Freidman or Busch? I'm getting a new (used) a99ii sometime tomorrow (FedEx just called to ensure someone will be here to sign for it). Other than my ancient Canon AE-1 Program 35mm...

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I'm getting a new (used) a99ii sometime tomorrow (FedEx just called to ensure someone will be here to sign for it). Other than my ancient Canon AE-1 Program 35mm film camera, this will be my first FF cam which is going to complement my a77...until I get an a77ii. Who writes the best manual for cameras - basics and secret hints?

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Amazon used to feature customer Reviews. You might put their names in the search.

allanj Loc: New York City

I have purchased at least two books by Busch for different cameras. My verdict is that he is OK (certainly, better than nothing), but a couple of times I was disappointed that topics that I thought should have been explained were not.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Check out Gary Friedman's books. I have the Alpha 850 & A7RIII books which are outstanding. He's written books on most of the Sony DSLR's. He is always willing to answer questions via email once you own 1 of his books. https://www.friedmanarchives.com/

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

planepics wrote:

I'm getting a new (used) a99ii sometime tomorrow (FedEx just called to ensure someone will be here to sign for it). Other than my ancient Canon AE-1 Program 35mm film camera, this will be my first FF cam which is going to complement my a77...until I get an a77ii. Who writes the best manual for cameras - basics and secret hints?

At least for the past half-decade, it’s Gary Friedman, hands-down!

I base this on my Friedman e-Books for the Sony a6000, Sony a7 (& its mk II supplement,) and the Sony A65/A77. My Busch books, on the other hand, are older and not camera model-specific. But I was originally so impressed by the latter’s books that I was going to purchase his guide on the a6000, but its release kept getting delayed ... and delayed ... and consequently fed up with these delays, I started looking around for alternatives. They consisted of a male author with a Japanese last name and Gary Friedman. I bought the latter and when I later came across Busch’s version, it didn’t even come close in overall content! That’s not to state that Friedman’s book was 100% error-free, though.

My subsequent survey of book reviews for the guides by these two authors for the same camera models also led me to the same conclusion: Friedman >> Busch.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

I have also purchased a couple of ebooks from Gary. He's good and the books are huge and thorough and easy enough to follow. He also has some interesting youtube videos about the Sony stuff.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I looked on Amazon and saw some e-books, but I don't have a Kindle and I'd rather have an actual book in my hands than read on a screen (call me old-fashioned I guess). I think the Gary Friedman book was around $50 and almost 1000 pages, though. Just saw that bn.com has it for $53. I still have to get a hotshoe adapter and a battery grip (always wanted one of those) too...but It'll feel like Christmas in June when FedEx pulls up. Buying the camera for my birthday (Monday) since my trip to Spain and Portugal was cancelled due to COVID-19 (was supposed to leave last Friday). Still waiting for my refund from Air France!! Decided to use my credits and changed to Ireland for the same time next year. I think I'll take both cameras out tomorrow (if it's not too dark) and shoot a lily or mushroom or something with each camera and the same lens (maybe my 105 macro) and compare them for detail.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

nicksr1125 wrote:

Check out Gary Friedman's books. I have the Alpha 850 & A7RIII books which are outstanding. He's written books on most of the Sony DSLR's. He is always willing to answer questions via email once you own 1 of his books. https://www.friedmanarchives.com/

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Can you go on line to the manufacture and get it on line? then save it.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I don’t recommend Busch. I bought his book for my Olympus camera. It had mistakes and left out important information. A substantial part of the book dealt with photoshop.

Creative live.com has video manuals for a variety of cameras. The instructor is excellent. I highly recommend them.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

planepics wrote:

I'm getting a new (used) a99ii sometime tomorrow (FedEx just called to ensure someone will be here to sign for it). Other than my ancient Canon AE-1 Program 35mm film camera, this will be my first FF cam which is going to complement my a77...until I get an a77ii. Who writes the best manual for cameras - basics and secret hints?

I have used Busch and Darrell Young. I prefer Young by far.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Picture Taker wrote:

Can you go on line to the manufacture and get it on line? then save it.

I think it's too late for that. About 15 minutes ago I ordered a copy from Barnes and Noble. $53 was the best price I could find for a real book....I forgot about tax! That added an extra $4. At least I'll get free shipping. There wasn't a single copy within 100 miles of me. Most I saw on E-bay, etc, were from the United Kingdom. Is that where he's from??? I think I'll bite the bullet and order my accessories today. I got an extra $50 off on the camera from the manager I should get refunded on Payboo and I got a $50 debit card for participating in a clinical trial. That'll cover most of it. Can't check out until 2145 eastern. A Vello battery grip and hotshoe adapter will cost me a total of less than $2 after using a Payboo card and my debit card. Not a bad deal if you ask me :)

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

You spent a lot of money on the camera. Buy them both.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

nicksr1125 wrote:

Check out Gary Friedman's books. I have the Alpha 850 & A7RIII books which are outstanding. He's written books on most of the Sony DSLR's. He is always willing to answer questions via email once you own 1 of his books. https://www.friedmanarchives.com/

Keep in mind that while the books are sold on the Friedman Archives website, the author is not necessarily Gary Friedman. The other author is Tony Phillips. And some books are authored by both of them.
The book I got for my OM-D E-M1 is by Gary Friedman; the one I have ordered for my new OM-D E-M1 mark iii is by Tony Phillips. Until I get it, I won't be able to give an opinion, but considering it's sold on the Friedman websites, I expect it to be as good as Gary Friedman's writing.

Wasabi

planepics wrote:

I'm getting a new (used) a99ii sometime tomorrow (FedEx just called to ensure someone will be here to sign for it). Other than my ancient Canon AE-1 Program 35mm film camera, this will be my first FF cam which is going to complement my a77...until I get an a77ii. Who writes the best manual for cameras - basics and secret hints?

Freidman gets my vote. Have a Busch book and didn't find it as useful as the Freidman books. Also you get a free E book when you buy the hard copy. I put it on the laptop and it is with me when I travel.