Carol F. Roullard - The Sony Alpha NEX-7: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide

Carol F. Roullard has been an avid photographer since her high school years, where she first experimented with black-and-white artistic composition. Since then, she has continued photographing, mainly nature and architecture. Carol has used a variety of cameras covering a wide range of makes and models, from simple point-and-shoot cameras to complex professional-level cameras. Carol produces fine art photography and is utilizing her previous art business experience for her new online gallery.

As a former Project Management Quality and Compliance Engineer, Carol spent a number of years developing procedural and quality control methodology for IT projects. In addition, she has developed and conducted training sessions covering best practices for procedural and quality control, breaking down complex subjects into easy-to-use approaches to learning.

Dr. Brian Matsumoto is a retired research scientist who has worked for 30 years recording experiments with a wide range of film and digital cameras. He now spends his time photographing with a variety of cameras and lenses. He enjoys exploring how a cameras potential can be expanded by pairing it with specialized optics such as microscopes and telescopes. He carries a camera on all his hikes and enjoys photographing nature. In addition to the four books he has written for Rocky Nook, Dr. Matsumoto has published several articles and has had his photographs published in a number of periodicals. He is experienced in the technical aspects of photography and has taught courses on recording scientific experiments with digital cameras.

The Unofficial Quintessential Guide

Carol F. Roullard

Brian Matsumoto

Carol F. Roullard
Brian Matsumoto

Publisher: Gerhard Rossbach
Editor: Joan Dixon
Copyeditor: Jeanne Hansen
Layout and type: Jan Mart, Command Z
Cover design: Helmut Kraus, www.exclam.de
Printer: Sheridan Books, Inc.
Printed in USA

ISBN 978-1-937538-11-8

1st Edition 2012
2012 by Carol F. Roullard, Brian Matsumoto

Rocky Nook, Inc.
802 East Cota Street., 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

www.rockynook.com

Distributed by OReilly Media
1005 Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol, CA 95472

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Roullard, Carol F.

The Sony Alpha NEX-7 : the unofficial quintessential guide / by Carol F. Roullard and Brian Matsumoto. -- 1st edition.
pages cm

ISBN 978-1-937538-11-8 (pbk.)
1. Sony digital cameras--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Photography--Digital techniques--Hand
books, manuals, etc. I. Matsumoto, Brian. II. Title.

TR263.S66R66 2012
771.31--dc23

2012027244

Many of the designations in this book used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks of their respective companies. Where those designations appear in this book, and Rocky Nook was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in caps or initial caps. They are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies, they are not intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner. While reasonable care has been exercised in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

To all our family and friends. Without them, life would have little meaning.

Every camera book starts with a concept and a blank piece of paper. Writing it becomes a labor of love. One spends months of research, testing, discussing, writing, and rewriting. Nothing in this book was written without being tested, many times more than once.

As with our previous books, we relied on several friends and business associates to supply feedback, inspiration, and additional accessories. We would like to extend special thanks to Stuart Warter for his encouragement and lending us equipment to expand our testing of the Sony NEX-7. In addition, Matt Parnell of Sony Electronics Inc. and Scott Dordick of Acratech Inc. were very gracious in supplying product photos. A special thanks goes to Jim Solliday, president of the Microscopical Society of Southern California, for his continued support and evaluation of digital SLRs in microscope applications.

Last but not least, one of the benefits of publishing through Rocky Nook is being able to work with their team of experts. Not only do we appreciate our publisher for their help, kindness, and professionalism in support of our goal, but we have been fortunate to also build a strong friendship. As with our previous books, the Rocky Nook team has been invaluable in helping us complete this book. We have appreciated input and support from Gerhard Rossbach (Publisher, CEO), Joan Dixon (Managing Editor), and Matthias Rossmanith (Project Manager). A special thanks goes to Jeanne Hansen (Copyeditor) and Jan Marti (Layout). Everyone has been wonderful at fielding our questions and working diligently toward completing the project.

As with our other books, a special thanks goes out to our families and friends for being patient and understanding when our time with them was limited and our conversations were often single-minded about the Sony NEX-7.

Carol Roullard
Brian Matsumoto

www.VistaFocus.net

At the time of writing this book, the Sony NEX-7 was still using firmware version 1.00. Although the camera was initially released near the end of 2011, the torrential rains and floods in Thailand interrupted its distribution, and shipment resumed in early 2012. This book went to print in October 2012, and it is testament to the quality of the NEX-7s firmware that there have been no new releases.

But life and camera development do go on. One day there will be a new firmware release, and it will not be represented in this book. The best way to handle this is to review the Sony firmware addendums when you download a new firmware version. If Sony releases a major firmware change, we will determine the feasibility of an updated book edition.

As you get to know the Sony NEX-7, you will develop uniquely personal methods of using the camera. We have included many of our own experiences and recommendations throughout the book. They work for us, but depending on the type of shots you want to take and your own personal needs, you will most likely develop some variations.

Hopefully, our experiences and recommendations will save you time and angst as you learn to use this complex camera. The NEX-7 is truly a remarkable and complicated camera packed into a compact size. It does so much, and does it well.

At first glance, the Sony NEX-7s menu can be intimidating. Many of the buttons and dials have dual purposes. The addition of many customization opportunities makes it a complex machine. But as you use the camera and become familiar with it, you will pare down what you use and how you use it. Your use of the camera functions will take on a rhythm and will become something you know by heartenabling you to consistently obtain high-quality still pictures and movies. We have experimented with all of the shortcuts, such as Auto HDR, DRO, and Handheld Twilight. We encourage you to experiment with the creative aspects of this camera, such as the many Creative Style and Picture Effect options.