David Busch's Sony Alpha a7 IV Guide to Digital Photography

David Busch's Sony Alpha a7 IV Guide to Digital Photography

by David D. Busch
David Busch's Sony Alpha a7 IV Guide to Digital Photography

David Busch's Sony Alpha a7 IV Guide to Digital Photography

by David D. Busch

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Overview

David Busch's Sony Alpha a7 IV Guide to Digital Photography is the most comprehensive resource and reference for Sony’s long-awaited 33-megapixel full frame mirrorless camera. Capable of 10 frame-per-second bursts even at full resolution, the a7 IV is fast enough for action photography, and its enhanced dynamic range delivers the image quality that the most demanding landscape or fine-art photographer requires. This camera’s remarkable low-light performance, fast sensor-based phase detect autofocus (with real-time face and eye tracking in both still and movie modes), and improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization,  the a7 IV has all the tools needed to take incredible images. This book will show you how to master those features as you explore the world of digital photography and hone your creativity with your a7 IV.

Filled with detailed how-to steps and full-color illustrations, David Busch's Sony Alpha a7 IV Guide to Digital Photography covers every feature of this camera in depth, from taking your first photos through advanced details of setup, exposure, lens selection, lighting, and more, and relates each feature to specific photographic techniques and situations. Also included is the handy camera "roadmap" chapter, an easy-to-use visual guide to the camera's features and controls.  Learn when to use every option and, more importantly, when not to use them, by following the author’s recommended settings for each menu entry. With best-selling photographer and mentor David Busch as your guide, you'll quickly have full creative mastery of your camera’s capabilities, whether you're shooting on the job, as an advanced enthusiast exploring full frame photography for the first time, or are just out for fun. Start building your knowledge and confidence, while bringing your vision to light with the Sony a7 IV.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781681988870
Publisher: Rocky Nook
Publication date: 10/25/2022
Series: David Busch's Guide to Digital Photography
Pages: 448
Sales rank: 391,260
Product dimensions: 7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

With more than two million books in print, David D. Busch is the world’s #1 best-selling camera guide author, with more than 100 guidebooks for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, and Panasonic cameras, and many popular books devoted to digital photography and imaging techniques. His best-sellers include Digital SLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies, which has sold more than 300,000 copies in five editions, and Mastering Digital SLR Photography, now in its Fourth Edition.

The graduate of Kent State Universityis a former newspaper reporter/photographer, and operated his own commercial photo studio, shooting sports, weddings, portraits, fashion, architecture, product photography, and travel images. For 22 years he was a principal in CCS/PR, Inc., one of the largest public relations/marketing firms based in San Diego, working on press conferences, press kits, media tours, and sponsored photo trade magazine articles for Eastman Kodak Company and other imaging companies. His 2500 articles and accompanying photos have appeared inside and on the covers of hundreds of magazines, including Popular Photography, Rangefinder, and Professional Photographer.

For the last decade, Busch has devoted much of his time to sharing his photographic expertise, both in publications, and in seminar/workshops he hosts at the Cleveland Photographic Society School of Photography. He has been a call-in guest for 21 different radio shows nationally and in major markets, including WTOP-AM (Washington), KYW-AM (Philadelphia), USA Network (Daybreak USA), WPHM-AM (Detroit), KMJE-FM (Sacramento), CJAD-AM (Montreal), WBIX-AM (Boston), ABC Radio Network (Jonathan & Mary Show). He’s also been a call-in guest for one Canadian television show, and appeared live on Breakfast Television in Toronto, the Today Show of the Great White North.

With a total of more than 200 books to his credit, Busch has had as many as five books appear simultaneously in the Amazon.com Top 25 Digital Photography Books, and when Michael Carr of About.com named the top five digital photography books for beginners, the initial #1 and #2 choices were Busch’s Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies and Mastering Digital Photography. His work has been translated into Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Bulgarian, German, Italian, French, and other languages. Busch lives in Ravenna, Ohio, and you can find him online at www.dslrguides.com.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

