Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Field Guide Paperback – June 10, 2008

The first 79 pages of the `Digital Field Guide' provide, in effect, an Owner's Manual for the Sony Alpha 700. A top-of-the-line digital SLR such as the Sony A700 provides a host of settings which are unknown in film cameras, and Chapters 1 and 2 of the `Digital Field Guide' give an introduction to this maze of possibilities. The explanations are much better, and far more readable, than the very terse instructions in the `User's Guide' which Sony includes with the Alpha 700. Reading and re-reading these sections made me realize how a semi-professional digital SLR such as the Sony Alpha 700 incorporates a host of choices which even professional-level film SLR's could not offer, such as adjusting sensitivity (ISO, equivalent to `film speed') for each shot, or adjusting contrast (with the DRO, Digital Range Optimizer) for an individual shot (with a film camera, such changes would require changing the film). For this reader, these explanations are the most valuable part of the book.For the uninitiated: the Sony Alpha 700 can be used as easily as a point-and-shoot camera, using the `AUTO' setting.From page 80 onwards, the remainder of the 279-page book gives mostly general tips on photography, which apply regardless of what camera the reader uses (the exception is Chapter 5, "All About Lenses," which in 14 pages gives some rather sketchy descriptions of the more than 24 lenses available for the A700. A reader interested in a particular lens might look on the Internet for lens tests, such as those published by `Popular Photography.' This chapter hardly mentions the wide range of Minolta AF lenses, which can be used on all Sony Alpha cameras). There is an entire 78-page chapter giving tips on how to photograph some 24 different `Photo Subjects' including architecture, portraits, landscapes, travel photography, weddings, pets, etc., with 3 to 5 pages on each subject. This half of the book is especially written for inexperienced photographers, who might find the tips quite helpful.The book's second half gives the impression that it is aimed at persons who have graduated from a typical totally-automated `point-and-shoot' digital camera, to a digital SLR such as the Sony A700, and are wondering how to use the possible settings. Reading other reviews, Alan Hess seems to have done a very good job writing for these users.For advanced users, the book could still be improved. Some examples: (1) Firmware Updates (they are not mentioned at all in the `Digital Field Guide'). `Firmware' is the software semi-permanently installed in the camera, which controls image processing and other tasks. The Firmware in the Sony A700 has undergone four (4) revisions; the latest Version 4 gives improved picture quality for high ISO settings. To see which version your camera has, press and hold the `Menu' button, and then press the `Display' button just below it. If you have Version 3 or earlier, the updated Version 4 can be downloaded from Sony's website, but Sony doesn't make it easy to find. Call Sony and ask them to E-mail the link, which includes instructions for installation. One can install updated Firmware by copying it to a CompactFlash card using a card reader, and then putting the CompactFlash card in the camera. (2) DRO, Dynamic Range Optimizer. DRO is a program in the A700 for adjusting the contrast and color of all or parts of an image, with eight (8) different settings. The Sony A700 `User Guide' on page 66 gives very sketchy information on how DRO works, and pages 43-44 of the `Digital Field Guide' only reproduce some of that information. Why not provide 2 pages or so of illustrations to show the effect? The author has missed an opportunity to provide better guidance. (3) RAW capture. Alan Hess writes that (like many professionals) he likes to use RAW + JPEG, where `RAW files contain the raw unprocessed data taken directly from the camera's sensor.' But he gives very little guidance on using RAW with the Sony A700, and left this reader with more questions than answers: for example, if the White Balance of a RAW image can be adjusted in processing, what happens to the White Balance set before taking the picture? If `Creative Styles' or DRO, which both use image processing, are used in taking a RAW picture, how do these settings affect the `raw unprocessed data' - an apparent contradiction?The probable answer is that the Sony RAW format records `Creative Styles' and DRO instructions, in addition to the `raw unprocessed' image data, and these instructions are followed by Sony's RAW processing software (but ignored by Adobe Photoshop). But a clear explanation would be helpful. For potential RAW users, some basic questions are left unanswered.One other quibble: the chapter on `Editing Software Options' makes only brief mention of Adobe Photoshop Elements, the most popular editing software. Photoshop Elements can do a lot more - including quite complex editing, as well as RAW image processing using Adobe Camera Raw download - than is mentioned in the `Digital Field Guide' description.But in summary, I found it a very useful book, even if there is room for improvement.And - for readers - the Sony Alpha 700 is an excellent camera.This book is very nicely produced, with excellent illustrations, very well printed.

When I first purchased my new camera, I was simply overwhelmed with all that it could do... The manual that comes with it told me so very little... This field guide has been an amazing source of information~ I carry it with me in my camera bag! It's easy to read, the information I need is easy to find and it's pretty comprehensive...

I bought this book for my daughter, she has had the camera for over a year. She has found the book very useful. There were instructions on many subjects that told her many new ways to improve her pictures. She particularly liked the fact that the book is specific to her camera, and not generic.

good book very easy to navigate.

It just make it easier to quickly get to know your camera, since it gives information that the traditional manual does not include. Besides it has great photography tips.

Should have bought this book as soon as I bought the camera! I would have taken better pictures from the beginning!

Clear descriptions and instructions of camera operating features.

Very well set up guide. Plenty of info. with out lots of techno babble. A outstanding users gude for the new DSLR user, even vetern shooters will find it handy due to the depth of features and functions of the A700. The color photos are better then black and white as in many guides. The last third of the book is broken down into sections on 22 specific styles of photography. This also includes a "on your own" practice assignment.

The information that comes with the camera is quite drab and uninformative, so I got this book to enable me to use the camera competently off the auto setting. It hasn't failed in this task. Well written, pretty comprehensive and good to dip in and out of. Goes beyond the working of the camera to include the basics of photography such as light and composition. Also includes a section on how to take different types of images (action, low-light, macro, portraits...), including camera settings and lens used. Still not 100% okay with the D-range optimiser, which although covered, is a little vague and the one area that isn't comprehensive. That said, I'm happy with the other areas covered and I'd buy it again.

This book reiterates the Instruction Manual, as has been remarked, but does so in more detail and in a more readable way. It is to the point and while it could go into more detail it would perhaps become a bit long winded and less accessible. I find it very useful just as it is.

If only I had this when I first bought the camera, puts the Sony manual to shame

A superb example of a camera guide, easy to follow and concise, well written. Camera manuals should all be like this.

EXCELLENT BOOK, EXCELLENT DELIVERY, 1ST CLASS