David Busch's Sony Alpha a6600/ILCE-6600 Guide to Digital Photography is the most comprehensive reference and guide book available for Sony's flagship APS-C mirrorless camera.
This enthusiast digital camera has a more powerful processor and upgraded autofocus with enhanced real-time tracking and advanced Eye AF. Built-in 5-axis image stabilization allows sharp images hand-held even with slower shutter speeds. The a6600's new LCD swivels to face forward, making the camera excellent for self-portraits, vlogging, and other applications. The a6600 features a 24 megapixel sensor with 425 embedded phase-detect pixels for lightning-fast autofocus at up to 11 frames per second, and a more powerful battery to extend shooting life.
With an electronic shutter that provides a silent shooting option, stunning 4K/UHD video capabilities, and new time-lapse photography features, the a6600/ILCE-6600 is a versatile digital camera that's simple to use, yet boasts features demanded by the most avid photo buff. With this book in hand, you will discover all the capabilities of the Sony Alpha a6600/ILCE-6600 as you explore the world of digital photography, develop your creativity, and capture the best photographs you've ever taken.
Filled with detailed how-to steps and full-color illustrations, David Busch's Sony Alpha a6600/ILCE-6600 Guide to Digital Photography describes every feature of this sophisticated camera in depth, from taking your first photos through advanced details of setup, exposure, lens selection, lighting, and more. It relates each feature to specific photographic techniques and situations. Also included is the handy camera "roadmap," an easy-to-use visual guide to the a6600/ILCE-6600'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 every 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, taking pictures as an advanced enthusiast pushing the limits of your imagination, or are just out for fun. Start building your knowledge and confidence, while bringing your vision to light with the Sony Alpha a6600/ILCE-6600.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Preface x
Introduction xi
Chapter 1 Meet Your Sony Alpha a6600 1
Your Out-of-Box Experience 2
Initial Setup 6
Battery Included 6
Final Steps 8
Selecting a Shooting Mode 15
Hidden Scenes 15
Other Modes 16
Choosing a Metering Mode 17
Choosing a Focus Mode 18
Selecting a Focus Area 19
Other Settings 20
Adjusting White Balance and ISO 20
Using the Self-Timer 21
Quick Start to Movie Making 22
Reviewing the Images You've Taken 23
Transferring Files to Your Computer 25
Wireless File Transfer 25
Chapter 2 Your Camera Roadmap 27
Using Cross References 27
Front View 28
The Sony a6600's Business End 30
Using the Touch Screen/Pad 36
LCD Monitor Data Displays 39
Using the Quick Navi Function Menu 42
Going Topside 42
Underneath Your Sony a6600 44
Chapter 3 Camera Settings I Menu 45
Anatomy of the Menus 45
Camera Settings I Menu Entries 48
File Format (Stills) 49
JPEG Quality (Stills) 51
JPEG Image Size (Stills) 52
Aspect Ratio (Stills) 53
Long Exposure NR/High ISO NR (Stills) 54
Color Space (Stills) 55
Lens Compensation 58
Scene Selection 60
Drive Mode 60
Bracket Settings 62
Interval Shooting Functions 62
Recall 64
Memory 66
Register Custom Shooting Set 68
Focus Mode 69
Priority Set in AF-S/Priority Set in AF-C 70
Focus Area 71
Focus Area Limit 72
Switch Vertical/Horizontal AF Area (Stills) 73
AF Illuminator (Stills) 75
Face/Eye AF Settings 75
AF with Shutter (Stills) 77
Pre-AF (Stills) 78
Eye-Start AF (Stills) 78
AF Area Registration (Stills) 79
Delete Registered AF Area (Stills) 80
AF Area Auto Clear 80
Display Continuous AF Area 81
Circulation of Focus Point 81
AF Micro Adjustment 81
Exposure Compensation 82
ISO Setting 83
Metering Mode 85
Face Priority in Multi Metering 86
Spot Metering Point 87
Exposure Step 87
Autoexposure Lock with Shutter (Stills) 87
Exposure Standard Adjustment 88
