A1 II CAMSET (camera setup file)

CAMSET for the A1 II (A1M2): Firmware Version 3.00 and later

DOWNLOAD FROM DROPBOX

DOWNLOAD FROM GOOGLE DRIVE

(Make sure you download the SONY folder and not the SETTING folder inside the SONY folder - ignore any _MacOSX folder)

IMPORTANT DOWNLOAD INFO: Download the SONY Folder. There is no need to open the SONY folder on the cloud server. Proceed immediately to the Download link (no need to join Dropbox or Google Drive). Unzip the file if this has not happened automatically when you downloaded the folder. Unzip software can be downloaded from the Internet and is usually free.

Save/Load (CAMSET) Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/iL3FvEbwE3w

IMPORTANT FIRST STEP: Before loading my CAMSET you need to save your own CAMSET file using the Save/Load Settings menu on Page 2 of the yellow Setup menu. The action of saving your own CAMSET file sets up the folder structure where you simply replace your SONY Folder with my SONY folder.

The Load sequence for the CAMSET file is as follows:

• Update the camera to current firmware version.

• Download and ‘Unzip’ the downloaded file

• Place a Memory Card in Slot 1 of your camera and then ‘Format’ this Card.

• Go to Menu > Setup > Setup  (page 2 of the Toolbox icon) and choose Save/Load Settings. Save your current Camera Setup.

• Connect the Camera to your Computer (USB Connection > Mass Storage) or eject the Memory Card and insert the memory Card in the a card Reader attached to your computer.

• Now replace the SONY folder. This can be found inside the ‘private' folder/directory when using an SD card. When using a CF Express Type A card the SONY folder does not sit inside the 'private' directory.

• Insert the Memory Card in Slot 1

• Set the camera to P, A, S or M on the Shoot Mode Dial on the top of the camera

• Press the Menu button on the camera and go to the Setup menu (page 2 of the Toolbox icon).

• Go to Save/Load Settings and then choose Load.

• Select CAMSETMG and select OK

• After Loading the setting I recommend that you reformat your memory card before capturing images to this card.

Please Note > Refer to the A1 II eBook when using the shoot mode memories, custom keys or Fn menus. I also strongly recommend watching my PAL Workflow seminar to show how I use the shooting memories to greatly simplify my shooting experience and also ensure the maximum number of  'keepers' and fewer missed shots.

-----------------------------

PROBLEM SOLVING / CAMSET ISSUES

You do not necessarily need to install a new CAMSET every time you install new firmware. Only in rare instances when the camera is ‘Initialized’ with the firmware update (returning the camera to factory settings) will you need to use a new CAMSET version.

NOTE > I may not be able to create new CAMSET versions every older model camera, as I may not have access to every older model camera. I do, however, strive to support a new camera with CAMSET files for at least 2 years from when the camera was first announced. If you update the firmware of an older camera the CAMSET may still be OK - but only if the camera did not Initialize after the firmware update (rare instances). If the CAMSET cannot be successfully loaded for your camera, please use the tables of settings in the eBook to configure your camera.

Save/Load (CAMSET) Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/iL3FvEbwE3w

Possible CAMSET loading errors we have helped Patrons resolve recently include:

1) Downloading the incorrect CAMSET for the model owned, e.g., A1 instead of the A1 II

2) Having a SONY folder already in the computer's downloads folder when the SONY folder gets downloaded to the users's computer. This can lead the computer having to rename the folder to SONY 2 - which the camera will then not find.

3) The user mistaking SLOT 1 for SLOT 2 (Slot 1 is now the uppermost camera card slot but in older models used to be the Lower slot). The card slot with my CAMSET must be in the upper slot for the camera to find the CAMSET.

4) Not replacing the SONY folder but taking the CAMSETMG file out of the SONY folder that was downloaded or going into the SONY folder on the Cloud sharing site to retrieve the CAMSET data file.

