Sony SLT-A35 User manual

_o
Interchangeable Lens
Digital Camera Preparing the camera
Before your operation
Shooting images
Using the shooting function
Using the viewing function
Changing your setup
Viewing images on a
computer
Printing images
Others
index
,., uo_ ol
Additional infbrmation on this product and ]
answers to f]cequently asked questions can be
iound at our Customer Support Website.
http://www.sony.net/
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4281650110

With a flash that has a wireless shooting function (sold separately), you can
shoot with the flash without a cord, even when the flash is not attached to
the camera. By changing the position of the flash, you call shoot all image
with a three dimensional feel by highlighting the contrast of light and
shadow' on the subject.
For the actual steps of shooting, refer to the operating instructions of the
flash.
1AttachthewirelessflashtotheAuto-lockAccessoryshoeand
turnboththecameraandtheflashon.
2 Fnbutton--+ $(FlashMode)--+ _(Wireless)
3 RemovethewirelessflashfromtheAuto-lockAccessoryshoe
andpopupthebuilt-inflash.
• If you pert_rm it test fire of the flash, press the AEL button.
Notes
• The camera cannot carr_ out the wireless lighting ratio control.
• Turn off the wireless flash mode afler wireless flash shooting. If the built-in flash is
used while the wireless flash mode is still active, inaccurate flash exposures will
result.
• Change the channel of the external flash when another photographer is using a
wireless flash nearby and his/her built-in flash light causes your external flash to fire.
To change the channel of the external flash, rellzr to the operating instructions
supplied with it.
Setupof the AELbutton
When using a wireless flash, it is recommended that you set [AEL button]
to [AEL hold] in the _ Custom menu (page 148).
102

Adjustingthe brightnessof the image
(Exposure,Flashcompensation,
Metering)
When shooting into the stm o1"by a window, the exposure may not be
appropriate for the subject because of the big difference ill lighting between
the subject and the backgrotmd. [n such cases, use the light meter where the
subject is bright enough and lock the exposure before shooting. To reduce
the brightness of the subject, point the camera forwards a spot that is
brighter thau the subject and use the light meter to lock the exposure of the
entire image. To make the subject brighter, point the camera forwards a
spot that is darker than the subject and use the light meter to lock the -_.
exposure of the entire image.
This section describes how' to shoot a brighter image of the subject using _="
the [] (Spot). _-
The spot where you
lock the exposure. _,
n,
o
1Fnbutton--, [] (MeteringMode)--, [] (Spot)
2 Adjustthefocusontheportionyouwanttolocktheexposure.
The exposure is set when the focus is achieved.
103

3PresstheAELbuttontolockthe
exposure.
"g" (AE lock mark) appears.
AEL button
I.I ,,.o ...... I I
4WhilepressingtheAELbutton,focusonthesubject,andshoot
thesubject.
• If you continue to shoot with the same exposure value, press and hold the
AEL button after the shooting. The setting is canceled when the button is
released.
Except for exposure mode M, the exposure is automatically selected
(Automatic exposure).
Based on the exposure acquired by the automatic exposure, you call
perform exposure compensation by shifting the exposure to either the +
side or the - side, depending on your preference. You can make the entire
image brighter by shifting to the + side. The entire image becomes darker
when you shift it to the - side.
Adjust in the - Baseexposure Adjust in the +
direction direction
104

1Pressthe[] button. [] button
2 Adjusttheexposurewiththe
controldial.
Toward + (over): Brightens an image.
Toward (under): Darkens an image. .......i!i!i!i!i!.......!!!!!.......i!i!i!i!i!.......
11125 F3.5 -_.,_'1,,2. _
Standard exposure
3 Adjustthefocusandshootthesubject.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.....
=
g
==
--,-.
• Adjust the compensation level by checking the recorded image.
• Using bracket shooting, you can shoot multiple images with the exposure _"
shifted to the plus or minus sides (page 121).
Note =
•This item cmmot be set vvrhenthe exposure mode is set to AUTO, AUTO+, or Scene
Selection.
Toshootwhilecheckingthescreenusingthehistogram
The histogram displays the luminance
distribution that shows how' many pixels
of a particular brightness exist in the
picture. _ iiiii!i!i!!!!!!!!!!_!
Dark Light
105

MENUbutton--, _2--, [Histogram]--, [On]
• [nstead of the Graphic Display, the histograru is displayed after you press
DISP on the control button several tirues.
The exposure compensation will change
the histogram accordingly. The right
illustration is all example.
Shooting with the exposure
compensation on the positive side
brightens the whole picture, making the
entire histogram shift to the bright side
(right side). If the exposure compensation
is applied on the negative side, the
histogram will shift to the other side.
Both ends of the histogram show' a high-
key or low-key portiom You cannot
restore these areas with a computer later.
Adjust the exposure if necessary and
shoot again.
Holes
• The histogram does not indic_te the final recorded im_ge. It iudic_tes the condition
of the image just monitored on the screen. The histogram will difllzr based on
aperture setting, etc.
• The histogram dif[izrs between shooting and playback in the following situations:
When firing the flash.
When the subject has low intensity, such as night scenery.
When shooting with the flash, you can adjust the amount of flash light
alone, without changing the exposure compensation. You can only change
the exposure of a main subject which is within the flash range.
106

