Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 15

Exploring the CHAPTER Sony Alpha 11 DSLR-A200 ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ In This Chapter

Camera controls nowing your camera is one of the keys to being a Viewﬁ nder display K better photographer. It could be argued that it is more important than understanding exposure or even com- LCD screen position. The A200, after all, has a great auto setting that sets the exposure for you, and composition can be a matter of ISO sensitivity opinion, but not knowing where to set the Flash mode or how to access the white balance setting can severely hinder your Metering modes photography. Knowing your camera enables you to adjust the white balance settings, change the ISO, switch metering and Drive modes autofocus modes, and adjust any setting without having to spend a lot of time ﬁ nding the right button, switch, or menu ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ option.

Chapters 1 and 2 help you learn about all the settings, controls, and menus of the A200. It takes time and can seem daunting, especially because some controls have more than one function. But the ﬁ rst step is to learn where all those buttons and switches are located on the camera.

One of the things that always seems to impress people when I am photographing is that I know where and how to change the settings I want, quickly. If the time comes to switch between SingleCOPYRIGHTED image drive mode and Continuous MATERIAL drive mode, I know that it can be done with a single button. And you will, too. 14 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Camera Controls On the front The most important part on the front of the Holding the camera as you would when A200, shown in ﬁ gure 1.1, is the lens mount shooting, you can see that the layout of the opening. This is the most vulnerable part of buttons and the controls all are well thought the camera, so if a lens is not attached, a out. Use the following ﬁ gures as a guide to body cap needs to be used. The less time the locations of all the various controls on this is open to the elements, the better. I your A200. After time, accessing your most leave a lens attached most of the time. This commonly used controls should be second keeps the camera ready to be used at a nature. moment’s notice and doesn’t let any dust and dirt into the camera when stored in my camera bag.

Built-in flash

Lens contacts

Self-timer lamp

Lens Handgrip mount release button

Mirror Lens mount 1.1 The front of the A200 without a lens mounted Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 15

The features on the front of the camera also A-type lens mount and can accept include: all Sony camera lenses and a vari- ety of older Minolta A-type lenses. ✦ Built-in fl ash. Pressing the fl ash You can read more about lenses in button on the left side of the fl ash Chapter 5. manually opens the fl ash. The fl ash also automatically opens when the camera is in Auto mode and the On the top built-in light meter determines that The top of the A200 has three of the most the scene is too dark and the fl ash important controls you’ll use, the Mode dial, is necessary. To close the fl ash, just push down from the top until it the Control Dial, and the Shutter button. locks into place. Figure 1.1 shows There are also dedicated buttons for the the fl ash in the open position. drive mode and ISO along with a hot shoe for external fl ashes. ✦ Self-timer lamp. The Self-timer lamp fl ashes when either the 2-second or ✦ Hot shoe. The hot shoe lets you the 10-second Self-timer mode is attach an external Sony fl ash unit used. The Self-timer is accessed in such as the HVL-F58AM, HVL- the Drive mode, which is covered F56AM, HVL-F42AM, or HVL- later in this chapter. F36AM, along with fl ashes from ✦ Handgrip. The ergonomic handgrip third-party vendors such as houses the battery. The grip is com- Promaster, Metz, and Sigma. fortable and secure for horizontal ✦ Mode dial. This is where you set and vertical shooting. the recording mode on the camera. ✦ Mirror. The mirror refl ects the light The choices are Auto, a fully auto- that comes through the lens up to matic mode; P, Program Auto the viewfi nder letting the photogra- mode; A, Aperture Priority mode; S, pher see the same view as the Shutter Priority mode; M, Manual camera. When the Shutter button is mode; one of the six scene modes; pressed, the mirror fl ips up out of and an Auto mode with no fl ash. the way so that the light can reach ✦ Control dial. The control dial is the sensor. The mirror is located where the photographer changes inside the camera body and should the shooting settings. When in P, not be touched. Program Auto mode, rotating the ✦ Lens contacts. These are the con- dial adjusts the shutter speed. tacts that communicate between When in A, Aperture Priority mode, the camera body and the camera the dial controls the aperture. lens. When in S, Shutter Priority mode, the dial controls the shutter speed. ✦ Lens mount release button. This When in M, Manual mode, the button, when pressed, unlocks the Control dial alone controls the lens from the body and makes it shutter speed, and when combined possible to remove the lens. with pressing the Exposure ✦ Lens mount. This is where you Compensation/AV button, it con- attach the lens. The Sony lens trols the aperture. mount is based on the Minolta 16 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

