connected to the computer via USB to shoot images or change the settings.
* This software can be used with DSLR-A700 only.
V4 for Windows
V4 For Mac
Sony Image Data Suite for Windows
Sony Image Data Suite for Mac
Sony Europe Customer Portal for A700
Installation instructions for V4 and SIDS in those links.
Dont forget to click on the + button next to Overview/Features and Download and Installation Procedure for full information display.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Grip Belt Manual
Some of us that bought the Grip Belt (STP-GB1AM) didnt receive a manual or instructions with it. Why? I dont know.
However, I found a link while reading a DPR Sony SLR Forum thread. It directs you to a PDF file of the instructions of how to install properly the Grip Belt and some things to consider when using it.
This is great news for me since Ive had mine for 1 week already and I havent been able to install it yet.
If you use it with just the camera, you need to keep the tripod mount the grip belt has and attach it to the bottom of the camera. However, if you use a Vertical Grip, you can remove the tripod mount and use just the grip belt.
Also worth mentioning, the metal plate the grip belt has, allows you to install it along with the neck strap. The grip belt works with all Alpha cameras.
Grip Belt Manual
Source and pictures of how to use with the Vertical Grip
P.D. If for whatever reason the link to the manual stops working, I saved a copy of that file. You can mail me if you need it.
However, I found a link while reading a DPR Sony SLR Forum thread. It directs you to a PDF file of the instructions of how to install properly the Grip Belt and some things to consider when using it.
This is great news for me since Ive had mine for 1 week already and I havent been able to install it yet.
If you use it with just the camera, you need to keep the tripod mount the grip belt has and attach it to the bottom of the camera. However, if you use a Vertical Grip, you can remove the tripod mount and use just the grip belt.
Also worth mentioning, the metal plate the grip belt has, allows you to install it along with the neck strap. The grip belt works with all Alpha cameras.
Grip Belt Manual
Source and pictures of how to use with the Vertical Grip
P.D. If for whatever reason the link to the manual stops working, I saved a copy of that file. You can mail me if you need it.
Afrika
Reading through DPR Sony SLR Forum, I came across a thread announcing a game for PS3 called Afrika.
And what does a PS3 game has to do with the Alpha system?
Well, this game is a photography simulator done by Sony, in which you go in a safari expedition to Africa (duh) and you have to take pictures. Ever played Pokemon Snap? Same thing here, except that instead of Meowth you get cheetahs and instead of Slowpoke you get real hippos.
The reason why Im talking about this here, is because the game has product placement by Sony, and the game features the first camera of the Alpha line, the A100.
So yeah, you go around shooting pictures of Africa's fauna with your very own Sony DSLR.
I dont know if thats the only camera you can use in the game, there is another one shown in the video but doesnt seem an Alpha camera. Personally Id like if you could use the whole range of Alphas, except for the A900 which has just been released.
Usually this kind of simulators seem a bit redundant to me, for example, the Guitar Hero or Rock Band games, if youre not a musician, ok I can understand you play that, but I know musicians who play that game, musicians simulating they perform? Isnt it better to ACTUALLY perform?
Same case here, if youre a photographer, isnt it better to go and take pictures instead of simulate you do?
The one thing that I give this idea is that the game takes place in Africa, and not everyone can go there, so this might do the trick.
Video and Source
And what does a PS3 game has to do with the Alpha system?
Well, this game is a photography simulator done by Sony, in which you go in a safari expedition to Africa (duh) and you have to take pictures. Ever played Pokemon Snap? Same thing here, except that instead of Meowth you get cheetahs and instead of Slowpoke you get real hippos.
The reason why Im talking about this here, is because the game has product placement by Sony, and the game features the first camera of the Alpha line, the A100.
So yeah, you go around shooting pictures of Africa's fauna with your very own Sony DSLR.
I dont know if thats the only camera you can use in the game, there is another one shown in the video but doesnt seem an Alpha camera. Personally Id like if you could use the whole range of Alphas, except for the A900 which has just been released.
Usually this kind of simulators seem a bit redundant to me, for example, the Guitar Hero or Rock Band games, if youre not a musician, ok I can understand you play that, but I know musicians who play that game, musicians simulating they perform? Isnt it better to ACTUALLY perform?
