User manual SONY ALPHA DSLR-A200

[. . . ] 3-277-950-11 (1) 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 Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website. Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera Instruction Manual DSLR-A200 Printed on 70% or more recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink. Printed in Japan © 2008 Sony Corporation Owner's Record The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. __________________________ WARNING To reduce fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. For Customers in the U. S. A. This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. 2 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS For your protection, please read these safety instructions completely before operating the appliance, and keep this manual for future reference. [. . . ] You can only change the exposure of a main subject which is within the flash range. MENU button t desired setting 1 t [Flash compens. ] t Select the Using the shooting function · Toward +: Makes the flash level higher. Toward ­: Makes the flash level lower. Notes · If you have adjusted the flash level, appears in the viewfinder when the built-in flash is pulled up. · The positive effect may not be visible due to the limited amount of flash light, if the subject is at or around the maximum range for the flash. Exposure compensation and flash compensation Exposure compensation changes the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity (when [AUTO] is selected) to perform the compensation. However, flash compensation only changes the amount of flash light. Selecting the flash control mode to set the amount of flash light (Flash control) MENU button t setting 1 t [Flash control] t Select the desired 79 ADI flash This method controls the lighting of the flash, factoring in the focus distance information and light metering data from the pre-flash. This method enables an accurate flash compensation with virtually no effect from the reflection off the subject. This method controls the amount of flash light depending on the data only from pre-flash light metering. This method is susceptible to the reflection off the subject. Pre-flash TTL ADI: Advanced Distance Integration 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. Notes · When the distance between the subject and the external flash (not supplied) cannot be determined (wireless flash shooting using an external flash (not supplied), shooting with an off-camera flash 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 cannot perform flash compensations with ADI flash. ­ A filter with an exposure factor, such as an ND filter, is used. · ADI flash is only available in combination with a lens that is provided with a distance encoder. To determine if the lens is equipped with a distance encoder, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the lens. Selecting the method for measuring the brightness of a subject (Metering mode) Fn button t [Metering mode] t Select the desired mode (Multi segment) This divides the whole screen into 40 segments to measure light (40-segment honeycomb pattern metering). (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 in the center of the frame. 80 Shooting techniques · Use (Multi segment) metering for general shooting. · When shooting a subject with strong contrast in the focus area, measure the light of the subject you want to shoot with the proper exposure using Spot metering, then perform AE lock shooting (page 76). 81 Using the shooting function Setting ISO Sensitivity to light is expressed by the ISO number (recommended exposure index). The larger the number, the higher the sensitivity. 1 Press the ISO button to display the ISO screen. ISO button 2 Select the desired value with v/V on the controller. · The larger the number, the higher the noise level. Notes · When ISO is set to [AUTO], ISO is automatically set as follows. Recording mode AUTO, Scene Selection P, A, S ISO The range differs depending on the mode 100 ­ 400 · The [AUTO] setting is not provided in recording mode M. If you change the recording mode to M with the [AUTO] setting, it is switched to [100]. Set the ISO according to your shooting conditions. 82 Adjusting the color tones (White balance) The color tone of the subject changes depending on the characteristics of the light source. The table below shows how the color tone changes based on various light sources, compared with a subject that appears white under the sunlight. Daylight Weather/ lighting Characteristics of light White Bluish Green-tinged Reddish Cloudy Fluorescent Incandescent White balance is a feature that adjusts the color tone to approximate what you see. Use this feature when the color tone of the image did not come out as you expected, or when you want to change the color tone on purpose for photographic expression. Note · If the only light source available is a mercury lamp or a sodium lamp, the camera will not be able to acquire the accurate white balance because of the characteristics of the light source. Use the flash in such cases. Using the shooting function Adjusting the white balance to suit a specific light source (Auto/Preset white balance) Fn button t [White balance] t Select the desired setting · When [AWB] is not selected, you can finely adjust the color tone with b/ B on the controller. Adjusting it toward + turns the image reddish and adjusting it toward ­ turns the image bluish. 83 AWB (Auto WB) (Daylight) (Shade) (Cloudy) (Tungsten) (Fluorescent) (Flash) The camera automatically detects a light source and adjusts the color tones. If you select an option to suit a specific light source, the color tones are adjusted for the light source (preset white balance). Shooting techniques · Use the white balance bracket function if you cannot get the desired color in the selected option (page 92). [. . . ] Note that if you attempt to shoot with moisture remaining inside the lens, you will be unable to record clear images. On carrying · Be sure to attach the lens cap or body cap when not using the camera. When attaching the body cap, remove all the dust from the cap before placing it on the camera. On the internal rechargeable battery This camera has an internal rechargeable battery for maintaining the date and time and other settings regardless of whether the power is on or off. This rechargeable battery is continually charged as long as you are using the camera. However, if you use the camera for only short periods, it discharges gradually, and if you do not use the camera at all for about 8 month it becomes completely On operating temperatures Your camera is designed for use under the temperatures between 0 and 40°C (32 and 104°F) (When using a Microdrive: 5 and 40°C (41 and 104°F)). [. . . ]