Control dial

Mode dial Shutter button

Hot Drive ISO Image sensor shoe button button plane indicator 1.2 A top view of the camera

✦ Shutter button. When you press button all easily accessed with your thumb. this button all the way down, the This lets you change the picture-taking set- shutter releases and the photo is tings without having to change your grip. taken. When pressed halfway down, the camera autofocuses using one ✦ Power switch. This turns the cam- of the nine autofocus sensors. era on and off . The A200 has a built-in sensor-cleaning mode that ✦ Drive button. This button opens vibrates the sensor to shake off any the Drive mode menu on the LCD dust every time the power is turned screen. off . The slight vibration when turn- ✦ ISO button. This button opens the ing the camera off is normal. ISO menu on the LCD screen. ✦ Menu button. The Menu button ✦ Image sensor plane indicator. opens the Main menu on the LCD This marking on the camera body is screen. used if you need to measure the ✦ Display button. The Display button exact distance from the subject to enables you to switch between the the image sensor. detailed display and the enlarged display in the Recording mode. The On the back Display button also cycles through the diff erent display modes when The back of the A200 is intelligently laid out in the Playback mode. The bright- with the Function button, Multi-selector, ness of the LCD screen can be Super SteadyShot switch, Exposure com- adjusted by pressing the Display pensation/Enlarge button, and AEL Lock button for a few seconds. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 17

Viewfinder Diopter Eyepiece sensor adjustment dial

AEL (AE Lock)/ Power switch Zoom button Exposure Compensation/ Enlarge button Menu button Access light Display button Function/Rotate Trash button button Multi-selector Playback button Super SteadyShot switch

LCD monitor Spot focus selector/Multi-selector center button 1.3 A rear view of the A200

✦ Trash button. When you are ✦ Diopter adjustment dial. This lets reviewing images on the LCD you compensate for farsightedness screen, pressing this button opens and nearsightedness. Adjust the the Delete Image screen. There is a dial while looking through the choice to delete the image or to viewfi nder until the image is sharp. cancel, which returns the display to If you are farsighted, rotate the dial reviewing images mode. downward; if you are nearsighted, rotate the dial upward. ✦ Playback button. The Playback button is pressed to view on the ✦ Exposure Compensation/Enlarge LCD screen the images already button. Pressing this button opens taken. the Exposure Compensation menu. When in Viewing mode, pressing ✦ LCD screen. The 2.7-inch LCD the button enlarges the image on screen displays diff erent informa- the LCD screen. tion depending on the mode. ✦ AEL (AE Lock)/Zoom button. This ✦ Viewfi nder. The viewfi nder shows button has two purposes depend- a bright clear view of the scene ing on which mode the camera is shown through the lens. in. When the camera is in Shooting ✦ Eyepiece sensor. This sensor right mode, this button locks in a certain below the viewfi nder can deter- exposure. When you focus on an mine if you are looking through the area or subject that you want to be eyepiece. The default setting is for metered for exposure, even if it is the LCD screen to turn off when not going to be the main subject of the sensor determines that you are your photograph, and press the AEL looking through the viewfi nder. 18 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

button, those exposure settings are then locked. You can reframe the On the bottom image and take the photograph. The bottom of the A200 houses the battery This setting is cancelled when the and a tripod mount. Even with the A200’s button is released. When in compact size, the bottom has a nice fl at sur- Playback mode, this button zooms face that allows you to use even the biggest into a photograph. tripods. ✦ Function/Rotate button. When in ✦ Shooting mode, the Function Battery compartment. The battery button switches between the compartment is accessed by a Recording Information screen and recessed latch on the bottom of the the Quick Navigation screen. In camera. When the battery is fully Playback mode, this button opens inserted into the camera, it is held the Rotate Image menu that is then in place with a small blue latch so controlled by the Multi-selector. that even if the battery door is opened, the battery will not fall out. ✦ Access light. This red light is on The battery compartment is spring when the camera is writing infor- loaded, so when the latch is pushed mation to the memory card. Do not in the battery pops right out. turn the camera off while this light ✦ is on as it can disrupt the writing of Threaded tripod socket. The Sony the data from the camera’s internal Alpha A200 comes with a standard buff er to the memory card and you tripod socket that is aligned with can lose your images. the center of the lens. ✦ Spot focus selector/Multi-selector center button. This button is used On the left side to enter choices that are selected in menu choices. When in Shooting On the left side of the camera is a rubber mode, pressing this button causes door that covers the remote terminal and the focus spot to be set back to the the DC power in. The left side is also the center focus point. location of the Focus mode switch, where you can change from manual to autofocus. ✦ Multi-selector. The Multi-selector lets you select and execute a vari- ✦ Remote terminal. The RM-S1AM ety of diff erent functions. The Multi- Remote can be used with the Sony selector works like a miniature Alpha A200 by opening the cover joystick: It can be moved left, right, and inserting the plug of the remote. up, and down. It is used to navigate The remote lets you release the the Quick-navigation screen and shutter without touching the camera the A200’s menu choices. The or the Shutter button. Multi-selector is also used to select a focus point when the autofocus area is set to Local. ✦ Super SteadyShot switch. This turns the Sony Super SteadyShot vibration-reduction technology on or off . Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 19

