sfpam

Bought a new Sony AR7ii 2 mos ago and I'm struggling with learning how to use it. I am coming from a Nikon D7100. I find it awkward and I'm having trouble shooting in Manual mode. I miss the bar light meter as the Sony has only blinking numbers. Any suggestions on how to get up to speed? I am considering selling it. Thanks for any suggestions

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sell it.
Get the 820 or whatever is coming out soon, You should love it as it is a system you are comfortable with.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

First, I'm not a SONY or Nikon shooter, so I'm not going to steer you away from what you have, or towards anything else. But, I do have some thoughts on your problem. First, have you checked the availability of on line training videos? If not, you should do so. You now have a camera based on a different operational paradigm than you are used to. Even if you've been using it extensively you need to learn everything you can about this camera and spend enough time with it. I'm guessing using it will eventually become second nature. Often the difficulties using one camera system versus another are more about becoming comfortable with unfamiliar features than anything else. Give it more time before you pull the plug.

BebuLamar

I think CHOLLY, a UHH member here, can help.

JPL

I am both a Nikon and Sony user. Have f.x. Nikon D600 and Sony A7r. And I can tell you that it is so much easier to use the Sony A7r for manual photography than any of my Nikon. You are in even better situation with the A7rII which has in camera stabilizing and is overall an improved version of my A7r.

First advice to you from me: Read the manual for your camera.

Second advice: See some Youtube videos about manual photography with Sony E mount cameras. It does not matter if it is your exact model, most of Sony E mount cameras share the same functions.

Sony A7rII does not only have blinking numbers for manual shooting, it also has histogram for accurate exposure, it has focus preview for manual focusing, it has zebra for over/underexposure, it has in camera stabilizing for low shutter speeds. With those tools you will do manual shooting faster and more accurately than you possibly can with any Nikon camera today.

After I learned how to use my Sony A7r for manual photography (it took one evening) almost 3 years ago I have not bothered to use any of my Nikon cameras for manual photography. Sony is that much ahead in that sector of photography. So if you like manual you should make more effort in learning how your camera works and the tools/options that it has for you to do what you want with excellent results.

Good luck !!

sfpam

You are right. Thank you for taking the time and giving me encouragement. I need to make a daily commitment to using it. I did do the Lynda.com online video with the camera. It was a bit helpful.

jcwhis

I am a Sony system user and when I purchase a new camera I purchase the Gary Friedman ebook. They are easy to read, easy to reference, easy for just getting started. I have stayed with their SLTs but agree with one responder that with so many things available through the viewfinder manual focus becomes a breeze and it is harder for me to use a camera without the focus assist and live histogram now. Good luck, once you learn the camera I'm guessing you will be happy.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

MANY have found the small Sony's awkward to hold with a long lens, FRONT HEAVY. That is the MAIN reason I have not go over to them.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

Sony manuals are poorly written and not user friendly. But once you get passed that hurdle, Sony cameras are worth the trouble and become second nature. Couple years I've switched from Canon 5DM3 to Sony A7R and never regretted it. Now I have A7Rii, A6000 and RX100iii in addition to A7R which I've converted to infrared. I've learnt how to use Sony cameras from YouTube and also Gary Friedman book.

Eagle Wing

The John Greengo CreativeLive Fast Start worked great for me - I love my a7RII- the Sony menus/and manual are not helpful

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

I started using the Sony system last year after an accident made it too difficult to hold my Nikon. Sony manuals are the worst. See John Greengo's YouTube on how to set the settings on your a7r2. Then work your way they the menu and know the basics on drive focus etc. I love the camera for landscape shooting with 2 sec delay I get very sharp results and now there is a lot of great prime glass available. Check out the Zeiss Batis line with a great DoF scale. I never use that system for anything moving as the focus is too slow for my skill level. I believe the A9 may have addressed that problem. Don't give up yet.

cthahn

You will have to realize that a Sony mirror less and a Nikon DSLR are totally different. Read articles and the manual on the Sony.
There is nothing wrong with it. You should have done more reading before you purchased it.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

David Bush book "A7 I and A7" is a good resource.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Gary Fong has some very detailed videos on Sony mirror less cameras.

JPL

This is only a problem for people who have not adopted the technique recommended by pros and camera manufacturers, to use your left hand to hold the lens and keep the right hand on the camera. Doing this makes it easy to balance the camera and lens in your left hand regardless of the weight of lens vs. camera.