Sony A7R V - Little-Discussed Features of Note

Gary Friedman, the author of the best-selling e-book on the Sony Alpha 7R V, discusses important features that aren't discussed much on the online reviews. The book is available in .pdf, e-reader, and printed versions in both color and B&W. All options available here: FriedmanArchives.com/A7RV .
Links referred to in this video:
How to do Focus Bracketing on Sony cameras: • Focus Stacking on Sony...
How to merge the bracketed images in Photoshop: • How to merge Focus Sta...
Topics discussed in this video:
00:00 Intro
00:51 1. Bulb Timer settings
02:56 2. Movie Self-timer
03:40 3. Handheld Pixel-Shift
06:03 4. Always-on DMF
07:31 5. Touch Shutter
08:13 6. Touch sensitivity
08:36 7. Recognition Target Select
10:46 8. Shot Mark 1/2 (Transfer function)
12:08 9. Anti-Flicker TV Scan
15:55 10. Focus Bracket
This video appeared in the Friedman Archives Blog post: friedmanarchives.blogspot.com...
Gary's blog landing page: FriedmanArchives.com/blog
And don't forget the Friedman Archives website for stock image photography, e-books for Sony, Olympus, and Fujifilm cameras, and how to subscribe to Cameracraft magazine: FriedmanArchives.com

[@Ryan256]

Gary’s Sony camera missing manual videos are better than any other how to explainers on the internet!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Tell the world! (Also you won't believe the amount of info in the books! :-) )

[@danclark9987]

Just bought the Kindle version of your a7RV. Great book. One of the features that I immediately liked was the “path”. Unlike a lot of books which give you a fuzzy description of a feature, but never explain the path to get to it, your book shows that path in a consistent format. For us newbs, this will make learning much faster. EXCELLENT!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Glad you appreciate it. Tell the world! :-)

[@TheRealHarrypm]

17:01 Funny enough the first Sony camara to have this was the A6000 (A7RII as well iirc) it was a simple set minium focus and fire system, we got this via firmware mod as it effectivly had modifyed android as its oprating system, also added a FTP server, and web browser in camara its still my go to pocket camara.

[@paulcritchley464]

Giday Gary from Aotearoa The land of the long white cloud. We have people like you that can read and understand our cameras. Ever since the a6300 I’ve got your manuals on each of my cameras and they are brilliant. Sat down with your manual and my camera and read and used the camera. Rx1007, a7III,a7IV. Your a Gem. Thank you Cheers have a great day

[@FriedmanArchives]

Hey, Paul! Thanks so much for your kind words. My wife and I have been wanting to return to New Zealand for quite some time - can you round up some photo clubs there who would be willing to sponsor a Friedman Archives High-Impact Photography Seminar? :-)

[@echoauxgen]

I also believe in reading the instructions and at 600 pages that is a lot to consume. The reality is you may not ever use every function of the camera the reason so many functions for all the people that may use the most often and what about something you want to do in the future this is most all enclosed in the book. Also for those with pads and wait in a doctor's office or car repair there is a PDF you can download, yea! I recently came across an article that the A7RM4 and A7RM5 are great for astro but the best function never talked about by any reviewer is the Bright Monitoring function for those dark and darker areas at night, by the way in lit areas it turns off and will come back on when back or facing a dark area. Best used for framing in the dark and not having to take a lot of shot to frame looking at the review of each. This function has been on all Sony cameras since Mark 2 cameras, but needs to be assigned to a button, trash can is best and easy to find in the dark.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks, Echo, and I'm so glad you're enjoying my ebook! Yes, Bright Monitoring is a lifesaver and I discovered it only when writing the book for the RX-10 II. :-) friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-gift-for-my-wife.html

[@gabriellakorosi]

Thank you for sharing Gary,

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks for the video. Looks like you've settled in to the new place.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Glad you like it! Not quite settled in; the basement is being finished as I write this. New studio coming soon. GF

[@Soundwave857]

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 1. Bulb Timer settings 02:56 2. Movie Self-timer 03:40 3. Handheld Pixel-Shift 06:03 4. Always-on DMF 07:31 5. Touch Shutter 08:13 6. Touch sensitivity 08:36 7. Recognition Target Select 10:46 8. Shot Mark 1/2 (Transfer function) 12:08 9. Anti-Flicker TV Scan 15:55 10. Focus Bracket

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thank you! I've updated the description to include your timestamps.

[@keensoundguy6637]

That handheld pixel-shift looks impressive. I haven't seen it even mentioned in other videos about this camera that I've watched. Why do so many people say "touch the BACK of the screen"? It's the front of the screen that you touch (and view). Really there's no reason to add superfluous words; just say "touch the screen" -- until we have dual-sided screens, no one will be confused about which side to touch.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Glad you appreciate the little-discussed features. As far as "Touch the Back of the screen", you're right. I also need to stop saying "dialing a number" on my smartphone. :-)

[@NadimOmran]

Always the best description way (I always recommend your books 📚 in all Sony groups)

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks!!!!!!

