Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sony ALPHA A7r and A7 TIPS of the DAY Part 8

Sony ALPHA A7r and A7 TIPS of the DAY Part 8



These are a few of my TIPS of the DAY  I have been posting on a Sony ALPHA - TALK  Group created on Facebook.  It "is" open to everyone ,  Just "JOIN"  by entering your FB name to the box with " + ADD people to Group ".



Sony ALPHA TIP # 120:  SONY a7 & A7r Live Stream Event ...
That was originally March 18th 1:00pm EST

Brian Smith Sony Artisan , Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer (and member of this group) will be there with a presentation of his work with the A7/r

Mark Weir Senior Technology Manager for Sony's Digital Imaging business in the U.S.A.

Gabriel Biderman senior member of the Pro Photo Marketing Department at B&H, Leica Lenses Via The Metabones Adapters

fyi: both Brian Smith and Gabriel Biderman are members of the SONY Alpha TALK FaceBook Group.


Sony ALPHA TIP # 119:  SONY Firmware UPDATES:

NOTE: make sure you follow the  Upgrade instructions carefully.

Think I "might" be seeing an IMPROVEMENT on AF on the A7r.  Small but there (need to see on a night event shoot) But, had it out in my living room in night low light. with D800 + 24-70 f2.8, a99, LAEA4 + 16-35 @ 35mm f2.8 and the A7r 35mm f2.8 ZA FE.  Had to targets one with contrast , the farther target very low contrast white door in lower light.  The BEST was the A7r+35mm f2.8 ZA FE combo. On the near high contrast target in Low Light the D800 was the Fastest (note the D800 is not Nikons fastest/low light AF body but what I expect any Sony 36mp camera to beat "at least"). The A7r and a99 and A7r+LAEA+16-35 about even. but, the A7r might have felt more sure than before .... ON the Farther Low Contrast all white door in Lower light =  The A7r+35mm f2.8 ZA FE was the Fastest (it still had that CDAF whobble, but I think  it is faster and more sure ... it did not have the slow syrup to AF feel , as much, it has a quicker whobble) ... then it was the D800+24-70 f2.8  (noticed the Nikon combo AF sound was louder) ... the a99 and A7r + LAEA4 16-35mm f2.8  could NOT lock on the same target , AT ALL.  My gut feeling is ,  something "has" changed ,  FOR THE BETTER. :)

NO added, RAW  LossLESS  compression save Option. Or the larger file NO compression RAW.  (as Nikon has).
Or the ability to Program ANY Menu item to the Custom Buttons on the body.

Alpha 7

This utility updates the ILCE-7 camera firmware to version 1.02 and provides the following benefits:
  • Provides support for the SEL70200G lens
    • - Supports the "Fast Hybrid AF" function
    • - Supports future compatible E mount lenses
    • - Adds the "Focus hold button" function
  • Reduces start-up time
    • - The start-up time has been reduced in cases when the camera is switched on immediately after being switched off
  • Improves image quality
  • Provides support for additional PlayMemories Camera Apps™ and additional features for previously supported apps
    • - Supports the "Liveview Grading" and "Smooth Reflection" applications
    • - Supports the smooth automatic exposure feature in the "Time-lapse" application ver. 2.00 and later
Firmware download links:
Alpha 7R

This utility updates the ILCE-7R camera firmware to version 1.02 and provides the following benefits:
  • Provides support for the SEL70200G lens
    • - Improves auto focus speed
    • - Adds the "Focus hold button" function
  • Reduces start-up time
    • - The start-up time has been reduced in cases when the camera is switched on immediately after being switched off
  • Improves image quality
  • Provides support for additional PlayMemories Camera Apps™ and additional features for previously supported apps
    • - Supports the "Liveview Grading" and "Smooth Reflection" applications
    • - Supports the smooth automatic exposure feature in the "Time-lapse" application ver. 2.00 and later
Firmware download links:
Other Sony NEX cameras

NEX5R

Firmware download links:
NEX5T

Firmware download links:
NEX6

Firmware download links:
A7R

A7

NEX5R
Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX5T
Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX6
Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia


Sony ALPHA TIP # 118: A7r + 35mm f2.8  used shooting PRO Golf.
Just got send this pdf  from a page in GOLF Magazine China.
These shots taken with the Sony A7r + 35mm f2.8.


No the shutter sound does not bother me. But, I do wish it was as quiet as the RX1 ... which is a great tool when shooting Golf next to the Golf Channel TV crew. :)

The back story on this:
PGA PRO Ken Duke on the 18th  is going to be caddied  by a selected Solder.
When Ken Duke found out that his caddie  actually is a very good golfer. He handed him his club, and let him actually Play with him on that hole, the 18th.
Which the 18th green has all the Corporate Sky boxes around it , with a number of spectators.