Battery compartment (closed) Threaded tripod socket Battery compartment (open) with battery inserted

Battery retaining lever

1.4 A bottom view of the camera

✦ DC-in terminal. The optional ✦ Focus mode switch. This is where AC-VQ900AM AC adapter/battery the focus mode for the camera is charger can be used to power the set. The focus can be set to manual camera using an ordinary house- focus (MF) or autofocus (AF). hold power outlet. To use the adapter, ﬁ rst turn oﬀ the power to the camera and then plug the power cord into the DC-in terminal. You can then turn the camera on. 20 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

Remote terminal

DC-in terminal

Focus mode switch

1.5 The left side of the A200

✦ Memory card cover. Sliding it On the right side toward the back of the camera The right side of the camera houses the opens the memory card cover. The memory of the camera. This is the place door is spring loaded and opens where the digital “ﬁ lm” goes. It also is the easily. To close the cover, fold it location where the camera can be con- back toward the camera and slide nected to a computer or a television. it forward until it clicks into place.

USB port/ Video out

CompactFlash slot

Memory card cover

CompactFlash card eject button

1.6 The right-side view of the camera Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 21

✦ CompactFlash slot. The Sony the right, four around the center, Alpha A200 can use CompactFlash and the Spot autofocus area in the media, and this is where it is center. inserted into the camera. The ✦ Spot AF area. This is the small CompactFlash card needs to be square directly in the middle of the inserted with the label toward the viewfi nder. It is the focus indicator back of the camera. Push the card for the Spot autofocus setting. When until it is fi rmly seated. the focus has locked on, the indica- ✦ CompactFlash card eject button. tor turns red for a moment, indicat- To eject a CompactFlash card, push ing that the setting is in use. This down on this button until the card autofocus sensor is diff erent from can be removed from the slot. the other eight as it is a cross-type sensor that senses focus on both ✦ USB port/video out. The camera the X and Y axes, making it capable can be connected directly to a of achieving focus slightly more computer or television using a USB quickly than the other sensors. cable with a mini USB jack to plug into the camera and a regular jack ✦ Spot metering area. The circle to plug into the computer, or the around the Spot AF area defi nes supplied mini-USB-to-video RCA the spot metering area. This is the plug that enables the A200 to be total area of the scene used in spot connected to a regular television. exposure metering. ✦ 16:9 shooting area guidelines. These crop guidelines are there to help when composing in the 16:9 Viewfi nder Display aspect ratio Crop mode. Any infor- The viewfi nder in the Sony A200 enables mation above or below the crop you to compose the scene by seeing 95 per- marks is not recorded when the cent of the view through the lens. The view- 16:9 aspect ratio is set. fi nder display is broken into two parts — the main viewing area and the information dis- The data display play along the bottom of the viewfi nder. The The data display across the bottom of the A200 does not have a Live View preview, display gives you instant access to the most and you cannot use the LCD screen to pre- important settings without having to take view the images before taking a photo, so your eye away from the viewfi nder. the only way to compose an image is to use the viewfi nder. ✦ Flash compensation. When using the fl ash, you can adjust the The main display amount of light without changing the exposure. When any fl ash com- The main display is where you compose pensation is used, the fl ash com- your photograph. Being able to see what pensation indicator is visible in the the sensor will record makes composing viewfi nder. your photo easy. ✦ Flash symbol. When the fl ash sym- ✦ AF area. There are nine autofocus bol is fl ashing, the fl ash is being indicators: two on the left, two on charged. When the light turns solid, the fl ash is charged and ready to fi re. 22 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