5) Skipping the step which required the user to save the current settings of the camera before ejecting the card from SLOT 1 and putting the card in their card reader.

6) Failing to turn the Shoot Mode Dial to P, A, S of M will result in the Save/Load settings being ‘greyed out’ in the camera menus.

Some users reported success when leaving the cards in the camera and connecting the camera to the computer rather than using a card reader. This is not a common workaround but has worked for one or two users. Some Patrons reported success when they used a different card.

NOTE > Most Patrons are able to load my CAMSETs without issue, but a few Patrons will struggle for one reason or another. If the loading of a CAMSET proves frustrating then I recommend setting up the camera manually as outlined in the eBook.

----------------------------

MANUAL SETUP

SETUP MENU

• Setup1: Area/Date > NTSC/PAL Selector > Change to NTSC? > Content creators living in PAL regions and preparing content in natural ambient lighting should consider switching to NTSC to access 60p instead of 50p (the ‘NTSC/PAL’ option is not registered by my CAMSET)

• Setup 3: Choose Separate Settings for Movies and Stills and select the settings (Setup > Operation Customize menu)

• Setup 3: Set the functions of the Custom Keys and Dials for both Stills and Movies.

• Setup 3: Set the Fn Menus for Stills, Movies & Playback.

• Setup 3: DISP (Screen Disp) Set > Monitor >  No Disp. Info. > Exposure: On

• Setup 4: Dial Customize > Function Ring (lens) APS-C S35/Full Frame (only available if you have the 300, 400 or 600 GM prime lenses).

• Setup 5: Touch Operation > Touch Panel/Pad > Both Valid

• Setup 5: Touch Operation > Touch Pad Settings > Touch Position Mode > Relative Position

• Setup 5: Touch Operation > Touch Pad Settings > Operation Area > Upper Right

• Setup 6: Accessibility > Mode Dial Control Set > 3 > choose 'Set with Dial' or 'Set with Menu'. If you choose 'Set with Menu' the registered Memories (MR) can recall the Focus Mode (this is a new feature introduced with the Version 3.00 Firmware. If you leave it set to Set with Dial you need to check you have turned the dial to the appropriate Focus Mode each time you recall a registered memory (1, 2 or 3) via the Shoot Mode Dial.

• Setup 7: Finder/Monitor > Monitor Brightness > Manual > +2

• Setup 7: Finder/Monitor > Viewfinder Brightness > +2

• Setup 7: Finder/Monitor > Display Quality > High

• Setup 8: Remain Shoot Display > Shoot-Only Display

• Setup 9: Power Setting Option > Power Save Start Time (5 -minutes) and Auto Power OFF Temp. > High)

• Setup 13: Setup Option > Anti-dust Function >Consider setting whether you want the Anti-dust function to close the shutter after powering down. WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE SHUTTER.

SHOOTING MENU

• Shooting 1: File Format > RAW & JPEG

• Shooting 2: Set the Rec. Media Settings to Sort Recording and the Auto Switch Media to On

• Shooting 1: Image Quality Settings > Slot 1: RAW Lossless Comp (L), Slot 2: JPEG or HEIF (Extra Fine)

• Shooting 1: File Format (Movie) > XAVC S 4K

• Shooting 1: Movie Settings > 60p / 200M 4:2:2 10bit

• Shooting 1: Lens Compensation > Distortion Comp Auto

• Shooting 3: File > Copyright Info > Write Copyright > On

• Shooting 3: File > Copyright Info > Set Copyright Name (not stored by CAMSET)

• Shooting 4: Set the Shoot Mode Memories and register them to 1, 2 and 3 on the Shoot Mode dial (Shooting > Shooting Mode Menu). These are outlined in the tables of the eBook. Only enter these settings after making the Exposure/Color and Focus settings on the next two pages.

• Shooting 4: Set the Recall Custom Hold Memories and assign them to Custom Keys. Focus Hold – Recall Custom Hold 1, AF-ON - Recall Custom Hold 2 (as outlined in this eBook).