[@richardtargett4128]

Many thanks for this Gary, this is very useful. I'm very tempted to finally move over to E-mount from my A99ii.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Oh, that's a tough one!!! Absolutely nothing beats the A99 II ergonomically, and that twist-and-flip display has yet to be beat (yes, I like it better than the one on the A7R V.) On the other hand, for video the E-mount cameras do a better job, as they can AF outdoors stopped down. And of course the Eye AF on the A99 II, while great, pales in comparison to the advanced subject recognition and tracking that are in the latest Sonys. Can't make a bad choice. 🙂

[@blueanthias]

Thanks much Gary, love the book. 🙏

[@VerdiniStudios]

I purchased your excellent ebook on the original Sony A7R years ago. I’m happy to write that book saved me much grief and flattened the learning curve coming to Sony!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks for the kind feedback! So glad you found it useful.

[@yttmk]

Really great info!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks, Meng Keat!!

[@johntriebe7441]

Thanks Gary for another great tips video on a wonderful camera. You've provided insight into things no one else mentions.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks, John!!

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@sjsphotog]

Fantastuc in depth video Gary. You are truly the Yoda of all things Sony. Keep it up. Im sure there are MANY out there who would like to see some videos about the new a7cii and a7CR. Hope you can knock something out. All the best

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks for the encouragement and for the kind words! "Working on such a video, I am." :-)

[@drozlee]

Thanks Gary, highly informative video. Yes, I have your A7R5 book. Every time I upgrade my camera, I look to get your book. Great resource for the camera. Thanks, again

[@FriedmanArchives]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@KemFronabarger]

Great video! I found your book independent of this video and bought it. I hate online "pdf users manuals" so I was pleased to find your book. It's a great reference! Thanks.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thanks. Tell the world! :-)

[@MamieLife]

I purchase your ebook. Even if my prefered language is french I found it easy to understand even your funny jokes. I recommend it to everyone who has the 7Rv. Good revue of the features. Thanks

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thank you so much, Linda!!

[@Soundwave857]

For me the most useful are Shot Marker and Antiflicker TV Scan for video. I had no idea Pixel-shift doesn't need a tripod anymore 🙏

[@FriedmanArchives]

Well, you still have to have a steady-ish hand... :-)

[@andymiles5156]

It’s a shame they don’t let you assign the subject recognition selection to a dial, but unlike buttons the options you can assign to a dial are quite limited.

[@FriedmanArchives]

True enough!

[@shadduck]

Very informative, Gary! Question on Subject/Animal Eye detection (as I ponder purchasing the a7RV): Does Animal/Bird (eye) detection work when coupled with a Tracking AF area? With my a7Riv, selecting Animal as subject (very disappointingly) disables Tracking -- a "Note" actually warns of this in a7Riv's online Help Guide. If allowing these two great features to work together is an upgrade with a7RV it's a MASSIVE unspoken gem of improvement for me! (a7RV's Help Guide makes no such disclaimer when discussing Subject selection, so I'm hopeful!!) Love your books, Gary. I have several from the A-mount days and will be adding this one when I make the final decision on the a7RV. Thanks for all you do, this video has definitely tipped my decision in favor of getting the A7RV!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Great news: YES, tracking mode works on the A7R V when set to Subject Recognition: BIrd (and I just tried it). So you're cleared for upgrading. :-) So glad you find my books valuable!

[@shadduck]

@@FriedmanArchives Thank you Gary!

[@carlossantini]

As always, great video!! Do you think Sony will add sound (shutter click) to electronic shutter? Is a minor inconvenience but why not add that feature if the system architecture is able to support it.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Hi! Glad you like the video. Once upon a time Sony cameras had the artificial shutter sound option, but like so many other features (panorama, 3D panorama, Multi-Frame Noise Reduction, and Superior Auto mode, to name a few) it fell off the menu. I have no idea if they will bring it back in the future.

[@richardlash454]

It’s not exactly true that the focus bracketing requires trial and error only. Once you get a feel for the width setting (wider=fewer for Landscapes and narrow=more for macro), all you have to do is set the maximum number of photos at a large number, say 100. The camera will stop at the correct number of exposures automatically. So if the camera only needs 14 exposures to complete the scene from front to back, you will only get 14 exposures. If you are concerned, you can always choose more narrow spacing, with the only downside being more exposures to deal with in Photoshop. It works better than you fear I believe.