16:9 shooting area guidelines Spot metering area

AF area Spot AF area

Flash compensation Aperture Flash symbol EV scale WL AE Lock H or HSS Shots remaining counter MF Camera shake warning Focus indicators Super SteadyShot scale Shutter speed Aspect ratio 16:9 1.7 The view through the viewﬁ nder

✦ WL. When an external fl ash is used ✦ Focus indicators. The focus indica- in Wireless mode, the WL indicator tors show whether the focus is is lit. locked and ready to shoot, focused on a moving subject and ready to ✦ H. Some external fl ashes can use a shoot, in the process of focusing, or High Speed Sync mode. When in unable to focus on the subject. the High Speed Sync mode, an H appears in the viewfi nder. ✦ Shutter speed. This shows the current shutter speed. ✦ MF. When in Manual focus mode, this indicator lights up. ✦ Aperture. This shows the current aperture. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 23

✦ EV scale. The EV or Exposure Value ✦ Super SteadyShot scale. The scale scale in the viewfi nder shows the is shown when the Super exposure set by the photographer SteadyShot is activated. The higher and what the camera’s metering the scale, the more shaking is pres- system believes to be the correct ent. To get the sharpest image pos- exposure. The small bar over the sible, there should be as few bars scale shows the current exposure as possible all the way down to setting in regard to what the cam- only one bar. When the Super era believes is the correct setting. SteadyShot is turned off , there are The EV scale also indicates when no bars even visible. the bracketing is active by showing ✦ Aspect ratio 16:9. This indicates three bars above the scale. when the camera is set to the 16:9 ✦ AE Lock. When the AEL button is aspect ratio. pressed, the exposure value currently determined by the camera becomes the standard value. The AE lock indicator is visible in the LCD Screen viewfi nder when the AEL button is pressed. The LCD screen on the back of the A200 provides a single display area that keeps all Exposure Value is covered in the pertinent information in one place. This detail in Chapter 2. means that the display changes depending on which mode the camera is in. Because ✦ Shots remaining counter. This the LCD screen is the only display on the shows how many photos can still camera, it does double duty. In the record- be taken. The display starts at ing information mode, it shows the current 9 when shooting large fi ne JPEG, 6 camera settings; in the Playback display when shooting in RAW only, and mode, it shows a review of the images 3 when shooting RAW & JPEG, already taken. and counts down as the photos are taken; as the images are written to the memory card, the counter goes back up. When the memory card is Recording information full and no more images can be display saved, the counter reads 0. If you The recording information mode shows the try to take photos after the card is full, the word “FULL” fl ashes across current settings of the A200. When you turn the display and the counter reads 0. on the camera, the recording information display automatically opens. This display is ✦ Camera shake warning. This indi- visible for 5 seconds and then turns off . This cator fl ashes even if the Super can be adjusted using the info.disp.time. SteadyShot is turned on. The cam- setting located in the Setup Menu 1. era calculates the likelihood of camera shake using the focal Chapter 2 has more details on length and shutter speed. changing menu settings. 24 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

The recording information display has two One of the great little touches of the A200 is modes — a Detailed mode and an Enlarged that when the camera is rotated from hori- mode — that are cycled through by pressing zontal to vertical, the display changes its ori- the Display button. The Enlarged mode entation automatically, so you can easily shows some but not all of the information read it no matter how you are shooting. in the Detailed mode. In the Enlarged mode, When you use the Display button to cycle the information is presented in a larger for- through the recording information modes, a mat, making it easier to read quickly. third option is for the display to be turned oﬀ completely.

P1/30 F3.5 +0.7 P1/30 F3.5 ISO 21012 ISO SLOW 200 SLOW +0.7 200 AF-A D-R Std. AWB D-R 91% RAW+J 50 92% RAW+J 50

P +0.7 P 1/30 F3.5 1/30 F3.5

21012 +0.7 SLOW SLOW

AF-A ISO 200 ISO 200

Std. D-R

RAW+J AWB D-R RAW+J 92% 50 91% 50

1.8 The LCD screen’s detailed recording 1.9 The LCD screen’s enlarged recording information display in the horizontal mode information display in the horizontal mode and in the vertical mode — the display and the vertical mode has less information rotates to match the orientation of the visible than in the Detailed mode, so it is camera. easy to read even in low light. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 25

