Hi folks...I'm still learning the Sony A6000 I recently bought and wondering what settings you are finding most useful to you. And if you've changed the default buttons and/or Function choices.
I'm finding peaking a bit distracting although I really like seeing what is in focus and similarly with Zebra for exposure.
Also, can anyone tell me if I use DMF to focus, can I then switch to manual focus and retain what I had on the DMF setting?
The auto focus is pretty cool, I have never manually focussed in the 6 months I've had my camera. I use wide auto focus or if I want to spot focus , I use the little moveable thing. Rarely lets me down
I shoot aperture priority all of the time, adjusting ISO and aperture to get my desired results. Exception to the rule is when I've done studio portraits, in which case it is manual.
It is a fabulous camera, which I love, so light and responsive, great for street photography and looks great
DMF focusing on Sony cameras, it stands for Direct Manual Focusing I have it on my Sony A7Rii have tried it a few times but not found it that useful , tend to go straight to manual focus on difficult subjects like water, I've attached a link that will explain how it works on a Sony DSC-RX10 but the principles are the same, hope its of help, http://docs.esupport.sony.com/dvimag/DSCRX10_guide/en/contents/TP0000226551.html
I have owned mine since October of 2017. My biggest beef is the battery usage. The peaking level has been very helpful when using lensbaby and manual lenses. I even have been grateful when doing night shots.
I primarily shoot in manual mode and grasping all this baby can do, slowly. I recently downloads motion and multi exposure apps. Download the specs from the info pages on each app - gives you how to instructions. Also I suggest that you consider making use of YouTube tutorials.
It is a powerful little wonder . I am learning so much all the time about it.
@joysabin I use Sony cameras but I haven't got an A6000, but they are all fairly hard on the batteries. I believe it is because they have live view running all the time the camera is switched on. This drains the battery faster than taking shots. Occasionally, when I have had one of mine set to a high rate of frames per second, and taken a lot of shots in a very short time, I have managed to far exceed the number of images Sony says you can get from one battery. Once I took twice as many as they suggest is possible, and still had 50 % battery left.
I bought a Sony A6000 a few months ago since my other DSLP is just getting too heavy to carry while hiking (well I guess it's not getting heavier but I am getting older?) Anyways thank you for the tips!!
And yes the batteries suck. I always carry at least 2 extra.
I have a Sony A6300, which is similar to the A6000. (My husband has that model). I find I use Single-shot AF or Manual focus modes the most and use Flexible Spot: as the focus area. I tried the peaking and zebra mode and found them to be very distracting. I agree that the battery life is not great, but having several batteries at the ready is helpful. Just a suggestion, I bought a class from Creativelive.com called Sony A6300 Fast Start by John Greengo. I found many of his suggestions helpful. There is one for the A6000 too.
@quietpurplehaze Thnks again, Hazel..you & I seem to research similarly...I do have both book & photolufe settings but am still curious as to people here have set up the camera. The photolife article turns zebra off, Busch recommends 70% and a Sony rep recommended 100%...so I'm experimenting to use it without it becoming too distracting!
Have you found setting up the back buttons helpful? & if so, what have u set them for...thanks so much...really appreciate yr answers!
I use the fn button a lot when shooting as it changes many settings. I have set up the eye autofocus on the ael button but have trouble coordinating it with the shutter which is very sensitive as I sometimes have a fine motor tremor in my hands (bipolar). So mostly I just use spot focus and almost never have trouble getting catch lights in the eyes of my strangers' portraits.
I have never used zebra! I shoot in jpeg, almost exclusively aperture priority, pand as you will now understand I am pretty non-technical!
Two problems I have found: pano is pretty hopeless (generally agreed) but I have another camera which can do that; landscapes are sometimes over-exposed, cured by lowering the iso.
Have had the a6000 2 years + lens: short zoom, long zoom, macro, portrait, midrange with constant aperture, and cannot envisage ever wanting anything else! Portrait lens is ace.pp
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The auto focus is pretty cool, I have never manually focussed in the 6 months I've had my camera. I use wide auto focus or if I want to spot focus , I use the little moveable thing. Rarely lets me down
I shoot aperture priority all of the time, adjusting ISO and aperture to get my desired results. Exception to the rule is when I've done studio portraits, in which case it is manual.
It is a fabulous camera, which I love, so light and responsive, great for street photography and looks great
I primarily shoot in manual mode and grasping all this baby can do, slowly. I recently downloads motion and multi exposure apps. Download the specs from the info pages on each app - gives you how to instructions. Also I suggest that you consider making use of YouTube tutorials.
It is a powerful little wonder . I am learning so much all the time about it.
I love this camera like I've never loved any other!!!!!!!!!!!
And yes the batteries suck. I always carry at least 2 extra.
Really helpful to see how you are dealing with the various options on this camera. Thank you for suggested resources, too.
You are very welcome. I shall be re-visiting the book now!
Have you found setting up the back buttons helpful? & if so, what have u set them for...thanks so much...really appreciate yr answers!
I use the fn button a lot when shooting as it changes many settings. I have set up the eye autofocus on the ael button but have trouble coordinating it with the shutter which is very sensitive as I sometimes have a fine motor tremor in my hands (bipolar). So mostly I just use spot focus and almost never have trouble getting catch lights in the eyes of my strangers' portraits.
I have never used zebra! I shoot in jpeg, almost exclusively aperture priority, pand as you will now understand I am pretty non-technical!
Two problems I have found: pano is pretty hopeless (generally agreed) but I have another camera which can do that; landscapes are sometimes over-exposed, cured by lowering the iso.
Have had the a6000 2 years + lens: short zoom, long zoom, macro, portrait, midrange with constant aperture, and cannot envisage ever wanting anything else! Portrait lens is ace.pp
P.s. and not pand & ignore the last pp - I should not type on my iPad.....
Maybe they have as I have read several bad comments about it - interesting.
I shall have a few more tries!