Introduction xv

Chapter 1 Meet Your Sony Alpha a7 IV 1

Your Out-of-Box Experience 2

Initial Setup 6

Battery Included 6

Final Initial Steps 9

Menu Navigation Quick Start 12

Formatting a Memory Card 15

Selecting a Shooting Mode 17

Hidden Scenes 17

Other Modes 18

Choosing a Metering Mode 19

Choosing a Focus Mode 21

Selecting a Focus Area 22

Other Settings 24

Adjusting White Balance and ISO 24

Using the Self-Timer 24

Quick Start to Movie Making 25

Reviewing the Images You've Taken 26

Transferring Files to Your Computer 28

Wireless File Transfer 28

Chapter 2 Your Camera Roadmap 29

Using Cross-References 29

Front View 30

The Sony a7 IV's Business End 32

Using the Function Menus 39

Introducing the Touch Screen/Pad 40

LCD Panel Data Displays 42

Going Topside 44

Underneath Your Sony a7 IV 46

Chapter 3 Nailing the Optimum Exposure 47

Getting a Handle on Exposure 47

Equivalent Exposure 52

How the a7 IV Calculates Exposure 53

Correctly Exposed 53

Overexposed 54

Underexposed 54

The Importance of ISO 55

Choosing a Metering Method 56

Multi Metering 57

Center-Weighted Metering 58

Spot Metering 58

Entire Screen Averaging 59

Highlight-Weighted Metering 60

Choosing an Exposure Mode 61

Aperture Priority (A) Mode 61

Shutter Priority (S) Mode 64

Program Auto (P) Mode 65

Making Exposure Value Changes 66

Manual Exposure (M) Mode 67

Using ISO Auto 70

Exposure Bracketing 71

Continuous Bracketing 72

Single Bracketing 72

White Balance Bracketing 73

DRO Bracketing 73

Dealing with Digital Noise 73

High ISO Noise 73

Long Exposure Noise 74

Using Dynamic Range Optimizer 75

Working with FIDR 76

Bracketing and Merge to HDR 76

Exposure Evaluation with Histograms 80

The Live Histogram 80

The Playback Histograms 81

Tonal Range 81

Histogram Basics 82

Understanding Histograms 84

Fine-Tuning Exposure 88

Chapter 4 Mastering Autofocus Options 89

Getting into Focus 89

Contrast Detection 90

Phase Detection 91

Comparing the Two Hybrid Components 93

Focus Modes and Options 95

Focus Pocus 96

Adding Circles of Confusion 96

Your Focus Mode Options 98

Focus or Release Priority? 100

Autofocus Magnified 101

Choosing the AF Area 102

Tracking and Focusing on Subjects, Faces, and Eyes 106

Face Detection and Eye AF Overview 108

Making Your Face/Eye Detection Settings 108

Magic Autofocus-Set and Forget 111

Your AF-C to AF-S Switch 112

Understanding Aperture Drive in AF 112

Using Manual Focus 113

Back-Button Focus 115

Activating Back-Button Focus 116

Chapter 5 Advanced Techniques 117

Exploring Ultra-Fast Exposures 117

Long Exposures 120

Continuous Shooting 123

Customizing White Balance 124

Shockless White Balance 126

Fine-Tuning Preset White Balance 127

Setting a Custom White Balance 128

Setting White Balance by Color Temperature 129

Interval Shooting 130

Interval Shooting Checklist 131

Settings Recap 134

Viewing Your Interval Sequences 135

Time-Lapse Movies 135

Star Trails 139

Chapter 6 My Menu and Shooting Menu 141

Menu Navigation 141

My Menu Tab 143

Shooting Menu Tab 145

1 Image Quality 145

JPEG/HEIF Switch 146

Image Quality Settings 147

Aspect Ratio 151

(Movie) File Format 153

Movie Settings 153

S&Q Settings 154

Proxy Recording 156

APS-C/S35mm Shooting 156

Long Exposure NR/High ISO NR 157

HLG Still Image 159

Color Space 159

Lens Compensation 162

2 Media 165

Format 165

Recording Media Settings 166

Recover Image Database 168

Display Media Information 169

3 File 169

File/Folder Settings/File 169

Select Recording Folder 173

Create New Folder 173

IPTC Information 174

Copyright Info 175

Write Serial Number 176

4 Shooting Mode 176

Exposure Control Type 177

Introduction to Memory Registers 178

Recall Camera Settings 179

Camera Settings Memory 180

Memory/Recall Media 181

Register Custom Shooting Set 182

5 USB Streaming 183

USB Stream: Res/Frame Rate 184

USB Stream: Movie Recording 184

6 Drive Mode (Stills only) 185

Drive Mode 185

