Sony A1 guidance (Page 2): Once you get there, you are going to love this camera. Congratulations.

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Sony A1 guidance

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Apr 22, 2022 09:59:33 #

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Once you get there, you are going to love this camera. Congratulations.

Apr 22, 2022 11:33:42 #

folkus

Excellent advice! Thanks!

Apr 22, 2022 11:38:31 #

folkus

Thanks.

Apr 22, 2022 11:58:19 #

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

folkus wrote:

Help! The Sony A1 intimidates the devil out of me. I am reluctant to just dive in with this camera and I have used Canon, Nikon, and Leica in the past. What blocks me in this moment is a mystery. Do others feel the same and how did you push through this resistance? I think some hand holding by Sony would be helpful, but they indicate no interest in providing specific instruction for the A1. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your guidance and push.

Download a PDF of the manual from Sony's site. Read it on a computer or tablet with camera in hand. Locate and try the features you find difficult to understand or that are simply new to you.

The collegiate level reading strategy of, "Survey, Predict, Question, Read, Review, and Report" (SPQ3R for those who want to look it up) may help. I know that is not a popular way to learn, but I know from personal experience that it is HIGHLY EFFECTIVE if you have the personal discipline, time, and space in your life to dedicate to it.

Modern camera manuals are hundreds of pages long*. Surely, in that vast expanse of diagrams and prose, you will find the answers to your questions.

That, of course, assumes you already know the basics of photography. Every camera requires some understanding of the basics to yield nice images.

By example, the most important digital camera manuals I've read were for the first two digital cameras I used (one Canon and one Nikon). They provided enough information to give me a head start on every digital camera I've used since. I still managed to skim the manuals for all the rest, stopping to read about and try all the features that were new to me. When I switched to mirrorless and Lumix Micro 4/3 gear, there was plenty of new content to learn.

I'll likely be upgrading my Lumix GH4 to a GH6 this year, so that will require a thorough study! The GH4 came out in 2014, and was fully firmware-updated in September of 2017, so many features have been refined and added since. *I have already downloaded the 826 page Lumix GH6 manual. It's 400 pages longer than the GH4 manual.

Apr 22, 2022 13:25:47 #

johnny1950 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Check out Michael Andrews Michael the Maven on youtube. I have the Sony A7 IV and his videos were a great help.
Good Luck
Johnny

Apr 22, 2022 14:43:34 #

MDI Mainer

I think this is likely the best resource out there for the A1. Gary Friedman's guides for other Sony cameras (some of which I've used) are excellent, and consistently get high marks from the Sony community here on UHH. A good mix of technical information in understandable language and practical advice. $34.99 (or $60-$70 if you feel the need for a print edition)

https://friedmanarchives.com/a1/

Apr 22, 2022 15:56:34 #

ebercovici

Probably Dave Busch has a book out. He is an excellent guide to Sony cameras.

Apr 22, 2022 16:01:36 #

johnny1950 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

I know Dave Busch has a book coming out in September which I preordered from Amazon on the A7 IV you would have to check on the A1. You are right he is excellent.
Johnny

Apr 22, 2022 21:45:34 #