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My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

Started Feb 10, 2012 | Discussions
EvilOne
EvilOne Forum Pro • Posts: 14,627
My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

I have 8 years of experience with Gary's books. Ive bought several of his color hard bound books, and they have always been worth the money. I use them for reference all the time. Ive written my own notes in these books..

I have been waiting for the hard bound books to be offered, and Gary let me know yesterday, that they were finally ready.

I'm 68 years old, live on a fixed income for the last ten years... I weighed heavily, the cost of the hard bound books I have enjoyed over the last 8 years... This new offering is two volumes and at a cost of 160 dollars for the pair, I did some research and found that LULU Press, charges this amount of money for these very small runs. Gary did all of the work and gave LULU all of the files and photos.. The cost to print in high quality color and binding is very expensive in small runs. Lulu press is one of the very few companies that will accept small runs. Lulu will even make one book if you want them too. Gary makes very little money on these books because they are so expensive...

To the point... Last night I bought the ebook, and went over it.. first couple dozen pages.... and I found it to be everything the hard bound book can be , and with the portability factor of putting it in your Ipad, or Kindle, and there is a converter for a Nook, if you so desire.. I always felt the books at 120 dollars were worth the money, now because of the portability, the ebook is a real steal... So much information for so little money. Its also nice to know that Gary is just a click away here in DPreview if there is a question or a problem... 26 dollars, a great reference guide and your own personal photographic hardware Guru.

You spent alot of money on your camera.. its nice to know that you can get everything out of it. with the proper guidance.
Thanks Gary.

-- hide signature --

Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

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 EvilOne's gear list:EvilOne's gear list
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Sony SLT-A77
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jaizon Regular Member • Posts: 120
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

I agree. The book is great. I, took, got the ebook. Great pictures, great writing and very helpful. This is really a no brainer. Get it if you own one of these cameras.

Jim Funston Senior Member • Posts: 1,698
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

Bill, I carry this E Book, the a77 manual, and my 5600d manual all in my iPhone. They are there if I ever need them in the field for reference. Now, this is portability!

Koorosh 77 Regular Member • Posts: 357
PDF and MOBI for Kindle

Thanks for the info. I was waiting for version 1.1, and I just downloaded the book. There are two files in the zip, a PDF and MOBI for Kindle. If you want to use the Kindle version on iPad or iPhone, you just need to email it to your Kindle's email address, account@kindle.com, and it will be available in your Kindle app in a few minutes.

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take pictures to save your precious presents…

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 Koorosh 77's gear list:Koorosh 77's gear list
Canon ELPH 300 HS Sony SLT-A77 Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM +1 more
ELnLA Junior Member • Posts: 43
Re: PDF and MOBI for Kindle

+1 from me on the book. It's a great investment.

Landscapephoto99 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,216
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

Yes, e-books are better by far. Anything paper will get worn, dirty and maybe get lost. A pdf file is forever. That is why all of my family's paper accomplishments get scanned in and / or photographed.

EvilOne
OP EvilOne Forum Pro • Posts: 14,627
Considering a Sony A65 or A77.. Read this

As I am reading over Gary's ebook, I came to read some very interesting facts. I saw references to David Kilpatrick, another well known and respected reviewer and photographer, and it struck me.. all these naysayers out there, bad mouthing this camera should take the plunge and instead of speculating on what this camera isn't... read what it is.. I can almost guarantee that for those on the fence about this camera will find complete satisfaction in the fact that they are buying into a great camera system.. Gary spells it out, shows factual references, and offers tips and tricks you will never find in the owners manual. So for those on the fence, don't listen to those that do not own this camera, because they don't have a clue about its quality and actual function.. Those that claim to know just ask then for their book on the subject and ask them to offer facts... I doubt you will find One... what you will find are alot of legends in their own mind.

