38 Steps to the Ultimate Sony Alpha 6700 Setup
The Sony Alpha 6700 is here, and it is time to set up this camera for use. Following are the steps taken to prepare an out-of-the-box a6700.
- Charge the battery. Note that a battery charger or USB cable is not included in the box.
- Record the serial number, and add the camera to insurance policy
- Download and install Capture One (for Sony) or Sony Imaging Edge if you want free RAW image processing software.
- Insert the charged battery, and power on the camera
- Insert a memory card (we'll format it later)
- Select M mode press "Menu" and configure the camera as follows:
- Set the time zone date time timeformat
- Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW (provides the best image quality)
- Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: RAW File Type: Lossless Compressed (full image quality reduced file size)
- Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Long Exposure NR: Off (I'll enable this option for very long exposures)
- Shooting Menu 1 High ISO NR: Low
- 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)
- Shooting Menu 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
- 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)
- Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Selftimer during Bracket: 2 Sec
- Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Bracket order: ->0>+ (eases image selection for HDR processing)
- Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
- Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (why is this not the default?)
- Shooting Menu 9 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
- Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
- 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)
- Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Focus Mode: Single-shot AF (I prefer to control the type of focusing in use, Single-shot or Continuous AF)
- Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
- Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF
- Focus Menu 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S (I change this setting frequently)
- Focus Menu 2 Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
- Focus Menu 4 Initial Focus Mag.:c x6.1
- Focus Menu 5 Peaking Display: On
- Playback Menu 4 Delete confirm.: "Delete" first
- Playback Menu 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (image fills LCD)
- Network Menu: 7 Network Menu: Airplane Mode: On
- Setup Menu: 3 Operation Customize: Custom Key/Dial Set.: Rear1: Focus Mode
- 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)
- Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
- Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position
- Setup Menu: 10 Sound Option: Audio signals: Off (how to turn off the loud and usually-annoying AF beep sound)
- My Menu: Format, Shutter Type, Steady Shot, Recognition Target, Anti-flicker Set., Flash Comp.
- 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 optimally for me, you should adjust the camera 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. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Setup menu, tab 2: Reset/Save Settings menu, Save/Load Settings, Save) for an easy restore or replication. The setup file can be copied to a computer drive for long-term storage.
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