Same case here, if youre a photographer, isnt it better to go and take pictures instead of simulate you do?
The one thing that I give this idea is that the game takes place in Africa, and not everyone can go there, so this might do the trick.
Video and Source
Saturday, September 13, 2008
DSLR 101
After 2 days of not touching my A700 at all (due to work overload, not because I didnt want to) I finally managed to invest some more time today with the camera, lenses and manuals.
First of all, this day was a reality check.
Even though I have a great control over my previous camera, Im making the same mistakes I did when I got the H1 almost 3 years ago, proving that I have to learn everything from scratch again in a new unit of time.
Welcome to DSLR 101.
Today I learnt that even though the A700 has a bigger sensor, better NR reduction and wider ISO range; APERTURE AND SHUTTER SPEED STILL MATTER. AND NO MATTER WHAT, LOW LIGHT IS LOW LIGHT.
I overexposed or subexposed a lot of shots, and some of them were blurry due to slow shutter speeds in low light.
I feel like a rookie, I still need to go back to the Auto mode to get a shot properly quickly; WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID WHEN I GOT MY H1 FOR THE FIRST TIME!
In theory Im not a rookie, but in practice I am. In theory Im not because I know how aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, EV, etc. affect a photo, but in practice I am because I just screw up when setting those.
One problem Im having is letting go of the Live View.
My H1 has Live View and an Electronic View Finder, which means that using the EVF or the LCD screen, I can see the frame in real time and the adjustments I make are also displayed in real time, by adjustments I mean WB, speed, f number, and I used those all the time to frame my shots.
My A700 doesnt have LV (which is something it has been critiqued a lot about, but I dont mind), which requires me to drop the LV thinking and start thinking pentaprism.
In other words, I need to develop the skill to know the settings in my head and what effect they will have in the picture before taking it. With LV I depended on the changes taking place immediately in the LCD or EVF, with the pentaprism I just see the reflection of the scene infront of me, but not the changes the picture will have if I move a setting.
I really need to practice, I need to move the changes from the camera to my head, so when I move something, I already know what Im doing without screwing up.
I know A900 has Intelligent Preview, which I find it more handy than Live View since on DSLR's apparantly its something hard to implement and make it work without slowing things down. Theres the idea that IP could be implemented to the A700 through a firmware update, I would like a lot to have that, but I would use it when Im doing work that doesnt require fast shooting, like studio stuff. It would be more comfortable to have it under those conditions.
I personally want to learn how to shoot without any technical aid, like a lot of photographers did before digital cameras: Their instinct and creativity plus the camera and its tools.
One thing Ive experienced and proven to myself is that no matter if its film or digital, a photograph still relies on the techniques used in photography. Film and digital are two ways of presenting a photograph, but that doesnt change the fact that the bare basics of the subject HAVE to be learned.
Its like a car with manual gearbox and another one with automatic gearbox, different systems and different driving style, but you still have to wear the seatbelt, check your mirrors, change your oil and stop at any red lights.
The bare fact is that Im now working with another system, more professional, more creative, more allowing; and I need to learn about it, study about it, practice with it, get results with it.
That is going to take time and effort, practice and study. Im just beginning to know my camera and the system of SLR.
Right now Im at DSLR 101, and its tough, but no one said it was going to be easy or that I even had to upgrade my camera. This was my choice, and Im going through with it no matter what.
First of all, this day was a reality check.
Even though I have a great control over my previous camera, Im making the same mistakes I did when I got the H1 almost 3 years ago, proving that I have to learn everything from scratch again in a new unit of time.
Welcome to DSLR 101.
Today I learnt that even though the A700 has a bigger sensor, better NR reduction and wider ISO range; APERTURE AND SHUTTER SPEED STILL MATTER. AND NO MATTER WHAT, LOW LIGHT IS LOW LIGHT.
I overexposed or subexposed a lot of shots, and some of them were blurry due to slow shutter speeds in low light.
I feel like a rookie, I still need to go back to the Auto mode to get a shot properly quickly; WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID WHEN I GOT MY H1 FOR THE FIRST TIME!
In theory Im not a rookie, but in practice I am. In theory Im not because I know how aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, EV, etc. affect a photo, but in practice I am because I just screw up when setting those.