I take my photographic cues from respected members of the global photographic community who actually have credentials, like Gary Friedman and David Kilpatrick any day, over some Yahoo that works at Home depot and happens to own a camera. I think some of these home depot folks buy a Nikon camera, or a Canon, and automatically they think they get a Pro card in the box with the camera. There are many extremely qualified Professional in the Nikon and Sony camps, but because of their professionalism, they wont be hanging out here in a Sony forum bashing Sony's cameras.... Gary offers a money back guarantee with his ebook... so for those who want some comfort in their purchase, buy Gary's ebook, order your camera and buy the time it arrives you will know how to drive it like a pro. I didn't say you will be a Pro... I said you will understand all the intricacies of this camera, which is a wonderful piece of photographic excellence.
The End

.
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

Visit my Smug Mug Galleries at:
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 EvilOne's gear list:EvilOne's gear list
Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi Nikon Coolpix 990 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Sony SLT-A77 +5 more
ER_ Wizard
ER_ Wizard Forum Pro • Posts: 10,663
For Gary.

I am also a fan & supporter. Problem is I can not get to the link page to order the book, second night with the problem. I get an Error, can not display the page ??

Regards.
Ernest.

-- hide signature --

May the Focus be with you
FD71, FD91, 707, 717, 828, R1, P8, H9, A700, A350, A77.
18-200mm, 18-250mm,100mm, 200-500mm, 75-300mm, 11-18mm, 135mm.

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EvilOne
OP EvilOne Forum Pro • Posts: 14,627
Re: For Gary.

Contact Gary via private message here, he will get back to you quickly.
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

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 EvilOne's gear list:EvilOne's gear list
Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi Nikon Coolpix 990 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Sony SLT-A77 +5 more
Rambler358
Rambler358 Senior Member • Posts: 1,551
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

+1

I agree completely - a very small price to pay for the wealth of knowledge Gary offers, and the excellent content of his eBooks.

Thank you, Gary.

-- hide signature --

Ron
Torrance, CA
Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/rambler358

 Rambler358's gear list:Rambler358's gear list
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Larry Lowe 1
Larry Lowe 1 Forum Member • Posts: 59
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

I have Gary's a580 book and was thinking about picking up this one as well. Would you, or anyone else, know how much overlap there is between the two?

Thanks!

EvilOne
OP EvilOne Forum Pro • Posts: 14,627
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

Larry Lowe 1 wrote:

I have Gary's a580 book and was thinking about picking up this one as well. Would you, or anyone else, know how much overlap there is between the two?

Thanks!

-- hide signature --

I do not know the answer, but if I was to consider the overlap, I would do a side by side comparison of the features of both cameras, and then decide if there are enough differences in the features to warrant the 26 dollars for the ebook then you know the answer. What is nice about the ebook is you can select a page or two and print them out as a quick reference in the field, if you dont have an Ipad or a Kindle.
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

Visit my Smug Mug Galleries at:
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/

 EvilOne's gear list:EvilOne's gear list
Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi Nikon Coolpix 990 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D Sony SLT-A77 +5 more
terrytoweling
terrytoweling Forum Member • Posts: 71
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

There are times I need paper, (wife does not like me taking the tablet into the toilet, apparently unhygienic!)

Nearly 300 pages of A4, cut into A5 sheets with scissors, sticky tape as the protective backing gaffer tape as the spine. I know I have done it all wrong, but I have no patience and none of the pages fallout.

By the way if you want to do it properly look here. http://www.persistenceunlimited.com/2006/03/fun-and-easy-how-to-guide-to-binding-your-own-paperback-books-at-homefast/

Gary’s book is brilliant, I have found setting I would have never have known existed; today out with my camera I was doing things that for years have perplexed me.
Thanks Gary.

 terrytoweling's gear list:terrytoweling's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony SLT-A77 Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM +3 more
yambelly New Member • Posts: 5
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

I have had the book for one day and am on page 93. It is an excellent product and well worth the US $26 Mr. Friedman charges. I have read the official manual cover-to-cover and to be frank I think Mr. Friedman's book is way superior.

