Everyone has the things (both little and big) that they change and customize right away when they get a new camera. Well, about 2 months ago I got my new Sony A7Riii, so I thought I’d share the things I changed as soon as I turned it on. Now, a video like this could go in a hundred different directions based on what you shoot. For me, I shoot mostly landscape and nature – so that’s where I’m coming from in this video and what most of my settings are based off of. It doesn’t cover anything for portraits or video shooters, but I’m sure some settings would apply to anyone.
Also, while this is mostly for my Sony camera, I think you’ll find some settings like Bracket Order and Screen Brightness (among others) are on a lot of other cameras too. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and maybe get an idea or two for some settings you’d change on your camera.
Have a good one!
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
Hello, Matt! Ran across your blog while doing a little research. I’ve been shooting with the A7RIII since they came out and am now looking at purchasing a back-up body since I do a lot of shooting for our gallery. Wanting to stay in the Sony E FF family, I’m torn between getting the A7RIV and the A7RV. I do mostly landscape and abstract shooting, plus some occasional bird work given where I live. I am starting to do a lot of large custom work and so resolution is important. Any recommendation you would have as I consider these options?
Hi Allen. If you’re not doing anything that requires a lot from your auto focus, I would not get the a7r5. The r4 will work just fine for static subjects like landscape and abstract. The biggest new feature of the a7r5 is auto focus and it doesn’t sound like you need that.
Thank you Matt for creating this video. I’ve been researching the Sony A7RIII, because I’m planning to purchase a camera in the near future. I’m strongly considering the 7RIII. I’ve been having fun learning with the Sony Nex6 with the kit lens only. The 7RIII will be an upgrade that will last me for a long long time. I was wondering if you have a recommendation of what zoom lens to get. I want to get into compositing and I want to include people in the composites as well. And since my husband just retired, I’m looking forward to some travel photography. Thank you for any thoughts you may have.
Great website content
i have to say i debated whether upgrading to the A7Riii from the A7Rii was worthwhile… boy was i wrong. Dont get me wrong, i still lover the 7Rii, its an amazing camera – but the changes made to the 7Riii are absolutley worth it. Its a much faster camera, the addition of a joystick, touch screen, faster autofocus and most importantly the bigger battery have made a huge difference for me. Lets hope Sony brings back the apps that we all paid for and loved so much.
please pardon the spelling typos above – darn smartphone keyboards are too small! 🙂
Thanks for the tips. What lens is that on your A7r iii? You mention your gear as zooms, but that looks like a small prime
Yes, I probably had the zoom on the camera that was filming me. I have a prime or two that sit back in the closet that never get used or only when I’m doing videos in my office with it because my zooms are usually in my camera bag 🙂
Wish I’d listened to this a few days ago as I now struggle to recall where photos were taken on a 4 day photo shoot.
Can I fire a Paul Buff flash via sync cord and a flashpoint explorer 600 wire less at the same time?
Hey Frank. Unfortunately I don’t have any of that equipment, so I can’t test it.
Matt it is my understanding that ‘Volume Settings” menu only controls the volume during playback. To turn off the the focus beeps and etc. you have to go to “Audio signals” and turn it off there. The volume settings to not control the volume of the various signals.
What are your thoughts about back button focusing? Personally, I really like having my shutter button only trigger the shutter and putting the autofocus on the back. I still might tweek the focus manually but this way any changes that I make in the focus or in exposure compensation is not overridden by AF/AE being on the shutter button as well.
Hi Randy – I’ve used it and not used it. Never really felt to strongly one way or the other. Now with touch screen, and my camera being on a tripod, it’s more about me just tapping the screen to focus now. Kind of like back button, but more like back tap 😉
Excellent
Thanks for your suggestions on setting up the a7RIII. I made some changes on my a7RII based on your suggestions. Matt, could you do another video on other settings and custom buttons? I believe that most Sony alpha cameras have similar settings and I think it would be useful for all of us.
Another setting question is about the settings used in flash photography. I usually shoot landscapes, street photography, and architecture. A few times I have been asked to shoot indoor events and my photos are not very good. I think it has to do with my camera settings and not the on-camera speedlight. Any possibility on doing a short program on this subject?
Hey Rick. Thanks and Glad it helped. I’m probably not the guy to do that video, but check out Brian Smith. He does a lot of great blog posts and tutorials/books and he may have something. http://briansmith.com