[@FriedmanArchives]

"The camera will stop at the correct number of exposures automatically". Well that certainly hasn't been my experience with it. (And I just tried it again - set it to 100 shots and had it focus on a small object would would only require 4 shots on a good day. It shot all 100.) Anyway, how would it know when to stop?

[@winston3634]

Well, I saw it shown on other KZbin videos - (kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4SypZ16h5uYmcUfeature=shared). Also, I just ordered one and will try it when it arrives next week. What did you set as the intervening distance (1-10)? Maybe it was on 1?

[@FriedmanArchives]

@@winston3634 The step size was set to "4". Anyway, please send me an email ([e-mail]) with your test results. If I'm wrong, I certainly want to know about it!

[@NetvoTV]

If I get A7RV as my first camera with 70-200mm F4 macro G ii and just use standard Yellow iPhone 15 to shoot closer things with its 13mm, 26mm and 52mm, is it good setup if I'm just hobbyist with good understanding of photography and compositions who want to enjoy shooting and use for personal products shots too? I choose Sony over other brands because they have the lens with unique feature I want like super tele with macro ability that I mentioned, power zoom lens and standard zoom that start from ultra wide 20mm and I love Sony as a brand too. I choose this over A7CII/R because of its good EVF and 4 ways tilt screen and smaller body don't give benefit with big lens other than weight saving and people still notice you have a camera, A7RV is like just as small but with a big EVF attached. Should I get another lens right away, I have the 16-35mm F4 PZ G in mind, or I should get something faster and prime that still light weight on gimbal? I don't really care for bokeh, that tele will able to do it too if I want to, I like my photos and videos to have story and creativity and not blur out the contexts. Also, have you wonder why put so many effort just to take photos and videos and not just use phone camera to record here and there if it's not your primary work and also your content not all will get pass down and value later? And what camera setup you bring in everyday life and travel, some people use less bulky and performance camera for their own life but use fancy gears for clients and travel, why, isn't everyday life is most parts of our life and important too?

[@garyfriedman2005]

You ask important questions, some of them are impossible to answer since everyone's needs are different. It's like asking me what kind of car or what kind of blender you should buy. I always tell people "Use the camera and lens that you have; and the only reason you should ever upgrade is if you find yourself saying, "Damn, my current gear can't do XXX or YYY and therefore I can't get the image I've pre-conceived in my mind!" As far as the quality vs. convenience question, again the answer is "it depends". See my blog post for an unconventional take on this question (and for proof that I'm not a paid shill for Sony): friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2023/07/full-frame-vs-smartphone-dont-laugh.html

[@ggivensjr]

Hi Gary, Hope you're doing well. Considering finally going to mirrorless and considering the A7V or A7IV. An 800 page how-to book is giving me pause about making a move. Anyway, 😊Sony/Konica-Minolta has had DMF for a long time now. Why do you say nobody knows what it means?

[@FriedmanArchives]

I get emails from readers all the time. I know what people don't know. :-)

[@olzhik23]

Hello Mr. Gary! I have an issue with vignetting on my photos on cameras a7RIII and A7IV. The middle of the photo is dark and like onion rings from center to corners is goes bright. How to fix it, please could you advise? I guess some settings on camera should be adjusted as this issue is not related to lenses as i changed lots of lenses and on different 'f' stops the result is the same vignetting with bright corners with onion rings from center to corner. Thank you

[@FriedmanArchives]

Hi. Please email me privately at Gary at Friedman Archives dot com.

[@AR-vf7vg]

First electronic shutter still a thing on that model? Dis/Advantages? Thanks !

[@FriedmanArchives]

Yes, and I talk about all of them in the book. I keep it off unless I need to be absolutely quiet (but that comes with its own disadvantages...)

[@AR-vf7vg]

Above what circumstances do (fastest) double sd cards slow the camera when compared to a sd+express or a single express card? Thanks !!!

[@FriedmanArchives]

I don't know how I misssed all of these questions last month. Most of these are answered in the book. Faster cards allow more machine-gun shooting before the buffer fills up.

[@AR-vf7vg]

High shutter speed (above what speed?) Is still affecting bokhee when in electronic shutter ? Thanks!

[@FriedmanArchives]

It shouldn't, but it does a little bit. I believe it's a linear change, not "suddenly above a certain speed it happens".

[@AR-vf7vg]

Anti-flicker mode : any disadvantages to leave it on always? Why can one shut it off ? Thanks !

[@FriedmanArchives]

No disadvantage I can think of other than it's difficult to quickly dial in the shutter speed you want in S mode. 🙂

[@beatriceroyer4104]

Thanks Mr Friedman Is it possible to find this book in French ?

[@FriedmanArchives]

Malheureusement non. Juste l'anglais et l'espagnol. :-(

[@beatriceroyer4104]

@@FriedmanArchives Thanks

[@rockwellthivierge9193]

"PromoSM"