One problem Im having is letting go of the Live View.
My H1 has Live View and an Electronic View Finder, which means that using the EVF or the LCD screen, I can see the frame in real time and the adjustments I make are also displayed in real time, by adjustments I mean WB, speed, f number, and I used those all the time to frame my shots.
My A700 doesnt have LV (which is something it has been critiqued a lot about, but I dont mind), which requires me to drop the LV thinking and start thinking pentaprism.
In other words, I need to develop the skill to know the settings in my head and what effect they will have in the picture before taking it. With LV I depended on the changes taking place immediately in the LCD or EVF, with the pentaprism I just see the reflection of the scene infront of me, but not the changes the picture will have if I move a setting.
I really need to practice, I need to move the changes from the camera to my head, so when I move something, I already know what Im doing without screwing up.
I know A900 has Intelligent Preview, which I find it more handy than Live View since on DSLR's apparantly its something hard to implement and make it work without slowing things down. Theres the idea that IP could be implemented to the A700 through a firmware update, I would like a lot to have that, but I would use it when Im doing work that doesnt require fast shooting, like studio stuff. It would be more comfortable to have it under those conditions.
I personally want to learn how to shoot without any technical aid, like a lot of photographers did before digital cameras: Their instinct and creativity plus the camera and its tools.
One thing Ive experienced and proven to myself is that no matter if its film or digital, a photograph still relies on the techniques used in photography. Film and digital are two ways of presenting a photograph, but that doesnt change the fact that the bare basics of the subject HAVE to be learned.
Its like a car with manual gearbox and another one with automatic gearbox, different systems and different driving style, but you still have to wear the seatbelt, check your mirrors, change your oil and stop at any red lights.
The bare fact is that Im now working with another system, more professional, more creative, more allowing; and I need to learn about it, study about it, practice with it, get results with it.
That is going to take time and effort, practice and study. Im just beginning to know my camera and the system of SLR.
Right now Im at DSLR 101, and its tough, but no one said it was going to be easy or that I even had to upgrade my camera. This was my choice, and Im going through with it no matter what.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A700 Shutter Actuation
In this thread
Forum member was2aks filmed two videos of the A700's shutter acting at 1/250 and 1/500 speed with a high speed camera.
One of the interesting parts of it, is how the mirror bounces when it goes up. That should be a good reason to have SuperSteadyShot on.
Videos:
1/250
1/500
Forum member was2aks filmed two videos of the A700's shutter acting at 1/250 and 1/500 speed with a high speed camera.
One of the interesting parts of it, is how the mirror bounces when it goes up. That should be a good reason to have SuperSteadyShot on.
Videos:
1/250
1/500
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
SonyStyle US Taking Pre-Orders for A900
That's right people, for those of you who are wealthy, lucky enough and decided to purchase a brand new A900, SonyStyle US is taking pre orders for it.
The price is 2,999.99 dollars and it will be shipped around the 30th of October.
The camera is just being offered as body only. Maybe there will be some kits with Carl Zeiss lenses in the future?
The price is 2,999.99 dollars and it will be shipped around the 30th of October.
The camera is just being offered as body only. Maybe there will be some kits with Carl Zeiss lenses in the future?
Alpha 700 Firmware Version 4, Beta?
A new firmware version for the Sony Alpha 700 was leaked two days ago via Sony's chinese site (for some reason, the leaks from camera makers come from their chinese sites most of the time). The firmware was later removed.
The firmware included the following:
Option to turn NR OFF, something long wanted by Alpha users. Took one year to happen but better late than never.
New bracketing options for those who shoot High Dynamic Range pictures.
Its also been reported that the AWB setting has improved performance with incandescent lights, no longer yielding a yellowish tone. This came from a thread in DPR Sony SLR Forum.
The weird thing however, is that the Sony Electronics Blog had the firmware update linked for a while and there was a post talking about it, saying how we found out about it in a way they didnt plan to and that the official release would be on September 16th, but now the post is gone, the firmware is gone and it just links to Version 3.
A lot of people (including me) installed this upgrade. I sensed something was up before I installed V4, but apparantly there was no reason NOT to install it. One day later, this happens.