Something I have never seen done, in all the years of this PRO-AM day program.






Sony ALPHA TIP # 117: Not a Sony TIP but a Lightroom RAW to JPG conversion TIP. Always use "Export Sharpening" in Lightroom when converting from RAW to JPG (of course settings to your Tastes) ... Lightroom has pre-sets for you already, even the strength ... Web , Print , Gloss, Matte Etc works well.

What I love about the A7r files with a great Zeiss Lens is you do not have to get aggressive on the Lightroom Sharpening in Develop. (Particularly for People images)   In fact if I have to get more aggressive than the default sharpening in Lightroom on the A7r for any LENS ,  I think (look at) shutter speed and my hand hold First. THEN,  I wonder if the Lens is Fully resolving the A7r 36mp non-AA Sensor.

My gut feeling about Lens sharpness is how much I have to move off the default LR sharpening.
Because on the A7r with a Great lens ... at 100% , you know when you Nailed it. :)

Having said that, even when you don't  ... it's pretty sharp when you get down to the output size.

Lightroom's Output sharpening choices: "These limited number of settings, particularly compared to the Develop module sharpening settings, may give the impression that this is not sophisticated sharpening. In fact it is — Jeff Schewe partnered with Adobe to build it, and it is based on Pixel Genius’ Photo Kit Pro sharpener. In addition to your choices on these settings, the algorithm looks at output resolution and how much upsizing or downsizing is being done."

Sony ALPHA TIP # 116: A7r just noticed two  Firmware  Ver. ...  1.01 on one body.  But, I just noticed the other A7r (which might be a demo) is ver. 1.00  interesting.

as a note: The A-Mount 70-200mm G SSM II + A7r + LAEA4  seems to be "Just" as Sharp at 200mm @ f2.8  vs the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII. Which frankly is a Surprise.
I did not shoot a lot with it.  But, I did shoot both in low light above iso1600.
Think the A7r non-AA  is helping out the sharpness on the 70-200mm G SSM II  vs the D800 with AA.
Just so you know, the Nikon 70-200mm VRII  has been my go to Sports lens from the  D700 and basically reads my mind on AF sports shoots.   and is my fav lens that has never had to be repaired.  p.s. mine was from the First USA shipment to go out on this lens.  so, much for ver. 1 or first ships  being bad.  fyi: also my D800 was first USA direct from NPS ship and does not have a Left AF issue.

the Low Light AF  both on the A7r+LAEA4  and the a99  was noticeably Slower. vs the D800.  (and the D800 is not the Fastest or the low light AF champ for Nikon)   and sometimes both the A7r and a99 could not Lock a AF when the D800 had no problem.  As the light levels got higher the differences seemed smaller. Though I did not do any Action shooting during the day.

The 24-70mm f4 ZA OSS  was sharper than I expected (because of all the web talk).  was not the Fastest AF in FE (as I was expecting.  being that it is the Standard zoom) .  Sometimes in low light it would hesitate to start the AF. and it would take a few taps of the shutter to wake it up on a very few shots. This might be because it is a DEMO.   Personally I think it is Very , Very useful.  and I think the "OSS" is helping it with Sharpness on the A7r "on a Handhold".   For FE ,  a  must have.

Sony ALPHA TIP # 115: I am posting this as a ALPHA TIP because the basics of Photography and Lighting do not change between brands you use.  But, with a SONY EVF you can SEE your Exposure when shooting Available Light. And you can SEE the Ambient light when using Flash to Mix in or Fill.   I also LOVE Joe McNally. And if you are a Strobist you will to (regardless of camera brand). :)

The first video in the series will be go live on March 11 on the Nikon YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/nikonusa) and the new NikonUSA Google+ page. A new video on a different topic will be posted every couple of weeks to both the YouTube channel and Google+ page for viewers to check out. The new Google+ page will feature work from Nikon Ambassadors and Professional Photographers, and serve as a hub for passionate photographers to share favorite photos, insights on techniques and behind the scenes stories. On this page, Nikon aims to help advanced, professional and aspiring photographers looking to further their craft and take their passion to the next level. Please find the official NikonUSA Google+ page at: plus.google.com/+NikonUSA

Video Series Schedule (subject to change)