Karl Scharf
Karl Scharf Veteran Member • Posts: 4,444
Re: Considering a Sony A65 or A77.. Read this

EvilOne wrote:

As I am reading over Gary's ebook, I came to read some very interesting facts. I saw references to David Kilpatrick, another well known and respected reviewer and photographer, and it struck me.. all these naysayers out there, bad mouthing this camera should take the plunge and instead of speculating on what this camera isn't... read what it is.. I can almost guarantee that for those on the fence about this camera will find complete satisfaction in the fact that they are buying into a great camera system.. Gary spells it out, shows factual references, and offers tips and tricks you will never find in the owners manual. So for those on the fence, don't listen to those that do not own this camera, because they don't have a clue about its quality and actual function.. Those that claim to know just ask then for their book on the subject and ask them to offer facts... I doubt you will find One... what you will find are alot of legends in their own mind.

I take my photographic cues from respected members of the global photographic community who actually have credentials, like Gary Friedman and David Kilpatrick any day, over some Yahoo that works at Home depot and happens to own a camera. I think some of these home depot folks buy a Nikon camera, or a Canon, and automatically they think they get a Pro card in the box with the camera. There are many extremely qualified Professional in the Nikon and Sony camps, but because of their professionalism, they wont be hanging out here in a Sony forum bashing Sony's cameras.... Gary offers a money back guarantee with his ebook... so for those who want some comfort in their purchase, buy Gary's ebook, order your camera and buy the time it arrives you will know how to drive it like a pro. I didn't say you will be a Pro... I said you will understand all the intricacies of this camera, which is a wonderful piece of photographic excellence.
The End

.
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

Visit my Smug Mug Galleries at:
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/

Well said Bill! Totally agree with the above.
--

  • Happiness is: Sony SLT-A77 / Rokinon 8mm / Sigma 10-20, 18-250, 50-500mm - Karl

 Karl Scharf's gear list:Karl Scharf's gear list
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Kzoozoomer Senior Member • Posts: 1,493
Re: Considering a Sony A65 or A77.. Read this

EvilOne wrote:

I take my photographic cues from respected members of the global photographic community who actually have credentials, like Gary Friedman and David Kilpatrick any day, over some Yahoo that works at Home depot and happens to own a camera. I think some of these home depot folks buy a Nikon camera, or a Canon, and automatically they think they get a Pro card in the box with the camera.

Why are you picking on folks who wear cinnabar aprons?

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Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 +1 more
jmknights
jmknights Veteran Member • Posts: 3,689
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

At 60yrs I too am living on fixed income and I totally agree this book is a must to get the full benefit from your A65/A77. I also have the A100/A700/A900 pdf's...
Small price for an accessory for your A77.
--
Jim in VT

 jmknights's gear list:jmknights's gear list
Sony RX100 III Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Sony SLT-A77 +3 more
guyindasky
guyindasky Regular Member • Posts: 333
Re: My take on Gary Friedman's ebook for the A77/65

One good thing getting older does (hopefully) is provide you with a bit more wisdom. No matter what it is you do, most things come down to time or money. If you have all the time in world to devote finding all the helpful tips Gary provides then fine, if not (like me) it is well worth it to pay him for his time and effort in dissecting the intricacies of this camera. Is some of this info the same as I got in his A700 book? Yup, but the A77 is a new type of beast for which things I know about the A700 don't necessarily transfer over to the A77. I have gained a few new insights that I'm sure will be helpful and it is hard to place a price on avoiding frustration. In the end remember, it's the stingy man who pays the most.

Btw Terry, what's the one new setting you learned? I like the idea of setting the focus to DMF and using the focus peaking which I hadn't thought of before.
--
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Photorer Senior Member • Posts: 1,451
Nice one Bill!

Well said! Fully agree with you!
--
Still not enough time to take pictures....... Is there ever?
http://www.afripixel.com/

 Photorer's gear list:Photorer's gear list
Sony SLT-A77
Knowclue Regular Member • Posts: 442
Re: For Gary.

ER_ Wizard wrote:

I am also a fan & supporter. Problem is I can not get to the link page to order the book, second night with the problem. I get an Error, can not display the page ??

Yup I have the same problem as you, I then contacted my ISP and the guy put the address in and it worked on his side, but then comes the joke, we are not on the same network, so he tested the site on the network I have and it does not work.

I now have a reference number and they are busy trying to work out why is the site been filtered out, I will keep bugging them till they sort it out.

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F717 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
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