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.
Chapter Page
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
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. 2022. Unabridged edition. Illustrated, w/Index. 9" L x 7" W. 448 pages. Brand New.