 Launch Date

 Video Segment

 Pro Photographer

 Tuesday, March 11

 Nikon BTS:Reading Light

 Joe McNally

 Thursday, March 20

 Nikon BTS:Golden Hour Expedition

 Corey Rich

 Tuesday, April 1

 Nikon BTS:Photos with the Family and Pets

 Tamara Lackey

 Monday, April 14

 Nikon BTS:Small Lighting, Big Results

 Joe McNally

 Thursday, April 24

 Nikon BTS:Extreme Action Shooting

 Corey Rich

 Monday, May 5

 Nikon BTS:Capturing an Authentic Smile

 Tamara Lackey

 Thursday, May 15

 Nikon BTS:Using Light to Tell a Story

 Joe McNally

 Monday, May 26

 Nikon BTS:Packing for an Outdoor Shoot

 Corey Rich

 Thursday, June 5

 Nikon BTS:Romantic Portraits

 Tamara Lackey

 Monday, June 16

 Nikon BTS:Dramatic Portrait Lighting

 Joe McNally

 Thursday, June 26

 Nikon BTS:Starry Night Time-Lapse

 Corey Rich

 Monday, June 30

 Nikon BTS:Little Kids, Big Personalities

 Tamara Lackey

 Thursday, July 10

 Nikon BTS:Advanced lighting

 Joe McNally

 Monday, July 21

 Nikon BTS:Action with Video

 Corey Rich

 Thursday, July 31

 Nikon BTS:Lenses for Great Portraits

 Tamara Lackey

Sony ALPHA TIP # 114: 3/10/14 SONY is doing maintance on the PlayMemories Camera Apps.
Maybe something NEW is happening there ?   and not just fixes?  hopefully :)
Just thought I would throw that out.
Because of the FW Updates to a7/r  ALSO around that time 3/19

* MAYBE , WE WILL BE ABLE TO UPLOAD AND INSTALL "FW" Firmware to our ALPHA cameras via WIFI on PlayMemories?


Sony ALPHA TIP # 113: My New BEST Solution to cleaning Sensors !

There is a gotcha  for SONY Mirrorless users  ...
This from the site:
Product Advisory: Sony’s proprietary coating technology on its mirrorless cameras might cause the Sensor Gel Stick to leave some residue on the surface of the sensor filter, which will require thorough wet cleaning. The residue can be removed with a wet cleaning solution, but might take significant effort to clean it.

Therefore, we recommend that you do NOT use the Sensor Gel Stick on Sony mirrorless cameras listed below. The manufacturer of the Sensor Gel Stick is working on a different solution to clean Sony sensors, so we are planning to start offering a Sony-specific version of the Sensor Gel Stick soon.

Here is the list of Sony camera models that are affected: Sony A7R, Sony A7, Sony A5000, Sony A6000, Sony NEX-7, Sony NEX-6, Sony NEX-5 (all models), Sony NEX-3 (all models). We have not heard of any other reports regarding other brand cameras.

Sensor Gel Stick  aprox $50
You will need the Paper to transfer the dust and oil to


Sony ALPHA TIP # 112: A7 & A7r Firmware Update !
March 19, 2014
That was Fast.

Sony ALPHA TIP # 111:  What happened to the Camera Industry in 2013 ?

Felt this needed to be on a TIP  :)

Sony ALPHA TIP # 110: my Basic "starting point"  steps for many Camera "Issues".

1)  FIRST do a FULL FACTORY RESET , on the A7/r  it's called "INITIALIZE" in the last menu tab #6 > Setting Reset.

The Battery Out over night is also a good thing to try.
Basically you are trying to clear "anything" that you might have changed or got changed on it's own.
* I would also do a FORMAT on any cards in the camera.
Basically, you want to get back to ... how it came , "Out of the Box".

So you have a CLEAN "Starting Point".

This will also help any kind of Tech Support.

IF this does not work ...

2) THEN,  I would post your issue on the SONY Community Web site


to see if someone "else" had the issue before and can tell you the solution they took.

And the more CAMERA specific new USA site: http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/select-system.pl?PRODTYPE=76

4)  On that same Support Sony site , there is also a Tech Support CHAT Link :

5)  THEN, you need to get a "Service Request from SONY"
If you are in the US. you can set up a service request from this link.

You can get contact information here ,  if you are in another country or region (outside USA)



MORE TIPS OF THE DAY LINKS:

TIP 89-109

TIP 88   A7r & A7 Back Button Auto Focus + ZOOM IN on any LENS

TIP 71-87

TIP 50-70

TIP 32-49

TIP 31   Exposure Compansation Dial "PRIORITY"

TIP 20-30

TIP 1-19




Hope this Helps someone,

Ross Hamamura

The Tourist of Light
SONY ALPHA Camera Ambassador
(and have been given SONY products for accepting this additional role)
Please follow me on Instagram:  @RDHphoto
Facebook Sony ALPHA - TALK  Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SonyAlphaTalk/
SONY Community ID:  Hawaii-Geek

Posted by Ross Hamamura at 3:26 AM

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