Flash mode Exposure compensation AE Lock Mode dial display Aperture Shutter speed Exposure

AUTO 1/60 F5.6 +1.3 EV scale

ISO ISO 21012 Metered AUTO AUTO Manual Flash AF Area compensation AF-A Metering mode Drive mode Std. AWB D-R + Dynamic Range Creative style 82% RAW+J 90 Battery power Number of images remaining that can still be Image size taken Focus mode White balance Image quality 1.10 The detailed recording information display

✦ Mode dial display. The display Wireless mode. It also shows if here shows the Mode dial’s setting. Red-Eye Reduction has been set or if the fl ash has been turned off . ✦ Shutter speed indicator. Displays the current shutter speed. ✦ Exposure compensation/Metered manual indicator. The display ✦ Aperture indicator. Displays the shows a small arrow above the EV current f-stop. scale that shows what the camera ✦ Exposure. This display is blank believes is the diff erence between unless the photographer has made your exposure and the correct expo- any exposure compensation adjust- sure. When the arrow is above the ments; then it shows the amount 0, the EV scale, the camera meter, of exposure compensation set. and the photographer’s settings agree. The arrow appearing toward ✦ AE Lock indicator. Displays an the right indicates overexposure, asterisk when the AE Lock is which causes the photo to be too pressed and the AEL is in use. light. The arrow appearing to the left ✦ Flash mode. The indicator shows indicates underexposure, which whether the Flash mode is set to causes the photo to be too dark Autofl ash, Fill-fl ash, Rear sync, or (not shown in the Enlarged mode). 26 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

✦ Flash compensation indicator. If mode is being used (not shown in any fl ash compensation is set, a the Enlarged mode). small arrow appears under the EV ✦ Auto focus (AF) area indicator. Scale, showing the amount of com- Shows if the Wide, Spot, or Local pensation (not shown in the Auto Focus area is selected. Enlarged mode). ✦ White balance indicator. This ✦ EV scale. The EV or Exposure Value shows the current white balance scale shows what the camera setting (not shown in the Enlarged believes is the correct exposure, mode). which is set at 0. The scale also shows 2 stops of overexposure and ✦ D-Range Optimizer setting. When 2 stops of underexposure. The the D-Range Optimizer is turned scale is also used as a guide for on, the mode it is set for is shown exposure compensation and fl ash here — D-R for Standard, D-R+ for compensation (not shown in the Advanced Auto, or blank when it is Enlarged mode). turned off . ✦ Drive mode indicator. The Drive ✦ Battery power remaining indica- mode indicator shows what Drive tor. The remaining power in the mode the camera is in. There are battery is shown as both a graphi- six modes that can be set. cal representation and a numerical percentage. ✦ Focus mode indicator. This shows which of the four focus modes is ✦ Images quality setting. This dis- selected: AF-S, when the camera is play shows the image quality set- set on Single-Shot Auto Focus; ting as RAW, RAW+J, FINE, or STD. AF-A, when the camera is set to ✦ Image size setting. This displays the Automatic Auto Focus; AF-C for size of the image: Large, Medium, or Continuous Auto Focus; and MF for Small in either the 3:2 aspect ratio Manual Focus. or the 16:9 aspect ratio. ✦ Creative style. There are eight cre- ✦ Shots remaining counter. This is ative style settings: Standard, Vivid, pretty self-explanatory. Shows the Portrait, Landscape, Night view, amount of shots that can still be Sunset, B/W, and Adobe. The saved on the memory card using Creative Styles are discussed in the current settings. depth in Chapter 2 (not shown in the Enlarged mode). ✦ ISO setting. The current ISO setting Playback screen is shown here below the word ISO. Digital cameras let you review the images The ISO is shown as a number that you have just taken. This ability to look from 100 to 3200. The word AUTO at the images you have just taken means appears if the ISO is set to Auto. that you can see immediately if you got the ✦ Metering mode indicator. Shows if shot. The A200 has six display options. the Multi-segment, Center- weighted, or the Spot-metering Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 27

