38 Steps to the Ultimate Sony Alpha 9 III Setup
The Sony Alpha 9 III is here, and it is time to set up this camera. This powerhouse of a camera may seem daunting to set up, but the process is not burdensome and not unlike other recent high-end Sony Alpha cameras. The following steps prepare a factory-initialized a9 III for use.
- Charge the battery
- Record the serial number, and add the camera to your insurance policy
- Download and install the latest version of Sony Imaging Edge or your favorite RAW image processing software.
- Insert the charged battery and a memory card(s) (we'll format it later), and power on the camera
- Answer the power-on prompts, including setting the time zone and date
- Select M mode, press "Menu", and configure the camera as follows:
- Shooting > 1 Image Quality/Rec: Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW; RAW File Type: Lossless Compressed L (full image quality reduced file size)
- Shooting > 1 Image Quality/Rec: Long Exposure NR: Off (I enable this option for very long exposures)
- Shooting > 1 Image Quality/Rec: High ISO NR: Low
- Shooting > 1 Image Quality/Rec: 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 > 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
- Shooting > 3 File: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On Set Photographer: [your name]; Set Copyright: [as desired]; Write Serial Number: On (entering this information on the touchscreen may be a painful process)
- Shooting > 5 Drive Mode > Self-timer Type: Self-timer(Single): 2 sec
- Shooting > 5 Drive Mode > Bracket Settings: Self-timer during Bracket: 2 Sec, Bracket order: ->0>+ (optimizes image order for HDR processing)
- Shooting > 7 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
- Shooting > 7 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (should be the default)
- Shooting > 10 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
- Exposure/Color > 3 Metering: Spot Metering Point: Focus Point Link
- Exposure/Color > 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
- Exposure/Color > 6 Color/Tone: Creative Look: NT (Neutral) Sharpness = 1 (this setting provides a low contrast histogram that better shows exposure latitude. I usually process with the default creative style in Capture One or profile in Lightroom)
- Focus > 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF (in focus is my priority)
- Focus > 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF (in focus is my priority)
- Focus > 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S (this setting is often changed)
- Focus > 2 Focus Area: Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
- Focus > 4 Initial Focus Mag.:c x2.9
- Focus > 5 Peaking Display: On
- Focus > 5 Peaking Level: Low
- Playback > 4 Delete: "Delete" first
- Playback > 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (image always fills LCD)
- Network > 7 Network Option: Airplane Mode: On
- Setup > 3 Operation Customize: Custom Key/Dial Set.: Dial/Wheel: Front Dial: Av/Tv (Tv in M mode) (I adjust the shutter speed more frequently and urgently than the aperture and the front dial is easier to access quickly); Rear Dial: Av/Tv (Av in M mode); Rear Control Wheel: Av/Tv (Av in M mode)
- Setup > 3 Operation Customize: DISP (Screen Disp) Set: Monitor: Uncheck For viewfinder press [enter]
- Setup > 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
- Setup > 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Shooting Screen: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position
- Setup > 10 Sound Option: Audio Signal(Shooting): Off (how to turn off the AF beep sound)
- Setup > 13 Setup Option: Anti-dust Function: Curtain when Pwr OFF: On (closes a mechanical shutter on power off to avoid dust on the sensor)
- My Menu: Format, Anti-flicker Set., Steady Shot, Flash Comp., Recognition Target
- View the menu (it is always sharp) through the viewfinder while adjusting the diopter
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 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. Better still, save the camera settings to a memory card (Setup > 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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