All this made me wonder a few things:
The version a lot of us installed was a beta version?
Was it removed from those sites in order to focus attention on the A900 launch?
The V4 gathered a lot of attention, and maybe Sony wanted all of us looking at the new camera and not the upgrade.
The version we installed is incomplete?
Maybe there are other functions that are missing...
When Sony launches officially the upgrade, will it work for those of us who already installed the leaked version? Will it be a 4.1 or 4.01 version?
All signs point that Sony IS aware that a LOT of people installed the upgrade, so I hope they take that information in account and update the upgrade for those of us who installed it.
I never heard of something like this happening before, when V2 and V3 were released, there wasnt any removal from the Sony sites.
Either someone at Sony leaked a beta version of it for us to test and see if we were happy with it or someone screwed up and leaked it before it was done at all. Otherwise there isnt any point in removing the firmware from user's reach if everyone knows about it already.
The official launch of it is in 6 days, we'll see what happens then.
This is the original message removed from the Sony blog:
"A700 Firmware Upgrade Oct. 30, 2007 2:22am
UPDATE: September 9, 2008 Hello again from Mark Weir, in Sony’s Digital Imaging group.
Since yesterday, we’ve seen a number of comments in this and other forums regarding new firmware for α700. Although the news of this development didn’t happen quite the way we had intended, we can acknowledge that we’ll soon make available a firmware upgrade for α700 on Sony’s eSupport website.
We are always listening to your feedback, and we are aware of the concern expressed for α700 Noise Reduction and EV bracketing. Borrowing from some of the development for α900, we’ve developed new α700 firmware with expanded EV bracketing (±2EV/3shots) for High Dynamic Range composting, as well as Noise Reduction “off” for those who prefer the control of post processing NR. We will make these updates (and some others) officially available on Sep 16th at .
We’ll have more news available as we approach Sep 16th, and we appreciate your patience!"
The firmware included the following:
Option to turn NR OFF, something long wanted by Alpha users. Took one year to happen but better late than never.
New bracketing options for those who shoot High Dynamic Range pictures.
Its also been reported that the AWB setting has improved performance with incandescent lights, no longer yielding a yellowish tone. This came from a thread in DPR Sony SLR Forum.
The weird thing however, is that the Sony Electronics Blog had the firmware update linked for a while and there was a post talking about it, saying how we found out about it in a way they didnt plan to and that the official release would be on September 16th, but now the post is gone, the firmware is gone and it just links to Version 3.
A lot of people (including me) installed this upgrade. I sensed something was up before I installed V4, but apparantly there was no reason NOT to install it. One day later, this happens.
All this made me wonder a few things:
The version a lot of us installed was a beta version?
Was it removed from those sites in order to focus attention on the A900 launch?
The V4 gathered a lot of attention, and maybe Sony wanted all of us looking at the new camera and not the upgrade.
The version we installed is incomplete?
Maybe there are other functions that are missing...
When Sony launches officially the upgrade, will it work for those of us who already installed the leaked version? Will it be a 4.1 or 4.01 version?
All signs point that Sony IS aware that a LOT of people installed the upgrade, so I hope they take that information in account and update the upgrade for those of us who installed it.
I never heard of something like this happening before, when V2 and V3 were released, there wasnt any removal from the Sony sites.
Either someone at Sony leaked a beta version of it for us to test and see if we were happy with it or someone screwed up and leaked it before it was done at all. Otherwise there isnt any point in removing the firmware from user's reach if everyone knows about it already.
The official launch of it is in 6 days, we'll see what happens then.
This is the original message removed from the Sony blog:
"A700 Firmware Upgrade Oct. 30, 2007 2:22am
UPDATE: September 9, 2008 Hello again from Mark Weir, in Sony’s Digital Imaging group.
Since yesterday, we’ve seen a number of comments in this and other forums regarding new firmware for α700. Although the news of this development didn’t happen quite the way we had intended, we can acknowledge that we’ll soon make available a firmware upgrade for α700 on Sony’s eSupport website.
We are always listening to your feedback, and we are aware of the concern expressed for α700 Noise Reduction and EV bracketing. Borrowing from some of the development for α900, we’ve developed new α700 firmware with expanded EV bracketing (±2EV/3shots) for High Dynamic Range composting, as well as Noise Reduction “off” for those who prefer the control of post processing NR. We will make these updates (and some others) officially available on Sep 16th at .