Pressing the Playback button on the rear of the camera accesses the Playback display 100-0924100-0924 DPODDPOFPOF3 RAW+JRAW+J L mode where you can review your images. When in Playback mode, press the Display button to cycle through four Viewing modes: the image alone, the image with shooting data, the histogram view, and the image with a thumbnail display of the last fi ve images taken. There are also two other 11/320/320 F10F10 IISOSO110000 views that are accessed using dedicated 20082008 4 2 299 1 1:28:28PPMM 660/910/91 buttons and can be used at any time when reviewing your images, these are the Index 1.11 The screen in the Playback mode view and the Zoom view. showing an image with the shooting data To access the diff erent display modes, press the display button when viewing an image. ✦ Folder and fi le number. This The order of the display modes is: shows the folder number followed by the fi le number. ✦ Image alone view ✦ Protect display. If the image is pro- ✦ Image with shooting information view tected, the protect symbol appears. ✦ Histogram view ✦ DPOF. Images can be marked for ✦ Single image with thumbnail strip future printing. If the image has view been selected to print, the DPOF3 symbol appears; the number — 3 in this example — indicates the Image alone view number of prints you want of In this view, the entire display is fi lled with a that image. single image. The Control dial or the multi- ✦ Image quality. The image quality selector can be used to cycle through the of the photo appears. images on the memory card in the camera. This view is great for a quick review of your ✦ Image size. The image size of the images and the best way to display images photo appears. when attached to a television. ✦ Image. The image appears.

For more on connection and ✦ Shutter speed. The shutter speed viewing images on a television, of the current image appears. see Chapter 7. ✦ Aperture. The f-stop of the current image appears. Image with shooting data view ✦ ISO sensitivity. The actual ISO When the display is in the Image with shoot- of the current image appears, ing data view, the shooting data is superim- even if the photo was taken using posed across the top and bottom of the AUTO ISO. displayed image. This gives you basic information on the image, including the shutter speed, f-stop, ISO, and date and time the image was recorded. 28 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

✦ Date of recording. The date and ✦ Image size. This shows the image time that the image was taken are size of the photo. shown. ✦ Image. The image appears. Both ✦ File number/total number of overexposed and underexposed images. This shows the sequence areas blink between black and number of the selected image and white. the total images taken. ✦ Mode indicator. This shows the mode that was set when the image Histogram view was taken. The display matches the The histogram view has the most amount of setting on the Mode dial. information about your image. The Histogram ✦ Shutter speed. This displays the display has a full set of shooting data on the shutter speed of the current image. left side of the display with the histograms ✦ on the right. Aperture. The f-stop of the current image appears. ✦ Folder and fi le number. This ✦ ISO sensitivity. The actual ISO of the shows the folder number followed current image appears, even if the by the fi le number. photo was taken using AUTO ISO. ✦ Protect display. When the image is ✦ Exposure Value. This displays how protected using the protect menu, much over or under the exposure the key symbol is displayed. compensation was set, compared ✦ DPOF. This symbol appears, along to the 0 of the standard exposure. with the number of prints that have ✦ Flash compensation indicator. been selected, when images have This displays the fl ash compensa- been marked for future printing. tion, if any, used in creating the ✦ Image quality. This shows the photo. image quality of the photo. ✦ Metering mode indicator. This displays the metering mode that was used to capture that image. 100-0924 DPOF L 3 RAW+J ✦ Focal length indicator. The focal length that was used appears. ✦ Creative style. The creative style used when the image was captured is shown. 1/320 F10 ISO100 ✦ + White balance. The white balance – ±0.0 150mm used for this image is shown. Std. AWB ✦ D-Range Optimizer. The D-range 2008 4 29 1:28PM 60/91 setting is shown. 1.12 Image review with the Histogram view ✦ Date of recording. The date and shown time that the image was taken are shown. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 29

✦ File number/total number of The top area has a thumbnail strip that holds images. This shows the sequence up to fi ve images. The image that is currently number of the selected image and selected has a red bar beneath it. The Multi- the total images taken. selector can be used to navigate between ✦ Histogram. This histogram itself is images. The bottom area has the following broken into four graphs. They are, shooting data: from top to bottom: Luminance, ✦ Red, Green, and Blue. Each shows Shutter speed. The shutter speed the luminance distribution from of the current image appears. darkest to lightest across the bot- ✦ Aperture. The f-stop of the current tom of the graphs, with the amount image appears. of pixels being aff ected in the ✦ heights of the graphs. The overall ISO sensitivity. The actual ISO luminance of the scene is shown in of the current image appears, the top graph, and each of the even if the photo was taken using color graphs shows the luminance AUTO ISO. for that color. The more informa- ✦ Date of recording. The date and tion that appears on the left of the time that the image was taken are chart, the darker the image, and shown. the more information that appears ✦ File number/total number of on the right on the chart, the images. This shows the sequence brighter the scene. number of the selected image and the total images taken. Image with thumbnail strip view This view has a fi ve-image thumbnail strip Index view across the top of the image and a limited set The index view is opened by pressing the of shooting data across the bottom. Exposure compensation/Index button when in any of the playback modes. Pressing this button will not display this view when the Zoom view is being used. The view changes to an index screen showing nine images — DPODDPOFPOF3 three columns of three images. Navigating through the images can be done with the Multi-selector, and pressing the Multi- selector center button selects that image and opens it in the Playback screen.

