a6000 third party tutorials print or video?

[colordoppler]

I just purchased the a6000 and have been able to navigate most of it, but there is a lot I am not familiar with compared to my nex 6. I have downloaded the manual from Sony but find it tedious. I wonder if anyone is aware of an existing or soon to be available third party video or print tutorial for the camera?

 

[emeybee]

You're probably already planning on doing this, but my favorite part of Friedman's A77 book was the section on his camera settings and the reasons for them.

 

[Ross Warner]

You're probably already planning on doing this, but my favorite part of Friedman's A77 book was the section on his camera settings and the reasons for them.

Absolutely - and some of my personal settings are different from Gary's!

-Ross

http://rosswarner.com

 

[123Mike]

I'm eagerly awaiting Gary Friedman's book. I bought his 5n book and enjoyed his thoroughness. He seems very credible in knowing the camera in-depth and how they work. I wish it was out already

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

When and when not to use lock-on-af.

When what focus area and focus mode is best used.

What combinations of settings makes for the best portrait.

 

[Ross Warner]

I'm eagerly awaiting Gary Friedman's book. I bought his 5n book and enjoyed his thoroughness. He seems very credible in knowing the camera in-depth and how they work. I wish it was out already

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

When and when not to use lock-on-af.

When what focus area and focus mode is best used.

What combinations of settings makes for the best portrait.

Thanks for those suggestions.

-Ross

 

[sharon_j]

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

-Ross

Ross I hope you don't mind me chiming in, but these are the key things I'm looking forward to in the book (in no particular order):

• Which instances are Face Detect and Object tracking preferably off because they hinder auto focusing?
• Is AF Illuminator better now in the A6000 that it can be reliably left on instead of off?
• Insights into the different focus modes, focus area, LockOn AF
• Is EyeAF a worthwhile setting to dedicate a custom button for?
• Recommended Menu settings etc.
• Is Superior Auto preferable to iAuto if I was handing the camera to someone who is into using it as a point and shoot?

The waiting for the A6000 book has made me realize how lucky I was to have Friedman's book soon after I got the 5n.

I've read a lot of threads on these A6000 features plus reviews and the manual, but information is scattered all over the place. I enjoyed reading Friedman's book on the 5n because it had the feel of someone who thoroughly knew and used the camera with an open mind.

 

[Ross Warner]

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

-Ross

Ross I hope you don't mind me chiming in, but these are the key things I'm looking forward to in the book (in no particular order):

• Which instances are Face Detect and Object tracking preferably off because they hinder auto focusing?
• Is AF Illuminator better now in the A6000 that it can be reliably left on instead of off?
• Insights into the different focus modes, focus area, LockOn AF
• Is EyeAF a worthwhile setting to dedicate a custom button for?
• Recommended Menu settings etc.
• Is Superior Auto preferable to iAuto if I was handing the camera to someone who is into using it as a point and shoot?

The waiting for the A6000 book has made me realize how lucky I was to have Friedman's book soon after I got the 5n.

I've read a lot of threads on these A6000 features plus reviews and the manual, but information is scattered all over the place. I enjoyed reading Friedman's book on the 5n because it had the feel of someone who thoroughly knew and used the camera with an open mind.

 

[123Mike]

I'm eagerly awaiting Gary Friedman's book. I bought his 5n book and enjoyed his thoroughness. He seems very credible in knowing the camera in-depth and how they work. I wish it was out already

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

When and when not to use lock-on-af.

When what focus area and focus mode is best used.

What combinations of settings makes for the best portrait.

Thanks for those suggestions.

I thought you were going to provide an explanation about all of this right here right now...

ps. I really like the pictures on your website. Lots of very good quality shots.

 

[123Mike]

I'm eagerly awaiting Gary Friedman's book. I bought his 5n book and enjoyed his thoroughness. He seems very credible in knowing the camera in-depth and how they work. I wish it was out already

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

-Ross

Wait... I'm confused. You're Ross, not Gary. I thought Gary was writing a book. You're writing a book for real? I'd love to provide some real actual pointers...

 

[trax87]

I'm eagerly awaiting Gary Friedman's book. I bought his 5n book and enjoyed his thoroughness. He seems very credible in knowing the camera in-depth and how they work. I wish it was out already

If and when it comes out, I would hold out for just a bit, and let the community scrutinize it. I think there is a good risk of certain key things getting completely missed, despite his expertise.

Please suggest those "certain key things," and I'll attempt to cover them.

This will be a very thorough book, and you can help!

-Ross

Wait... I'm confused. You're Ross, not Gary. I thought Gary was writing a book. You're writing a book for real? I'd love to provide some real actual pointers...

He is co-authoring the book with Friedman. Better get your suggestions in now

 

[sharon_j]

Thanks, Sharon. I've already addressed most of these, but I'll try to be sure I cover them, all! In some cases, YOU need to decide what's important to you. I will include the way *I* use my three Memory banks.

-Ross

Great! I figured there'll be choices to be made but from my experience with the 5n it is easier to make them with Gary's book as a guide. He clearly explains the concepts and why some features are appropriate sometimes etc. It sounds to me like we'll be getting quite a twofer with you and Gary cowriting!

 

[CaptBuddy]

I bought the Fong license for 30 days

it's about 2:30 of video

they are pretty good and I'm glad I bought it.

the whole idea here with buying tutorials is to save time and also to maximize use.

I def learned a lot.

that said, Fong doesn't really go over everything in detail, rather he goes over the way HE would use the camera in detail. furthermore, he is kinda a major d-bag. a rich d-bag with a huge house and a wife that's way too hot for him. kudos Gary.