Bracket Settings 187

Interval Shooting Functions 187

7 Shutter/Silent 190

Silent Mode Settings 190

Shutter Type 192

e-Front Curtain Shutter 192

Release w/o Lens 193

Release w/o Card 193

Anti-Flicker Settings 194

Movie Settings 195

8 Image Stabilization 196

SteadyShot 196

SteadyShot Adjustments 197

Focal Length 197

9 Zoom 197

Zoom 198

Zoom Range 198

Custom Key/Remote Zoom Speed 199

Using Zoom 200

10 Shooting Display 200

Grid Line Display/Grid Line Type 200

Live View Display Settings 201

Emphasized Record Display 202

Chapter 7 Exposure and Color Menus 203

1 Exposure 203

Auto Slow Shutter 203

ISO 204

ISO Range Limit 205

ISO Auto Minimum Shutter Speed 205

Auto/Manual Switch Setting 206

2 Exposure Compensation 206

Exposure Compensation 207

Exposure Compensation Step 208

Exposure Standard Adjustment 208

3 Metering 209

Metering Mode 209

Face Priority in Multi Metering 210

Spot Metering Point 211

Autoexposure Lock with Shutter 211

4 Flash 212

Flash Mode 212

Flash Compensation 212

Exposure Compensation Settings 213

Wireless Flash 213

Red Eye Reduction 213

External Flash Settings 214

5 White Balance 215

White Balance 215

Priority Setting in AWB 217

Shutter AWB Lock 217

Shockless White Balance 218

6 Color/Tone 218

D-Range Optimizer 218

Creative Look 219

Picture Profile 221

Soft Skin Effect 223

7 Zebra Display 223

Zebra Display 223

Zebra Level 223

Chapter 8 Focus and Playback Menus 225

Focus Menu Tab 225

1 AF/MF 225

Focus Mode 226

Priority Set in AF-S/Priority Set in AF-C 226

AF Tracking Sensitivity 228

AF Transition Speed 228

AF Subject Shift Sensitivity 229

AF Illuminator 230

Aperture Drive in AF 230

AF with Shutter 231

Pre-AF 232

2 Focus Area 232

Focus Area 233

Focus Area Limit 234

Switch Vertical/Horizontal AF Area 234

Focus Area Color 236

AF Area Registration 236

Delete Registered AF Area 237

AF Area Auto Clear 238

Area Display During Tracking 238

AF-C Area Display 238

Phase Detection Area 239

Circulation of Focus Point 239

AF Frame Movement Amount 239

3 Face/Eye AF 240

Face/Eye Priority in Autofocus 240

Face/Eye Subject 242

Subject Selection Setting 242

Right/Left Eye Selection 242

Face/Eye Frame Display 243

Face Memory 243

Register Faces Priority 244

4 Focus Assistant 244

Focus Map 244

Auto Magnifier in Manual Focus 245

Focus Magnifier 246

Focus Magnifier Time 246

Initial Focus Magnification 246

(Movie) Initial Focus Magnification 247

AF in Focus Magnification 247

5 Peaking Display 247

Peaking Display 248

Peaking Level 248

Peaking Color 248

Playback Tab 249

1 Playback Target 249

Select Playback Media 249

View Mode 250

2 Magnification 250

Enlarge Image 250

Enlarge Initial Magnification 250

Enlarge Initial Position 251

3 Selection/Memo 251

Protect 251

Rating 252

Rating Settings (Custom Key) 253

4 Delete (Stills/Movies) 253

Delete 254

Delete Pressing Twice 255

Delete Confirmation 255

5 Edit 255

Crop 255

Rotate 256

Copy 256

Photo Capture 257

JPEG/HEIF Switch 257

6 Viewing 258

Continuous Playback for Interval 258

Playback Speed for Interval 258

Slide Show 258

7 Playback Option 259

Image Index 259

Display as Group 259

Display Rotation 260

Focus Frame Display 261

Display Specified Time Image 261

Image Jump Setting 261

Chapter 9 Network and Setup Menus 263

Network Menu Tab 263

1 Smartphone Connect 263

Smartphone Registration 264

Select on Camera and Send 265

Reset Transfer Status 265

Connect While Power Off 265

Remote Shooting Setting 266

2 Transfer/Remote 267

FTP Transfer Function 267

PC Remote Function 267

Bluetooth Remote Control 269

3 Wi-Fi 270

WPS Push/Access Point Settings 270

Registering Manually 271

Wi-Fi Frequency Band 273

Display Wi-Fi Information 273

SSID/PW Reset 273

4 Bluetooth 273

Bluetooth Settings 273

Pairing 274

Manage Paired Device 274

Display Device Address 274

5 Wired LAN 274

LAN IP Address Setting 274

Display Wired LAN Info 274

6 Network Option 275