• Shooting 5: Pre-Capture Settings - Set Pre-Capture Rec Time and set Pre-Capture Start Trigger to ‘Both Valid’.

• Shooting 5: Drive Mode > Bracket Settings > Selftimer during Bracket > 2 Sec

• Shooting 5: Interval Shoot Function > 250 (Shooting > Drive Mode menu) > Shooting Interval 5 Seconds

• Shooting 8: You will need adjust Shooting > Image Quality/Rec > File Format > JPEG before you can set this option). Zoom > Zoom Range > Clear Image Zoom (useful for gaining maximum reach when you don’t have a long enough lens).

EXPOSURE/COLOR MENU

• Exposure/Color 1: Exposure > BULB Timer Settings > Exposure Time > 60sec

• Exposure/Color 1: ISO Auto Min SS > Fast

• Exposure/Color 7: Zebra Display > Zebra Display > On

• Exposure/Color 7: Zebra Display > Zebra Level > Custom 1 > Lower Limit 109+ (100+ for JPEG/HEIF).

FOCUS MENU (AF/MF)

• AF/MF 1: Priority in AF-S > AF

• AF/MF 1: Priority in AF-C > Release

• AF/MF 1: AF Lvl for Crossing - 1(Locked on)

• AF/MF 1: AF Trk for Spd Chng - Responsive

• AF/MF 1: Full Time DMF > On

• AF/MF 1: AF Illuminator > Off

• AF/MF 2: Focus Area > Tracking Zone

• AF/MF 2: Focus Area > Switch V/H AF Area > AF Point + AF Area.  Note > When using Zone for a Portrait Memory Recall position the Zone to the top of the frame in both vertical orientations before registering the memory.

• AF/MF 2: Focus Area > Focus Area Color > Red

• AF/MF 3: Subject Recognition Frame Display > On

• AF/MF 4: Auto Magnifier in MF > On

PLAYBACK MENU

• Playback 7: Playback Option > Display as Group > On

• Playback 7: Playback Option > Choose whether you want the Focus frame Display set to On in Playback mode. Useful for seeing where the camera focused, but not so good for showing portraits to the people you have just snapped.

• Playback 7: Playback Option > Image Jump Setting > Front dial > Rating Only

MOVIE MODE > MENU

• Shooting 1: Image Quality/Rec > Lens Compensation > On

• Shooting 8: Image Stabilization > SteadyShot > Active or Dynamic Active

• Shooting 9: > Zoom > Zoom Range > Clear Image Zoom

• Shooting 9: > Zoom > Custom key Z. Speed > Fixed Speed   Standby > 8 (Fast)

• Shooting 9: > Zoom > Custom key Z. Speed > Fixed Speed Record > 1 (Slow)

• Shooting 10: Movie > Shooting > Shooting Display > Emphasized REC Display > On

• Exposure/Color 5: Picture Profile > PP11

• AF/MF 1: AF/MF > AF Assist > On

MY MENU 1

Add menu listings to the My Menu (My Menu > My Menu Settings)

• Format

• Monitor Brightness

• Viewfinder Brightness

• Preset Focus/Zoom

• Pre-Capture Settings

• Bluetooth Function

• JPEG/HEIF Switch

DRIVE MODE SETTINGS

Press the left side of Control wheel (after first turning the Drive Mode dial to     )

• Choose your preferred time for the 'Self-timer', e.g., I reduce the time from 10 to 2 seconds for the times I am not using my Bluetooth Remote to start long exposures.

• Set your preferred Continuous Bracket Settings, e.g., I choose 5 exposures 1.00 EV apart.

ISO SETTINGS

Press the right side of Control wheel

Choose an Upper limit for the Auto ISO to use, e.g. 32000 (choosing a lower value than this will risk camera shake or subject movement blur in low ambient light when the camera is hand-held).

SAVE CAMSET

Setup > Reset/Save Settings > Save/Load Settings