I can figure out any camera, but watching a few videos with the camera in my hands following along is the most efficient way for me to learn.

I bought it also. I agree with Jon, although I would be a little harsher critic. The production is amateurish, and Mr. Fong rambles on without any script. He just follows through the menu options and briefly explains some options and settings. He seems surprised at times by what is next. :-O

I did learn some interesting things about the camera. Not sure if it was $13 dollars worth.

Mr. Fong uses the Program mode and automatic features of the camera quite a bit, and he seems to make good use of the A6000 focusing features and auto exposure features. And he shoots in jpg. If that is how you use the camera there is some real value. There is some really cool stuff that I did not know about (my first Sony and first mirrorless camera). I'm more about aperture mode and manual mode (especially video).

If I could use the videos beyond the 30 day period, as references, it would be worth the price.

I hope the upcoming book will go into details about the actual picture and video shooting part of the camera.

BTW, I do love the camera. I've got the 35 mm and the 20 mm lenses. Raw image quality is very good; AVCHD is very good (lean to use the view finder in bright sun); and MP4 is good. The sound quality is especially good for a camera like this. For vacation videos and stills it is just the thing.

Fong's videos are the only option so far. Life is full of choices.

 

[PamelaK]

Yes I saw that. Gary also said there were 12 Face Recognition settings in the Unleash video and there are only 8 by my count.

 

[dragion]

Here is the "free" introduction from Gary Fong on B&H Photos YouTube site if you haven't yet watched it.

Sorry if this has been posted already...just want to share what everyone is talking about.

--

Novice with a passion for creativity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dragion

 

[ace and jocelyne]

I just purchased the a6000 and have been able to navigate most of it, but there is a lot I am not familiar with compared to my nex 6. I have downloaded the manual from Sony but find it tedious. I wonder if anyone is aware of an existing or soon to be available third party video or print tutorial for the camera?

You've probably heard of the Gary Fong video tutorials?I'm up to video 4 out of 5 so far (they each go for roughly 30 mins). I've found them useful so far, however, they seem to be clips stitched together and he repeats some functions and some topics as a result, but that was totally fine with me and it's only about $12 anyway for the month, so I found that worth while as a beginner.

 

[PoetDoc]

I have tried both the Gary Fong video series and the Gary Friedman ebook and much prefer the Friedman book. That you can bookmark and go back and read and study. The Fong videos are helpful for sure, but after a month, there is no going back, and it's more difficult to get back to that part you wanted to watch again. Fong's videos are kinda quick and patched together. If you are new to the camera you will learn something, but Friedman's is far and away more useful - at least for me who is new to this camera and have been mostly using point and shoot cameras since I left my film SLR camera behind many years ago.

 

[GARY FONG INC]

Hi everybody -

I'm proud of my new video premium channel. I created it to be the absolute best resources to unleashing the power of your Sony (and other) camera from two angles - from a professional photographer who customizes the camera for particular purposes, then I go through all of the other features of the camera for general use.

The a6000 is an incredible camera, but many features, like the incredible EyeAF are not accessible out of the box, nor do they work with all of the lenses.

I use real models, real action events (like a horse show) and extensively go through the incredible machine. What I like about video is that you can freeze the frame. We have also indexed where the different topics are for fast scrubbing.

The $12.95 per month does not only cover your one camera, but many other topics as well, such as Sony Wireless Lighting, How to shoot a wedding, Which Sony Is Right For You? etc. All of these are program length videos.

My favorite feature? We can go back and retape sections if users request better coverage. And there is a big red 'ASK A QUESTION' button on the right that takes you straight to customer experience. We have already retaped part one with a new introduction part, so if you have the membership, go ahead and reload!

The rules say I can't give a link to the resource, but do a google search for my name and sonya6000 and you will be headed in the right direction.

Gary Fong
Inventor of the Lightsphere

 

[GARY FONG INC]

I saw somewhere that Gary Fong is working on a book or tutorial or how-to series. I hope it comes soon. I, too, can make he A6000 work very well, but I would like to know what some of those features and settings really do.

Whoever is the first to publish, will be swamped with followers, I'm thinking.

BTW, this is my first post, though I have been lurking and learning for a few years now. I love the Sony A6000 so far, and will use it for travel when conditions do not suit carrying my Canon 5D2.

Yes! It's up! On my website. Can't post the link here but, 'it's on my website'.

 

[Ross Warner]

I just purchased the a6000 and have been able to navigate most of it, but there is a lot I am not familiar with compared to my nex 6. I have downloaded the manual from Sony but find it tedious. I wonder if anyone is aware of an existing or soon to be available third party video or print tutorial for the camera?

I'm co-writing a book on the A6000 with Gary Friedman, and it has been announced on The Friedman Archives website. See

http://friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2014/06/preventing-bit-rot-part-2.html

(a bit down the page, "Ebooks On The Horizon.")

I expect it will be released in either late summer or early autumn. It will be a comprehensive book/e-book, about 600 pages! I'm working as fast as I can...send Gary mail to be notified of its availability.

-Ross

In case anybody has any doubt, this book has been out since July 2, has already been revised twice, and Version 1.2 is now available.

-Ross

 

[topazdan]

I like Gary Fong's stuff and knowledge. However I found his tutorial for the a6000 too confusing. And his video is not easy to back up 10 seconds to have him repeat. But, it does have a lot of information on the video. So now I am off to buy that $29 book I saw somewhere.

 

[madeintheusa]

I would go with Friedman & Warner. Fong likes to create the illusion of expertise in controlled environments such as Facebook, youtube and his sites where he is not challenged.