11/320/320 F10F10 IISOSO110000 If you are looking for a particular image on a 20082008 4 2 299 1 1:28:28PPMM 660/910/91 card with many images, this is the easiest way to do it. This is also a great view for 1.13 Image preview with the thumbnail strip shown looking through the images when connected to a television. 30 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

✦ Move around. The Multi-selector 100-0629 DPOF L 3 RAW+J moves the view around in the direc- tion the Multi-selector is pushed. ✦ Full screen. Pressing the Multi- selector center button displays the full image on the screen with an orange box around the zoomed area. The area in the orange box can be adjusted by pressing the Zoom in and out buttons and can 2008 4 29 1:28PM 60/91 be moved around the image by using the Multi-selector. Pressing 1.14 The index view showing nine images the Multi-selector center button a second time displays the zoomed view of the selected area. Zoom view The Zoom view is one of the most useful modes for checking your work. Being able to zoom in on a specifi c section of the image ISO Sensitivity helps to make sure the image is in focus. To The ISO settings determine how sensitive zoom in on any photo, press the AEL/Zoom the image sensor is to light. ISO on fi lm button. cameras used to be set by using diff erent ISO fi lms. The higher the ISO of the fi lm, the less light was needed to get a properly ×33.5.5 exposed image. With fi lm, the ISO was changed by using larger grains of silver halide, which gives the fi lm a higher sensitivity to light. In digital photography, the ISO is adjusted by setting how much the light hitting the sensor is amplifi ed. The more this signal is amplifi ed, the lower the amount of light that is needed to create a proper expo- 660/910/91 sure. The downside is that the more the sig- Magnif. Fullull ScrScr Exitxit nal is amplifi ed, the more digital noise is introduced into the image. Digital noise 1.15 Zooming in on the fl ag lets me check appears in your images as unwanted spots that it is fl ying the way I want it to. of random color in areas that should have a smooth color. This shows up more in dark When in Zoom mode it is possible to do the areas than in light. following: The A200 has an ISO range from 100 all the ✦ Zoom in. Pressing the Zoom button way up to 3200, with 100 being the least zooms in more until the view is x12. sensitive to light and 3200 being the most ✦ Zoom out. Pressing the Zoom out sensitive to light. The A200 also has an Auto button will zoom until the view ISO mode that sets the ISO value between goes to the Index view. 200 and 1600. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 31

To set the ISO on the A200, follow these determine the proper exposure. The Sony steps: A200’s three metering modes are Spot metering, Center-weighted metering, and 1. Press the ISO button to open the Multi-segment metering. ISO menu. ✦ 2. Press the Multi-selector to select Multi-segment metering. The the desired ISO. A200 uses a 40-segment metering system. There are 39 sensors in a 3. Press the Multi-selector center honeycomb pattern for the main button to select the highlighted area and one sensor that covers ISO. the surrounding area. The metering system is linked to the autofocus I like to use the lowest possible ISO in any system so that the main subject is given time, but the Auto ISO setting is great, exposed correctly. especially for times when the light is chang- ✦ Center-weighted metering. The ing often. The camera will try to use the low- entire scene is metered, but the est ISO setting but starts to use higher ISOs center of the scene is given greater as the light gets lower. emphasis over the outer areas. ✦ Spot metering. This mode uses the light measured in the center area ISO sensitivity AUTO to calculate the exposure. This is used when the exposure of a part 100 of the subject is more important 200 than the whole scene. The center ISO200 area used to calculate this exposure 400 is shown on the viewﬁ nder. 800 1600