Flash Mode 89
Flash Compensation 90
Exp. Comp. Set 90
Wireless Flash 91
Red Eye Reduction 91
White Balance 91
Priority Setting in AWB 93
DRO/Auto HDR 94
Creative Style 94
Picture Effect 95
Picture Profile 97
Shutter AWB Lock (Stills) 98
Focus Magnifier 99
Focus Magnifier Time 101
Initial Focus Magnification (Stills) 101
AF in Focus Magnification (Stills) 102
Manual Focus Assist (Stills) 102
Peaking Setting 103
Face Registration 103
Registered Faces Priority 104
Self-Portrait/-Timer 104
Chapter 4 Camera Settings II Menu 105
Camera Settings II Menu Entries 105
Exposure Mode (Movies) 106
Exposure Mode (S&Q) 106
File Format (Movies) 106
Record Setting (Movies) 107
S&Q Settings(S&Q Motion) 107
Proxy Recording 109
AF Drive Speed (Movies) 109
AF Track Sensitivity (Movies) 110
Auto Slow Shutter (Movies) 111
Initial Focus Magnification (Movies) 111
Audio Recording 111
Audio Recording Level 112
Audio Level Display 112
Audio Out Timing 113
Wind Noise Reduction 113
Marker Display (Movies) 113
Marker Settings (Movies) 114
Movie with Shutter 114
Silent Shooting (Stills) 115
e-Front Curtain Shutter 115
Release w/o Lens 116
Release w/o Card 117
SteadyShot 117
SteadyShot Settings 117
Zoom 118
Zoom Setting 120
Zoom Ring Rotate 122
DISP Button 123
FINDER/MONITOR 125
Finder Frame Rate (Stills) 126
Zebra Setting 126
Grid Line 127
Exposure Setting Guide 127
Live View Display 128
Auto Review 129
Custom Key (Stills) 129
Custom Key (Movies) 133
Custom Key (Playback) 133
Function Menu Settings 134
My Dial Settings 135
Dial/Wheel Setup 137
Av/Tv Rotate 137
Dial/Wheel Ev Comp 137
Function of Touch Operations 138
MOVIE Button 139
Dial/Wheel Lock 139
Audio Signals 139
Chapter 5 Network and Playback Menus 141
Network Menu 141
Send to Smartphone Function 142
Send to Computer 142
View on TV 145
Control with Smartphone 145
Airplane Mode 145
Wi-Fi Settings 145
Bluetooth Settings 146
Location Information Link Settings 146
Bluetooth Remote Control 146
Edit Device Name 146
Reset Network Settings 147
Remotely Controlling Your Camera 147
Using PC Remote 147
Making a Wireless Connection 149
Camera/Device: NFC Connection 149
Camera/Device: Wi-Fi Connection 150
Using WPS Push 151
Registering Manually 152
Connecting with Bluetooth 154
Viewing Images on a TV 156
Sending Files to a Smart Device 157
Remote Control with Your Smartphone 158
Playback Menu 159
Protect 160
Rotate 161
Delete 161
Rating 162
Rating Set (Custom Key) 163
Specify Printing 163
Photo Capture 164
Enlarge Image 164
Enlarge Initial Magnification 165
Enlarge Initial Position 165
Continuous Playback for Interval 165
Playback Speed for Interval 165
Slide Show 166
View Mode 166
Image Index 166
Display as Group 166
Display Rotation 167
Image Jump Setting 168
Chapter 6 Setup and My Menus 169
Setup Menu 169
Monitor Brightness 170
Viewfinder Brightness 171
Finder Color Temperature 171
Gamma Display Assist 171
Volume Settings 172
Delete Confirm 172
Display Quality 172
Power Save Start Time 173
Auto Power Off Temperature 173
NTSC/PAL Selector 173
Cleaning Mode 174
Touch Operation 174
Touch Panel/Pad 174
Touch Pad Settings 175
Demo Mode 176
TC/UB Settings 177
IR Remote Control 177
HDMI Settings 178
4K Output Selection (Movies) 179
USB Connection 179
USB LUN Setting 180
USB Power Supply 180
PC Remote Settings 181
Language 182
Date/Time Setup 182
Area Setting 182
Copyright Info 183
Format 183
File Number 184
Set File Name 184
Select Recording Folder 186
New Folder 186
Folder Name 187
Recover Image Database 187
Display Media Information 188
Version 188
Certification Logo (Non-US/Canada Models Only) 188
Setting Reset 189
My Menu 189
Chapter 7 Nailing the Optimum Exposure 191
Getting a Handle on Exposure 192
Equivalent Exposure 196
How the a6600 Calculates Exposure 197
Correctly Exposed 198
Overexposed 198
Underexposed 198
The Importance of ISO 200
Choosing a Metering Method 201
Multi Metering 201
Center-weighted Metering 202