Fnbutton--+ [] (FlashCompensation)--+Selectthedesired
setting
Toward +: Makes the tqash level higher.
Toward : Makes the tlash level lower.
Roles
• This item cannot be set when tile exposure mode is set to AUTO, AUTO+, Sweep
Panorama, Scene Selection, or Pictm'e Effect.
• The higher flash eflect may not be visible due to the limited amount nf flash light, if
the subject is outside the maximum range of tile flash, lfthe subject is very close, the
lower flash ef[_ct may not be visible.
Exposure compensalion and flash compensalion
Exposure compensation changes tile shutter speed, aperture, and 1SO sensiti'vity (when
[AUTO] is selected) to perform tile compensation.
Flash compensation only changes the amount of flash light.
MENUbutton--_ a 2--_ [Flashcontrol]--_ Selectthedesired
setting
ADI flash This method controls the lighting of the tqash, factoring in tile
focus distance inlormation and light metering data frnm tile
preqlash. This method enables an accurate tqash
compensation with virtually no effect frnm the reflection nff
the suhject.
Pro-flash TTL This method controls tile amount of llash light depending on
the data only from pre-tqash light metering. This methnd is
susceptible to tile reflection nff the subject.
ADI: Advanced Distance [ntegration
TTL: Through the lens
• When [ADI flash] is selected, using a lens that is provided with a distance
encoder feature can perform more accurate flash compensation by using
more accurate distance information.
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107

Notes
• When the distance between the subject and the external flash (sold separately)
cannot be determined (wireless flash shooting using an external flash (sold
separately), shooting with an off-camera l]ash using a cable, shooting with a macro
twin flash, etc.), the camera automatically selects Pre-flash TTL mode.
• Select [Pre-flash TTL] in the following cases, as the camera cammt perli)rm flash
compensations with AD1 flash.
A wide panel is attached to the HVL-F36AM flash.
A diffuser is used for flash shouting.
A filter with an exposure factor, such as an ND filter, is used.
A close-up lens is used.
• AD1 flash is only available in combination with a lens that is provided with a
distance eucoder. To determine if the lens is equipped with a distance eucoder, reflzr
to the operating instructions supplied with the lens.
Fnbutton---,_(MeteringMode)---,Selectthedesiredmode
(Multi segment) This mode measures light on each area al:er dividing the total
area into multiple areas and determines the proper exposure
of the entire screen.
IZ_l(Center weighted) While emphasizing the central area of the screen, this mode
measures the average brightness of the entire screen.
[] (Spot) This mode measures light only in the spot metering circle
located in the center area.
• Use [Multi segment] metering for general shooting.
• When there is a high contrast subject in the AF area, measure the light of
the subject you want to shoot with the optimal exposure using the spot
metering function and take advantage of an AE lock shooting (page 103),
Note
• When the exposure mode is set to AUTO. AUTO+. Scene Selection, or Picture
Effi_ct. [Metering Mode] is fixed to [Multi segment] and you cannot select other
modes.
108

Setting ISO
Sensitivity to light is expressed by the [SO number (recommended
exposure index). The larger the number, the higher the sensitivity.
1PressISOonthecontrolbuttonto
displaytheISOscreen.
2 Selectthedesiredsettingwith,L_ onthecontrolbutton.
•The larger the number, the higher the noise level.
• If you select [Multi Frame NR], select the desired value with 411_. e'-
€/a
Rotes _-
• When tile exposure mode is set to AUTO. AUTO+, Sweep Panorama, Scene _.
Selection. or Piclure Effect, 1SO is lixed to AUTO and you cannol select other 1SO
nl.n nl3el's. _i
• When tile exposure mode is set to P/A/S and IS() is set to [AUTO], IS() is
automatically set between ISO 100 and ISO 1600. _"
• Tile [AUTO] setting is nol provided in exposure mode M. If you change the
exposure mode to M with file [AUTO] setting, it is switched lo [100]. Set the 1SO
according to your shooting conditions.
Multiframenoisereduction(MultiFrameNR)
The camera automatically shoots multiple images continuously, combines
the images, reduces the noise, and records one image. In Multi Frame NR,
you can select larger [SO numbers than the maximum [SO sensitivity.
The image recorded is one combined image.
Roles
• Press and hold the shutter Button until the continuous shooting stops.
• When [linage: Quality] is set to [RAW] or [RAW & JPEG], this function cannot be
used.
• The flash, D-Range optimizer, and [Auto HDR] cannot be used.
109

Compensatingforthe brightnessand
contrastautomatically(D-Range)
D-RANGEbutton--+ Selectthe
desiredsetting D-RANGE button
(O|l) Does not use the DRO/Auto HDR flmctions.
(D- By dividing the image into small areas, the camera analyses
RangeOptimizer) the contrast of light and shadow between the subject and the
background, producing the image with the optimal brightness
and gradation.
(Auto HDR) Shoots three images with different exposures, and then
overlays correctly exposed image, the bright areas of an
under exposed image and the dark areas of an over exposed
image to create an image with rich gradation.
Two images are recorded: an image with the correct exposure
and an overlaid image.
Note
• You can assign another function to Ihe [)-RANGE button <page 149). If you have
already assigned another function to it, select [DRO/Aulo HDR] using lhe Fn bulton.
110