Airplane Mode 275

Edit Device Name 275

Import Root Certificate 275

Security (Ipsec) 276

Reset Network Settings 276

Setup Menu Tab 276

1 Area/Date (Stills/Movies) 277

Language 277

Area/Date/Time Setting 277

NTSC/PAL Selector 278

2 Reset/Save Settings 278

Setting Reset 279

Save/Load Settings 279

3 Operation Customize 280

Custom Key/Dial Settings (Stills) 280

Custom Key/Dial Settings (Movies) 284

Custom Key Settings (Playback) 284

Function Menu Settings 284

Different Settings for Stills/Movies 285

Display (Screen Display) Settings 286

(Movie) Record with Shutter 287

Zoom Ring Rotate 288

4 Dial Customize 288

Custom Key/Dial Settings (Stills)/Custom Key/Dial Settings (Movies) 288

My Dial Settings 288

Av/Tv Rotate 290

Function Ring (Lens) 290

Lock Operation Parts 291

5 Touch Operation 291

Touch Operation 292

Touch Panel/Pad 292

Touch Pad Settings 293

Touch Function in Shooting 294

6 Accessibility 294

Screen Reader 295

7 Finder/Monitor 295

Select Finder/Monitor 295

Monitor Brightness 296

Viewfinder Brightness 297

Finder Color Temperature 297

Display Quality 297

Finder Frame Rate 297

8 Display Options 298

TC/UB Settings 298

Gamma Display Assist 298

Gamma Display Assist Type 299

(Images) Remaining Shooting Display 299

(Images) Auto Review 299

9 Power Setting Option 300

Auto Monitor Off 300

Power Save Start Time 300

Power Save By Monitor 301

Auto Power Off Temperature 301

10 Sound Option 302

Volume Settings 302

4 Channel Audio Monitoring 302

Audio Signals 303

11 USB 303

USB Connection Mode 303

USB LUN Setting 304

USB Power Supply 304

12 External Output 305

HDMI Resolution 305

HDMI Output Settings 306

HDMI Information Display 307

CTRL For HDMI 307

13 Setup Option 307

Video Light Mode 307

Anti-Dust Function 308

Auto Pixel Mapping/Pixel Mapping 309

Version 309

Certification Logo (Non-US/Canada Models Only) 310

Chapter 10 Movie-Making Basics 311

Some Fundamentals 312

Preparing to Shoot Video 313

Steps During Movie Making 315

More About Frame Rates and Bit Rates 317

Frame Rates 317

Bit Rates 319

Choosing Metering/Exposure Modes 321

Stop That! 322

Choosing an Autofocus Mode 324

Tracking in Video 325

Tips for Movie Making 326

Composition 327

Lighting for Video 330

Audio 333

Lens Craft 334

Chapter 11 Advanced Video Features 337

More on Sensors and Crop Factors 337

Sensor Size 337

Crop Factor 338

Other Important Parameters 340

Frame Guides 340

Time Codes and User Bits 342

Picture Profiles 343

Gamma, Gamma Ding Dong 344

More on 4K Video 345

Using an External Recorder 346

Audio Settings 349

Audio Recording 349

Audio Recording Level 349

Audio Out Timing 350

Wind Noise Reduction 350

Multi-interface Shoe Audio Settings 351

Audio Level Display 351

Chapter 12 Choosing and Using Lenses 353

Don't Forget the Crop Factor 354

The Crop Factor and the a7 IV 355

SteadyShot and You 356

How It Works 358

Choosing a Lens 360

Sony FE Lenses 361

A-Mount Lenses 369

Zeiss Batis Lenses 371

Zeiss Loxia Lenses 371

Adapters and Third-Party Lenses 372

What Lenses Can Do for You 375

Categories of Lenses 377

Using Wide-Angle Lenses 380

Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems 380

Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses 382

Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems 383

Chapter 13 Working with Flash 385

Why Flash? 385

Electronic Flash Basics 389

How Electronic Flash Works 390

Flash Modes 397

Flash Exposure Compensation 399

Red Eye Reduction 399

Using an External Electronic Flash 399

Guide Numbers, Hot Shoes, and More 400

HVL-F60M/RM/RM2 Flash Units 402

HVL-F46RM Flash Unit 403

HVL-F45RM Flash Unit 403

HVL-F43M Flash Unit 404

HVL-F32M Flash Unit 404

HVL-F28RM Flash Unit 404

HVL-F20M Flash Unit 405

Wireless Flash (Optical) 406

Key Wireless Concepts 407

Setting Channels and Remote Groups 408

Setting Ratios 409

Radio Control 411

Index 413

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