We’ll have more news available as we approach Sep 16th, and we appreciate your patience!"
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
First Day With A700
After a year I decided to make the move from high end point and shoot to DSLR, the wait is finally over.
I finally got my new A700 on Sunday.
I havent taken shots with it yet. One of the main reasons is because Ive been reading the manuals that came with the camera, lenses, vertical grip, etc. This is a new system for me and I want to know how to use it properly. I dont want to break anything either, I just got all this stuff and the last thing I want is to send something back to repair.
The other reason is because Ive been busy working on delivering the job that allowed me to buy the new camera.
My recommendation to all of you is that whenever you get a new piece of equipment (camera, lens, tripod, case, editing program, whatever) that you READ the manual.
What for? Simple, you need to know what your gear can and can not do. If you dont know its limits, you will push it to extremes its not designed for or you wont get all the benefits you can get from it.
Ive read an infinite amount of reviews of the A700 and in all of them its stated of how much customization and capabilities the camera has. In order to obtain the maximum power of it, its best to know as much as possible of it. Knowledge over something gives you control, the more you know, the more you can control. Its highly recommended that you read your camera manual or gear manual before you use it, and its also highly recommended to read further literature on the subject to expand your knowledge. Ill post later what Ive been reading lately.
One thing I havent said yet is that Im REALLY happy that I finally have my A700 with me. I have big plans and the camera is crucial part of those plans.
Congratulations to Sony for releasing (AT LAST) the new A900! Good things in the future for us Alphanautics.
I finally got my new A700 on Sunday.
I havent taken shots with it yet. One of the main reasons is because Ive been reading the manuals that came with the camera, lenses, vertical grip, etc. This is a new system for me and I want to know how to use it properly. I dont want to break anything either, I just got all this stuff and the last thing I want is to send something back to repair.
The other reason is because Ive been busy working on delivering the job that allowed me to buy the new camera.
My recommendation to all of you is that whenever you get a new piece of equipment (camera, lens, tripod, case, editing program, whatever) that you READ the manual.
What for? Simple, you need to know what your gear can and can not do. If you dont know its limits, you will push it to extremes its not designed for or you wont get all the benefits you can get from it.
Ive read an infinite amount of reviews of the A700 and in all of them its stated of how much customization and capabilities the camera has. In order to obtain the maximum power of it, its best to know as much as possible of it. Knowledge over something gives you control, the more you know, the more you can control. Its highly recommended that you read your camera manual or gear manual before you use it, and its also highly recommended to read further literature on the subject to expand your knowledge. Ill post later what Ive been reading lately.
One thing I havent said yet is that Im REALLY happy that I finally have my A700 with me. I have big plans and the camera is crucial part of those plans.
Congratulations to Sony for releasing (AT LAST) the new A900! Good things in the future for us Alphanautics.
DSC0001
Welcome to Alpha Sight.
As a new owner of a Sony Alpha 700, I would like to record my experience using the Alpha system for personal use and to share my knowledge with fellow photographers that also use it, I want this to be a resource for all the people using the Sony Alpha DSLR system or are looking for a reason to move to it, thats the reason for this blog.
Ill be posting my own experience of use, tricks, tips and recommendations based on personal experience. Ill be also posting news related to the Sony Alpha world, letting you know of reviews of both lenses and cameras. I may give my own review of cameras and lenses from time to time.
Feedback is welcome, suggestions or questions as well.
I hope this blog will be of use for you and all of us Alphanautics out there :)
As a new owner of a Sony Alpha 700, I would like to record my experience using the Alpha system for personal use and to share my knowledge with fellow photographers that also use it, I want this to be a resource for all the people using the Sony Alpha DSLR system or are looking for a reason to move to it, thats the reason for this blog.
Ill be posting my own experience of use, tricks, tips and recommendations based on personal experience. Ill be also posting news related to the Sony Alpha world, letting you know of reviews of both lenses and cameras. I may give my own review of cameras and lenses from time to time.
Feedback is welcome, suggestions or questions as well.
I hope this blog will be of use for you and all of us Alphanautics out there :)
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