35 Steps to the Ultimate Sony Alpha 7R V Setup

The Sony Alpha 7R V is here and it is time to set up this camera for use. Following are the 35 steps taken to prepare an out-of-the-box a7R V.

1. Charge the battery
2. Record the serial number, and add the camera to insurance policy
3. Download and install Capture One (for Sony) or Sony Imaging Edge (unless your current favorite RAW image processing software supports this camera)
4. Insert the charged battery, and power on the camera
5. Insert a memory card(s) (we'll format it later)
6. Select M mode press "Menu" and configure the camera as follows:
7. Set the time zone date time timeformat
8. Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW RAW File Type: Lossless Compressed L (full image quality reduced file size)
9. Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Long Exposure NR: Off (I'll enable this option for very long exposures)
10. Shooting Menu 1 High ISO NR: Low
11. Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Lens Compensation: Shading Chromatic Aberration and Distortion Comp: All Off (I use the RAW processing software to enable any lens compensation with CA correction frequently selected)
12. Shooting Menu 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
13. Shooting Menu 3 File: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On Set Photographer: [your name] Set Copyright: [as desired] Write Serial Number: On (note: entering this information on the touchscreen may be a painful process)
14. Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Selftimer during Bracket: 2 Sec
15. Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Bracket order: ->0>+ (considerably enhances image selection for HDR processing)
16. Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
17. Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (why is this not the default?)
18. Shooting Menu 9 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
19. Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
20. Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: Creative Look: NT (Neutral) Sharpness = 1 (this setting provides a lower contrast histogram. I usually process with the Natural creative style in Capture One)
21. Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
22. Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF
23. Focus Menu 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S (this setting is often changed)
24. Focus Menu 2 Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
25. Focus Menu 4 Initial Focus Mag.:c x4.7
26. Focus Menu 5 Peaking Display: On
27. Playback Menu 4 Delete: "Delete" first
28. Playback Menu 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (image fills LCD)
29. Network Menu: 7 Network Menu: Airplane Mode: On
30. Setup Menu: 4 Dial Customize: Custom Key/Dial Set.: Dial/Wheel: Front Dial: Av/Tv (Tv in M mode) (option #2) (I adjust the shutter speed more frequently and urgently than aperture and the front dial is easier to access quickly); Rear Dial: Av/Tv (Av in M mode)
31. Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
32. Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position
33. Setup Menu: 10 Sound Option: Audio signals: Off (how to turn off the loud and usually-annoying AF beep sound)
34. My Menu: Format Shutter Type Steady Shot Recognition Target Anti-flicker Set. Flash Comp.
35. With a lens mounted and a subject in focus adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp

I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios but this list covers my initial camera setup process.

To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do - including in RAW-only format. While this setup works great for me you should adjust the setup to your needs.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Consider saving the camera settings to a card for an easy restore.

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Sony Alpha 7R V

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