Select Exit 1.16 The ISO menu

Metering Modes The A200, like all modern cameras, has a built-in light meter that reads the light in the scene and determines what the proper exposure should be. For example, when you photograph using the Shutter Priority mode, you set the shutter speed and the A200 uses 1.17 Multi-segment mode uses all 39 of the the built-in light meter to set the aperture. honeycomb sensors and the outside area as The A200 has three metering modes, each the 40th sensor. Center-weighted metering reading a diﬀ erent part of the scene to mode uses the red and yellow segments, and Spot metering uses the red center sensor area. 32 Part 1 ✦ Using the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

I usually keep the metering mode set to to use the Self-timer mode? This is the place Multi-segment metering as this mode works to do it. The drive mode is also the spot for the majority of situations. To set the where the bracketing modes are set. The metering mode on the A200, follow these bracketing modes take a three-image steps: sequence with the exposure of each shot adjusted slightly, automatically. 1. Press the Function button on the rear of the camera to open the ✦ Single frame advance. In this Quick navigation menu. mode, the camera takes one exposure every time the Shutter button 2. Use the Multi-selector to navigate is pressed. to the Metering modes menu choice and press the Multi- ✦ Continuous advance. In this mode, selector center button. The the camera continues taking pho- Metering mode menu gives you the tos as long as the Shutter button is choice to pick one of the three held down and there is room in the metering modes. buff er and on the memory card. The A200 can take unlimited pho- 3. Press the Multi-selector center tos when shooting using the JPEG button or the Shutter button to fi le format, six images in a row select the highlighted choice. when shooting in RAW, and three images when shooting in the RAW+JPEG format. Metering mode ✦ Self-timer. There are two modes in the Self-timer mode: a 2sec timer Multi segment mode and a 10sec timer mode. • 2-second mode. This mode moves the mirror up just before taking the photograph, making it useful in reducing camera shake. After you engage the 2-second mode, it can be cancelled by Select Exit pressing the Drive button before the photograph is taken. 1.18 The Metering mode menu with the Multi-segment mode highlighted • 10-second mode. This mode is useful when you want to be in the photograph. The self-timer lamp located on the front of the Drive Modes camera fl ashes before the shot The A200 has six drive modes. The drive is taken in the 10-second mode. modes control what happens when you The 10-second mode can be push the Shutter button. Want to take a cancelled by pressing the Drive sequence of photos without taking your fi n- button before the photograph is ger off the Shutter button or set the camera taken. Chapter 1 ✦ Exploring the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 33

✦ Continuous bracketing. There are two Continuous bracketing modes Drive mode available on the A200. Holding the Shutter button down takes three Continuous adv. shots in rapid succession. • 0.3ev. This setting lets you take 10 three photos continuously with the exposure shifted by 0.3 BRK c stop. The order of the images is 0.3EV correct exposure, underexposed by 0.3 stop, and overexposed by Select Exit 0.3 stop. 1.19 The Drive menu is accessed by • 0.7ev. This setting lets you take pressing the Drive mode button. three photos continuously with the exposure shifted by 0.7 stop. The order of the images is ✦ White balance bracketing. White correct exposure, underexposed balance bracketing takes three pho- by 0.7 stop, and overexposed by tos every time the Shutter button is 0.7 stop. pressed. The three images are iden- tical except that the ﬁ rst photo has ✦ Single frame bracketing. Single the set white balance, the second frame bracketing is the same as has less red and is paler, and the Continuous frame bracketing third has more red. The amount of except that the Shutter button must change between the three can be be pressed for each photo. When set in the Drive menu using the Lo shooting in the Single frame brack- and Hi choices. The Hi setting adds eting mode, make sure you take all and subtracts greater amounts of three photos of the same scene. If red than does the Lo setting. you don’t, you end up with exposure problems. To change the drive mode, follow these • 0.3ev. This setting lets you take steps: three photos, one at a time, with the exposure shifted by 0.3 1. Press the Drive button on top of stop. The order of the images is the camera. correct exposure, underexposed 2. Select the desired drive mode by by 0.3 stop, and overexposed by pushing up or down using the 0.3 stop. Multi-selector. • 0.7ev. This setting lets you take 3. Push the Multi-selector left or three photos, one at a time, right to adjust the selected drive with the exposure shifted by 0.7 mode. stop. The order of the images is correct exposure, underexposed 4. Push the Multi-selector center by 0.7 stop, and overexposed by button to activate the selected 0.7 stop. drive mode.