Spot Metering 203
Entire Screen Averaging 204
Highlight-weighted Metering 204
Choosing an Exposure Mode 205
Aperture Priority (A) Mode 208
Shutter Priority (S) Mode 208
Program (P) Mode 210
Making Exposure Value Changes 210
Manual Exposure (M) Mode 211
Using ISO Auto 214
Exposure Bracketing 215
Continuous Bracketing 216
Single Bracketing 217
White Balance Bracketing 217
DRO Bracketing 217
Dealing with Digital Noise 217
High ISO Noise 218
Long Exposure Noise 218
Using Dynamic Range Optimizer and HDR 220
Auto HDR 223
Bracketing and Merge to HDR 225
Exposure Evaluation with Histograms 227
The Live Histogram 228
The Playback Histograms 228
Tonal Range 229
Histogram Basics 230
Understanding Histograms 231
Fine-Tuning Exposure 235
Automatic and Specialized Shooting Modes 236
Auto and Scene Modes 236
Chapter 8 Mastering Autofocus Options 239
Getting into Focus 240
Contrast Detection 240
Phase Detection 241
Comparing the Two Hybrid Components 243
Focus Modes and Options 245
Focus Pocus 246
Adding Circles of Confusion 246
Your Focus Mode Options 248
Focus or Release Priority? 250
Autofocus Magnified 251
Choosing the AF Area 252
Tracking and Focusing on Subjects, Faces, and Eyes 255
Face Detection and Eye AF Overview 256
Making Your Face/Eye Detection Settings 257
Magic Autofocus-Set and Forget 259
Your AF-C to AF-S Switch 260
Using Manual Focus 261
Back-Button Focus 262
Activating Back-Button Focus 264
Useful Menu Items for AF 264
Chapter 9 Advanced Techniques 267
Exploring Ultra-Fast Exposures 267
Long Exposures 271
Continuous Shooting 273
Fast Autofocus 275
Silent Shooting 275
Playback 276
Customizing White Balance 276
Fine-Tuning Preset White Balance 279
Setting White Balance by Color Temperature 280
Setting a Custom White Balance 280
Using Creative Styles 281
Interval Shooting 284
Interval Shooting Checklist 285
Settings Recap 287
Viewing Your Interval Sequences 288
Time-Lapse Movies 288
Star Trails 290
Chapter 10 Movie-Making Basics 293
Some Fundamentals 293
Preparing to Shoot Video 295
Steps During Movie Making 297
Choosing a File Format 298
Choosing a Record Setting 299
Bit Rates 301
Choosing Metering/Exposure Modes 302
Stop That! 303
Choosing an Autofocus Mode 305
Tips for Movie Making 306
Composition 307
Lighting for Video 311
Audio 313
Lens Craft 314
Chapter 11 Advanced Video Features 317
More on Sensors and Crop Factors 317
Sensor Size and Crop Factors 317
Other Important Parameters 319
Frame Guides 319
Time Codes and User Bits 320
Picture Profiles 321
Gamma, Gamma Ding Dong 322
More on 4K Video 324
Using an External Recorder 325
Chapter 12 Working with Lenses 329
Don't Forget the Crop Factor 329
Choosing a Lens 331
First Lens Options 331
The Sony "Trinity" 338
Other E-Mount Lenses 339
Sony FE Lenses 339
Zeiss Touit Lenses 341
Zeiss Loxia Lenses 341
Zeiss Batis Lenses 342
Other Third-Party Lenses 343
Using the LA-EA Series Adapters 345
AF Micro Adjustment 348
What Lenses Can Do for You 353
Categories of Lenses 354
Using Wide-Angle Lenses 355
Avoiding Potential Wide-Angle Problems 357
Using Telephoto and Tele-Zoom Lenses 359
Avoiding Telephoto Lens Problems 360
SteadyShot and You 361
How It Works 363
Chapter 13 Working with Flash 367
Why Flash? 367
Electronic Flash Basics 371
How Electronic Flash Works 371
Flash Modes 378
Flash Exposure Compensation 379
Red Eye Reduction 379
Using an External Electronic Flash 380
Guide Numbers, Hot Shoes, and More 380
HVL-F60M/RM Flash Units 383
HVL-F45RM Flash Unit 384
HVL-F43M Flash Unit 384
HVL-F36AM Flash Unit 385
HVL-F32M Flash Unit 385
HVL-F20M Flash Unit 385
Wireless Flash 386
Key Wireless Concepts 387
Setting Channels and Remote Groups 389
Setting Ratios 390
Radio Control 391
Index 393
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 University is 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.
Softcover. 2020. Unabridged edition. Illustrated, w/Index. 9" L x 7" W. 448 pages. Brand New.